Empire, Republic and Shadow Wars - podcast cover

Empire, Republic and Shadow Wars

Shawn Warswick•theamericanhistorypodcast.com
History
Education
Self-Improvement

Empire, Republic & Shadow Wars connects the battles you know to the battles you’re not supposed to notice. I’m Shawn—teacher and historian (B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. coursework in U.S. military history & empire). You’ll still get cinematic arcs on the Pacific War and Vietnam—and we’ll dive into the shadow wars: the war on terror, the war on drugs, covert finance, BCCI, and alleged/Documented intersections of intelligence services and the drug trade. We follow the paper trails, declassified files, and institutional incentives that move power.

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Episodes

State of the Podcast 2025

Send a text Today we talk about the state of the show and what's coming. Support the show

Dec 03, 2025•13 min

State of the Podcast

Send a text Just an update about a change or two and where we are headed. Support the show

Dec 01, 2025•13 min

5.05 The Long March

Send a text Over the past four episodes, we've traced how American political discourse became weaponized, how both parties learned to delegitimize elections, how political violence gets selectively remembered, and how two incompatible constitutional orders came to govern American life simultaneously. Today we're exploring how this transformation happened—not just through laws and court decisions, but through a systematic ideological takeover of American institutions. Support the show...

Nov 17, 2025•40 min•Season 5Ep. 5

5.04 The Two Constitutions

Send a text Civil rights vs. civil liberties—what happens when rights collide? Today we discuss. Support the show

Nov 13, 2025•54 min•Season 5Ep. 4

5.03 Fiery But Mostly Forgotten

Send a text Over the past two episodes, we've traced how American political discourse became weaponized decades before Trump, and how both parties learned to delegitimize elections they don't win. Today we're examining something even more fundamental: how Americans think about political violence. The story we tell ourselves about political violence in America goes something like this: We're a peaceful democracy where political disagreements are settled through debate and voting, not riots and bl...

Oct 27, 2025•41 min•Season 5Ep. 3

5.02 Selected Not Elected

Send a text Today we dive into the election of 2000. This is when both parties learned to delegitimize elections they don't win. Want to support the show and gain access to bonus episodes? Follow the link below: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1169162/supporters/new Support the show...

Sep 29, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 5Ep. 2

5.01 The Great Unraveling

Send a text We interrupt season 4 to bring you a special mini series (never fear I already have several WWII episodes written and one is already recorded). This series is based on the events of September 10, 2025, and the aftermath of that day. The purpose is to look into how the US got to this point and hopefully find a way for us to get out of it. I hope you all find it informative. Support the show...

Sep 22, 2025•31 min•Season 5Ep. 1

4.36 The Track of Ghosts

Send a text This is the American History Podcast, Season 4, Episode 37. I'm your host, Shawn, and welcome to "The Track of Ghosts" - the second of four episodes on the New Guinea Campaign. Questions: email shawnwarswick@gmail.com Support the show

Aug 24, 2025•27 min•Season 4Ep. 36

4.35 "Into the Green Hell" The New Guinea Campaign part 1

Send a text Guess who's back? Yep. We have a new WWII episode. I wasn't sure this day would arrive, but it has. In this episode we begin a four part look at one of the forgotten aspects of WWII in the Pacific. Support the show

Aug 18, 2025•30 min•Season 4Ep. 35

Interview: Samuel Marquis

Send a text Today we have a special treat. Author Samuel Marquis joins the show to discuss his latest book, "Captain Kidd: A True Story of Treasure and Betrayal." This is a fantastic book, and one I know you'll love. You can purchase it on Amazon or at your local bookseller, including Barnes and Noble. Support the show...

Jul 12, 2025•34 min

Bonus: 1983, the Year the World Almost Ended: The Workers State 1

Send a text Welcome back to 1983: The Year the World Almost Ended. In this episode, or miniseries of episodes within the main series, I want to take a look at the Worker’s state, specifically the Soviet Union, but also some of the “workers paradises” that were built in Eastern Europe in the aftermath of World War II. Support the show

Jan 30, 2025•22 min

Bonus Episode: Quagmire in the Middle East

Send a text It was January 16, 1991. Your humble host was an undergraduate in college, and like others in the dorms, watching events unfold live on TV. US media had begun broadcasting the start of the air campaign to “free Kuwait” from the clutches of the evil Saddam Hussein. Looking back on these events 3 decades later, I have to admit, it made for compelling, if disgusting, television. Why do I say disgusting? People were dying in front of our very eyes, and we were treating it like it was jus...

Jun 03, 2024•26 min

Interview: Author Stuart A Reid

Send a text Today we have a treat! Author Stuart A. Reid is here to talk about his just released book: " The Lumumba Plot " which is a fantastic Cold War era book . Just click the title and you can order your copy via Amazon. Support the show

Nov 17, 2023•22 min

4.34 WWII in China, part 3

Send a text Finally, we are back into the narrative about WWII. In this episode we continue to look at the war in China. Enjoy! Support the show

Aug 31, 2023•31 min•Season 4Ep. 34

Interview Episode: Eli Merritt

Send a text Today we have the last episode until September. This book is "Disunion Among Ourselves: The Perilous Politics of the American Revolution." It's the perfect book for this time of year, plus it's quite timely. Check it out here: https://amzn.to/3rasdKB Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched! Start for FREE Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show...

Jun 28, 2023•33 min

4.33 WWII in China part 2

Send a text Welcome back to the main narrative. Today we continue our look at China in WWII. Support the show

Jun 19, 2023•36 min•Season 4Ep. 33

Bonus Episode: Historian Katherine C. Mooney

Send a text Today we have an interview with Dr. Katherine C. Mooney. She is a professor at Florida St. University and the author of the fantastic new book, Isaac Murphy: The Rise and Fall of a Black Jockey. Get your copy of this fantastic new book here . Check out the Luxurious bastard and all of the fantastic products he has here (use coupon code American10 for 10% off each and every order!) Support the show...

Jun 07, 2023•30 min
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