Perspectives in History
A podcast where I tell the story of lesser-known and or misunderstood events and people from history in a way that is hopefully as entertaining as it is informative. Formerly known as Historia Dramatica.
A podcast where I tell the story of lesser-known and or misunderstood events and people from history in a way that is hopefully as entertaining as it is informative. Formerly known as Historia Dramatica.
Episodes

Dec 24, 2022
Dec 24, 2022
40 min
After months of scheming, a faction of imperial loyalists embark on their plan to restore the authority of the Emperor, resulting in the outbreak of armed conflict between the Shogunate and Imperial forces at the Battle of Toba-Fushimi.
Email me: perspectivesinhistorypod@gmail.com
Podcast Website
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Buy Some Used Books
Bibliography:
Beasley, W. G. The Meiji Restoration. Stanford University Press, 2019.
Keene, Donald. Emperor of Japan: Meiji and His World 1852-1912. Columbia University Press, 2002.
Hillsborough, Romulus. Samurai Revolution: the Dawn of Modern Japan through the Eyes of the Shogun's Last Samurai. Tuttle Publishing, 2018.
Jansen, Marius B. The Making of Modern Japan. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2000.
Ravina, Mark. The Last Samurai: The Life and Battles of Saigo Takamori. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2011.
Sansom, George. A History of Japan 1615-1867 Stanford University Press, 1998
Cover Image: Illustration of a Military Review by Toyohara Chikanobu, 1887.
Opening Theme: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 by Antonín Dvořák.
Closing Theme: "Miyasan, Miyasan," performed by the Daiei Company Male Choir.

Dec 10, 2022
Meiji Restoration Part 3: Chōshū and Satsuma
Dec 10, 2022
Dec 10, 2022
39 min
The various political factions in Japan struggle to enact the agenda of "enriching the country and strengthening the army." Meanwhile, events push the rival domains of Chōshū and Satsuma closer toward an alliance against the Tokugawa Shogunate.
Email me: perspectivesinhistorypod@gmail.com
Podcast Website
Follow me on Twitter
Facebook Page
Buy Some Used Books
Bibliography:
Beasley, W. G. The Meiji Restoration. Stanford University Press, 2019.
Keene, Donald. Emperor of Japan: Meiji and His World 1852-1912. Columbia University Press, 2002.
Hillsborough, Romulus. Samurai Revolution: the Dawn of Modern Japan through the Eyes of the Shogun's Last Samurai. Tuttle Publishing, 2018.
Jansen, Marius B. The Making of Modern Japan. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2000.
Ravina, Mark. The Last Samurai: The Life and Battles of Saigo Takamori. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2011.
Sansom, George. A History of Japan 1615-1867 Stanford University Press, 1998
Cover Image: Illustration of a Military Review by Toyohara Chikanobu, 1887.
Opening Theme: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 by Antonín Dvořák.
Closing Theme: "Miyasan, Miyasan," performed by the Daiei Company Male Choir.

Nov 26, 2022
Meiji Restoration Part 2: Sonnō-Jōi
Nov 26, 2022
Nov 26, 2022
45 min
Tensions between the Shogun, the Emperor, and their respective supporters continue to escalate as these factions debate how best to respond to the threat posed by the Western powers. Meanwhile, a bloody confrontation between a British merchant and a Japanese samurai leads to the brink of full-blown war.
Email me: perspectivesinhistorypod@gmail.com
Podcast Website
Follow me on Twitter
Facebook Page
Buy Some Used Books
Bibliography:
Beasley, W. G. The Meiji Restoration. Stanford University Press, 2019.
Keene, Donald. Emperor of Japan: Meiji and His World 1852-1912. Columbia University Press, 2002.
Hillsborough, Romulus. Samurai Revolution: the Dawn of Modern Japan through the Eyes of the Shogun's Last Samurai. Tuttle Publishing, 2018.
Jansen, Marius B. The Making of Modern Japan. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2000.
Ravina, Mark. The Last Samurai: The Life and Battles of Saigo Takamori. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2011.
Sansom, George. A History of Japan 1615-1867 Stanford University Press, 1998
Cover Image: Illustration of a Military Review by Toyohara Chikanobu, 1887.
Opening Theme: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 by Antonín Dvořák.
Closing Theme: "Miyasan, Miyasan," performed by the Daiei Company Male Choir.

