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
If you like the free podcast, you can leave a tip by going here.
It also helps more people find the show when you leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Thanks!
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.
PTB 23 - Election Rant & History This one is designed to be heavy on the opinion with the history highlighting why no progressives should be sitting on a roof ledge someplace. It's the time to stay involved, so the best reading material is the same reliable journalism that the right wing denigrates. And when you try to punish billionaire owners, you only end up hurting the talented reporters they employ. Please don't forget that.
PTB 24 - Early Aviation There are so many amazing and inspiring stories on this one. You might start with To Conquer the Air by James Tobin. There is also a book called The Magnificent Moisants by Doris Rich, though it's a bit rah-rah at times. There are numerous book on Lindbergh. If you're curious about his version of the May 1927 flight, find an old copy of We. They printed a million, so they're findable in later editions for under $20.
PTB 25 - Executive Orders I mention a bunch of executive orders in this episode, and a good way to learn more is dig into the biographies of some of those presidents, but the best of those tend to be about only a portion of their lives or presidency. You might try Arthur Schlesinger's book The Imperial Presidency. I will note for fun that Schlesinger was a Kennedy family apologist and a Nixon critic who later became Dick's next door neighbor.
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.
PTB 23 - Election Rant & History This one is designed to be heavy on the opinion with the history highlighting why no progressives should be sitting on a roof ledge someplace. It's the time to stay involved, so the best reading material is the same reliable journalism that the right wing denigrates. And when you try to punish billionaire owners, you only end up hurting the talented reporters they employ. Please don't forget that.
PTB 24 - Early Aviation There are so many amazing and inspiring stories on this one. You might start with To Conquer the Air by James Tobin. There is also a book called The Magnificent Moisants by Doris Rich, though it's a bit rah-rah at times. There are numerous book on Lindbergh. If you're curious about his version of the May 1927 flight, find an old copy of We. They printed a million, so they're findable in later editions for under $20.
PTB 25 - Executive Orders I mention a bunch of executive orders in this episode, and a good way to learn more is dig into the biographies of some of those presidents, but the best of those tend to be about only a portion of their lives or presidency. You might try Arthur Schlesinger's book The Imperial Presidency. I will note for fun that Schlesinger was a Kennedy family apologist and a Nixon critic who later became Dick's next door neighbor.