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Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon!NEWSDC Comics solicitations for June 2025DC reveals covers and preview for sequel 'Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong 2'Mark Waid's ‘Dream Project' ‘New History of the DC Universe' announced'DC High Volume: Batman' scripted always-on podcast launching April 2025'Trinity: Daughter of Wonder Woman' announced with previewMarvel Comics solicitations June 2025Joe Quesada to return to Marvel with new Marvel Knights title in June 2025 (more details)Jean Grey's sister Sara returns in ‘Phoenix' #12Marvel's ‘Giant-Size Amazing Spider-Man' #1 features star-studded creatives‘Marvel United: A Pride Special' #1 one-shot announced‘Fantastic Four' set to relaunch with new #1 and creative duoMarvel unpacks ‘Godzilla vs. Thor' out July 2025Three new Star Trek series coming in 2025 set in three different erasOni Press reveals sci-fi existential 'Benjamin' limited series tackles lonelinessWoah, apparently there is a real Benjamin Carp who is ALSO a writer!Our Top Books of the WeekDave:The Deviant #9 (James Tynion IV, Joshua Hixson)Out of Alcatraz #1 (Christopher Cantwell, Tyler Crook)Alex:Psylocke #5 (Alyssa Wong, Vincenzo Carratu)Plastic: Death & Dolls TPB (Doug Wagner, Daniel Hillyard)Standout KAPOW moment of the week:Alex - Magik #3 (Ashley Allen, Germán Peralta) Dave - Absolute Batman #6 (Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta)TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEKAlex: Free For All (Patrick Horvath), You'll Do Bad Things (Tyler Boss, Adriano Turtulici)Dave: Absolute Martian Manhunter #1 (Deniz Camp, Javier Rodriguez)JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.Dave: Absolute Martian Manhunter #1 (Javier Rodriguez Cover)Alex: Ultimate Spider-Man #15 (David Messina)48Interview: Absolute Flash - Jeff Lemire and Nick RoblesAbsolute Flash strips Wally West of his usual support system—no mentor, no Flash family, and no Speed Force. What inspired this approach, and what does it reveal about Wally's character?Jeff, you've tackled deeply personal, introspective stories before. How does Absolute Flash balance superhero spectacle with the kind of emotional storytelling you're known for?Nick, this series presents a unique visual challenge since Wally doesn't have the Speed Force in the usual sense. How did you approach illustrating motion, speed, and kinetic energy differently?The father-son dynamic seems central to the story. What can you tell us about the relationship between Wally and his father, and how it shapes the narrative?The Absolute line lets creators tell more standalone, auteur-driven superhero stories. What freedom did that give you in shaping this take on Wally West?Wally is often portrayed as an optimist. Without his usual safety nets, how does his personality shift in this story? Can you tease anything about the “nefarious forces” chasing Wally? Are these familiar faces from Flash lore, or entirely new threats?Favorite rogues?What do you hope Absolute Flash adds to Wally West's legacy as a character?With Absolute Flash, Absolute Wonder Woman, and Absolute Batman all reimagining these heroes in bold new ways, if Wally had to team up with the Absolute versions of Diana and Bruce, what would their dynamic be like? Who's the most intimidating, and who's the most likely to crack a joke?
