In this podcast, brought to you by H-Pol, Drs. Marie Totten and Robert Ferguson explore some of the classic works in American political history.
Our goal is to help graduate students encounter books that might not appear on their comps lists but that they will want to be aware of and engage with.
Episode 18: Special Guest Walter Russell Mead, Herman Melville, "Benito Cereno," 1855
Alexander Hamilton Professor of Strategy and Statecraft at the University of Florida Walter Russell Mead joins the show to discuss a book that he believes gives students and practitioners a unique window into the history of American foreign policy... Herman Melville's "Benito Cereno."
Mead argues that Melville had an incredible insight into the minds of Americans as they faced the world. How they seek to aid and assist, shape and liberate. Mead shows that the book establishes a familiar pattern to American foreign relations.
In addition to discussing the book, Mead advocates for using literature as a tool for encountering human experiences that we might not have ourselves. He suggests that American political scientists, historians, and policy practitioners would be better off with a closer connection to the rich canon of American literature.
This is a really great episode. It is a little different from anything we have done before, but it turned out really great!
9 Oct 2026
Episode 17: John Walton Caughey, "California Gold Rush," 1948
In this episode, Rob and Marie Go West to discuss John Walton Caughey's seminal book on the history of the California Gold Rush.
They spend most of the episode discussing the history of the Gold Rush itself, especially how it is described by Caughey. They discuss the incredible journey that most of the 49ers took to get to the diggings and what life was like in them. They discuss how law and order began to slowly develop among them, both informal and formal.
if you are interested in the history of the California Gold Rush, this is a great episode for you. If you are interested in where our modern historical understanding of the California Gold Rush emerged from, than this episode is also for you. You will really enjoy it!. Please Like and Subscribe.
25 Sept 2026
Episode 16: Elizabeth Fox Genovese, "Within the Plantation Household, 1988
Rob and Marie continue extend the Genovese-theme for one more episode as they discuss the work of the incredible Elizabeth Fox-Genovese.
Specifically, we analyze her most famous work "Within the Plantation Household," which fundamentally reshaped Southern women's history. We discuss how Fox-Genovese conceived of the antebellum South, and the central role that both Black and white women played. We argue that, in fact, Fox-Genovese is as responsible as anyone else for fatally wounding Eugene Genovese's paternalism thesis, and that (in many ways) this is a more satisfying book than Roll Jordan Roll.
We also wrestle with the many challenges that this book presents, both intentionally and unintentionally. We try to come to terms with a book that puts us in the shoes of people we would rather not sympathize with. It is a great listen!
10 Sept 2026
Episode 15: Eugene Genovese, "Roll Jordan Roll," 1972.
Rob Ferguson and Marie Totten discuss Eugene Genovese's 'Roll Jordan Roll', exploring its insights into slavery, paternalism, religion, and the complex human relationships within the antebellum South. They analyze the book's strengths, weaknesses, and its controversial place in historiography.
Please also enjoy Comps List Radio's new theme music. We hope you like it!
25 Aug 2026
Episode 14: Alexis de Tocqueville, "Democracy in America,"
In the first episode of season 2, Rob and Marie are joined by the extended H-Pol universe to discuss one of the greatest books in American political history: Alex de Tocqueville's "Democracy in America."
The group of us discuss the themes of citizenship, the consequences of a political system in which sovereignty rests in the people, and the fears of majoritarian tyranny. We also spent some time discussing "soft despotism."
This was an excellent podcast filled with all sorts of different perspectives. Anyone who has wanted to engage with Tocqueville but has been a little intimidated by its size should start here. Meanwhile, anyone who is familiar with Tocqueville will enjoy this discussion as both a refresher and (perhaps) an opportunity to engage with us.
20 Jul 2026
Episode 13: 250 Series, Gordon Wood (RIP), "Creation of Am. Republic" and "Radicalism of Am. Rev."
Rob and Marie discuss Gordon Wood's iconic "Creation of the American Republic," and "Radicalism of the American Revolution," in a final bittersweet instalment of the Comps List Radio America 250 Summer Series.
Rob and Marie spend a lot of time discussing Wood the man and the scholar before jumping into these two (very interrelated) books. They distinguish him from Bailyn while acknowledging the clear similarities between the two, while engaging with Wood's many arguments.
While these books are still probably on your Comps List, this episode will be a great entry-point to two of the most important books in US historiography.
3 Jul 2026
Episode 12: 250 Series July 4th Special, Publius, "The Federalist Papers,"
In this very special episode of Comps List Radio, Rob and Marie are joined by the entire H-Pol Team: Aakriti Sethi, Rebeca Leffler, and Grant Madsen to discuss "The Federalist Papers," and their lingering importance for American historians.
We discuss the most important themes, how the Federalist Papers shapes our understanding of the Constitution, some of the "greatest hits," and some of our favorite deep cuts.
While you are preparing to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, please join us as we discuss the most important works in American political theory.
In this episode, Marie and Rob discuss the towering legacy of Douglass Adair's 1943 dissertation that launched the Republican Synthesis understanding of the American founding. We highlight his Madison partisanship, his treatment of Hamilton as a reactionary, and how the founders' shared understanding of Aristotle and Thucydides had scarred them. If you want to understand why you (probably) understand the Founding the way that you do, you need to need to listen to this episode.
11 Jun 2026
Episode 10: Bernard Bailyn and Caroline Robbins, 250 Series
This episode explores the ideological foundations of the American Revolution, focusing on Bernard Bailyn's "Ideological Origins of the American Revolution," and Caroline Robbins' "The Eighteenth Century Commonwealthmen." We discuss how ideas from British political culture influenced American revolutionary thought, the role of pamphlets, and the enduring legacy of English liberalism. At the heart is our understanding of the United States as a uniquely creedal nation.
