History of California Podcast

Jordan Mattox
  • 4.6 (100)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
History of California Podcast Podcast

The History of California Podcast is hosted by Jordan Mattox and explores the history of the state through narrative histories and in-depth conversations with experts. https://linktr.ee/historyofcapodcast

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    139 - Dr. Richard J. Goodrich, LA Birdmen: A Gripping History of Early Aviation on America's West Coast

    Today we have Dr. Richard J. Goodrich on the show. Dr. Goodrich is an author and historian. After 20 years as a history professor, Dr. Goodrich decided to move full time into writing. His interests range from ancient history, the Roman Empire, and early church history to the modern age. His latest book is L.A. Birdmen, A Gripping History of Early Aviation on America's West Coast. This joins his previous publication, Comet Madness, How the 1910 Visit of Halley's Comet Almost Destroyed Civilization, which was published in February 2023. Dr. Goodrich and I discussed a wide range of topics, which tend to be my favorite types of conversations. I hope you enjoy it as well. Buy his book here

    51 min

  2. SEP 17

    138 - Paul Haddad, Inventing Paradise: The Power Brokers Who Created the Dream of Los Angeles

    Paul Haddad is the author of several books about his native Los Angeles, including the critically lauded, L.A. Times Bestseller "Inventing Paradise: The Power Brokers Who Created the Dream of Los Angeles," "Freewaytopia: How Freeways Shaped Los Angeles," "10,000 Steps a Day in L.A.: 57 Walking Adventures," and "High Fives, Pennant Drives, and Fernandomania: A Fan’s History of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Glory Years (1977-1981)." As a writer and contributor, his work has appeared in such media as the L.A. Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, The Washington Post, The Times (UK), LAist, ESPN, NPR, and HuffPo. He is also the author of three novels. An MFA graduate of USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, Haddad has been nominated for multiple Emmys as a documentary producer. Buy Paul's Books Here

    1h 0m

  3. SEP 12

    137 - Railroads and California, Part I

    In this introductory episode, we complete some table setting by looking at some of the history and development of railroads before diving into California and railoroads.

    15 min

  4. AUG 27

    136 - Alex Brown, Librarian, Critic, and Historian

    Today we have Alex Brown on the show. Alex is a librarian, local historian, author, and writer, and an Ignite award winning critic. Much of their writing covers black history, librarianship, YA, and speculative fiction. The focus of our conversation today is their two books of nonfiction, Hidden History of Napa Valley and The Lost Restaurants of Napa Valley and Their Recipes. I really enjoyed talking with Alex. We had a lot to connect about, both in regards to libraries, but also into California history. Buy Alex's Books Here

    56 min

  5. AUG 16

    135 - Matthew J. Davenport, The Longest Minute: The Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906

    Today, we have Matthew Davenport on the show. Matthew is an attorney and the author of two books, the second of which, The Longest Minute: The Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906 is the topic for today's conversation. Matthew's first book, First Over There, was a finalist for the 2015 Guggenheim Lehrman Prize in military history, and was heralded by Pulitzer Prize winning historian James McPherson as "military history at its best." The Longest Minute is a fascinating look at the conditions that led to this terrible fire that destroyed the city of San Francisco in 1906. Matthew has been a contributing writer for the Wall Street Journal book review and Salon.com and is a member of the Authors Guild. He is a native Missourian and a former prosecutor and now practices law in North Carolina where he lives with his wife and two sons. This was a great conversation where we were able to dig into the earthquake, the subsequent fire and a lot more. Buy Matthew's Books Here

    45 min

  6. AUG 11

    134 - Dr. Eric Porter, A People's History of SFO: The Making of the Bay Area and an Airport

    Eric Porter is Professor of History, History of Consciousness, and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies at UC Santa Cruz, where he is also affiliated with the Music and Latin American and Latina/o Studies departments. He previously taught in the American Studies Department at UC Santa Cruz as well as at the University of New Mexico and the University of Nevada, Reno. His research and teaching interests include Black cultural and intellectual history, US cultural history, jazz and improvisation studies, urban studies, and comparative ethnic studies. Among his previous books are two University of California Press publications: What Is This Thing Called Jazz? African American Musicians as Artists, Critics, and Activists (2002), winner of an American Book Award, and, with the photographer Lewis Watts, New Orleans Suite: Music and Culture in Transition (2013). The subject of our conversation today is his new book, A People's History of SFO, which is a fascinating look at the complicated history of San Francisco's airport using an ethnic studies lens, an environmental lens, and a labor lens.  Buy Dr. Porter's Book Here

    48 min

  7. AUG 10

    133 - Leland Stanford Part II

    Today, we conclude by discussing the later life of Leland Stanford.

    17 min

  8. AUG 2

    132 - Langdon Moss, The Savage West

    Today, we have Langdon Moss on the show. Langdon is hosting a great new podcast called The Savage West where he unravels the complex web of early western expansion, taking listeners beyond the basic narrative to expose the raw realities of America's savage origins. What truths lie beneath the legends of violence, greed, hope, and courage? What do the history books get right, and what ideas, events and people deserve re-examination? Through dynamic, unscripted episodes, Moss explores divergent perspectives to challenge what we thought we knew about our past, inviting listeners to question and re-examine the stories at the heart of American history. Langdon also worked as a research assistant for a past guest Dean King with his book on John Muir. It’s always great to talk with someone working in a similar space as myself and we can get into so much in this podcast. And Langdon even has a few questions for me as well. Please enjoy our conversation!  Link to The Savage West podcast

    45 min
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The History of California Podcast is hosted by Jordan Mattox and explores the history of the state through narrative histories and in-depth conversations with experts. https://linktr.ee/historyofcapodcast

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