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History ImpossibleHistory: Impossible is exactly what it sounds like: impossible history. People, events, ideologies, STORIES--all that sound impossible. But all true. Author: Alexander von Sternberg
History Impossible covers some of the less-known, strange, and supposedly impossible events, people, and ideologies throughout history that are all nonetheless true. The settings and time periods range from the Second World War to ancient Japan to medieval Europe, and many more. The show engages with difficult ideas and impossible decisions that were made by human beings like you or me, always to significant effect. It goes out of its way to grant agency to all of its subjects and does its best to present the most nuanced approach one can, all while acknowledging any personal biases that may exist. You will not find a more honest attempt at presenting difficult and controversial historical topics.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/history-impossible--5634566/support. Language: en Genres: History, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Power, Presidents, and Refusing the Crown (w/ Richard Lim)
Monday, 7 September, 2026
In this newest episode of History Impossible we’re joined a second time by Richard Lim, host of the This American President podcast, who last appeared on this program a couple years ago to discuss the insane, contentious election of 1876. He is also the author of a new book, Refusing a Crown: How George Washington Changed the World, which releases on October 13, 2026, and covers the most significant aspect of America’s first president: his restraint from seizing power that almost certainly would have remained his.In this episode, Richard and I spoke about his new book, about Washington’s enduring character, the best and most important of the Founders, the role of deism, the constitutional foundations of the American experiment, and why figures like Washington prove that this experiment endures for a reason, even as it has faced many trials and challenges until this very day (among other topics). The polarization that plagues United States politics in the 21st century is, after all, nothing new, and Washington was among those who recognized this potential, and yet created an example that is easily forgotten. Richard aims to—and I believe succeeds—remind us that there was more to Washington than his supposed inability to tell lies about cherry trees and crossing a river during the Revolution, revealing that he was far more than some “presidential messiah.”...History Impossible has been made possible by the following generous supporters on Patreon, Substack, and PayPal. Please consider donating today if you want to show some love for what I do and make and what to help keep the show and all my written content going:David AdamcikMonica AlmirallDavid AlsbachGregg Andersonapproso1999Rajan AthulRobert BabeonMichael BeachBenjaminGreg BosaiJohannes BreitsameterCarol ABCCarol ChappelleCharles CChomo the ClownCurtis ChristiansenJason ColemanClayton ConnellClickCliffydeuceCRCraig CrawfordB.CyrdaddygorgonLynda DavisPaul DeCosterRegina Dick-EndrizziNeil DickensNathan DiehlBob DowningDramicasEastoneGavin EdwardsSnow FarmerHowie FeltersnatchMatt GassnerPierre GhazarianJosh GoedertElena GomelSam GrahamJayson GriesmeyerNathan GroteBenjamin HamiltonPeter HauckJack HennemanEric HodgesMike JarulicJoe6245Lionel JosephThomas JustesenMike KalninsBryn KaufmanLeah KodnerConstance LoucksMaddyMounty of MadnessJose MartinezMike MaylebenS.M. McAvoyJudy McCoidMikeKyle MohneyKostas MorosRyan MortensonJohn MullerCameron NeedhamSean PSkip PachecoDavid PageMolly PanPhilip PomerantzSr. PowellBrian PritzlAnaR737PJ RaderGleb RadutskyAleksandr RakitinReptilycusMatthew M. RicePhillip RiceCheryl RobertsonTerry RosenRun Tough MindsetAndrew SDan SJon Andre SaetherJake ScaliaEmily SchmidtJulian SchmidtScryptarAndrew SeeberShiranJoshua SimpsonCameron SmithJerry Spanglertimetosuccedd1995Thomas SqueoAthal Krishna SundarrajanJared Cole TempleAnn ToutMike USWard Van RoyPierre VorupuniRobert VSNate WadeweaverapJonny WilkieChristian WilsonJanora WinsorM. YaoBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/history-impossible--5634566/support.