Nov 12, 2022
Meiji Restoration Part 1: Barbarians at the Gate
Nov 12, 2022
Nov 12, 2022
42 min
When an American naval squadron arrives in Edo Bay on July 8th, 1853, the Japanese nation is gripped by panic. Having previously been isolated from the rest of the world, the ‘opening’ of Japan was certain to have grave political and social consequences that would be felt for decades to come.
Email me: perspectivesinhistorypod@gmail.com
Podcast Website
Follow me on Twitter
Facebook Page
Buy Some Used Books
Bibliography:
Beasley, W. G. The Meiji Restoration. Stanford University Press, 2019.
Keene, Donald. Emperor of Japan: Meiji and His World 1852-1912. Columbia University Press, 2002.
Hillsborough, Romulus. Samurai Revolution: the Dawn of Modern Japan through the Eyes of the Shogun's Last Samurai. Tuttle Publishing, 2018.
Jansen, Marius B. The Making of Modern Japan. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2000.
Ravina, Mark. The Last Samurai: The Life and Battles of Saigo Takamori. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2011.
Sansom, George. A History of Japan 1615-1867 Stanford University Press, 1998
Cover Image: Illustration of a Military Review by Toyohara Chikanobu, 1887.
Opening Theme: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 by Antonín Dvořák.
Closing Theme: "Miyasan, Miyasan," performed by the Daiei Company Male Choir.

Oct 29, 2022
Oct 29, 2022
50 min
As Huey Long prepares to challenge Franklin D. Roosevelt for the presidency of the United States, he faces mounting opposition in his home state of Louisiana that threatened to put an end to his lofty ambitions once and for all.
Email me: perspectivesinhistorypod@gmail.com
Podcast Website
Follow me on Twitter
Facebook Page
Buy Some Used Books
Bibliography:
Hair, William. The Kingfish and his Realm: The Life and Times of Huey P. Long. Louisiana State University Press, 1991.
Long, Huey. Every Man a King: The Autobiography of Huey P. Long. Da Capo Press, 1996.
White, Richard. Kingfish: The Reign of Huey P. Long. Random House, 2006.
Williams, T. Harry. Huey Long. Vintage Books, 1981.
Cover Image: Huey Long photographed c. 1930.
Opening Theme: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 by Antonín Dvořák.
Closing Theme: "Every Man a King," performed by the Louisiana Ramblers.

Oct 15, 2022
Huey Long Part 4: Share Our Wealth
Oct 15, 2022
Oct 15, 2022
50 min
After ensuring his control over the Louisiana state government, Huey Long takes his seat in the United States Senate and utilizes his new national platform to advocate for radical new policies amidst the outbreak of the Great Depression.
Email me: perspectivesinhistorypod@gmail.com
Podcast Website
Follow me on Twitter
Facebook Page
Buy Some Used Books
Bibliography:
Hair, William. The Kingfish and his Realm: The Life and Times of Huey P. Long. Louisiana State University Press, 1991.
Long, Huey. Every Man a King: The Autobiography of Huey P. Long. Da Capo Press, 1996.
White, Richard. Kingfish: The Reign of Huey P. Long. Random House, 2006.
Williams, T. Harry. Huey Long. Vintage Books, 1981.
Cover Image: Huey Long photographed c. 1930.
Opening Theme: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 by Antonín Dvořák.
Closing Theme: "Every Man a King," performed by the Louisiana Ramblers.

Sep 30, 2022
Huey Long Part 3: Progress in Louisiana
Sep 30, 2022
Sep 30, 2022
41 min
Growing bolder after narrowly surviving an impeachment attempt, Huey's authoritarian tendencies begin to come to the fore. Before the conclusion of his term as governor, Huey seizes on an opportunity that will allow him to continue on the path to greater political power.
Email me: perspectivesinhistorypod@gmail.com
Podcast Website
Follow me on Twitter
Facebook Page
Buy Some Used Books
Bibliography:
Hair, William. The Kingfish and his Realm: The Life and Times of Huey P. Long. Louisiana State University Press, 1991.
Long, Huey. Every Man a King: The Autobiography of Huey P. Long. Da Capo Press, 1996.
White, Richard. Kingfish: The Reign of Huey P. Long. Random House, 2006.
Williams, T. Harry. Huey Long. Vintage Books, 1981.
Cover Image: Huey Long photographed c. 1930.
Opening Theme: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 by Antonín Dvořák.
Closing Theme: "Every Man a King," performed by the Louisiana Ramblers.

