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Artwork for Historically Thinking

Historically Thinking

Al Zambone
American Revolution
World War II
Philadelphia
Nationalism
Soviet Union
Roman Roads
Greek Revolution
French Revolution
Civil War
Ottoman Empire
Horse
International Relations
Violence
Prague
U-Boat War
War and Power: Who Wins Wars and Why
Sickness
Bible
Declaration Of Independence
Roman Empire

We believe that when people think historically, they are engaging in a disciplined way of thinking about the world and its past. We believe it gives thinkers a knack for recognizing nonsense; and that it cultivates not only intellectual curiosity and rigor, but also intellectual humility. Join Al Zambone, author of Daniel Morgan: A Revolutionary Life, as he talks with historians and other professi... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes300Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & CultureHistory

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Artwork for Historically Thinking

Latest Episodes

Running for about 177 miles along the Welsh-English border is the remains of an earthwork, a fortification over a hundred miles longer than Hadrian’s Wall. Built sometime in the eighth century, it is known as Offa’s Dyke, one of the few surviving rem... more

"There was a time when the Declaration of Independence was news. Most books written about the Declaration have pursued questions about its precedence and authorship as well as its legacy. In 1776, when the Declaration was news, it was part of an ever... more

The Declaration of Independence has had two simultaneous lives. One is the life of its ideas, the life that scholars pay the most attention to: a life of fits and starts, surprisingly forgotten in the first years after the Revolution, then returning ... more

American independence was not simply the writing of the Declaration of Independence, nor even the vote that approved it. It was the culmination of decades of argument, persuasion, and political innovation. The American founding emerged through a succ... more

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Recent Guests

Roy Naismith
Professor of Early Medieval English History at the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
Episode: Offa the King: Rory Naismith writes the life of a great English king who has no biography
Emily Sneff
Independent historian and author
Episode: When the Declaration of Independence Was News: Emily Sneff on how people first encountered independence
Michael Auslin
Author of National Treasure, How the Declaration of Independence Made America
Hoover Institution, Stanford University
Episode: National Treasure: Michael Auslin on the Declaration of Independence's two simultaneous lives
Richard Bell
Professor of History at the University of Maryland, College Park; author of The American Revolution and the Fate of the World
University of Maryland, College Park
Episode: World Crisis: Richard Bell on the American Revolution as a global event
Mark Lender
Co-author of War Without Mercy, Liberty or Death in the American Revolution
Kean University / University of Houston (as described in dialogue)
Episode: War Without Mercy: The American Revolution as an Existential War
Chloe Chapin
Author of Suitable, The Sartorial Revolution and the Fashioning of Modern Men
Author, Historian
Episode: Suitable: Chloe Chapin on the Sartorial Revolution and the Fashioning of Modern Men
Peter Mancall
Author of Contested Continent, The Struggle for North America, Circa 1000 to 1680
University of Southern California ( USC )
Episode: Contested Continent: Peter Mancall on the Struggle for North America, c. 1000–1680
Antonia Senior
Writer and historian, author of Stalin's Apostles
Author
Episode: Stalin's Apostles: Antonia Senior on the Cambridge Five and their Service to the Soviet Empire
Alexander Lee
Author and historian
Author of The First Ghetto: Venice and the Origins of Modern Antisemitism
Episode: The First Ghetto: Alexander Lee on Venice and the Origins of Modern Antisemitism

Host

Albert "Al" Zambone
Host and moderator; historian and author with focus on rigorous historical thinking.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 130 ratings
  • Best history podcast

    Al is a great raconteur and knows how to share the best of what his guests have. He also has a deep respect for the craft of history. This show is the best.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ben F Jones
    United Statesa year ago
  • one of the best historical pods out there

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Elan Mask
    a year ago
  • Wonderful, insightful, enjoyable!

