History That Doesn't Suck

By: Prof. Greg Jackson
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  • Summary

  • HTDS is a bi-weekly podcast, delivering a legit, seriously researched, hard-hitting survey of American history through entertaining stories. To keep up with History That Doesn’t Suck news, check us out on Facebook and Instagram: @Historythatdoesntsuck; on Twitter: @HTDSpod; or online at htdspodcast.com. Support the podcast at Patreon.com/historythatdoesntsuck.
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Episodes
  • 164: Harlem Renaissance: The Great Migration, Jazz, and the Flowering of Black Culture

    164: Harlem Renaissance: The Great Migration, Jazz, and the Flowering of Black Culture
    Sep 9 2024
    “Harlem is the queen of the black belts, drawing Aframericans together in a vast humming hive . . . from the different states, from the islands of the Caribbean, and from Africa . . . It is the Negro capital of the world.” This is the story of the Harlem Renaissance. In the early twentieth century, many Black families and individuals down South are finding that the only way out is up—to the North. Driven by Jim Crow discrimination and harsh economic realities, hundreds of thousands of African Americans head to cities like Chicago (the “promised land”) or Harlem (“Black Mecca”). This Great Migration fosters communities of gifted artists, and eventually, the rest of the country takes notice. By the 1920s, Black culture is truly blooming. Up-and-coming writers including Zora Neal Hurston and Langston Hughes are crafting literature we still consume some 100 years later. Master musicians like Cab Calloway and Ella Fitzgerald are scattin’ up a storm in New York clubs. And let’s not forget the visual arts! The Harlem Renaissance features countless artists that contribute mightily to American culture and Black identity: let’s meet just a few. (Audio of Cab Calloway was recorded in 1982 at the White Plains Public Library in White Plains, NY, and used with their permission. We are grateful to the library and encourage listeners to support their local public library for the services they provide.) ____ Connect with us on HTDSpodcast.com and go deep into episode bibliographies and book recommendations join discussions in our Facebook community get news and discounts from The HTDS Gazette come see a live show get HTDS merch or become an HTDS premium member for bonus episodes and other perks. HTDS is part of the Airwave Media Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • 163: The Show (Boat) Must Go On: Broadway and the American Musical

    163: The Show (Boat) Must Go On: Broadway and the American Musical
    Aug 26 2024
    “Miller, Lyles, and I were standing near the exit door . . . Blake stuck out there in front, leading the orchestra—his bald head would get the brunt of the tomatoes and rotten eggs.” This is the story of American musical theater and the dawn of modern Broadway. Popular entertainment is evolving fast in the early twentieth century. Minstrel shows just aren’t drawing the same numbers anymore (for good reason), and burlesque and variety shows abound. The earliest “official” musical, The Black Crook takes several notes from these sometimes scandalous shows, as do Flo Ziegfeld’s new “revues.” By the 1920s, composers, writers, and choreographers are experimenting with what a musical production can do: using songs to advance the plot (thanks Hammerstein!), and incorporating new music genres like jazz. Big players including George Gershwin, Noble Sissle, and Irving Berlin all play a role in crafting the perfect environment for the American musical to emerge, but the production Show Boat really gives a glimpse of the future of musical theater. It entertains even as it tackles heavy topics, and the score is seriously moving. It’s difficult to anticipate how audiences will receive this new form—less pompous than a European operetta, but definitely more substantial than one of Ziegfeld’s musical revues. So, without further ado . . . take your seat, the show’s about to begin. ____ Connect with us on HTDSpodcast.com and go deep into episode bibliographies and book recommendations join discussions in our Facebook community get news and discounts from The HTDS Gazette come see a live show get HTDS merch or become an HTDS premium member for bonus episodes and other perks. HTDS is part of the Airwave Media Network. Interested in advertising on the History That Doesn't Suck? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • 162: The Birth of the Movies: From Silent Cinema to the Rise of Hollywood & the First “Talkie”

    162: The Birth of the Movies: From Silent Cinema to the Rise of Hollywood & the First “Talkie”
    Aug 12 2024
    “Wait a minute, wait a minute, you ain’t heard nothing yet!” This is the story of the silver screen. In the late nineteenth century, technology is advancing rapidly. Eadweard Muybridge’s trip-wire camera work, made famous by a “motion study” of a galloping horse, is giving way to smoother and longer projections. Some see these short films simply as a curiosity, an “invention without a future” as early filmmaker Louis Lumière famously says, but Thomas Edison knows there is serious money to be had. He’s quick to patent his inventions (and to sue anyone trying to circumvent his Motion Picture Patents Company), but even he can’t keep motion pictures under wraps forever. Independent filmmakers like Carl Laemmle and William Fox turn their actors into stars and move out to sunny Hollywood to operate far from Edison’s watchful eye. LA explodes in the 1910s and 20s as moviemakers and actors flock to the area, and though their decadent lives and debatable morals worry the public, audiences keep consuming the studio’s silent productions. That is, until synchronized sound enters the scene. ____ Connect with us on HTDSpodcast.com and go deep into episode bibliographies and book recommendations join discussions in our Facebook community get news and discounts from The HTDS Gazette come see a live show get HTDS merch or become an HTDS premium member for bonus episodes and other perks. HTDS is part of the Airwave Media Network. Interested in advertising on the History That Doesn't Suck? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 4 mins
World Social Sciences
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Profile Image for COLBYJACK

Love this

I don’t think I found a history podcast quite like this one. Absolutely engaging and interesting and everything he wants it to be and that I am constantly wanting more and I’m so grateful for it. Great job, professor and team, you guys and gals are incredible.

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Profile Image for Brent

Title says it all.

All the meaty standards stuff plus additional spicy and well documented details that will keep you both entertained and better informed. Narration is great.

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Great stories, well researched

I love the references Greg makes. Information is well reviewed and relevant. My favorite podcast at the moment.

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Great Podcast

A fantastic Podcast that gives the listeners a factually review of the history of the US. it's a great way to learn about history for beginners and a fun way to learn new facts for history lovers

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Good story and performance. I will listen to it again. Recommended for anyone who likes history or not

Good story and performance. I will listen to it again. Recommended for anyone who likes history or not

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Profile Image for JEB

tells the story of history

I'm a homeschool mom and have been listening to this with my kids as part of our American history. We enjoy it, and we learn. Jackson gives the details that make the characters memorable and interesting. While we thoroughly enjoy the podcast and have been impressed with the historical value, I have to recommend it to friends with a warning about the language. Unsurprisingly given the title, there are adult words peppered throughout the episodes.

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fabulous and entertaining

I love this podcast. I knew a lot about American history but the variety of perspectives is amazing. I could listen them talk about any topic for hours. I'm learning so much and seeing so many different perspectives.

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Profile Image for timothy a stem

History at its finest!

I love this crew! High quality fact based history with excellent narration. My favorite podcast of all time!

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Profile Image for Klove

The more you know!

Fun, engaging,educational and very calming voice. Love listening to this every night before bed. Love history? Listen to this!

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Profile Image for Jack

A great survival story.

The lesson of mother nature is learned of a paraglider that it goes to the edge of her limits beyond most people's limits and still survives mother nature's power.

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