PREVIEW - 1776: SUSPECTS Conversation with Professor Benjamin Carp, author of "The Great New York Fire of 1776," regarding potential suspects behind the deliberate setting of the fire, including Abraham Van Wyck, captain of a militia company called The Grenadiers. Van Wyck was imprisoned by the British authorities but never convicted. More details tonight. 1776 Pulling down King George Statue NYC
PREVIEW - 1776: TRINITY CHURCH Conversation with Professor Benjamin Carp, author of "The Great New York Fire of 1776," regarding the questionable account of the fire's spread from Whitehall Slip to Trinity Church with improbable speed. More details tonight. 1842 Manhattan at 1776 after the September 20-21 fire
PREVIEW - NEW YORK CITY: 1776 Conversation with Professor Benjamin Carp regarding his analysis of the Great New York Fire of September 1776. His work examines the mysterious burning of New York City by unknown perpetrators. Despite extensive historical investigation, while there are many theories and accusations, no definitive culprits have been identified. More details to follow. September 1776 New York City
The stage is set. Britain's East India Company dispatches four laden ships bound for American shores, their cargo: tea. In the heart of Boston, colonists face a pivotal decision. Will they accept the tea, return it, or dare to defy the crown? The clock ticks down as tensions reach a boiling point!Join John and returning special guest, historian Dr. Benjamin Carp, as they unravel the suspenseful days leading to the arrival of these ships in Boston Harbor. In this thrilling conclusion to our Boston Tea Party series, discover the bold figures and dramatic moments that culminated in the infamous night of December 16, 1773. How did Britain react to the Boston Tea Party? What role would agriculture go on to play during the revolutionary war? And can we point to this event for the reason Americans prefer coffee over tea today? "Defiance of the Patriots: The Boston Tea Party and the Making of America" by Benjamin Carp: https://www.booksaremagic.net/item/jLdKSQngN1FuSs5T9KDClgIn Sponsorship with Cornell University: Dyson Cornell SC Johnson College of BusinessJoin the History of Fresh Produce Club (https://app.theproduceindustrypodcast.com/access/) for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community.Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Threads:@historyoffreshproduceEmail: historyoffreshproduce@gmail.com
The stage is set. Britain's East India Company dispatches four laden ships bound for American shores, their cargo: tea. In the heart of Boston, colonists face a pivotal decision. Will they accept the tea, return it, or dare to defy the crown? The clock ticks down as tensions reach a boiling point!Join John and returning special guest, historian Dr. Benjamin Carp, as they unravel the suspenseful days leading to the arrival of these ships in Boston Harbor. In this thrilling conclusion to our Boston Tea Party series, discover the bold figures and dramatic moments that culminated in the infamous night of December 16, 1773. How did Britain react to the Boston Tea Party? What role would agriculture go on to play during the revolutionary war? And can we point to this event for the reason Americans prefer coffee over tea today? "Defiance of the Patriots: The Boston Tea Party and the Making of America" by Benjamin Carp: https://www.booksaremagic.net/item/jLdKSQngN1FuSs5T9KDClgJoin the History of Fresh Produce Club (https://app.theproduceindustrypodcast.com/access/) for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community.Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Threads:@historyoffreshproduceEmail: historyoffreshproduce@gmail.com
After a triumphant victory in the Seven Years' War, Britain faced an unexpected adversary: staggering debt. With the national debt skyrocketing from £74 million to £133 million, the pressure was on to find new revenue sources. Britain's gaze turned across the Atlantic to its American colonies. What demands would they place on the colonies? Would the Americans comply, or would resistance brew?Join John and his special guest, renowned historian Dr. Benjamin Carp, as they delve into the escalating tensions between Britain and America. Explore how a seemingly innocuous commodity—tea—ignited a fierce battle for control and freedom. What lessons can we glean from history about the power of everyday foods to shape monumental conflicts?"Defiance of the Patriots: The Boston Tea Party and the Making of America" by Benjamin Carp: https://www.booksaremagic.net/item/jLdKSQngN1FuSs5T9KDClgIn Sponsorship with Cornell University: Dyson Cornell SC Johnson College of BusinessJoin the History of Fresh Produce Club (https://app.theproduceindustrypodcast.com/access/) for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community.Instagram, TikTok, Facebook Threads:@historyoffreshproduceEmail: historyoffreshproduce@gmail.com
