Axelbank Reports History and Today Evan Axelbank

Paul Sparrow argues that Franklin Roosevelt is the quintessential American president, not just of the 20th Century, but in all of American history. FDR's ability to rally the nation from the Great Depression, and then carry it into a devastating but essential World War showed not just his talent, but his understanding of the stakes the country faced. Sparrow argues that FDR is democracy's greatest champion, and that he became that way by understanding the key to rallying the American people was by finding the right words to urge the country to embrace the cause of freedom around the world. In this episode, Sparrow shows how FDR took on the isolationist Charles Lindbergh to urge America to fight its most important battle since the Civil War.

For information on Paul's book, head to https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Awakening-the-Spirit-of-America/Paul-M-Sparrow/9781639366675

For Paul's social media feed, head to https://twitter.com/PaulMSparrow1

His website is available at https://paulsparrow-fdr.com/

Support our show at https://patreon.com/axelbankhistory

**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy**

"Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be found on social media at

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What does it mean to have "free time" and is it ever enough? In "Free Time: The History of an Elusive Ideal," Dr. Gary Cross explains how free time is both precious and deceptive. Why are people on vacation already searching the web for their next one? What counts as free time? Does technology help or hurt our experience with time spent away from work? Dr. Cross joins us to answer these questions, and to explain how the concept of "free time" began. We all want free time, but does it help our physical and mental selves in the ways we assume?

Information on Gary Cross' book can be found at https://nyupress.org/9781479813070/free-time/

Support our show at https://patreon.com/axelbankhistory

**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy**

"Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be found on social media at

https://twitter.com/axelbankhistory

https://instagram.com/axelbankhistory

https://facebook.com/axelbankhistory

In "American Flygirl" Susan Tate Ankeny shows how a young girl with a fascination for flying became the first female Asian-American pilot to fly for the military. Hazel Ying Lee was born in Portland, but came of age at a time when the deck was stacked against people like her. Hazel never let discrimination or expectation shatter her dreams of flying for a living. She flew in China to defend her ancestral homeland from attack, then became a WASP for the US Airforce during World War II. Though Hazel died at a young age in an aviation accident, Ankeny argues that the lessons of her life for today's society must be understood.

Susan Tate Ankeny's website can be found at https://susantateankeny.com/

Support our show at https://patreon.com/axelbankhistory

**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy**

"Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be found on social media at

https://twitter.com/axelbankhistory

https://instagram.com/axelbankhistory

https://facebook.com/axelbankhistory

Though few remember it, James Swanson argues the Deerfield Massacre of 1704 played a critical role in the shaping of early America. He explains how Native tribes and French soldiers brutalized a small outpost of colonists in western Massachusetts and set off a continental effort to find the missing victims and establish forces to protect the colonies. The tale of large-scale kidnappings, battles over who land belongs to and fear of attacks without warning have clear parallels to today. Swanson also explains what it is like to see artifacts from the attack that has been almost forgotten, until now.

Information on "The Deerfield Massacre" can be found at https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Deerfield-Massacre/James-L-Swanson/9781501108167

James Swanson is on social media at https://twitter.com/JamesLSwanson

Support our show at https://patreon.com/axelbankhistory

**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy**

"Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be found on social media at

https://twitter.com/axelbankhistory

https://instagram.com/axelbankhistory

https://facebook.com/axelbankhistory

Up until the very end of World War II, even Dwight Eisenhower did not grasp the extent of the devastation the Holocaust had inflicted to the Jewish people. It wasn’t until he was among the liberators at the Ohrdruf concentration camp where the Americans found thousands of dead bodies and starving Jews when Eisenhower finally had his full call to action. They weren’t just fighting fascism, they were fighting to make sure there would never be another Holocaust. Lantzer describes how Eisenhower used his political skills to make sure the message was heard around the world.

Information on "Dwight Eisenhower and the Holocaust" can be found at https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783111327112/html?lang=en

Jason Lantzer is on social media at https://twitter.com/HistProfDad

Support our show at https://patreon.com/axelbankhistory

**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy**

"Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be found on social media at

https://twitter.com/axelbankhistory

https://instagram.com/axelbankhistory

https://facebook.com/axelbankhistory

Abraham Lincoln is often thought of as the president who kept the union together, or who contributed the legal basis for slaves to be freed in states in rebellion, but Harold Holzer, one of America's renowned Lincoln scholars, explains how Lincoln harnessed the power of immigrants to make both achievements possible. Holzer's new book, "Brought Forth on this Continent: Abraham Lincoln and American Immigration," traces Lincoln's life from midwestern storekeeper, to Whig Party stalwart, to President. His view of immigrants shifted from indifferent to embracing, as he realized the source of renewal and strength they provide to America. While Lincoln's views often centered around those of European descent, Lincoln pushed back against anti-immigrant forces in the US to spend national resources on attracting more immigrants and making it possible for them to thrive. He allowed for the full participation in both the political system and in the military force that would become the victorious side in the Civil War. Near the end of his life, he gave a landmark speech on immigration that could well be applied to today's debate over how to respond to immigrants who reach American soil.

Harold Holzer's website can be found at http://www.haroldholzer.com/

He is on Twitter at https://twitter.com/HaroldHolzer

Information on his book, "Brought Forth on this Continent: Abraham Lincoln and American Immigration," can be found at https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/558372/brought-forth-on-this-continent-by-harold-holzer/

Our previous episode with Harold Holzer and his book "Presidents vs. The Press" can be found at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/axelbank-reports-history-and-today/id1521053272?i=1000503758391

Support our show at https://patreon.com/axelbankhistory

**A portion of every contribution is given to a charity for children's literacy**

"Axelbank Reports History and Today" can be found on social media at

https://twitter.com/axelbankhistory

https://instagram.com/axelbankhistory

https://facebook.com/axelbankhistory