John Farrell discusses his biography, “Tip O’Neill and the Democratic Century” about the former Speaker of the House of Representatives. O’Neill represented Massachusetts in the House for 35 years, from 1953 to1987, and was Speaker from 1977 till he retired in 1987, making him the second longest-serving Speaker after Sam Rayburn.  He was a liberal Democrat whose congressional career spanned seven presidents, from Dwight D. Eisenhower to Ronald Reagan.  “Tip” O’Neill died on January 5th, 1994.  This program was recorded at the Boston Public Library.

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Winston Groom discusses his book, “Kearny's March: The Epic Creation of the American West, 1846-1847.”  Under orders from President James K. Polk, General Stephen Watts Kearny led a cavalry from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas to California to acquire Mexican territory for the United States.  This crucial and successful campaign during the Mexican-American War helped to pave the way for the rapid westward expansion of the United States.

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Terry Teachout discusses his biography of jazz musician Louis Armstrong and his impact on music and culture.  Teachout portrays Armstrong as extremely talented and witty, but sometimes difficult with volatile temper.  Teachout is the Wall Street Journal drama critic and chief culture critic for Commentary magazine.  This event took place at Politics and Prose Bookstore in Washington, DC.

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On this History Bookshelf, Julia Scheeres presents a history of Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple, a cult that attracted hundreds to Jonestown, Guyana, where on November 18, 1978, they engaged in a mass murder-suicide. Nine hundred and nine men, woman and children died at the compound, and several others who had been investigating the cult were assassinated at a nearby airstrip, including U.S. Congressman Leo Ryan and three members of the media. This event took place at Books Inc. in Berkeley, California.

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Historian George Daughan recounts the naval battles between America and Britain during the War of 1812.  Mr. Daughan examines how the American navy, a fleet of only twenty ships, outmaneuvered their opponent and supported the U.S. Army's ground forces.

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Jonathan Hansen presents a history of America's presence at Guantanamo Bay.  The author reports on the United States' early interest in the area, which was central to U.S. plans to control the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.  Mr. Hansen examines the creation of the U.S. naval base and prison at Guantanamo and its continued use despite calls for its closure.

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Saul Cornell discusses his book "A Well-Regulated Militia: The Founding Fathers and the Origins of Gun Control in America."  He explores the opposing sides of the gun control debate, arguing that both base their opinions on a flawed understanding of the second amendment.

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Matthew Wasniewski, U.S. House of Representatives Historian, talks about the book he edited, “Black Americans in Congress, 1870-2007.”  It examines the role African Americans played in Congress after Reconstruction and during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement.  The book includes comprehensive biographies of members including Joseph Rainey, Oscar De Priest, Adam Clayton Powell, and Shirley Chisholm.  This program was recorded in the Rayburn House Office Building.

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On April 20th, 1999 – Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold murdered 12 of their fellow Columbine High School students and one teacher and then committed suicide.  On History Bookshelf Dave Cullen discusses his book “Columbine”, which presents a comprehensive account of the shootings at the Colorado school.  He talks about the psychology of the shooters, how they evolved into killers, and the stories of the victims and survivors.  This program was recorded at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.

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America's third president and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence - Thomas Jefferson - was born 270 years ago on April 13th, 1743.  In this program recorded in 2005, author and journalist Christopher Hitchens discusses the public and private life of Jefferson detailed in his book, “Thomas Jefferson: Author of America.”  Christopher Hitchens died in 2011.

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