After a triumphant victory in the Seven Years' War, Britain faced an unexpected adversary: staggering debt. With the national debt skyrocketing from £74 million to £133 million, the pressure was on to find new revenue sources. Britain's gaze turned across the Atlantic to its American colonies. What demands would they place on the colonies? Would the Americans comply, or would resistance brew?Join John and his special guest, renowned historian Dr. Benjamin Carp, as they delve into the escalating tensions between Britain and America. Explore how a seemingly innocuous commodity—tea—ignited a fierce battle for control and freedom. What lessons can we glean from history about the power of everyday foods to shape monumental conflicts?"Defiance of the Patriots: The Boston Tea Party and the Making of America" by Benjamin Carp: https://www.booksaremagic.net/item/jLdKSQngN1FuSs5T9KDClgJoin the History of Fresh Produce Club (https://app.theproduceindustrypodcast.com/access/) for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community.Instagram, TikTok, Facebook Threads:@historyoffreshproduceEmail: historyoffreshproduce@gmail.com
Why does the Boston Tea Party still loom so large in the popular story of American independence today? Is it right that it holds so much significance? And what has been the impact of the protest in global history? In the final episode of our series, experts Benjamin Carp, Sarah Churchwell and Sarah Purcell weigh up the complicated legacy and discuss how we should regard the protest in the 21st century. The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On the evening of 16 December 1773, around a hundred men boarded three ships in Boston harbour, hoisting more than 46 tonnes of tea over the vessels' rails and into the sea. The destruction of the goods became a pivotal moment on the road to the American Revolutionary War, and is better known to history as the Boston Tea Party. In our new HistoryExtra podcast series, on the 250th anniversary of the rebellion, we'll be looking at the causes, tensions, and violent origins of the protest, the key players involved in the plan – and why exactly tea was so important to the story. Join experts Benjamin Carp, Sarah Churchwell and Sarah Purcell as we delve into the act of defiance that sparked a revolution. Subscribe to History Extra Plus on Apple Podcasts to listen to the whole series immediately and ad-free. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
How did tea become such an incendiary issue in late 18th-century Boston? To understand this, we need to travel back at least a decade. Joined by experts Benjamin Carp, Sarah Churchwell and Sarah Purcell, we delve into the colonial grievances that were growing in the wake of the Seven Years' War, and get closer to the unrest in colonial New England. The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine and BBC History Revealed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Why did the Boston Tea Party happen? Why Boston? And how did the events of December 1773 fit in to the American Revolution?In this episode, we are taking a broader look at the Boston Tea Party with Benjamin Carp, the Daniel M. Lyons Professor of American History at Brooklyn College. Why was tea the focus of debate and how did it become such a legendary patriotic event.Benjamin is the author of ‘Rebels Rising: Cities and the American Revolution'; ‘Defiance of the Patriots: The Boston Tea Party and the Making of America'; and ‘The Great New York Fire of 1776: A Lost Story of the American Revolution'Produced and edited by Sophie Gee. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, James Holland, Mary Beard and more.Don't miss out on the best offer in history! Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 for 3 months with code AMERICANHISTORYHIT1 sign up now for your 14-day free trial https://historyhit/subscription/You can take part in our listener survey here.
On December 16th 1773, Bostonian colonists took a stand against the British Crown in the Boston Tea Party.In this episode, we dive deep into the events of that evening in Boston Harbor. Don is joined by Benjamin Carp, the Daniel M. Lyons Professor of American History at Brooklyn College. Who was involved? What signalled the start of the event? And was it really a non-violent protest?Benjamin is the author of ‘Rebels Rising: Cities and the American Revolution'; ‘Defiance of the Patriots: The Boston Tea Party and the Making of America'; and ‘The Great New York Fire of 1776: A Lost Story of the American Revolution'Produced and edited by Sophie Gee. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, James Holland, Mary Beard and more.Don't miss out on the best offer in history! Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 for 3 months with code AMERICANHISTORYHIT1 sign up now for your 14-day free trial https://historyhit/subscription/You can take part in our listener survey here.
