Crowd into the virtual bar with Chris Anderson and Rick Beyer to plumb intoxicating history topics and kibbitz over juicy tidbits. Each week, Chris and Rick invite a guest author to share cocktails and talk history. Like who? Like Andrew Roberts, Joe Balkoski, Chris Wallace, Lynne Olson, and Hampton Sides, for example. You never know who'll stop by. History Happy Hour, where history is always on tap. Brought to you by Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours – and our loyal Patreon patrons.
Thomas Paine's War: The Words That Rallied a Nation and the Founder for Our Time with author Jack Kelly: Episode 323
This week on History Happy Hour: Thomas Paine was a man whose words helped launch a revolution. In January 1776 he wrote Common Sense, which helped inspire the Continental Congress to declare Independence. In late November that same year, while serving in George Washington’s army during the Colonies’ most desperate hour, he picked up his pen again. “These are the times that try men’s souls” he began, and his words lit a fire in the men who would soon win a critical victory at the Battle of Trenton.
In this encore episode, Chris and Rick talk to HHH alum Jack Kelly, author of Thomas Paine’s War: The Words That Rallied a Nation and the Founder for Our Time (https://link.amazon/B06lh1ZqK).
As an Amazon Associate, HHH earns from qualifying purchases
Jack Kelly is an award-winning historian and author. He has been on History Happy Hour twice, to talk about his books Valcour: The 1776 Campaign that Saved the Cause of Liberty and God Save Benedict Arnold: The True Story of America's Most Hated Man. He is also the author of Band of Giants: The Amateur Soldiers Who Won America’s Independence, which received the DAR History Medal. He has appeared on NPR, PBS, and the History Channel, and has written for national publications including the Wall Street Journal. He lives and works in Hudson Valley, New York.
27 Sept 2026
Until the Last Gun is Silent with author Matthew F. Delmont : Episode 321
This week on History Happy Hour: During the Vietnam War, 300 thousand black soldiers were drafted and sent overseas. At home, Black anti-war protesters were vilified for jeopardizing the fight for civil rights.
Matthew Delmont comes back to History Happy Hour to talk about his new book Until the Last Gun is Silent: A Story of Patriotism, the Vietnam War, and the Fight to Save America's Soul. (https://amzn.to/4ck9VLW)
Sunday at 4PM ET on History Happy Hour, where history is always on tap.
As an Amazon Associate, HHH earns from qualifying purchases
Matthew F. Delmont is a History Professor at Dartmouth College. A Guggenheim Fellow and expert on African American history, he is the author of five books, most recently Half American: The Epic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II at Home and Abroad. He appeared on History Happy Hour in December 2023. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and on NPR. He has a BA from Harvard University and his MA and PhD from Brown University.
21 Sept 2026
Shadow Before the Flame with author Catherine Grace Katz: Episode 320
This week on History Happy Hour: On May 6, 1937, the majestic German zeppelin Hindenburg arrived in Lakehurst, New Jersey. Suddenly, a titanic inferno lit up the sky, and within seconds the proud symbol of Nazi Germany was gone.
Historian Catherine Grace Katz returns to History Happy Hour to talk about her new book Shadow Before the Flame: The Hindenburg Disaster and Prelude to War. (https://amzn.to/4gHP1ri)
Catherine Grace Katz holds degrees in history from Harvard and Cambridge, and received a J.D. from Harvard law School. She was on History Happy Hour six years ago, in October 2020, to talk about her book Daughters of Yalta.
Who has been a guest on History Happy Hour
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Becky Aikman
Amy Helen Bell
Alexander Rose
Lynne Olson
Garrett M Graff
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.2 / 5
20 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 51 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
