Topic #2 The Revolutionary Era

Thomas Paine: Bryan Le Beau and guest Harvey Kaye shed new light on Thomas Paine, whom Kaye describes as the forgotten founder or, on occasion, the ostracized founder, of the nation. Harvey Kaye is the author of Thomas Paine and the Promise of America, and Ben and Joyce Rosenberg Professor of Social Change and Development at the University of Wisconsin--Green Bay. Airdate: May 29, 2006.

Independence Day Bryan Le Beau and guest Matthew Dennis continue their year long look at the American holiday calendar and discuss the origins and history of Independence Day. Dennis is Professor of History at the University of Oregon and the author of Red, White, and Blue Letter Days: An American Calendar. Airdate: July 4, 2005.

The New York Loyalists - An account of the supporters of the British and what happened to them, with Professor Philip Ranlet, Hunter College (University Press of America). Airdate: February 2, 2004.

The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin Talking History's Fred Nielsen and guest, Gordon Wood, delve into the life of Benjamin Franklin separating the man from the myth. Gordon Wood is a professor of history at Brown University and the author of The Americanization of Benjamin Franklin. His book The Radicalism of the American Revolution, received the Pulitzer Prize in 1992. Airdate: May 15, 2006.

Revolutionary Mothers: Abigail Adams, Betsy Ross, Molly Pitcher - their names are prominently linked with the American Revolution. But what about the rank and file of women? Talking History's Linna Place and Carol Berkin discuss Berkin's recent book, Revolutionary Mothers: Women in the Struggle for America's Independence. Berkin is Professor of History at Baruch College and the City University of New York. Airdate: July 11, 2005.