In the 1760s, Massachusetts colonists began pushing back against the ever-tightening grip of British rule. The boiling tension erupted in violent episodes, few more shocking than the Boston Massacre in 1770 when five colonists were killed by British militia. Three years later, protestors publicly rejected the taxes on tea by dumping crates of tea from the British East India Company in the Boston harbor. This event would later become known as the Boston Tea Party. "The Boston Tea Party doesn't just come out of nowhere, there's weeks of tension as the ships arrive and even before the ships arrive," said Benjamin Carp, Brooklyn College history professor. "The goal is really to send the tea back to London, and this was technically illegal ... And so if someone would just agree to ship it back, then maybe we can not have to have some kind of dramatic protest. But because people keep telling them no, this is what leads to the Tea Party ultimately." On December 16, Boston will observe the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, a momentous event leading up to the American Revolution. "If you lived in Boston at that time, you were reading the letters, you were reading the pamphlets, the newspapers, people were gathered watching the event happen," said Anjelica Oswald, an American Ancestors researcher working on the Boston Tea Party Descendants Program. "If your family member was here in Boston, it's very likely that they had something they witnessed, something they read, something that brought their spirit into it, and maybe that's why they were mustered in for the revolution later." Leading up to the Boston Tea Party's anniversary, museums, schools and historical organizations across the state have come together to celebrate the significance of this historically pivotal event. "We have an amazing opportunity as a city, as a commonwealth and as a nation to mark this 250th anniversary of this iconic moment in American history," said Evan O' Brien, creative manager at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. "And I think we have a great opportunity to make sure that we're telling the story in a way that is as accessible to everyone from around the world." GUESTS Benjamin Carp, Brooklyn College history professor and author of “Defiance of the Patriots: The Boston Tea Party and the Making of America” Evan O'Brien, creative manager at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum Anjelica Oswald, researcher at American Ancestors helping with the Boston Tea Party Descendants Program
The Last Best Hope?: Understanding America from the Outside In
Two hundred and Fifty years ago, a group of men boarded three ships in Boston harbour and dumped their cargo of East Indian Company tea overboard. It was a dramatic defiance of the royal government in Massachusetts and of ministers in London who had levied a duty on the tea. Within eighteen months, the revolt against taxes imposed by a distant and unresponsive government had spiralled into armed rebellion. What is the long-term legacy for American political culture of this mass destruction of private property? Joining Adam to discuss the events originally known as "the destruction of the tea" and later re-named the "Tea Party", are acclaimed historian Benjamin Carp and Pulitzer Prize winner Stacy Schiff. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, we are excited to have Dr. Benjamin Carp author of the book "Defiance of the Patriots: The Boston Tea Party and the Making of America." Dr. Carp's book is one of the preeminent works on the Boston Tea Party. Dr. Carp currently holds the Daniel M. Lyons Chair in American History at Brooklyn College as a member of its History Department and is affiliated Faculty in the History Program of the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. He specializes in the history of the American Revolution and the eighteenth century, particularly in the seaport cities of eastern North America. He has written about firefighting, gunpowder explosions, fear, Quaker merchants in Charleston, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson's Embargo of 1807–1809. Join us for a great discussion on the history of the Boston Tea Party, the complicated genesis of the event, its implications globally and dispelling some myths.
In December, 1773, hundreds of angry Bostonians charged into the harbor at Griffin's Wharf, and tossed over 300 chests of tea into the icy waters below. This lawlessness marked the culmination of what many Americans viewed as decades worth of oppression and exploitation by the British. Ultimately leading to the American War of Independence, this nonviolent protest has become one of the most pivotal moments in American history. But what circumstances led to the Boston Tea Party? Why was tea such a significant symbol of oppression? And why is the Boston Tea Party considered to be the single most important catalyst for the American Revolution? This is a Short History Of The Boston Tea Party. Written by Lindsay Graham. With thanks to Benjamin Carp, Professor of History at Brooklyn College, and author of ‘Defiance Of The Patriots: The Boston Tea Party and the Making of America'. For ad-free listening, bonus content and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+. Now available for Apple and Android users. Click the Noiser+ banner on Apple or go to noiser.com/subscriptions to get started with a 7-day free trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Just days after British troops captured New York City from General Washington and his army in September 1776, fire broke out, destroying a fifth of the city. The British blamed rebels who had remained hidden in Manhattan, but Washington, who had been ordered by Congress to leave the city standing on his retreat, never claimed responsibility, though he complained that the blaze hadn't caused more destruction. So who did start the fire and why? Joining me this week to discuss the New York fire and the question of who