    I came to this podcast through a friend and am glad I did! I’m not an expert on history, nor am I an historian. But I do enjoy learning about history and different perspectives and lessons we can learn about ourselves and our present through history. I am impressed by Mr. Zambone’s depth of knowledge and insight and have learned so much from this podcast. Highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DesiAnn74
    United States2 years ago
  • A Window more people need to look through

    Brings the past to life and reveals complexities, subtleties, and understandings that broad brushes almost always miss.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    orthoagnostic
    United States4 years ago
  • Thoughtful and Interesting

    This is a really interesting podcast. Hosted by a historian, it is a great resource for anyone wanting to engage in history on a deeper level. As a high school history teacher, I have learned a great deal not just about particular topics but about how to think and ask questions like a historian. Highly recommended.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    IkeM96
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show helps listeners think historically about current issues and long-running debates.
Guests are often leading scholars; discussions are rigorous and sourced.
Listeners appreciate the host's deep knowledge and ability to extract thoughtful insights from experts.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#187
South Korea/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

National Treasure: Michael Auslin on the Declaration of Independence's two simultaneous lives
Q: What is the central idea behind the two lives of the Declaration?
The central idea is that the Declaration functions both as a set of enduring political ideas and as a physical artifact whose preservation and display shape public memory and political discourse across eras.
Contested Continent: Peter Mancall on the Struggle for North America, c. 1000–1680
Q: What role did print culture play in shaping European understanding of the Americas?
Print and engraving disseminated images and reports of the New World, democratizing knowledge, fueling curiosity and colonization, and sometimes exaggerating ideas about what America could be.
Contested Continent: Peter Mancall on the Struggle for North America, c. 1000–1680
Q: But the first question people are going to ask is, why start at 1000 instead of 1492?
The author explains that starting at 1000 highlights earlier developments—such as maize spread, Cahokia's rise and fall, and Norse exploration—that shape later encounters and reveal that discovery was mutual and complex rather than a simple European arrival.
Stalin's Apostles: Antonia Senior on the Cambridge Five and their Service to the Soviet Empire
Q: How did recruitment unfold among the five, and what does that tell us about the broader Soviet intelligence approach?
Recruitment was a mix of seduction and conversion—from early exposure to Marxist orthodoxy, through personal connections and ideological alignment, to formal selection by handlers. The process illustrates a broader Soviet approach of identifying promising individuals, offering a compelling narrative, and embedding them within existing power structures to maximize influence while minimizing visible risk.
Stalin's Apostles: Antonia Senior on the Cambridge Five and their Service to the Soviet Empire
Q: What about the other side? What did Stalin want from them? What were his strategic objectives in this period?
Stalin sought to leverage the Cambridge Five to gain strategic insight, influence diplomacy, and gather on-the-ground intelligence that could further Soviet imperial aims, particularly around Poland and postwar Europe. The guests emphasize that this was about more than mere spying; it was about shaping political outcomes and power balance through tailored intelligence.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Historically Thinking

What is Historically Thinking about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A rigorously minded history program that invites scholars, authors, and professors to unpack historical topics with depth and nuance. Conversations span ancient Greece, Renaissance Europe, military and political history, and the mechanics of historiography, often tying past events to present-day ideas about power, culture, and memory. The show stands out for its demanding questions, thorough context, and ability to surface archival practices and methodological debates, making it appealing to listeners who want to think historically about complex issues and sources. This collection of interviews tends to emphasize careful sourcing, cross-cultural perspectives, and the long arc of ideas across centuries, which can be especially valuable for a... more

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1. Ancient Warfare Podcast
2. The History of the Twentieth Century
3. Lectures in History
4. In Our Time
5. School of War

How many episodes of Historically Thinking are there?

Historically Thinking launched 11 years ago and published 300 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Historically Thinking?

Recent guests on Historically Thinking include:

1. Roy Naismith
2. Emily Sneff
3. Michael Auslin
4. Richard Bell
5. Mark Lender
6. Chloe Chapin
7. Peter Mancall
8. Antonia Senior

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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