BackStory with the American History Guys

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BackStory  is a weekly podcast that uses current events in America to take a deep dive into our past. Hosted by noted U.S. historians, Ed Ayers, Brian Balogh, Peter Onuf, Nathan Connolly and Joanne Freeman, each episode provides listeners with different perspectives on a particular theme or subject – giving you all sides to the story and then some.

Please confirm carriage of evergreen BackStory with the American History Guys episodes by contacting Diana Williams @(434)-924-6894 or dwilliams@virginia.edu.

Moving from current headlines to drill down into U.S. history, each surprising BackStory episode features lively interviews with a diverse roster of scholars, experts, and ordinary citizens from around the country; listener calls; host discussions; and produced pieces. Topics are as diverse as college sports, reenactments, sugar, memorials, domestic terrorism, birthing, homeownership, the post office, philanthropy, protests, privacy, marriage, revivalism, and childhood—all in the context of American history.

BackStory is produced by  Virginia Humanities. Major funding is provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities with additional corporate, foundation, institutional, and individual support.

Please visit our station landing page for upcoming episodes, promotional photos, and other information.

 


Series

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This series is for stations that want to subscribe to Backstory for WEEKLY deliveries using PRX's SubAuto system.

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188 Pieces

A collection of the best stories and features from BackStory, meant for excerpt by programs or stations.

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1 Piece

A collection of one-hour BackStory specials for use in station holiday programming.

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42 Pieces

Promos for stations airing upcoming episodes of BackStory with the American History Guys.

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A special three-part series of hour-long episodes exploring the causes and consequences of the American Civil War.


Pieces

Caption: Harry Whittier Frees photographed animal subjects in the early 20th century.
30-second promo for "Pet Friendly: A History of Domesticating Animals" with a 5 second hole for station-specific time/date tag.

Bought by KAWC / Border Radio - KOFA


  • Added: Jul 02, 2013
  • Length: :30
  • Purchases: 1
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Historian Catherine Clinton discusses gender dynamics on the home front, and the American History Guys consider ways in which the Civil War is dist...

Bought by Radio Newark, PRX Remix, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Jul 01, 2013
  • Length: 06:38
  • Purchases: 3
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The American History Guys discuss the important moral and tactical contributions of African-American soldiers in the Union Army.

Bought by Radio Newark, PRX Remix, Louisville Public Media, and KFAI Minneapolis


  • Added: Jul 01, 2013
  • Length: 05:37
  • Purchases: 4
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Historian Aaron Sheehan-Dean explains to host Brian Balogh how the idea of “home” motivated Confederate soldiers, and strengthened their resolve to...

Bought by Radio Newark, Radio Newark, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Jul 01, 2013
  • Length: 11:50
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: Detail from “Field of Gettysburg” by T. Ditterline, 1863 , Credit: Library of Congress
The Battle of Gettysburg took place 150 years ago this week – the bloodiest of the Civil War. Thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers were kill...

Bought by WUFT, WLPR , WOUB, WTJU, and WMMT


  • Added: Jun 28, 2013
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 5
Caption: 23rd New York Infantry, ca. 1861-1865, Credit:  (Library of Congress)
30-second promo for "Civil War 150th: Why They Fought" with 5 second hole for station-specific time/date tag.

Bought by WUFT and Troy Public Radio


  • Added: Jun 26, 2013
  • Length: :30
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Constitutional Union Party meeting flyer, 1860, Credit: Perkins Library, Duke University
With the 150th anniversaries of the Battle of Gettysburg and the fall of Vicksburg coming up, BackStory is re-airing its special series on the Civi...

Bought by WUFT, KSVR Studios: Skagit Valley Radio, WLPR , Prairie Public, WEZU and more


  • Added: Jun 21, 2013
  • Length: 54:00
  • Purchases: 7
Caption: Hercules of Union
30-second promo for "Civil War: The Road to Civil War" with 5 second hole for station-specific time/date tag.

Bought by WUFT


  • Added: Jun 19, 2013
  • Length: :30
  • Purchases: 1
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Host Brian Balogh talks with sociologist Karen O’Neill about the federal government’s move into flood control in 1917 – as landowners along the Mis...

Bought by WOUB, Radio Newark, KHNS, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Jun 17, 2013
  • Length: 05:29
  • Purchases: 4
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Jennifer Abraham-Cramer helps us understand the great Mississippi flood of 1927, using stories from survivors preserved by oral historians.

Bought by WOUB, KRZA, Radio Newark, and PRX Remix


  • Added: Jun 17, 2013
  • Length: 07:41
  • Purchases: 4