Episodes
Saturday Jan 01, 2022
Episode 497: The American Civil War (2): Secession
Saturday Jan 01, 2022
Saturday Jan 01, 2022
Second in a series of the major documents telling the story of the American Civil War. This section covers the secession debate that emerged during Buchanan's lame duck period and the proffered "compromise" which would have involved constitutional amendments.
Thursday Dec 23, 2021
Episode 496: The American Civil War (1): The Aftermath of the 1860 Election
Thursday Dec 23, 2021
Thursday Dec 23, 2021
Today, I begin a long series on the Library of America's anthology of writings of the American Civil War. The first documents we look explore the impact of the election of 1860.
Tuesday Dec 21, 2021
Episode 495: Neal Stephenson: The Baroque Cycle (Final Thoughts)
Tuesday Dec 21, 2021
Tuesday Dec 21, 2021
The final episode of my epic review of THE BAROQUE CYCLE by Neal Stephenson. I do some rankings of the books, characters, and review some of the major themes.
Saturday Dec 18, 2021
Episode 494: Neal Stephenson: The System of the World (3)
Saturday Dec 18, 2021
Saturday Dec 18, 2021
We have finally come to the end of my review of THE BAROQUE CYCLE. Some great moments in the final scenes of this epic story, including the hanging of Jack Shaftoe and the Trial of the Pyx.
Monday Dec 13, 2021
Episode 493: Neal Stephenson: The System of the World (2)
Monday Dec 13, 2021
Monday Dec 13, 2021
As we reach the climax of THE BAROQUE CYCLE, by Neal Stephenson, we get two heroic moments from our central characters. Daniel Waterhouse stages a jail break and Jack Shaftoe endures being pressed and decides to face the enemies of the vagabonds (courts and the gallows).
Wednesday Dec 08, 2021
Episode 492: Neal Stephenson: The System of the World (1)
Wednesday Dec 08, 2021
Wednesday Dec 08, 2021
It has all come to this, the final volume of the BAROQUE CYCLE, appropriately called THE SYSTEM OF THE WORLD. This is not only comes from the last volume of PRINCIPIA MATHEMATICA, but also from Daniel Waterhouses' thesis about the ultimate fate of the medieval and the birth of the modern.
Wednesday Dec 08, 2021
Episode 491: Neal Stephenson: Currency (3)
Wednesday Dec 08, 2021
Wednesday Dec 08, 2021
We finish the penultimate volume of Neal Stephenson's BAROQUE CYCLE with some mighty fine action scenes. An attempt on the life of Peter the Great and an impaling by a cello are some of the highlights. And Jack Shaftoe comes out in force here.
Friday Dec 03, 2021
Episode 490: Neal Stephenson: Currency (2)
Friday Dec 03, 2021
Friday Dec 03, 2021
In this section of the final volume of Neal Stephenson's epic BAROQUE CYCLE, we see the investigative club seemingly achieve its goals through a stake out at Bedlam, leading to an important revelation.