Reel America Schedule

Week of December 10 through December 17

All times and durations are subject to change

Saturday, December 14
8:00 AM ESTApprox. 1 hr.Alan Taylor, "Thomas Jefferson's Education"Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Alan Taylor argued that Thomas Jefferson's egalitarian words ... Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Alan Taylor argued that Thomas Jefferson's egalitarian words differed from his actions and that the founding of the University of Virginia is an example of Jefferson's failed aspirations. 9:00 AM ESTApprox. 1 hr. 15 min.Rachel Maddow, "Blowout"MSNBC's Rachel Maddow argued that the gas and oil industry are weakening democracies around the ... MSNBC's Rachel Maddow argued that the gas and oil industry are weakening democracies around the globe. 10:15 AM ESTApprox. 1 hr. 12 min.Scott Adams, "Loserthink - How Untrained Brains Are Ruining America"Dilbert creator Scott Adams offered his thoughts on how to avoid what he calls "loser think." Dilbert creator Scott Adams offered his thoughts on how to avoid what he calls "loser think."
11:27 AM ESTApprox. 3 min.What Are You Reading with Senator John BoozmanSenator John Boozman (R-AR) shared his reading list with Book TV. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) shared his reading list with Book TV. 11:30 AM ESTApprox. 30 min.Call-in with Eleanor Randolph, "The Many Lives of Michael Bloomberg"Journalist Eleanor Randolph took viewer phone calls about former New York City mayor Michael ... Journalist Eleanor Randolph took viewer phone calls about former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg. 12:00 PM ESTApprox. 48 min.Author Discussion on the Civil War with S.C. Gwynne and Donald MillerHistorians S.C. Gwynne, "Hymns of the Republic," and Donald Miller, "Vicksburg," discussed their ... Historians S.C. Gwynne, "Hymns of the Republic," and Donald Miller, "Vicksburg," discussed their books on the Civil War.
12:48 PM ESTApprox. 2 min.What Are You Reading with Representative Jared HuffmanRep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) shared his reading list with Book TV. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) shared his reading list with Book TV. 12:50 PM ESTApprox. 55 min.Erica Armstrong Dunbar, "She Came to Slay"Historian Erica Armstrong Dunbar recounted the life of abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Historian Erica Armstrong Dunbar recounted the life of abolitionist Harriet Tubman. 1:45 PM ESTApprox. 1 hr. 2 min.Richard Brookhiser, "Give Me Liberty"Historian Richard Brookhiser provided a history of America through thirteen documents, including ... Historian Richard Brookhiser provided a history of America through thirteen documents, including the Constitution and Declaration of Independence.
2:47 PM ESTApprox. 43 min.Chung Min Lee, "The Hermit King"Chung Min Lee, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, talked about the ... Chung Min Lee, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, talked about the rule of Kim Jong Un in North Korea. 3:30 PM ESTApprox. 1 hr.Discussion with University Press Authors & EditorsAuthors and editors discussed the importance of university presses and the role they play in ... Authors and editors discussed the importance of university presses and the role they play in American society. 4:30 PM ESTApprox. 55 min.Richard Bell, "Stolen"University of Maryland history professor Richard Bell looked at the underground web of slave ... University of Maryland history professor Richard Bell looked at the underground web of slave traders and human traffickers who operated in the North during the early 19th century. He specifically recalled the kidnapping of five free black men from Philadelphia in 1825 who were transported to Mississippi and their subsequent struggle to escape and return home.
5:25 PM ESTApprox. 1 hr. 5 min.Ruth Marcus, "Supreme Ambition"Washington Post deputy editor Ruth Marcus reported on the Supreme Court nomination process and the ... Washington Post deputy editor Ruth Marcus reported on the Supreme Court nomination process and the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh. 6:30 PM ESTApprox. 30 min.Brian Kilmeade, "Sam Houston & the Alamo Avengers"Brian Kilmeade of Fox News provided a history of the 19th century war with Mexico over Texas. Brian Kilmeade of Fox News provided a history of the 19th century war with Mexico over Texas. 7:00 PM ESTApprox. 1 hr. 30 min.Eric K. Washington, "Boss of the Grips"Historian Eric K. Washington recounted the life of James Williams, chief porter of Grand Central ... Historian Eric K. Washington recounted the life of James Williams, chief porter of Grand Central Terminal's Red Caps in the early 1900s, who was the face of his African-American workforce and championed their upward mobility.
