We can't navigate safely to the future unless we understand what lies behind us. That's why the move by cowardly politicians to limit the history we're taught is so inexcusable. Sanitized hero worship does not move us forward. Enter Mike's new podcast, the irreverent Prick the Balloon. It features Mike deflating popular myths and telling history that's true, complete, impertinent, well-researched and funny. It's a look at our real past, wherever that might lead us. Learning lasts a lifetime, and it might as well be enjoyable. Remember, anyone who says they don't like history just had a shitty history teacher.

Listen to Prick the Balloon Here

Episodes of PTB and some reading suggestions

Suggested Reading for PTB Episodes 1 - 10 is here
Suggested Reading for PTB Episodes 11 - 20 is here

PTB 21 - Foreign Policy Mistakes  There are excellent books on my home shelves about several of these topics, and scores more out there, but let's concentrate on China. Top of my list would be John Paton Davies Dragon by the Tail. Close behind it is Stillwell and the American Experience in China by Barbara Tuchman. Great content, if a tad dense. George Kennan also wrote a book. Enjoy.

PTB 22 - Rutherford B. Hayes  He was not a great president, but he deserves a few pats on the historical back. There are a couple of books about Hayes, but I thought I'd mention that it might be more interesting to read about the Election of 1876 and some of the violence of that time to underscore what happened when troops left the South. Fraud of the Century by Roy Morris, Jr., America's Deadliest Election by Dana Bash and David Fisher, and The Day Freedom Died by Charles Lane are some. Chief Justice Rehnquist even wrote a book about that election.