Sep 16, 2022
Huey Long Part 2: The Kingfish
Sep 16, 2022
Sep 16, 2022
42 min
Newly-inaugurated governor of Louisiana Huey Long works to consolidate his control over the state government and to enact his progressive agenda. Meanwhile, his political opponents conspire to have him removed from office.
Email me: perspectivesinhistorypod@gmail.com
Podcast Website
Follow me on Twitter
Facebook Page
Buy Some Used Books
Bibliography:
Hair, William. The Kingfish and his Realm: The Life and Times of Huey P. Long. Louisiana State University Press, 1991.
Long, Huey. Every Man a King: The Autobiography of Huey P. Long. Da Capo Press, 1996.
White, Richard. Kingfish: The Reign of Huey P. Long. Random House, 2006.
Williams, T. Harry. Huey Long. Vintage Books, 1981.
Cover Image: Huey Long photographed c. 1930.
Opening Theme: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 by Antonín Dvořák.
Closing Theme: "Every Man a King," performed by the Louisiana Ramblers.

Sep 2, 2022
Huey Long Part 1: Every Man a King
Sep 2, 2022
Sep 2, 2022
48 min
In 1928, a former traveling salesman named Huey Long was elected as the governor of Louisiana. Coming from humble origins, Huey's populist rhetoric had enabled him to win this election, but it had also earned him a fair share of enemies.
Email me: perspectivesinhistorypod@gmail.com
Podcast Website
Follow me on Twitter
Facebook Page
Buy Some Used Books
Bibliography:
Hair, William. The Kingfish and his Realm: The Life and Times of Huey P. Long. Louisiana State University Press, 1991.
Long, Huey. Every Man a King: The Autobiography of Huey P. Long. Da Capo Press, 1996.
White, Richard. Kingfish: The Reign of Huey P. Long. Random House, 2006.
Williams, T. Harry. Huey Long. Vintage Books, 1981.
Cover Image: Huey Long photographed c. 1930.
Opening Theme: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 by Antonín Dvořák.
Closing Theme: "Every Man a King," performed by the Louisiana Ramblers.

Jun 4, 2022
Jun 4, 2022
37 min
The Ukrainian nationalists under Symon Petliura are forced to make unlikely alliances in order to withstand a renewed Soviet invasion of Ukraine. Although the nationalists were ultimately vanquished, the ideal of independent Ukrainian statehood would live on and manifest itself in unexpected ways in the future.
Email me: perspectivesinhistorypod@gmail.com
Podcast Website
Follow me on Twitter
Facebook Page
Buy Some Used Books
Bibliography:
Doroshenko, Dmytro. A Survey of Ukrainian History. Trident Press Limited, 1975.
Engelstein, Laura. Russia in Flames: War, Revolution, Civil War, 1917-1921. Oxford University Press, 2019.
Hrushevsky, Mykhailo. A History of Ukraine. Archon Books, 1970
Hunczak, Taras. The Ukraine, 1917-1921: A Study in Revolution. Harvard University Press, 1977.
Maslakh, Serhii and Shakhrai, Vasyl. On the Current Situation in Ukraine. University of Michigan Press, 1970.
Plokhy, Serhii. The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine. Basic Books, 2021.
Reshetar, John. The Ukrainian Revolution, 1917-1920: A Study in Nationalism. Princeton University Press, 1952.
Cover Image: Leaders of the Ukrainian national movement in Kyiv’s Sofiivska Square during the Third All-Ukrainian Military Congress, November 1917.
Opening Theme: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, "From the New World", Op. 95, B. 178 by Antonín Dvořák.
Closing Theme: "Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished," Anthem of the Ukrainian People's Republic, 1917-1922.