8:30 PM ESTApprox. 50 min.Les Standiford, "Palm Beach, Mar-a-Lago, and the Rise of America's Xanadu"Les Standiford recounted the creation of the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, by cereal ... Les Standiford recounted the creation of the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, by cereal company heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post and her husband, E.F. Hutton in 1927. 9:20 PM ESTApprox. 40 min.Amity Shlaes, "Great Society"Amity Shlaes compared the economic debates of the 1960s to those that are happening today. Amity Shlaes compared the economic debates of the 1960s to those that are happening today. 10:00 PM ESTApprox. 1 hr.After Words After Words, Joe Ricketts, "The Harder You Work, the Luckier You Get"Joe Ricketts offered insights into becoming an entrepreneur and founding TD Ameritrade. He's ... Joe Ricketts offered insights into becoming an entrepreneur and founding TD Ameritrade. He's interviewed by former Wall Street investment banker and author William Cohan.
11:00 PM ESTApprox. 1 hr.Glenn Simpson, "Crime in Progress"Fusion GPS co-founder Glenn Simpson discussed their investigation into President Trump and the ... Fusion GPS co-founder Glenn Simpson discussed their investigation into President Trump and the creation of the Steele dossier.
Sunday, December 15
12:00 AM ESTApprox. 1 hr. 5 min.Brendan McNulty and Timothy McNulty, "The Meanest Man in Congress"Brendan and Timothy McNulty recalled the life and work of the late Democratic Congressman Jack ... Brendan and Timothy McNulty recalled the life and work of the late Democratic Congressman Jack Brooks of Texas, who served in the House of Representatives for forty-two years. 1:05 AM ESTApprox. 1 hr. 15 min.Debbie Cenziper, "Citizen 865"Author and journalist Debbie Cenziper reported on the Nazi war criminals who secretly emigrated to ... Author and journalist Debbie Cenziper reported on the Nazi war criminals who secretly emigrated to the United States following World War II. 2:20 AM ESTApprox. 1 hr. 12 min.Mary Lane, "Hitler's Last Hostages"Mary Lane recalls Nazi efforts in the 1930s to repress artistic expression and remove work they ... Mary Lane recalls Nazi efforts in the 1930s to repress artistic expression and remove work they deemed challenging. The author reports that thousands of art pieces were lost or destroyed and that, in 2012, the German government reclaimed works by Matisse, Monet, and more that were held by the son of one of Hitler's art dealers.
3:32 AM ESTApprox. 58 min.Donald Trump, Jr. "Triggered"Donald Trump Jr. discussed tactics used by the political left that in his view slander ... Donald Trump Jr. discussed tactics used by the political left that in his view slander conservatives. 4:30 AM ESTApprox. 1 hr. 10 min.The Age of Trump in Verse"Actor John Lithgow chronicled the presidency of Donald Trump through satirical verse. Actor John Lithgow chronicled the presidency of Donald Trump through satirical verse. 5:40 AM ESTApprox. 50 min.Mo Moulton, "The Mutual Admiration Society"Mo Moulton chronicled author Dorothy Sayers work for women's rights in the early 20th century that ... Mo Moulton chronicled author Dorothy Sayers work for women's rights in the early 20th century that included her membership in a group of like-minded female students at Oxford University, the Mutual Admiration Society, who were among the first women to receive full degrees from the University.
6:30 AM ESTApprox. 45 min.Eric Lichtblau, "Return to the Reich"Eric Lichtblau recounted the life of Freddy Mayer, a Jewish German emigre to the U.S. in 1938, who ... Eric Lichtblau recounted the life of Freddy Mayer, a Jewish German emigre to the U.S. in 1938, who was enlisted by the OSS, to return to Germany, where he impersonated a Nazi officer and French POW. 7:15 AM ESTApprox. 1 hr. 5 min.Susan Ronald, "Conde Nast"Historian Susan Ronald recounted the life of publishing magnate Conde Nast, who's magazine empire ... Historian Susan Ronald recounted the life of publishing magnate Conde Nast, who's magazine empire included Vogue and Vanity Fair. 8:20 AM ESTApprox. 35 min.Bruce Riedel, "Beirut 1958"Bruce Riedel, director of the Intelligence Project at the Brookings Institution, recalled ... Bruce Riedel, director of the Intelligence Project at the Brookings Institution, recalled President Eisenhower's decision to deploy U.S. Marines to Beirut in 1958, America's first combat entry into the Middle East.
