Paul Kahan – Philadelphia: A Narrative History

About this episode

Paul Kahan discusses his book 'Philadelphia: A Narrative History' in the context of America's upcoming 250th anniversary of Independence Day.

  July 4, 2025 – With the 249th birthday of America on July 4, 2025, and the 250th anniversary of Independence Day looming in 2025, the nation’s eyes are cast back to the place where America was born. Paul Kahan returns to tells us how that ground was sown and how the city has grown in “ Philadelphia: A Narrative History .” Paul Kahan earned a Ph.D. from Temple University and is a commentator on U.S. political, economic, and the craft of diplomacy. His book has been described as “accessible” by critics, by which they mean it’s written for everyone to enjoy, not for other academics.   Check out our previous conversations with Paul Kahan: “The Presidency of Ulysses S. Grant” “Amiable Scoundrel: Simon Cameron, Lincoln’s Scandalous Secretary of War” “The Bank War: Andrew Jackson, Nicholas Biddle, and the Fight for American Finance”

People in this episode

Guest: Paul Kahan

Topics covered

• Philadelphia
• American history
• Independence Day

Keywords

• narrative history
• U.S. political history
• diplomacy

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Philadelphia: A Narrative History

Books & works: Philadelphia: A Narrative History, Ph.D., The Presidency of Ulysses S. Grant, Amiable Scoundrel: Simon Cameron,, The Bank War: Andrew Jackson, Nicholas Biddle, and the Fight for American Finance

Places: America, U.S.

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