Conventional Wisdom: A History of American Political Conventions
American political conventions haven’t always been so predictable. Before becoming scripted for television, conventions were often where pressing issues of the day got hashed out and careers were made or ruined. In this hour of BackStory we venture into the back rooms, the chaotic halls, and the streets where these dramas unfolded.
The Health of the Nation
The following audio clip is excerpted from the BackStory episode “Body Politics: A History of Health Care.” You can listen to the entire episode here. Political scientist Jacob Hacker, author of the “public plan,” uses history to explain how we wound up with a system so different from the European model, and why lobbyists hold [...]
Heathen Health
The following audio clip is excerpted from the BackStory episode “Body Politics: A History of Health Care.” You can listen to the entire episode here. The Memory Palace‘s Nate DiMeo tells the story of how inoculation first came to the New World. Excerpted from: Body Politics: A History of Health Care
“Scales of Justice” – transcript
This is the transcript of “Scales of Justice: A History of Supreme Court Nominations,” an episode released in June of 2010. You can listen to the entire episode here. _____________________________________________________________ P. Onuf: This is “BackStory,” with us, the American History Guys. I’m Peter Onuf, 18th century guy. E. Ayers: I’m Ed Ayers, 19th century guy. [...]
“Scales of Justice” – Web Exclusives
Extended versions of interviews included in the BackStory episode “Scales of Justice: A History of Supreme Court Nominations,” broadcast in June of 2010.
Scales of Justice: A History of Supreme Court Nominations
How did Supreme Court nomination battles play out in the past? Was the Court always so “supreme?” Help us build our new episode about the history of the Supreme Court!
"Body Politics" Transcript
This is the transcript of “Body Politics: A History of Health Care,” first broadcast in October of 2009.
Body Politics: A History of Health Care
Recent fights about health care reform have landed several people in the hospital. So who foots the bill? Historically, what’s been the government’s role in keeping Americans healthy?