started it is Dr. Benjamin Carp, Professor and Daniel M. Lyons Chair of History at Brooklyn College, and author of The Great New York Fire of 1776: A Lost Story of the American Revolution. Our theme song is Frogs Legs Rag, composed by James Scott and performed by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under Creative Commons. The poetry is from selections of “Conflagration: A Poem,” Printed in New York from High Gaine in 1780 and performed by Theodore Weflen-Pollock. The episode image is "Representation du Feu terrible a Nouvelle Yorck," The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, The New York Public Library; the image is in the public domain. Additional Sources: “Timeline: The American Revolution,” The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. “The American Revolution: A timeline of George Washington's military and political career during the American Revolution, 1774-1783,” George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. “The Burning of Charlestown: Only Two Spoons Remained for Relief Ellery,” by Massachusetts Historical Society, Charlestown Patriot Bridge, June 17, 2020. "The Burning of Falmouth, 1775: A Case Study in British Imperial Pacification," by Donald A. Yerxa, Maine History 14, 3 (1975): 119-161. https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mainehistoryjournal/vol14/ iss3/3 “New York City's Forgotten Past,” by Erik Peter Axelson, HistoryNet, December 9, 2019. “Did George Washington Order Rebels to Burn New York City in 1776?” by Erik Ofgang, Smithsonian Magazine, May 11, 2023. “From George Washington to Lund Washington, 6 October 1776,” Founders Online, National Archives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Historian Ben Carp talks with us about the role of taxes in the American revolution. Among many other things, we discuss whether taxes were the only grievance the colonists had against Britain, how heavily the colonies were taxed relative to the English in England, and, most importantly, how much of a party was the Boston tea party.Ben is the author of several books, including, relevant to our discussion today, "Defiance of the Patriots: The Boston Tea Party & the Making of America" and most recently, "The Great New York Fire of 1776: A Lost Story of the American Revolution"
Ep 014 - Nonfiction. In 1776, rumors abounded that George Washington would rather burn New York City than let it fall. The British invaded. Then, the city burned. My chat with Prof. Benjamin Carp about his captivating new book, "The Great New York Fire of 1776: A Lost Story of the American Revolution."Support local bookstores & buy Benjamin's book here:https://bookshop.org/a/92235/9780300246957Subscribe to the War Books podcast here:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@warbookspodcastApple: https://apple.co/3FP4ULbSpotify: https://spoti.fi/3kP9scZFollow the show here:Twitter: https://twitter.com/warbookspodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/warbookspodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/warbookspodcast/
Benjamin Carp tackles listener questions and popular search queries on the conflict that saw colonists in North America rise up and declare independence from the British. He speaks to Elinor Evans about the causes of the war, key battles, and how the revolution is mythologised today. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
When I was in college about a million years ago, we used to sit in bars and talk about the Revolution. Actually, it was this bar and something like this “Revolution.” Clearly nothing ever came of our planning (or drinking). But it wasn’t always so, as you can learn in Benjamin Carp’s remarkable Rebels Rising: Cities in the American Revolution (Oxford UP, 2007; 2009 pbk). When the American colonists got together to talk revolution in taverns, they made revolution. And, as Ben points out, drinking establishments weren’t the only revolutionary loci–docks, churches, assembly halls, and ordinary houses also served as locales in which anger against British “tyranny” was stoked and action against the same planned. Ben’s book is really about public spaces and how they aid in the process of “mobilization.” These are the places where “civil society” moves from fuzzy concept to real thing. This was true in the American Revolution in 1775, and it was true in the Tiananmen Square uprising of 1989. It was not true in the Grinnell College pub circa 1984. Everyone knows that the real revolutionaries hung out at The Forum (which, I’m sad to report, is no longer “The Forum” but an IT building). Please become a fan of “New Books in History” on Facebook if you haven’t already. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When I was in college about a million years ago, we used to sit in bars and talk about the Revolution. Actually, it was this bar and something like this “Revolution.” Clearly nothing ever came of our planning (or drinking). But it wasn't always so, as you can learn in Benjamin Carp's remarkable Rebels Rising: Cities in the American Revolution (Oxford UP, 2007; 2009 pbk). When the American colonists got together to talk revolution in taverns, they made revolution. And, as Ben points out, drinking establishments weren't the only revolutionary loci–docks, churches, assembly halls, and ordinary houses also served as locales in which anger against British “tyranny” was stoked and action against the same planned. Ben's book is really about public spaces and how they aid in the process of “mobilization.” These are the places where “civil society” moves from fuzzy concept to real thing. This was true in the American Revolution in 1775, and it was true in the Tiananmen Square uprising of 1989. It was not true in the Grinnell College pub circa 1984. Everyone knows that the real revolutionaries hung out at The Forum (which, I'm sad to report, is no longer “The Forum” but an IT building). Please become a fan of “New Books in History” on Facebook if you haven't already.
