The Road to the Second Amendment with Noah Shusterman (part I)
I am very pleased to welcome Dr. Noah Shusterman to The Rogue Historian. Noah is Associate Professor of History at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He has published three books, including his recent - Armed Citizens: The Road from Ancient Rome to the Second Amendment, which we will be discussing today. A specialist in the eighteenth-century, his first two books focused on the French Revolution. His current research focuses on the history of militias and citizen soldiers in both Europe and North America. Originally from Philadelphia, he completed his PhD at the University of California, Berkeley, and taught in Temple University's Intellectual Heritage Program before moving to Hong Kong.
True story, I have already used this book in the classroom to encourage discussion…and Noah and I hit on a number of the book’s salient themes. In short - if you have an interest in the Second Amendment or the current gun debate well then this show is for you. In part one of this episode, we discuss:
The opening line of the book: “The Second Amendment to the Constitution no longer makes sense.” Hang on kids, this could get interesting!
Growing up with guns (yes, I mention my sweet southern grandma)
Gun violence since the 1990s
An American tradition - the fear of a standing army
Colonial militias and theoretical writings on militias…the two worlds leading up to the American Revolution
The roots in the Roman Republic (yes…Cincinnatus and Caesar)
Anyone with an interest in the Second Amendment or a stake in the current gun debate needs to listen…
And of course you will want to check out Noah’s other books - especially if the French Revolution is your bag.
The French Revolution: Faith, Desire and Politics
Religion and the Politics of Time: Holidays from Louis XIV to Napoleon
Be sure to follow Noah on Twitter and check out his website…AND…don’t forget to subscribe to The Rogue Historian Podcast and leave a rating on Apple Podcasts or your favorite app so you never ever ever ever miss a show. That would be dumb.
With compliments,
Keith