Taking Manhattan: The Extraordinary Events That Created New York and Shaped America

Taking Manhattan: The Extraordinary Events That Created New York and Shaped America

Author: The New York Historical March 17, 2025 Duration: 32:03
Seeking to wrest control of New Amsterdam from the Dutch in 1664, the English King Charles II and his brother, the Duke of York, appointed Richard Nicolls to lead a flotilla to conquer Manhattan Island. Nicolls, with a blend of might and diplomatic tact, would make the integration of Dutch colonists a vital part of his takeover, birthing what was in many ways the blueprint of the modern city. Russell Shorto joins David M. Rubenstein to discuss New York’s origins and how a period of 17th-centu...

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
A Conversation with Oscar Tang on Business, Art, and Civic Leadership [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:35
Born in wartime Shanghai and brought to the United States at age eleven with no knowledge of English, financier and philanthropist Oscar Tang reflects on a life shaped by displacement, ambition, and civic responsibility.…
Conducting New York’s Legacy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:46
From his childhood in Venezuela’s famed El Sistema music education program to his rise as one of the world’s leading conductors, Gustavo Dudamel reflects on the experiences that shaped his musical life. In conversation w…
Declaring Independence: Why 1776 Matters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:57
At the beginning of 1776, virtually no one in the colonies was advocating independence. What changed over the course of one year? From Thomas Paine’s Common Sense in January to the Continental Congress that first grounde…
McNamara at War: A New History [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:13
Secretary of defense and friend and ally to two presidents, Robert S. McNamara was one of the most controversial men in American history for his role in the Vietnam War. Beyond his time at Harvard Law, his service during…
The American Revolution: An Intimate History [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:12
The American Revolution was three wars rolled into one: a fight for independence, a civil conflict, and a struggle between nations. In this conversation with David M. Rubenstein, bestselling author Geoffrey Ward examines…
Glorious Lessons: John Trumbull, Painter of the American Revolution [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:41
History may be written by the victors, but it is illustrated by its painters, and perhaps few so famously or evocatively as John Trumbull—American Revolution army officer, spy, artist. In this conversation with David M.…