Episodes

5 days ago
Korean War Part 2: The Divided Nation
5 days ago
5 days ago
The year 1948 sees the establishment of two separate Korean governments in the north and south. Amidst growing tensions between the US and the USSR, the Korean peninsula seems poised to become the location of the first direct confrontation between the Soviets and Americans over spheres of influence.
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Bibliography
Cumings, Bruce. The Korean War: A History. Modern Library, 2010.
Hanley, Charles J. Ghost Flames: Life and Death in a Hidden War, Korea 1950-1953. Hachette Book Group, 2020.
Hastings, Max. The Korean War. Simon and Schuster, 1987.
Jager, Sheila Miyoshi. Brothers at War: The Unending Conflict in Korea. W.W. Norton and Company, 2013.
Stueck, William. The Korean War: An International History. Princeton University Press, 1995.
Cover Image: As U.S. infantrymen march into the Naktong River region, they pass a line of fleeing refugees. August 11th, 1950. (Photo by Bettmann via Getty Images)
Opening Theme: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 by Antonín Dvořák
Closing Theme: Arirang, traditional Korean song, performed by the New York Philharmonic in Pyongyang, 2008.

Saturday Nov 18, 2023
Korean War Part 1: Traitors and Patriots
Saturday Nov 18, 2023
Saturday Nov 18, 2023
After having long been subjected to the rule of foreign powers, it seemed that with the defeat of Japan, the dream of Korean independence might finally be realized. However, the victorious allied powers of World War II had other plans.
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Bibliography
Cumings, Bruce. The Korean War: A History. Modern Library, 2010.
Hanley, Charles J. Ghost Flames: Life and Death in a Hidden War, Korea 1950-1953. Hachette Book Group, 2020.
Hastings, Max. The Korean War. Simon and Schuster, 1987.
Jager, Sheila Miyoshi. Brothers at War: The Unending Conflict in Korea. W.W. Norton and Company, 2013.
Stueck, William. The Korean War: An International History. Princeton University Press, 1995.
Cover Image: As U.S. infantrymen march into the Naktong River region, they pass a line of fleeing refugees. August 11th, 1950. (Photo by Bettmann via Getty Images)
Opening Theme: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 by Antonín Dvořák
Closing Theme: Arirang, traditional Korean song, performed by the New York Philharmonic in Pyongyang, 2008.

Saturday Nov 04, 2023
Savonarola Part 11: Death and Afterlife
Saturday Nov 04, 2023
Saturday Nov 04, 2023
Savonarola and his companions are brought before a tribunal and sentenced to death. Despite being formally condemned as a heretic, the friar's legacy would continue to cast a long shadow over Florentine politics in the years to come.
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Bibliography:
Bartlett, Kenneth. Florence in the Age of the Medici and Savonarola, 1464-1498: A Short History with Documents. Hackett Publishing, 2018.
Landucci, Luca. A Florentine Diary from 1450 to 1516. Columbia University Press, 1927.
Martines, Lauro. Fire in the City: Savonarola and the Struggle for the Soul of Renaissance Florence. Oxford University Press, 2005.
Savonarola, Girolamo. A Guide to Righteous Living and Other Works. Toronto Center for Reformation and Renaissance Studies, 2003.
Strathern, Paul. Death in Florence: The Medici, Savonarola, and the Battle for the Soul of a Renaissance City. Pegasus Books, 2016.
Villari, Pasquale. Life and Times of Girolamo Savonarola. University of the Pacific Press, 2004.
Weinstein, Donald. Savonarola: The Rise and Fall of a Renaissance Prophet. Yale University Press, 2011.
Cover Image: Portrait of a Dominican, presumed to be Girolamo Savonarola, c. 1524
Opening Theme: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 by Antonín Dvořák
Closing Theme: "Dies Irae" performed by the Monastic Choir of the Grimbergen Abbey

Saturday Oct 21, 2023
Savonarola Part 10: Hope and Despair
Saturday Oct 21, 2023
Saturday Oct 21, 2023
As Savonarola languishes in his prison cell, his faith is tested. Reckoning with his inner battle between hope and despair, Savonarola would then write a series of religious tracts that have since taken on great theological significance.
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Bibliography:
Bartlett, Kenneth. Florence in the Age of the Medici and Savonarola, 1464-1498: A Short History with Documents. Hackett Publishing, 2018.
Landucci, Luca. A Florentine Diary from 1450 to 1516. Columbia University Press, 1927.
Martines, Lauro. Fire in the City: Savonarola and the Struggle for the Soul of Renaissance Florence. Oxford University Press, 2005.
Savonarola, Girolamo. A Guide to Righteous Living and Other Works. Toronto Center for Reformation and Renaissance Studies, 2003.
Strathern, Paul. Death in Florence: The Medici, Savonarola, and the Battle for the Soul of a Renaissance City. Pegasus Books, 2016.
Villari, Pasquale. Life and Times of Girolamo Savonarola. University of the Pacific Press, 2004.
Weinstein, Donald. Savonarola: The Rise and Fall of a Renaissance Prophet. Yale University Press, 2011.
Cover Image: Portrait of a Dominican, presumed to be Girolamo Savonarola, c. 1524
Opening Theme: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 by Antonín Dvořák
Closing Theme: "Dies Irae" performed by the Monastic Choir of the Grimbergen Abbey