8:55 AM ESTApprox. 1 hr. 5 min.John Kasich, "It's Up to Us"Former Ohio governor and Republican presidential candidate John Kasich offered his thoughts on how ... Former Ohio governor and Republican presidential candidate John Kasich offered his thoughts on how to bring about political change in local communities. 10:00 AM ESTApprox. 2 hr.Eugenia Cheng, "The Art of Logic in an Illogical World" and Amir Alexander, "Proof!"Mathematician Eugenia Cheng explored the limits of logic and UCLA history professor Amir Alexander ... Mathematician Eugenia Cheng explored the limits of logic and UCLA history professor Amir Alexander recounted how the use of geometry has changed the world. 12:00 PM ESTApprox. 1 hr. 5 min.After Words Lindy West, "The Witches Are Coming"New York Times contributing opinion writer Lindy West discussed the #metoo movement. She was ... New York Times contributing opinion writer Lindy West discussed the #metoo movement. She was interviewed by New York magazine writer at large and author Rebecca Traister.
1:05 PM ESTApprox. 40 min.Call-in with Patrick Deneen, "Why Liberalism Failed"Patrick Deneen, chair of Constitutional Studies at the University of Notre Dame, took viewer phone ... Patrick Deneen, chair of Constitutional Studies at the University of Notre Dame, took viewer phone calls about liberalism and the current state of American politics. 1:45 PM ESTApprox. 1 hr. 5 min.Neal Katyal, "Impeach"Former Acting U.S. Solicitor General Neal Katyal made his case for why he thinks President Trump ... Former Acting U.S. Solicitor General Neal Katyal made his case for why he thinks President Trump should be impeached. 2:50 PM ESTApprox. 1 hr. 5 min.Steve Vogel, "Betrayal in Berlin"Steve Vogel recounted the Cold War clandestine mission, "Operation Gold," where U.S. and British ... Steve Vogel recounted the Cold War clandestine mission, "Operation Gold," where U.S. and British forces sought to dig a tunnel into East Berlin in order to capture KGB intelligence. The author reported that unbeknownst to the Allies, they had a spy within their ranks, who was intent on disclosing their efforts to the Soviets.
3:55 PM ESTApprox. 25 min.Call-in with Megan Phelps-Roper, "Unfollow"Megan Phelps-Roper took viewer phone calls about her upbringing in the Westboro Baptist Church and ... Megan Phelps-Roper took viewer phone calls about her upbringing in the Westboro Baptist Church and her decision to leave. 4:20 PM ESTApprox. 1 hr. 10 min.Robert Wilson, "Barnum"Robert Wilson, editor of The American Scholar, recounted the life of 19th century showman P.T. ... Robert Wilson, editor of The American Scholar, recounted the life of 19th century showman P.T. Barnum, the co-founder of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. 5:30 PM ESTApprox. 40 min.Amity Shlaes, "Great Society"Amity Shlaes compared the economic debates of the 1960s to those that are happening today. Amity Shlaes compared the economic debates of the 1960s to those that are happening today.
6:10 PM ESTApprox. 50 min.Kerri Greenidge, "Black Radical"Tuft University professor Kerri Greenidge recounted the life of William Monroe Trotter, a late ... Tuft University professor Kerri Greenidge recounted the life of William Monroe Trotter, a late 19th century civil rights activist, who used his wealth and leadership of the African-American newspaper, the Boston Guardian, to promote racial equality. 7:00 PM ESTApprox. 1 hr.Paul Richter, "The Ambassadors"Paul Richter, diplomatic correspondent for the Los Angeles Times, talked about the work that U.S. ... Paul Richter, diplomatic correspondent for the Los Angeles Times, talked about the work that U.S. ambassadors do in the Middle East and Afghanistan. 8:00 PM ESTApprox. 58 min.Glenn Simpson, "Crime in Progress"Fusion GPS co-founder Glenn Simpson discussed their investigation into President Trump and the ... Fusion GPS co-founder Glenn Simpson discussed their investigation into President Trump and the creation of the Steele dossier.
