Bill Clinton’s Legacy: Using podcasts to explore timely historical topics

As Dan, my new media instructor, is fond of saying – listening to podcasts gives you access to people you wouldn’t normally have access to.

One way to accomplish this is to tape interviews at conferences.  That’s what Rick Shenkman, editor of George Mason University’s History News Network, did in November 2005 at Hofstra University.

Every couple of years Hofstra University’s Cultural Center hosts a presidential conference where they focus on one president and analyze his presidency.  In November 2005, the 11th Presidential Conference featured President William Jefferson Clinton.  

During the conference, Rick caught up with a number of presenters to ask the question, “What will Bill Clinton’s legacy be?” 

Rick recorded 11 interviews, with people ranging from University history and journalism professors, to Sidney Blumenthal and Lanny Davis (members of Clinton’s administration) to Douglas Brinkley (historian at Tulane University and frequent guest on television talk shows.)

They offered opinions and insights into various aspects of Clinton’s presidency - his record on terrorism, his impact on the office of the presidency, and, of course, impeachment.

Listen to HNN’s Podcast: Bill Clinton’s Legacy.  The interviews range from about 2 1/2 minutes to 7 1/2 minutes.  They can be downloaded as mp3 files or listened to as streaming audio. 

I think Dan is right.  Podcasts allow access to a remarkable network of people and ideas.   

Podcast Review of Michael Moore Movie

One podcast from George Mason University’s History News Network (see previous blog) really illustrates the concept of public history – a podcast about Michael Moore’s movie Fahrenheit 9/11.

In this podcast, Dr. Edward Berkowitz, history professor at George Washington University, discusses pros and cons of Fahrenheit 9/11 and whether or not Michael Moore’s techniques stand up to a historian’s standard.

In answer to the question, “Did Michael Moore get the facts right?  Did he get the history right?”, Dr. Berkowitz responds:

“In more or less general terms, yes, he did.  But I think that his work as a historian probably leaves a little bit to be desired.”

 Dr. Berkowitz gives several examples from the movie and concludes that Michael Moore’s “standard of proof is a little weak” and that he “doesn’t always give the full story.”

However, the point is made that “at least Michael Moore knows how to find an audience for history.” 

Dr. Berkowitz agrees.  “I like the movie a lot.  I just don’t think it’s terribly good history.”

Listen to the podcast – Edward Berkowitz: Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11.

History News Network – Podcasts

Ok, Dan challenged me to find a podcast connected to public history in some way.  So I did the obvious – a google search using “public history” + Podcast – and immediately came across podcasts from the History News Network created by George Mason University (more about them in a future blog.)

They have a number of podcasts about a variety of topics – from Abraham Lincoln to Bill Clinton’s Legacy to contemporary issues like the role of the media today.

Many of the podcasts were created at the annual meeting of the Organization of American Historians (OAH) held in April 2006 in Washington D.C. Consequently you can hear people milling around in the background. Although this causes the audio to be uneven, to me it adds atmosphere.

Check out the History News Network podcasts.