America: The Story of the USA

Study Notes: The Rules of American Football

America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask.This week, The Rules of American Football - a brief history of the game, and everything you need to know, to understand what the heck is going on!.Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.comJoin the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first monthGet the newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/Brand & advertising enquiries: liam@mercurypodcasts.com

In the Making: The Return of the Epstein Files

This week, we're talking about the DOJ's release of three million documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein, and Trump's suggestion of nationalising elections.Plus Sanam Naraghi Anderlini MBE discusses growing tension in the middle east, as the US and Iran inch ever closer to conflict.All of this and more on another edition of America: A History in the Making..Special Guests:Clodagh Harrington from University College Cork. She is also host of the wonderful podcast A Chicken in Every Pot alongside Alex WaddanSanam Naraghi Anderlini MBE, founder of the International Civil Society Action Network, and host of the excellent podcast If You Were in Charge..Mentioned in this Episode:A Chicken in Every Pot: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a-chicken-in-every-pot/id1780348590ICAN: https://icanpeacework.org/If You Were in Charge :https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/if-you-were-in-charge/id1770618616Clintons agree to testify: https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/general/bill-and-hillary-clinton-agree-to-testify-in-house-about-jeffrey-epstein/ar-AA1VwJQU?ocid=BingNewsSerpDOJ releases epstein files: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/department-justice-publishes-35-million-responsive-pages-compliance-epstein-filesMet Police to investigate Peter Mandelson: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/clynp40ekrdt?page=4Josh D’Amaro to Become Disney CEO: https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/news/disney-ceo-announcement/Trump wants to nationalise elections: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0mke841zj0oFBI raid Fulton Country election office: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/winners-losers-from-james-harden-trade-to-cleveland-cavaliers/ar-AA1VCscN?ocid=BingNewsSerpUS shoot down Iranian drone: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/us-carrier-shoots-down-iranian-drone-as-tensions-escalate-and-diplomatic-talks-hit-a-snag/ar-AA1VABf1?ocid=BingNewsSerp.Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community?Email liam@mercurypodcasts.com and let's talk.Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.comJoin the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first monthGet the newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/Brand & advertising enquiries: liam@mercurypodcasts.com

What is The Last of the Mohicans?

Set in the forests of upstate New York during the French and Indian War, James Fenimore Cooper’s 1826 novel has become one of the most enduring works of early American literature. It helped define the frontier myth, shaped American ideas about Native peoples, and influenced generations of writers, filmmakers, and cultural storytellers.Today, as we mark its 200th anniversary, we explore its themes, its historical context, and its complicated legacy.So in this episode, I’m asking… what is The Last of the Mohicans?...Special guest for this episode:Professor Thomas Ruys Smith, a scholar of American literature and culture at the University of East Anglia. His work spans the 19th century, with particular expertise in the intersections of literature, history, and national identity. He has written extensively on American storytelling traditions, frontier mythology, and the cultural imagination of the early United States....Highlights from this episode:02:09 - Standing the test of time06:21 - America's newfound sense of self10:36 - The story of The Last of the Mohicans15:40 - Romanticising colonisation21:23 - What the frontier means for America27:09 - White male heroes31:29 - Native American representations35:57 - National identity isn't just black and white40:32 - A more colourful America47:05 - I'm freakin' Hawkeye...Additional Resources:The Last of the Mohicans — Free eBook https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/940LitCharts: Themes and Analysis https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-last-of-the-mohicans (litcharts.com in Bing)SparkNotes: Summary and Themes https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/mohicans/Novelguide: Theme Analysis https://novelguide.com/the-last-of-the-mohicans/theme-analysis (novelguide.com in Bing)Montclair State University: Theme PDF https://cyber.montclair.edu/Resources/B2F9F/501012/ThemeOfLastOfTheMohicans.pdf (cyber.montclair.edu in Bing)Encyclopedia Britannica: Cooper Biography https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-Fenimore-Cooper (britannica.com in Bing)Library of Congress: Cooper Collection https://www.loc.gov/collections/james-fenimore-cooper/about-this-collection/ (loc.gov in Bing)American Literature: Cooper Overview https://americanliterature.com/author/james-fenimore-cooper (americanliterature.com in Bing)The Cambridge History of American Literature — Cooper chapter https://www.cambridge.orgOxford Bibliographies: James Fenimore Cooper https://www.oxfordbibliographies.comThe Cambridge Companion to James Fenimore Cooper https://www.cambridge.orgPlaying Indian by Philip Deloria (on Native representation) https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780300080674 (hup.harvard.edu in Bing)The Invention of the American West by Richard Slotkinhttps://www.amazon.com/Regeneration-Through-Violence-Mythology-1600-1860/dp/0806132290 (amazon.com in Bing)National Park Service: French and Indian War Overview https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/french-and-indian-war.htm (nps.gov in Bing)History.com: French and Indian War https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/french-and-indian-war (history.com in Bing)Native American and Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA) https://naisa.orgSmithsonian NMAI: Native Representation in Literature https://americanindian.si.edu (americanindian.si.edu in Bing)The White Man’s Indian by Robert Berkhofer https://www.amazon.com/White-Mans-Indian-Images-American/dp/0674957867 (amazon.com in Bing)Roger Ebert Review of the 1992 Film https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-last-of-the-mohicans-1992 (rogerebert.com in Bing)The New Yorker: Revisiting the Novel https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/revisiting-the-last-of-the-mohicans (newyorker.com in Bing)BFI: Michael Mann’s Adaptation https://www.bfi.org.uk...And if you like this episode, you might also love:Who Are Native Americans?How Did Slavery Impact Cherokee Nation?What is Thanksgiving?...Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.comJoin the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first monthGet the newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/Brand & advertising enquiries: liam@mercurypodcasts.comWant to advertise with us and support the American Studies community?Email liam@mercurypodcasts.com and let's talk.

Study Notes: A Brief History of the 50 States

America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask.This week, A Brief History of the 50 States. I’ll explain how the United States grew from the 13 original states into the 50 states we have today, explaining the legal process of admission, major land acquisitions, political forces that shaped statehood, and the final additions of Alaska and Hawaii..Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.comJoin the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first monthGet the newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/Brand & advertising enquiries: liam@mercurypodcasts.com

In the Making: Is America About to Strike Iran?

This week, we're talking about Trump showing signs of cooling on ICE in Minnesota, social media giants feel the pressure, plus Mr. Potato Head finds himself at the center of a legal dispute.Plus, the US are lining up for a possible strike on Iran, but when will they make their move, and what will this mean for Iran, America, and the world?All of this and more on another edition of America: A History in the Making..Special Guest:This week, we are delighted to be joined by Theo Zenou, Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University. He earned his PhD in American history from Cambridge University and writes for The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal UnHerd and others..Links to Stories in this Episode:Donald Trump describes 'very good call' with Tim WalzWho Was Alex Pretti?Judge orders ICE chief to appear in court or risk contempt | AP NewsGreg Bovino, architect of Trump's immigration sweeps, departs Minneapolis | AP NewsWhy Rhode Island might ditch its Mr. Potato Head license plates | AP NewsTikTok settles just before social media addiction trial to begin - BBC NewsSeahawks, Patriots set to meet in Super Bowl rematch - CBS NewsComposer Philip Glass drops Kennedy Center world premiere over Trump takeover | Reuters.Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community?Email liam@mercurypodcasts.com and let's talk.Contact us: america@podcastsbyliam.comJoin the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first monthGet the newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/Brand & advertising enquiries: liam@mercurypodcasts.com