After a wonderful summary and analysis of Bailyn's "Ideological Origins," Rob does his best to explain Robbins' exemplary "Eighteenth Century Commonwealthmen" which inspired Bailyn's work. Even though he admits that his knowledge of English history between 1650 and 1750 was not strong enough to get as much out of it as he could have.
Key Topics:
Bailyn's argument on ideological origins of the revolution
Robbins' analysis of English liberalism and republican ideas
The influence of pamphlets and political culture in Boston
Miscommunication and conspiracy theories in colonial America
The legacy of English political traditions in American founding documents
27 May 2026
Episode 9: 250 Series, Charles Beard, "Economic Interpretation of the Constitution," 1913
Have you ever thought of the US Constitution as an economic document? Charles Beard, one of the most important historians of the 20th century, did.
In this episode, Robert Ferguson and Marie Totten explore Charles Austin Beard's influential work, 'An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution,' analyzing its impact on American historiography and its relevance to understanding the founding fathers' motivations. They discuss the economic interests behind the Constitution, the historiographical debates, and the legacy of Beard's theories.
keywords: Charles Austin Beard, American historiography, Constitution, economic interests, founding fathers, Federalist Papers, revolutionary America, political economy, historiographical debate
12 May 2026
Episode 8: John Hope Franklin, "Reconstruction After the Civil War," 1961
In this episode, Robert Ferguson and Marie Totten explore John Hope Franklin's influential work on Reconstruction, challenging traditional narratives and emphasizing the progress and potential of the era. They discuss Franklin's background, his impact on historiography, and the importance of understanding Reconstruction as a complex, political, and transformative period.
Key questions we are left with are the role played by the early revisionists in the transition from the Dunning School to Foner.
28 Apr 2026
Episode 7: Alfred Chandler, "The Visible Hand," 1977 with Dr. Richard John
Rob and Marie are joined by Columbia Distinguished Research Professor Dr. Richard John, author of Spreading the News and Network Nation, to discuss the life and magnum opus of his mentor Alfred Chandler.
Rob and Marie pepper Dr. John with questions about how Alfred Chandler's "Visible Hand" shaped the field of business history, engaged with political history, and why his insights remain relevant today.
Dr. John explains not only how this book redefined business history, but illustrated the crucial role of managerial practices in shaping economic outcomes.
About Richard John
Richard John is a distinguished research professor at Columbia University, specializing in the history of business and economic development.
20 Apr 2026
Episode 6: William A Williams "Tragedy of American Diplomacy," 1959 with Grant Madsen
Grant Madsen from BYU pinch hits for Marie this week as Rob and Grant discuss this classic of the diplomatic history field.
They keep coming back to Williams the man, and how this book reflects both a deep connection with America and yet a deep alienation from it. Both Grant and Rob, while not explicitly diplomatic historians, dabble in that field enough for this book (and books inspired by it) to have shaped the way they consider their own works. Therefore, there is a lot of interplay with their own research and it makes for a really personal discussion about the material.
Any historian who has never read Williams should listen to this podcast for an introduction to him and his work, and anyone who has read him should listen too. If for not other reason than you can send your feedback on why Rob is wrong.
18 Mar 2026
Episode 5: Louis Hartz, "Liberal Tradition in America," 1955
In this week's episode, Marie takes a break from tornadoes and Rob battles the Arizona heat to bring an in-depth discussion on the great consensus history "The Liberal Tradition in America." We analyze the Cold War context that Hartz was writing in, his perspective on the intellectual battle that undergirded much of the Cold War, and why consensus history was such a breath of fresh air compared to the Progressive histories that had dominated the field beforehand. Rob also gets on his soapbox for an in-depth rant inspired by this book towards the end.
4 Mar 2026
Episode 4: Robert Wiebe, "The Search for Order," 1967
This episode explores the influential work of Wiebe on the Progressive Era, analyzing the rise of the bureaucratic state, regional identities, and the role of young professionals in shaping American history from 1877 to 1920. We discuss the book's insights, style, and its relevance to understanding American political and social transformations.
18 Feb 2026
Episode 3: Richard Hofstadter, "The Idea of a Party System," 1969
In this week's episode, Rob and Marie dive into Richard Hofstadter's iconic The Idea of a Party System: The Rise of Legitimate Opposition in the United States, 1780-1840.
The duo discuss Hofstadter's purpose in writing the book, the novelty of legitimate opposition in the 1790s, analyze the political perspectives of the Virginia Dynasty and conclude with some speculation about how Hofstadter's Van Buren migth diagnose the ills of today's political climate.
It has also finally warmed up in Conway, so Marie can just look forward to baseball season.
5 Feb 2026
Episode 2: Ellis Hawley, "The New Deal and the Problem of Monopoly," 1966
In this episode, Marie and Rob discuss Ellis Hawley's "The New Deal and the Problem of Monopoly." We begin by introducing Hawley and his importance to the field, we then transition to the politics of New Deal history, and then finish with a deep analysis of this book.
Some highlights include our appreciation of Hawley's tripartite division within the New Deal, an extended discussion on the NIRA, and our frequent amusement at the ways in which Hawley expresses just how incoherent the New Deal actually was.
20 Jan 2026
Episode 1: C Vann Woodward, "Origins of the New South," 1951
In their debut episode, Marie and Rob dig out an old favorite... C. Vann Woodward's "Origins of the New South," and discuss his analysis of race, populism, sectionalism, and why this is the foundational book of modern Southern history. Also, Marie had to singlehandedly investigate what might have been a serious crimewave in downtown Conway.
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