Distilled Awesomeness!

This week I listened to several podcasts put out by the American Historical Society's Talking Historypodcast. Although defunct for the past five years or so, the archival stuff is really worth taking a look at. I would really recommend that everyone at least check out what they have to offer, whether for educational or recreational use. From what I've seen, they have a fairly broad range of topics discussed by professional historians who are specialists in their field. Perhaps even more surprisingly (and admittedly enjoyable) they have professional audio experts. The interviews are conducted with quality studio equipment (you can actually hear what people have to say!), background music and transitions are handled perfectly (No drowning out the host or his guests!), and best of all the podcasts are offered in a direct download format in .mp3 format. (You can actually listen to it wherever and whenever you want without hassling with streaming/crappy web players? This is ludicrous!) Seriously, do yourself and the nice folks at the podcasts a favor and take some time to enjoy their well-polished product.

Aside from my favorable impression of the technical quality of the podcasts, the subjects and the academics they have on to discuss them are equally as impressive. I listened to podcasts concerning the previously unacknowledged broad scope Truman administration's Cold War policies, in addition to a session discussing the life and character of Werner Von Braun. (creatively entitled 'Prometheus') In both instances, the academics were given the time to present their ideas in a nuanced fashion, instead of the typical 89-FONT response typical of the media at large. Further, the host actually developed a relevant conversation with the historian allowing the conversation to explore ever more subtle disctinctions about their subjects, rather than impede the conversation by asking the professional to comment on contemporary events or make predictions about 'what if' scenarios.

In addition to the interview segment, the podcasts include sections devoted to the historical method utilized by the professional in his investigation, in addition to providing information on treasure troves of related information. Sometimes this took the form of primary source documents such as the online content of a muesuem or an online historical database maintained by a foundation or society. Or by providing relevant secondary sources by other established Historians in the field.

On top of all this already packed into the show, the end segment is an essay produced by (I think) by a history student, with conclusions which draw reasonable generalizations about the topic, musing on the meaning of the event, as well as parallels with contemporary issues in historiography or culture.

All in 29 minutes! Honestly, if you've spent any time watching the History Channel or any other similar history intended for mass consumption, you owe it to yourself (and the producers) to at least give this podcast a listen. What do you have to lose?