This week at In The Past Lane, the American History podcast, I speak with historian Ryan Swanson about his new book, The Strenuous Life: Theodore Roosevelt in the Making of the American Athlete. To say that the US is a sports-obsessed nation would be an understatement to say the least. Just … [Read more...]
Episode 051 Black Athletes in US History – Performance, Power, and Protest
This week at In The Past Lane, the history podcast, we look at the complicated history of black athletes in US history. I’ll speak with historian Louis Moore, author of two new books on African American athletes, I Fight for a Living: Boxing and the Battle for Black Manhood, 1880-1915 (University of … [Read more...]
Episode 032 How Baseball Became America’s National Pastime
This week we step up to the plate to take on the origins and history of baseball, and how the sport has both reflected and shaped American society. Among the many things we'll discuss: Early bat and ball games that date back as 14th century Europe (and one involving nuns and monks!). How … [Read more...]