Saturday Oct 07, 2023
Savonarola Part 9: Trial by Ordeal
Saturday Oct 07, 2023
Saturday Oct 07, 2023
Political tensions in Florence reach a climax, and Savonarola is challenged to undergo a trial by fire. When the results of the trial turn public opinion decisively against him, he and his fellow monks are forced to make a desperate last stand in the monastery of San Marco.
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Bibliography:
Bartlett, Kenneth. Florence in the Age of the Medici and Savonarola, 1464-1498: A Short History with Documents. Hackett Publishing, 2018.
Landucci, Luca. A Florentine Diary from 1450 to 1516. Columbia University Press, 1927.
Martines, Lauro. Fire in the City: Savonarola and the Struggle for the Soul of Renaissance Florence. Oxford University Press, 2005.
Savonarola, Girolamo. A Guide to Righteous Living and Other Works. Toronto Center for Reformation and Renaissance Studies, 2003.
Strathern, Paul. Death in Florence: The Medici, Savonarola, and the Battle for the Soul of a Renaissance City. Pegasus Books, 2016.
Villari, Pasquale. Life and Times of Girolamo Savonarola. University of the Pacific Press, 2004.
Weinstein, Donald. Savonarola: The Rise and Fall of a Renaissance Prophet. Yale University Press, 2011.
Cover Image: Portrait of a Dominican, presumed to be Girolamo Savonarola, c. 1524
Opening Theme: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 by Antonín Dvořák
Closing Theme: "Dies Irae" performed by the Monastic Choir of the Grimbergen Abbey

Saturday Sep 23, 2023
Savonarola Part 8: Bonfire of the Vanities
Saturday Sep 23, 2023
Saturday Sep 23, 2023
Savonarola creates a spectacular demonstration of public virtue in the hopes of turning Florence's fortunes around. Meanwhile, Pope Alexander VI has the monk excommunicated- a decision Savonarola was determined to fight against to his last breath.
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Bibliography:
Bartlett, Kenneth. Florence in the Age of the Medici and Savonarola, 1464-1498: A Short History with Documents. Hackett Publishing, 2018.
Landucci, Luca. A Florentine Diary from 1450 to 1516. Columbia University Press, 1927.
Martines, Lauro. Fire in the City: Savonarola and the Struggle for the Soul of Renaissance Florence. Oxford University Press, 2005.
Savonarola, Girolamo. A Guide to Righteous Living and Other Works. Toronto Center for Reformation and Renaissance Studies, 2003.
Strathern, Paul. Death in Florence: The Medici, Savonarola, and the Battle for the Soul of a Renaissance City. Pegasus Books, 2016.
Villari, Pasquale. Life and Times of Girolamo Savonarola. University of the Pacific Press, 2004.
Weinstein, Donald. Savonarola: The Rise and Fall of a Renaissance Prophet. Yale University Press, 2011.
Cover Image: Portrait of a Dominican, presumed to be Girolamo Savonarola, c. 1524
Opening Theme: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 by Antonín Dvořák
Closing Theme: "Dies Irae" performed by the Monastic Choir of the Grimbergen Abbey

Saturday Sep 09, 2023
Savonarola Part 7: Wailers and Bigots
Saturday Sep 09, 2023
Saturday Sep 09, 2023
Savonarola engages in a new campaign to combat vice in the city of Florence. Meanwhile, Pope Alexander VI continues to utilize every possible strategy to silence the renegade friar.
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Bibliography:
Bartlett, Kenneth. Florence in the Age of the Medici and Savonarola, 1464-1498: A Short History with Documents. Hackett Publishing, 2018.
Landucci, Luca. A Florentine Diary from 1450 to 1516. Columbia University Press, 1927.
Martines, Lauro. Fire in the City: Savonarola and the Struggle for the Soul of Renaissance Florence. Oxford University Press, 2005.
Savonarola, Girolamo. A Guide to Righteous Living and Other Works. Toronto Center for Reformation and Renaissance Studies, 2003.
Strathern, Paul. Death in Florence: The Medici, Savonarola, and the Battle for the Soul of a Renaissance City. Pegasus Books, 2016.
Villari, Pasquale. Life and Times of Girolamo Savonarola. University of the Pacific Press, 2004.
Weinstein, Donald. Savonarola: The Rise and Fall of a Renaissance Prophet. Yale University Press, 2011.
Cover Image: Portrait of a Dominican, presumed to be Girolamo Savonarola, c. 1524
Opening Theme: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 by Antonín Dvořák
Closing Theme: "Dies Irae" performed by the Monastic Choir of the Grimbergen Abbey

