…..may well be Venice, which may ultimately go fully underwater. But a thousand strange Venetian tales (all true) will persist. Of its many aberrant inhabitants was Ezra Pound the American poet and traitor who broadcast anti-American and anti-Semitic programs from Rome during the second world war. Released from a psychiatric hospital after seven years, he settled in Venice with the most loyal of his mistresses and some very rich supporters. The tale is told by John Berendt in a book published in 2005 and discussed with Berendt later that year on Extension 720.

However his presidency is now evaluated, Jimmy Carter’s life story is an American saga of outstanding interest. Here he shares his account of his childhood in rural, backwoods Georgia and the beginnings of his political career.

8 Men Out. Shoeless Joe Jackson. Even the most casual baseball fan will know a bit about the 1919 Chicago White Sox–or Black Sox*. But what is the true story behind the scandal? As we all know, Hollywood often takes liberties with the facts when producing a feature length film. And how did that World Series give birth to the game as we know it today? Charles Fountain has delved deep into the history and offers this fascinating account of the gambling ring that destroyed the players who participated–and maybe some who didn’t–and sheds light on that heroic figure, Joe Jackson.

Dr. James McPherson has dedicated his entire career to the study of the Civil War. As he so eloquently shows us in his new book, the Civil War is still as relevant–if not more relevant–to our current times than to those that were directly affected by it.

Often when studying history we focus on the major figures. This is no less true in American history, where we may discuss founding fathers, maybe Lincoln, or the great generals of our wars. But one man who was very much a major figure who has been overlooked with the passage of time is Henry Clay. Clay spent time in both the House and the Senate and ran for the presidency on multiple occasions. But his true talent was as a compromiser when he served as Speaker of the House.