A Place Called Yellowstone: The Epic History of the World’s First National Park

A Place Called Yellowstone: The Epic History of the World’s First National Park

Author: The New York Historical December 15, 2025 Duration: 29:52
Covering 2.2 million acres, Yellowstone National Park is a geographic behemoth and, as the birthplace of America’s national park system, a cultural giant as well. But since its official establishment in 1872, the bucolic lands have been the source of frequent conflict: between Native Americans and Europeans, and tourism and environmental conservation. In this episode, prizewinning author Randall K. Wilson explores the complex history of the park, from its geological roots to its role in our u...

David M. Rubenstein sits down with some of the most insightful historians and writers working today for conversations that feel less like a lecture and more like a discovery. For the Ages: A History Podcast, from The New York Historical, digs into the events and figures that define not just the American experience, but world history. Each episode is built around a genuine dialogue, where presidential legacies, the ideas of the founding era, and the often-overlooked individuals who propelled change are examined with fresh perspective. You’ll hear stories that challenge simple narratives, finding the unexpected connections and human complexities behind the dates and names. This podcast thrives on the depth and nuance that these expert guests bring, moving from broad societal shifts to intimate personal histories. It’s for anyone who believes the past is never truly settled and that understanding it requires listening to those who have dedicated their lives to its study. The production emphasizes clarity and substance, allowing the conversations to unfold at a pace suited for thoughtful reflection, whether you're a longtime history enthusiast or just curious about how we got here. Tune in for a series of engaging discussions that make history feel immediate and remarkably relevant to our contemporary world.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

For the Ages: A History Podcast
Podcast Episodes
American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:11
As the man who led the effort to create the most violent weapon in the history of mankind with the invention of the atomic bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer is a divisive figure in American history. From his childhood in New Y…
Justice by Means of Democracy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:06
John F. Kennedy advised Americans to ask not what their country could do for them, but what they could do for their country. Scholar Danielle Allen argues that civic engagement such as Kennedy was suggesting is the only…
The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:09
Samuel Adams was called “the most elegant writer, the most sagacious politician, and celebrated patriot” by John Adams, his second cousin, and was applauded by other colleagues such as Thomas Jefferson. A mastermind behi…
Differ We Must: How Lincoln Succeeded in a Divided America [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:14
In a time when crossing political party lines can seem as treacherous as crossing a fault line during an earthquake, it could be difficult to believe that Abraham Lincoln, in a country even more divided than our contenti…
A Conversation with James Patterson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:22
James Patterson is one of the most popular storytellers of our time. The creator of some of the most popular characters and series in fiction, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride,…
The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt: The Women Who Created a President [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:22
President Theodore Roosevelt is often described as an icon of American masculinity. From his military past as a Rough Rider to his history of undertaking dangerous wilderness expeditions, Roosevelt’s image has been assoc…
President Garfield: From Radical to Unifier [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:17
When President James Garfield assumed the office of the presidency in March 1881, he stood at the helm of a deeply polarized and fragmented nation. Known as a reformer as well as a broker of compromise during his time in…