Tales of American History

Listen to distinguished Civil War historian Bell Irvin Wiley on the 99th Anniversary of the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky give a speech about the battle, on the battlefield, where, he relates, he flew by helicopter, accompanied by Kentucky Governor Bert Combs and military personnel! This talk, from 1961, captures the lives of “Billy Yank” and “Johnny Reb,” during the American Civil War. Among Wiley’s many published books, his most noted works were his volumes on the daily lives and activities

Listen in while Kent Masterson Brown interviews Cameron Sauers, University of Kentucky doctoral candidate, on his research concerning F. Scott Fitzgerald’s literary themes about American memory and the Civil War. Enjoy!

Listen while Dr. Noe, Emeritus Professor of History at Auburn, discusses with Kent Masterson Brown Noe’s fascinating study of weather and climate as agents alongside armies in battle in the Civil War, affecting unpredictable battle outcomes.

Listen while Kent Masterson Brown describes the life of Zachary Taylor, a Kentuckian through and through. General Taylor was known as “Old Rough & Ready” by his men in the military; in his remarkable lifetime, he became the 12th President of the United States in 1848.

Listen while Mel Hankla joins Kent Masterson Brown to discuss his book, “Into the Bluegrass: Art and Artistry of Kentucky’s Historic Icons,” an incredible publication about the cultural fabric of Early Kentucky as shown in its art and artifacts, such as the Kentucky longrifle, pottery, silver, and furniture.