Saturday Jun 24, 2023
Savonarola Part 6: Book of Revelation
Saturday Jun 24, 2023
Saturday Jun 24, 2023
When Savonarola's influence prevents Florence from joining an anti-French coalition made up of the other Italian states, he raises the ire of Pope Alexander VI, sparking a deadly rivalry that would last for the next three years.
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Bibliography:
Bartlett, Kenneth. Florence in the Age of the Medici and Savonarola, 1464-1498: A Short History with Documents. Hackett Publishing, 2018.
Landucci, Luca. A Florentine Diary from 1450 to 1516. Columbia University Press, 1927.
Martines, Lauro. Fire in the City: Savonarola and the Struggle for the Soul of Renaissance Florence. Oxford University Press, 2005.
Savonarola, Girolamo. A Guide to Righteous Living and Other Works. Toronto Center for Reformation and Renaissance Studies, 2003.
Strathern, Paul. Death in Florence: The Medici, Savonarola, and the Battle for the Soul of a Renaissance City. Pegasus Books, 2016.
Villari, Pasquale. Life and Times of Girolamo Savonarola. University of the Pacific Press, 2004.
Weinstein, Donald. Savonarola: The Rise and Fall of a Renaissance Prophet. Yale University Press, 2011.
Cover Image: Portrait of a Dominican, presumed to be Girolamo Savonarola, c. 1524
Opening Theme: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 by Antonín Dvořák
Closing Theme: "Dies Irae" performed by the Monastic Choir of the Grimbergen Abbey

Saturday Jun 10, 2023
Savonarola Part 5: Building a New Jerusalem
Saturday Jun 10, 2023
Saturday Jun 10, 2023
The Medici have been expelled from Florence and the French army occupies the city. As the citizens of Florence begin the long process of forming a new republican government, they once more seek the guidance of Savonarola, who aspired to turn the city into a "New Jerusalem."
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Bibliography:
Bartlett, Kenneth. Florence in the Age of the Medici and Savonarola, 1464-1498: A Short History with Documents. Hackett Publishing, 2018.
Landucci, Luca. A Florentine Diary from 1450 to 1516. Columbia University Press, 1927.
Martines, Lauro. Fire in the City: Savonarola and the Struggle for the Soul of Renaissance Florence. Oxford University Press, 2005.
Savonarola, Girolamo. A Guide to Righteous Living and Other Works. Toronto Center for Reformation and Renaissance Studies, 2003.
Strathern, Paul. Death in Florence: The Medici, Savonarola, and the Battle for the Soul of a Renaissance City. Pegasus Books, 2016.
Villari, Pasquale. Life and Times of Girolamo Savonarola. University of the Pacific Press, 2004.
Weinstein, Donald. Savonarola: The Rise and Fall of a Renaissance Prophet. Yale University Press, 2011.
Cover Image: Portrait of a Dominican, presumed to be Girolamo Savonarola, c. 1524
Opening Theme: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 by Antonín Dvořák
Closing Theme: "Dies Irae" performed by the Monastic Choir of the Grimbergen Abbey

Saturday May 27, 2023
Savonarola Part 4: Il Popolo e Libertà
Saturday May 27, 2023
Saturday May 27, 2023
The "New Cyrus" whose coming Savonarola had long foretold arrives in Italy in the form of King Charles VIII of France. As the seemingly unstoppable armies of France threaten the city with destruction, the people of Florence turn to Savonarola to deliver them from peril.
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Support the show on Patreon
Bibliography:
Bartlett, Kenneth. Florence in the Age of the Medici and Savonarola, 1464-1498: A Short History with Documents. Hackett Publishing, 2018.
Landucci, Luca. A Florentine Diary from 1450 to 1516. Columbia University Press, 1927.
Martines, Lauro. Fire in the City: Savonarola and the Struggle for the Soul of Renaissance Florence. Oxford University Press, 2005.
Savonarola, Girolamo. A Guide to Righteous Living and Other Works. Toronto Center for Reformation and Renaissance Studies, 2003.
Strathern, Paul. Death in Florence: The Medici, Savonarola, and the Battle for the Soul of a Renaissance City. Pegasus Books, 2016.
Villari, Pasquale. Life and Times of Girolamo Savonarola. University of the Pacific Press, 2004.
Weinstein, Donald. Savonarola: The Rise and Fall of a Renaissance Prophet. Yale University Press, 2011.
Cover Image: Portrait of a Dominican, presumed to be Girolamo Savonarola, c. 1524
Opening Theme: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 by Antonín Dvořák
Closing Theme: "Dies Irae" performed by the Monastic Choir of the Grimbergen Abbey