Charmian Kittridge London, Jack London's second wife, was a writer, adventurer, and trailblazer who defied societal norms of her time. Born in California, she was raised by her aunt and developed a love for writing and travel. She met Jack London through her aunt, who was a writer and editor, and they began a romantic relationship despite his being married. Charmian's love of adventure and writing led her to travel the world with Jack, documenting their experiences in her own writing. She also collaborated with Jack on his novel 'The Valley of the Moon,' incorporating her own perspectives and experiences into the text. After Jack's death, Charmian continued to write and travel, publishing several books and articles, and becoming a celebrity in her own right. Her story is a testament to her strength, independence, and determination to live life on her own terms. [... more]

For generations, students have been taught that Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492, but the real story is far more complex and nuanced. Historian Lawrence Burgreen sheds new light on Columbus's four voyages, revealing his misconceptions, flaws, and contradictions, as well as the unintended consequences of his journey, including the Columbian Exchange, which had a profound impact on the indigenous peoples and the environment of the Americas. [... more]

The story of Christopher Columbus is a complex and nuanced one, filled with both inspiring and deleterious effects of belief. He brought about the Columbian Exchange, which had a profound impact on the Old and New Worlds, introducing new crops, animals, and diseases that shaped the course of history. His voyages also had unintended consequences, including the devastation of indigenous populations and the spread of smallpox and other pathogens. [... more]

For generations, students were taught that Christopher Columbus sailed to discover America in 1492, but today, that lesson is changing in schools across the country. Historian Lawrence Burgreen joins Our American Stories to tell the real story of Columbus, a man with flaws and virtues, who tied together the old world and the new, and started the process of globalization that changed the world forever. [... more]