History That Doesn't Suck

Been There, Done That: How Our History Shows What We Can Overcome, Prof. Jackson’s new book publishing June 16th, takes us on a chronological journey—from the very start of the republic in 1789, through the end of the nineteenth century—while telling stories not heard in the podcast, tales that engage such topics as political violence, fake news, and contested elections.

Pre-order an autographed copy ⁠HERE⁠ or come see him on ON TOUR.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Everybody’s dead. Don’t ask me about anybody. Everybody’s dead.” 



This is the story of the Final Solution. 



From Anne Frank’s annex to countless ghettos, Jews who have thus far avoided the concentration camps are increasingly being funneled there. Jewish leaders like Chaim Rumkowski face impossible dilemmas—who should be sent to the camps? On the other hand, some Warsaw Ghetto inhabitants choose to fight back, their last ditch efforts to resist and escape living on in the words of only a few survivors. 



Even as the ghettos and their inhabitants are liquidated, Dr. Josef Mengele and others at Auschwitz continue their own work of death. We’ll witness, in order, how people go from cramped cattle car to crematoria; and keep in mind, Auschwitz is but one of many. All together, these accounts from survivors will hopefully provide as complete an overview of the Holocaust’s extermination camps as one episode can. 

____

Connect with us on HTDSpodcast.com and



preorder Prof. Jackson’s new book




go deep into episode bibliographies and book recommendations




join discussions in our Facebook community




get news and discounts from The HTDS Gazette 




come see a live show




get HTDS merch




or become an HTDS premium member for bonus episodes and other perks.




HTDS is part of Audacy media network. Interested in advertising on the History That Doesn't Suck? Contact Audacyinc.com

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“The procedure is a pretty barbaric one and not to be described here more definitively. Not much will remain of the Jews.” —Joseph Goebbels

This is the story of how the Holocaust becomes industrialized. 

In January 1942, Nazi leaders discuss what will become the “Final Solution”: their plan to murder millions. As more and more Jews are stripped of everything and forced into ghettos, and terrified parents bid a tearful (and often final) farewell to their children, German leaders decide how to deal with the fact that the new territory they’ve acquired is full of Jews and other “undesirables.”

As the Nazis march through Europe, they’ll “evacuate” the continent’s Jews sending them to overcrowded disease-ridden ghettos, then to concentration camps. Initially, mobile killing units, or Einsatzgruppen, simply shoot Jews where they stand. This practice will give way to extermination camps, as one camp in particular—Auschwitz—is figuring out how to use gas to kill on a truly industrial level. 

After years of building, the Holocaust is in full swing.

____

Connect with us on HTDSpodcast.com and



preorder Prof. Jackson’s new book




go deep into episode bibliographies and book recommendations




join discussions in our Facebook community




get news and discounts from The HTDS Gazette 




come see a live show




get HTDS merch




or become an HTDS premium member for bonus episodes and other perks.




HTDS is part of Audacy media network. Interested in advertising on the History That Doesn't Suck? Contact Audacyinc.com

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After turning our attention back to Europe in the last few episodes, it’s time to finally examine the Holocaust. Back in episode 185, we covered a broad history of antisemitism in Europe and the violent results of the first few years of Hitler’s reign in Germany, going all the way to the nationwide November pogrom (also known as Kristallnacht). But before we go any further, we present this interview with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Director, Sara J. Bloomfield. 

Sara has worked with the USHMM since its inception in the 1990s, and has led the museum for 26 years. She also serves on the International Auschwitz Council and International Treblinka Council, has been named Chevalier of the Legion of Honor by the French Republic, and is a recipient of the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland. We are also joined by HTDS executive editor, Riley Neubauer.

____

Connect with us on HTDSpodcast.com and



preorder Prof. Jackson’s new book




go deep into episode bibliographies and book recommendations




join discussions in our Facebook community




get news and discounts from The HTDS Gazette 




come see a live show




get HTDS merch




or become an HTDS premium member for bonus episodes and other perks.




HTDS is part of Audacy media network. Interested in advertising on the History That Doesn't Suck? Contact Audacyinc.com.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"My dear Duce, it’s no longer any good… At this moment you are the most hated man in Italy.” 

This is the story of Operations Underworld, Mincemeat, and Husky. 

On the heels of the decisive Allied victory in Africa, leaders decide to take the fight north. But Hitler and Mussolini surely know they’ll be aiming for Sicily next, right? Actually, pre-Husky Allied intelligence victories have the Germans and Italians barking up the wrong tree (shoring up the wrong island defenses), all thanks to one Major William Martin. 

Meanwhile, back in mainland Europe, Germany is wondering if Italy is still 100% committed to the Fascist alliance. After all, Mussolini’s popularity is tanking, and it looks like he might get the boot any day. Things are… uncertain, to say the least. How will the combined Allied forces fare in Sicily? Which army will win the race to catch the Axis retreaters at Messina? Will George Patton get promoted again, as he so desperately wants? And perhaps most importantly—where to next? 

____

Connect with us on HTDSpodcast.com and



go deep into episode bibliographies and book recommendations




join discussions in our Facebook community




get news and discounts from The HTDS Gazette 




come see a live show




get HTDS merch




or become an HTDS premium member for bonus episodes and other perks.




HTDS is part of Audacy media network. Interested in advertising on the History That Doesn't Suck? Contact Audacyinc.com.

To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices