Podcast
Lectures in History
Hosted by C-SPAN · EN
Go back to school with the country's top professors lecturing on a variety of topics in American history. New episodes posted every Saturday evening. From C-SPAN, the network that brings you "After Words" and "C-SPAN's The Weekly" podcasts.
35episodes
Episodes
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FEED DROP A250: Abraham Lincoln and Conditions Leading to the Civil War
May 2401:12:26Tap to summarizePulitzer Prize-winning author Edda Fields-Black and other scholars gathered by the Abraham Lincoln Institute explored Lincoln and the paths leading up to the Civil War. The event took place at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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FEED DROP: 2026 Commencement Speeches: Ron DeSantis, Muriel Bowser, Scott Bessent & James Patterson
May 2201:22:40Tap to summarizeHear another collection of memorable 2026 commencement speeches from campuses across the country featuring Erika Kirk, Ron DeSantis, Muriel Bowser, Scott Bessent, and bestselling author James Patterson. This edition of C-SPAN’s Commencement Addresses podcast features reflections on leadership, faith, creativity, public service, curiosity, and navigating an uncertain future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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FEED DROP: 2026 Commencement Speeches: Hilary Duff, Gretchen Whitmer, Hugh Jackman, Nancy Pelosi & Jalen Rose
May 2201:34:16Tap to summarizeHighlights from the 2026 commencement season featuring speeches from Hilary Duff, Gretchen Whitmer, Hugh Jackman, Nancy Pelosi, and Jalen Rose. Hear advice and reflections on leadership, creativity, resilience, and public service from campuses across the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →The History of the Oil Business
May 1700:56:15Tap to summarizeUniversity of Iowa professor Richard Priest traces the history of the oil business from rudimentary drilling to John Rockefeller's Standard Oil Company and how competition grew across the globe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Red Dead's History - A Video Game, An Obsession, and America's Violent Past
May 1001:11:56Tap to summarizeUniversity of Tennessee, Knoxville, history professor Tore Olsson discussed what the video games Red Dead Redemption 1 and 2 get right and wrong about American history. This event was hosted by Union Ave Books and the East Tennessee Historical Society Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →FEED DROP: BN+ - Bob Crawford, "America's Founding Son"
May 301:02:08Tap to summarizeThis week, Lectures in History is taking a break— So we’re bringing you Booknotes+. Hosted by Brian Lamb, this episode features Bob Crawford—of The Avett Brothers—on his book America’s Founding Son. Bob Crawford plays upright bass, bass guitar, and violin with the Grammy nominated Americana band, the Avett Brothers. He's been with the band for 25 years. Since 2016, Mr. Crawford has had his own podcast called The Road to Now, along with Ben Sawyer. Their focus is about history. Six years ago, during his band's tour, Mr. Crawford received his master's degree online from Arizona State University. The focus again was history. Now comes his first serious book titled "America's Founding Son: John Quincy Adams, from President to Political Maverick." Bob Crawford spends a significant amount of time discussing the 17 years Adams spent in the House of Representatives, after he was president, trying to stop the spread of slavery in the United States Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →FEED DROP: America's Book Club with Beverly Gage
Apr 2601:03:16Tap to summarizeHistorian and Yale University Professor Beverly Gage joined David M. Rubenstein to discuss her Pulitzer Prize winning biography of former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and her road trip across the U.S. to visit historic sites. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →"Whiteness" & U.S. Citizenship
Apr 1901:07:16Tap to summarizeUSC lecturer Nora Lessersohn looks at how racial classifications were used during the naturalization process throughout American history. This lecture takes place at University of Southern California's campus in Washington, DC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Allen Guelzo on Abraham Lincoln
Apr 1200:53:57Tap to summarizeUniversity of Florida professor Allen Guelzo teaches a class on Abraham Lincoln's intellectual interests and how the 16th president was more than just a talented politician. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →FEED DROP BN+: Investigative Journalist Seth Harp Explores The Fort Bragg Cartel
Apr 601:18:51Tap to summarizeSeth Harp is a lawyer and an Iraq war veteran and an investigative writer and journalist. His first book, "The Fort Bragg Cartel," is about drug trafficking and murder in the Special Forces. Near the end of his book, Harp writes: "Between January 2017 and September 2022, a total of 15,293 active duty service members suffered drug overdoses, and 322 of those were fatal. The Defense Department data showed that Fort Bragg had far more overdoses than any other military base in both absolute and per capita terms." Fort Bragg is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and is the largest populated army base with close to 50,000 soldiers. It is headquarters of the secret Delta Force. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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