Podcast 115: “Into the Bluegrass” with Mel Hankla

Listen to distinguished Civil War historian Bell Irvin Wiley on the 99th Anniversary of the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky give a speech about the battle, on the battlefield, where, he relates, he flew by helicopter, accompanied by Kentucky Governor Bert Combs and military personnel! This talk, from 1961, captures the lives of "Billy Yank" and "Johnny Reb," during the American Civil War. Among Wiley's many published books, his most noted works were his volumes on the daily lives and activities of the common soldier in the Civil War. What you will hear is one of the most captivating Civil War stories ever, a tale told well by Bell I. Wiley, a 1928 graduate of Asbury College, where he obtained his Bachelors and Masters degrees, proceeding to Yale University to obtain his doctorate in American History. Listen and enjoy!

Listen in while Kent Masterson Brown interviews Cameron Sauers, University of Kentucky doctoral candidate, on his research concerning F. Scott Fitzgerald's literary themes about American memory and the Civil War.  Enjoy!

Listen while Dr. Noe, Emeritus Professor of History at Auburn, discusses with Kent Masterson Brown Noe's fascinating study of weather and climate as agents alongside armies in battle in the Civil War, affecting unpredictable battle outcomes.

Listen while Kent Masterson Brown describes the life of Zachary Taylor, a Kentuckian through and through. General Taylor was known as "Old Rough & Ready" by his men in the military; in his remarkable lifetime, he became the 12th President of the United States in 1848.

Listen while Mel Hankla joins Kent Masterson Brown to discuss his book, "Into the Bluegrass: Art and Artistry of Kentucky's Historic Icons," an incredible publication about the cultural fabric of Early Kentucky as shown in its art and artifacts, such as the Kentucky longrifle, pottery, silver, and furniture.

Listen while Kent Masterson Brown is interviewed about the latest WHEF project, "The shot heard 'round the world: The Coming of the Revolution, Colonial America to 1775."

Listen while Kent Masterson Brown and his guest Jon Park discuss Jon's boyhood growing up in Springfield, Illinois, in the shadow of Abraham Lincoln, and why a life imbued with history brings meaning and depth to the human experience.  Jon is the Chairman of the Kentucky Independence Semiquincentennial Commission, in anticipation of celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence.  Kent is a member of the Commission as well, and he and Jon discuss some ideas for Kentucky's celebration. Enjoy!

Listen as Kent interviews Steve Phan, Acting Chief Interpreter for Camp Nelson, Nicholasville, Kentucky.  Steve come to us from the National Park Services Defenses of Washington, and WHEF is thrilled to welcome him to Kentucky and to herald the work going on at Camp Nelson.

Listen to Kent Masterson Brown describe the plight of the Union Army for the twenty-one months before the Battle of Gettysburg, and give you a sneak peek of one of the themes from his new book, "Meade at Gettysburg: A Study in Command," available from the University of North Carolina Press in June 2021.