He was one Rhode Island's richest Black entrepreneurs. His death sent shockwaves into the small, coastal community of Newport. Initially ruled a suicide, rumors of family disputes, financial mismanagement, and concerns about a new addition to the household prompted authorities to dive deeper. What they exposed was a horrific story of greed and manipulation. Prepare yourself for the Gilded Age case of Benjamin J. Burton. 

And check out the novel A Harbor of Deceit mentioned during the episode. 

Support the show

There has been a lot of talk lately about fascism, communism, and authoritarianism in U.S. politics, but what does the history tell us? Join me as I welcome historian Jackson van Uden to discuss his research on authoritarianism and its long thread through American history. Discover the distinctions between authoritarianism, fascism, and communism, and how these concepts manifest in various political contexts. Our conversation reflects on historical examples, including the founding era, Reconstruction, and the actions of 20th-century presidents, highlighting moments where authoritarian tendencies emerged in American governance. Finally, Jackson shares why he feels it is important to understand these patterns as Americans navigate the current political challenges. 

To learn more about Jackson  check out his website: https://historywithjackson.co.uk/

Instagram

Want Me To Cover a Topic?

Reach Out!

Want More Civics & Coffee? 

Sign Up for the Substack

Join the Patreon Coffee Club

Make Sure We Are Connected:

Instagram

BlueSky

Threads

Love Civics & Coffee?

Review on Apple

Rate on Spotify

Support the show

Was Alfred Packer a crazed maniac or a desperate man seeking a way to survive? Join me as I launch Civics & Coffee's annual spooky season with a look into the life of the would-be prospector known as the Colorado Cannibal. Learn how the thirst for gold drove Packer and twenty others into the treacherous Colorado mountains in the dead of winter and why his story of abandonment and panic failed to resonate with his fellow residents. 

Support the show

Does the United States really have free and fair elections? In this conversation, voting rights attorney David Walbert discusses his book Stealing Elections American Style, which explores America's contentious electoral history. He highlights the ongoing issues of voter suppression and the historical context of the 1876 election, illustrating how political structures have perpetuated racial inequalities and the challenges faced in achieving true democratic representation. Join us as we highlight important moments including the controversial Bush v. Gore Supreme Court case and why Walbert believes civic engagement remains critical to democracy. 

Learn more about David at his website here. 

Buy your copy of the book through my bookshop affiliate link here. 

Support the show

If you grew up taping posters of your favorite celebrities on your wall or consider yourself a Swiftie, you can thank Vaudeville. Tune in this week as I explore the early quintessential American mass entertainment medium and its lasting impact on modern culture. Discover how vaudeville shaped celebrity culture, influenced entertainment accessibility, and laid the groundwork for future media.

Support the show

Lillian Smith was a best-selling author whose courageous decision to stand for civil rights in the Jim Crow south led to her erasure from discussions about influential leaders of the movement. Join me as I sit down with historian Keri Leigh Merritt whose insightful biography seeks to pull Smith from the shadows and highlight the ways Smith challenged societal norms and contributed to the early fights against racism. 

To learn more about Dr. Merritt, visit her website: https://kerileighmerritt.com/

To learn more about the Poor People's Campaign, click here. 

To buy a copy of An Inconvenient Woman, consider shopping at my affiliate storefront through bookshop.org here. 

Support the show

Labor Day was first celebrated during the Gilded Age - amid a growing labor movement seeking recognition. Join me this week as I explore the origins, evolution, and current perceptions of Labor Day in the United States. Learn how  Labor Day has transformed from a day of militant labor demonstrations to a more consumer-focused holiday, reflecting broader societal changes and the decline of organized labor's influence.

Support the show

Join me as I sit down with author Stan Haynes to discuss his latest book And Slavery No More - a work of historical fiction that explores the mystery of General Lee's lost order and President Lincoln's evolution on slavery. Tune in to learn about how Haynes came to write historical fiction, the value to reading both fiction and nonfiction, and how he approaches blending creative elements grounded in historical events. 

To learn more about Stan and his books, visit his website: https://stanhaynes.com

You can buy And Slavery No More wherever fine books are sold, are through my affiliate link on bookshop.org here. 

Support the show

In 1882, President Chester A Arthur signed legislation barring Chinese laborers from entering the United States for a period of ten years. It went on to become known as the Chinese Exclusion Act, but is that an accurate framing? Join me this week as I explore Chinese immigration and why some historians refer to the 1882 law as the Chinese Restriction Act. 

Support the show

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson are two of the most notable men of the founding era - as is their complicated and occasionally fraught relationship. Join me as I sit down with Jim Rasenberger to discuss his latest book A Perfect Coincidence which explores their friendship, political differences, and what lessons we can learn from their reconciliation. 

To learn more about Jim, check out his website: jimrasenberger.com

To grab your copy of A Perfect Coincidence, consider shopping at my affiliate link on Bookshop.org here. 

Support the show

The gunfight at the OK Corral remains one of the most iconic moments of the American West, a whirlwind of chaos that lasted less than a minute but has echoed through history. Learn what led to the fight, why Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday were in Tombstone to begin with, and how the battle scarred Earp for the remainder of his days. If all you know about the shootout is what Hollywood showed you, listen up - you're in for a wild ride. 

Support the show