8:58 PM ESTApprox. 2 min.What Are You Reading with Representative Jared HuffmanRep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) shared his reading list with Book TV. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) shared his reading list with Book TV. 9:00 PM ESTApprox. 1 hr.After Words After Words, Joe Ricketts, "The Harder You Work, the Luckier You Get"Joe Ricketts offered insights into becoming an entrepreneur and founding TD Ameritrade. He's ... Joe Ricketts offered insights into becoming an entrepreneur and founding TD Ameritrade. He's interviewed by former Wall Street investment banker and author William Cohan. 10:00 PM ESTApprox. 52 min.T.H. Breen, "The Will of the People"T.H. Breen, American law and governance professor at the Library of Congress, looked at how small ... T.H. Breen, American law and governance professor at the Library of Congress, looked at how small towns and cities operated under a system of shared sacrifice and democratic ideals during the American Revolution.
10:52 PM ESTApprox. 3 min.What Are You Reading with Senator John BoozmanSenator John Boozman (R-AR) shared his reading list with Book TV. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) shared his reading list with Book TV. 10:55 PM ESTApprox. 1 hr. 5 min.Charles Barber, "Citizen Outlaw"Yale's Charles Barber detailed the life of William Juneboy Outlaw who went from convicted felon to ... Yale's Charles Barber detailed the life of William Juneboy Outlaw who went from convicted felon to community advocate.
Monday, December 16
12:00 AM ESTApprox. 1 hr.After Words After Words, Joe Ricketts, "The Harder You Work, the Luckier You Get"Joe Ricketts offered insights into becoming an entrepreneur and founding TD Ameritrade. He's ... Joe Ricketts offered insights into becoming an entrepreneur and founding TD Ameritrade. He's interviewed by former Wall Street investment banker and author William Cohan. 1:00 AM ESTApprox. 1 hr. 10 min.Christopher Ryan, "Civilized to Death"Christopher Ryan looked at progress and civilization throughout history. Christopher Ryan looked at progress and civilization throughout history. 2:10 AM ESTApprox. 50 min.Mikhal Dekel, "Tehran Children"City College of New York professor Mikhal Dekel provided a history of the Polish-Jewish refugees ... City College of New York professor Mikhal Dekel provided a history of the Polish-Jewish refugees who escaped the Nazis and settled in Iran.
3:00 AM ESTApprox. 1 hr.After Words After Words, Joe Ricketts, "The Harder You Work, the Luckier You Get"Joe Ricketts offered insights into becoming an entrepreneur and founding TD Ameritrade. He's ... Joe Ricketts offered insights into becoming an entrepreneur and founding TD Ameritrade. He's interviewed by former Wall Street investment banker and author William Cohan. 4:00 AM ESTApprox. 1 hr. 20 min.Michael Barone, "How America's Political Parties Change and How They Don't"Washington Examiner senior political analyst Michael Barone looked at political parties in the ... Washington Examiner senior political analyst Michael Barone looked at political parties in the U.S. 5:20 AM ESTApprox. 20 min.Interview with Lauren Duca, "How to Start a Revolution"Book TV talked with political columnist Lauren Duca about the rise in political engagement amongst ... Book TV talked with political columnist Lauren Duca about the rise in political engagement amongst millennials.
5:40 AM ESTApprox. 50 min.Author Discussion on the Civil War with S.C. Gwynne and Donald MillerHistorians S.C. Gwynne, "Hymns of the Republic," and Donald Miller, "Vicksburg," discussed their ... Historians S.C. Gwynne, "Hymns of the Republic," and Donald Miller, "Vicksburg," discussed their books on the Civil War. 6:30 AM ESTApprox. 1 hr. 30 min.Norwich University Military Writers' SymposiumAuthors Benedetta Berti ("Armed Political Organizations"), Paul Scharre ("Army of None"), and ... Authors Benedetta Berti ("Armed Political Organizations"), Paul Scharre ("Army of None"), and Peter W. Singer ("LikeWar") talked about warfare in the 21st Century.