When I was in college about a million years ago, we used to sit in bars and talk about the Revolution. Actually, it was this bar and something like this “Revolution.” Clearly nothing ever came of our planning (or drinking). But it wasn’t always so, as you can learn in Benjamin Carp’s remarkable Rebels Rising: Cities in the American Revolution (Oxford UP, 2007; 2009 pbk). When the American colonists got together to talk revolution in taverns, they made revolution. And, as Ben points out, drinking establishments weren’t the only revolutionary loci–docks, churches, assembly halls, and ordinary houses also served as locales in which anger against British “tyranny” was stoked and action against the same planned. Ben’s book is really about public spaces and how they aid in the process of “mobilization.” These are the places where “civil society” moves from fuzzy concept to real thing. This was true in the American Revolution in 1775, and it was true in the Tiananmen Square uprising of 1989. It was not true in the Grinnell College pub circa 1984. Everyone knows that the real revolutionaries hung out at The Forum (which, I’m sad to report, is no longer “The Forum” but an IT building). Please become a fan of “New Books in History” on Facebook if you haven’t already. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When I was in college about a million years ago, we used to sit in bars and talk about the Revolution. Actually, it was this bar and something like this “Revolution.” Clearly nothing ever came of our planning (or drinking). But it wasn’t always so, as you can learn in Benjamin Carp’s remarkable Rebels Rising: Cities in the American Revolution (Oxford UP, 2007; 2009 pbk). When the American colonists got together to talk revolution in taverns, they made revolution. And, as Ben points out, drinking establishments weren’t the only revolutionary loci–docks, churches, assembly halls, and ordinary houses also served as locales in which anger against British “tyranny” was stoked and action against the same planned. Ben’s book is really about public spaces and how they aid in the process of “mobilization.” These are the places where “civil society” moves from fuzzy concept to real thing. This was true in the American Revolution in 1775, and it was true in the Tiananmen Square uprising of 1989. It was not true in the Grinnell College pub circa 1984. Everyone knows that the real revolutionaries hung out at The Forum (which, I’m sad to report, is no longer “The Forum” but an IT building). Please become a fan of “New Books in History” on Facebook if you haven’t already. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When I was in college about a million years ago, we used to sit in bars and talk about the Revolution. Actually, it was this bar and something like this “Revolution.” Clearly nothing ever came of our planning (or drinking). But it wasn’t always so, as you can learn in Benjamin Carp’s remarkable Rebels Rising: Cities in the American Revolution (Oxford UP, 2007; 2009 pbk). When the American colonists got together to talk revolution in taverns, they made revolution. And, as Ben points out, drinking establishments weren’t the only revolutionary loci–docks, churches, assembly halls, and ordinary houses also served as locales in which anger against British “tyranny” was stoked and action against the same planned. Ben’s book is really about public spaces and how they aid in the process of “mobilization.” These are the places where “civil society” moves from fuzzy concept to real thing. This was true in the American Revolution in 1775, and it was true in the Tiananmen Square uprising of 1989. It was not true in the Grinnell College pub circa 1984. Everyone knows that the real revolutionaries hung out at The Forum (which, I’m sad to report, is no longer “The Forum” but an IT building). Please become a fan of “New Books in History” on Facebook if you haven’t already. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices