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Buffalo Bill Cody was one of the most famous Americans during his life time. Born of humble beginnings, Cody reinvented himself into the penultimate icon of the American West. Tune in this week to learn about the rise and fall of William 'Buffalo Bill' Cody and how this complex figure turned himself into a cultural icon that inspired hundreds of dime novels and dozens of media portrayals.  Thought This Was Interesting? Just Wait Until You Try… Lawless Legends: Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday & the Shootout at the OK Corral The American Westerner: Wild Bill Hickok Larger than Life: The Mystery of Billy the Kid Want Me To Cover a Topic? Reach Out! Want More Civics & Coffee?  Sign Up for the Substack Join the Patreon Coffee Club Make Sure We Are Connected: Instagram BlueSky Threads Love Civics & Coffee? Review on Apple Rate on Spotify Episode Image Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.  Support the show

The Supreme Court is considered the final authority on constitutional legal matters in the United States - but was this always the case? In her new book, The Political Supreme Court, Dr. Rachel Shelden argues that for the first century of its existence, the Supreme Court was part of the political dialogue. Join me as I sit with Dr. Shelden to explore the historical intertwining of the Supreme Court with American politics in the 19th century including the key figures and pivotal events,  illustrating how justices were deeply involved in political matters and often considered for presidential candidacies. Learn about the evolution of the court's role and authority, and where Shelden sees potential for change in the Supreme Court's relationship with the public and politics. To learn more about Dr. Shelden, please visit her website at https://rachelshelden.com/ To buy a copy of The Political Supreme Court, click here.  Support the show

A secluded summer camp, a group of teenagers left to their own devices, and a faceless murderous stalker watching them from the woods - what could possibly go wrong? For this year's annual Halloween episode, I am diving behind the mask to give you the history of the 1980 horror film Friday the 13th. From the commitment to realistic effects to the addition of a last minute jump scare, learn all about this nearly fifty year old franchise - and why some say it actually serves as a metaphor for the Reagan 1980s.  Thought This Was Interesting? Just Wait Until You Try… John Carpenter's Halloween Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds Want Me To Cover a Topic? Reach Out! Want More Civics & Coffee?  Sign Up for the Substack Join the Patreon Coffee Club Make Sure We Are Connected: Instagram BlueSky Threads Love Civics & Coffee? Review on Apple Rate on Spotify Photo Graphic From: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain Support the show

Is the American experiment in democracy undergoing a temporary setback? Or is it undergoing a racial reckoning 400 years in the making? That is what Dr. Kelly Burton explores in her book The Price of Union: Race, Power, and the Make of American Democracy. Join me as I discuss her book and what motivated Dr. Burton's research - and where she thinks the United States goes from here.  In this conversation, Dr. Burton and I discuss:  Dr. Burton's book where she argues that America's origins are rooted in economic ventures. Why she believes the Constitution is as an economic document.The long-range implications of the Three-Fifths Compromise we may not think about. Why Dr. Burton believes there is a need for a new understanding of democracy and a reimagining of the political order to ensure human flourishing for all.To learn more about Dr. Burton check out her website: priceofunion.com Public Intellectual Substack BUY THE BOOK: The Price of Union Want Me To Cover a Topic? Reach Out! Want More Civics & Coffee?  Sign Up for the Substack Join the Patreon Coffee Club Make Sure We Are Connected: Instagram BlueSky Threads Love Civics & Coffee? Review on Apple Rate on Spotify Disclaimer: Links to books are affiliate links. Each purchase helps support great historical scholarship, independent book stores, and the podcast!  Support the show

Carving pumpkins, bobbing for apples, and sharing ghost stories are just some of the wholesome Halloween traditions Americans love to enjoy every year, but what were things like during the rapidly changing era known as the Gilded Age? Join me as I explore the festivities of Halloween during the Gilded Age! Learn how the elite used Halloween as another way to celebrate and showcase their wealth and why Spiritualism was a popular religious - and secular - movement. I also highlight the rise of the Ouija board and the pranks that characterized Halloween during this era, prompting cultural shifts that made the holiday much more reminiscent of what we know today. Thought This Was Interesting? Just Wait Until You Try… Episode 268: A Public Woman: Victoria Woodhull Episode 203: Mary Todd Lincoln: Part Two Episode 292: Louisiana Voodoo: Untangling the Myths, the Magic, and the History  Want Me To Cover a Topic? Reach Out! Want More Civics & Coffee?  Sign Up for the SubstackJoin the Patreon Coffee ClubMake Sure We Are Connected: InstagramBlueSkyThreadsLove Civics & Coffee? Review on AppleRate on SpotifySupport the show

