logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2023
13m 47s

Uncle Tom's Cabin, Bestseller (1852)

JODY AVIRGAN & RADIOTOPIA
About this episode

It’s March 20th. This day in 1852, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” is the best-selling book in the country, capturing a growing anti-slavery sentiment, as well as tremendous backlash.

Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss why Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel took off so quickly — and how even at the time it was viewed as well-intentioned but potentially misguided in its portrayal of the slave narrative.

Sign up for our newsletter! We’ll be sending out links to all the stuff we recommended later this week.

Find out more at thisdaypod.com

This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.

Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories.

If you want to support the show directly, you can do so on our website: ThisDayPod.com

Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want to say hello. Our website is thisdaypod.com Follow us on social @thisdaypod

Our team: Jacob Feldman, Researcher/Producer; Brittani Brown, Producer; Khawla Nakua, Transcripts; music by Teen Daze and Blue Dot Sessions; Audrey Mardavich is our Executive Producer at Radiotopia

Up next
Jul 8
The Mormon King Of Beaver Island (1850)
It's July 7th. This day in 1850, a man by the name of James Strang has proclaimed himself the true inheritor of the Mormon church -- and set up a colony on Beaver Island in Michigan.Jody, NIki, and Kellie discuss a time of religious awakening in America, how Strang convinced his ... Show More
20m 9s
Jul 6
How America250 Is Coming Together (Part 2)
We continue our conversation about the America250 celebrations planned for 2026 -- which are kicking off in earnest this July 4th. We know a lot about who is tasked with putting this celebration together, and what that may indicate.The big news is that we are announcing the launc ... Show More
24 m
Jul 3
America250 Is Here, Are You Ready?
Hello and happy 4th of July! (One day early) America's 250th birthday is next year, but the celebration is, in many ways, kicking off this week. Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss why the 250th will be such a key moment for understanding US history, how the Trump administration is al ... Show More
41m 37s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2022
Episode 193: Classmates (Making Trouble)
This episode of The Memory Palace is a part of Radiotopia’s winter fundraiser. Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories. Donate today at https://on.prx.org/3uERfBv. Thank you! Music Fragment I by Library Tapes Don’t Forget to Breathe ... Show More
16m 2s
Mar 2025
Aphra Behn: Revolutionary, Author, Spy
Aphra Behn was a true original. Not only was she the first woman to earn a living by writing, she was also a spy, a political propagandist and a revolutionary. Publicly she was all brash sexuality and outspoken politics, but what is known about the woman beneath? Professor Suzann ... Show More
40m 26s
May 9
How Did 'Uncle Tom' Go from Hero to Traitor?
In the 1850s, the abolitionist novel 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' was America's first bestseller, and its enslaved character Uncle Tom was a heroic martyr. Learn how 'Uncle Tom' later became a biting insult in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://entertainment.howstu ... Show More
8m 37s
Nov 2024
The Mayflower: What Was Life Like At Sea?
A cargo hold, just 5 feet tall and divided up with canvas - this is what served as the living quarters for the 102 passengers of the Mayflower on their 66 day crossing to North America. Don is joined by guest Anna Scott, a researcher from the University of Lincoln, to find out wh ... Show More
38m 9s
Mar 2025
802: Uncle Monday by Zora Neale Hurston
This week, a story by one of the most beloved Black authors of all time about a strange man who arrives in town. “Uncle Monday” by Zora Neale Hurston. Narrated by Cherrae Stuart. Produced by Tal Minear. Executive Producer and Host: Tonia Ransom A transcript is available on the NI ... Show More
26m 35s
Sep 2023
BEST OF THE GIST: U.S. History Edition
In this installment of Best Of The Gist, an extra from our two-part interview with Heather Cox Richardson, which aired this past week. She read every copy of the New York Times from the end of the Civil War to the turn of the century. Listen to find out why. Then, to keep the his ... Show More
31m 32s
Jun 2023
The Horror of M.R. James: Lost Hearts & A School Story
It's time for a mid-season summer break and to tide us over I've got a couple of tales for you from the genius of M.R. James. I've picked two of my favourites to read, I hope you enjoy them! ------- This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp, check out betterhelp.com/darkhistories t ... Show More
48m 26s
May 23
Victorian Beauty Standards
Why did Victorians value pale skin so highly? And how were black bodies viewed by Victorian society?In this episode Kate is joined by author and historian Dr Rochelle Rowe of the University of Edinburgh.This episode was edited by Tom Delargy. The producer was Stuart Beckwith. The ... Show More
38m 6s
Aug 2024
Summer Holiday 2024 - Algernon Blackwood
This week I'm off on my Summer holiday for a trip in the woods, so what better episode to do than read a few stories from Algernon Blackwood, all about weird woods. What was I thinking... ------- For almost anything, head over to the podcasts hub at darkhistories.com Support the ... Show More
55m 41s
Mar 2025
The Truth About Alice in Wonderland
In this episode, we're well and truly going down a rabbit hole. To unpick the controversies surrounding the author of Alice in Wonderland, Kate is joined by author and Professor of Film and Cultural Studies, Will Brooker. Will introduces us to Charles Dodgson, pseudonym Lewis Car ... Show More
40m 30s