Education has the power to open doors - and from 1935 to 1965 the New Farmers of America helped introduce rural Black youth to the world. Join me as I sit down with Dr. Bobby J. Smith to discuss his latest book Black Farm Boys: The Untold Story of the New Farmers of America which explores the origins of the organization and traces its impact and legacy on Black youth in agriculture.   In this conversation, Dr. Smith and I discuss:  How the New Farmers of America (NFA) played a pivotal role in the agricultural education of Black youth in the South. The significance of George Washington Owens in establishing agricultural programs How attending the Fifth National Convention in New Jersey, including a visit to the World's Fair, impacted Southern rural residents. The importance of camping activities in fostering leadership and skill development among young Black men, ultimately redefining their relationship with agriculture and community engagement. Where Dr. Smith hopes to take this research in future projects. To learn more about Dr. Smith  check out:  Instagram: smith_classic Faculty Profile at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign BUY THE BOOK: Buy Black Farm Boys Today Want Me To Cover a Topic? Reach Out! Want More Civics & Coffee?  Sign Up for the Substack Join the Patreon Coffee Club Make Sure We Are Connected: Instagram BlueSky Threads Love Civics & Coffee? Review on Apple Rate on Spotify Disclaimer: Links to books are affiliate links. Each purchase helps support great historical scholarship, independent book stores, and the podcast!  Support the show

He was one Rhode Island's richest Black entrepreneurs. His death sent shockwaves into the small, coastal community of Newport. Initially ruled a suicide, rumors of family disputes, financial mismanagement, and concerns about a new addition to the household prompted authorities to dive deeper. What they exposed was a horrific story of greed and manipulation. Prepare yourself for the Gilded Age case of Benjamin J. Burton.  And check out the novel A Harbor of Deceit mentioned during the episode.  Support the show

There has been a lot of talk lately about fascism, communism, and authoritarianism in U.S. politics, but what does the history tell us? Join me as I welcome historian Jackson van Uden to discuss his research on authoritarianism and its long thread through American history. Discover the distinctions between authoritarianism, fascism, and communism, and how these concepts manifest in various political contexts. Our conversation reflects on historical examples, including the founding era, Reconstruction, and the actions of 20th-century presidents, highlighting moments where authoritarian tendencies emerged in American governance. Finally, Jackson shares why he feels it is important to understand these patterns as Americans navigate the current political challenges.  To learn more about Jackson  check out his website: https://historywithjackson.co.uk/ Instagram Want Me To Cover a Topic? Reach Out! Want More Civics & Coffee?  Sign Up for the Substack Join the Patreon Coffee Club Make Sure We Are Connected: Instagram BlueSky Threads Love Civics & Coffee? Review on Apple Rate on Spotify Support the show

Was Alfred Packer a crazed maniac or a desperate man seeking a way to survive? Join me as I launch Civics & Coffee's annual spooky season with a look into the life of the would-be prospector known as the Colorado Cannibal. Learn how the thirst for gold drove Packer and twenty others into the treacherous Colorado mountains in the dead of winter and why his story of abandonment and panic failed to resonate with his fellow residents.  Support the show

Does the United States really have free and fair elections? In this conversation, voting rights attorney David Walbert discusses his book Stealing Elections American Style, which explores America's contentious electoral history. He highlights the ongoing issues of voter suppression and the historical context of the 1876 election, illustrating how political structures have perpetuated racial inequalities and the challenges faced in achieving true democratic representation. Join us as we highlight important moments including the controversial Bush v. Gore Supreme Court case and why Walbert believes civic engagement remains critical to democracy.  Learn more about David at his website here.  Buy your copy of the book through my bookshop affiliate link here.  Support the show

If you grew up taping posters of your favorite celebrities on your wall or consider yourself a Swiftie, you can thank Vaudeville. Tune in this week as I explore the early quintessential American mass entertainment medium and its lasting impact on modern culture. Discover how vaudeville shaped celebrity culture, influenced entertainment accessibility, and laid the groundwork for future media. Support the show

Lillian Smith was a best-selling author whose courageous decision to stand for civil rights in the Jim Crow south led to her erasure from discussions about influential leaders of the movement. Join me as I sit down with historian Keri Leigh Merritt whose insightful biography seeks to pull Smith from the shadows and highlight the ways Smith challenged societal norms and contributed to the early fights against racism.  To learn more about Dr. Merritt, visit her website: https://kerileighmerritt.com/ To learn more about the Poor People's Campaign, click here.  To buy a copy of An Inconvenient Woman, consider shopping at my affiliate storefront through bookshop.org here.  Support the show

Labor Day was first celebrated during the Gilded Age - amid a growing labor movement seeking recognition. Join me this week as I explore the origins, evolution, and current perceptions of Labor Day in the United States. Learn how  Labor Day has transformed from a day of militant labor demonstrations to a more consumer-focused holiday, reflecting broader societal changes and the decline of organized labor's influence. Support the show

Join me as I sit down with author Stan Haynes to discuss his latest book And Slavery No More - a work of historical fiction that explores the mystery of General Lee's lost order and President Lincoln's evolution on slavery. Tune in to learn about how Haynes came to write historical fiction, the value to reading both fiction and nonfiction, and how he approaches blending creative elements grounded in historical events.  To learn more about Stan and his books, visit his website: https://stanhaynes.com You can buy And Slavery No More wherever fine books are sold, are through my affiliate link on bookshop.org here.  Support the show

In 1882, President Chester A Arthur signed legislation barring Chinese laborers from entering the United States for a period of ten years. It went on to become known as the Chinese Exclusion Act, but is that an accurate framing? Join me this week as I explore Chinese immigration and why some historians refer to the 1882 law as the Chinese Restriction Act.  Support the show