Sep 11 2007
About Hank
Hi, I’m Hank Nelson, and I love history. I am quite a liberal arts guy, and I enjoy literature and history most of all. Needless to say, I had no idea how to do a podcast. I have to take this time to thank Allison Sheridan, my best friend’s mom, who guided me through this whole process. Danke shen, Allison!
Well Hank. I must say, you have proven your worth in history. And I like reading all the comments people write, because a lot of them sound like idiots. I especially like that guy who said he failed his test and blames YOU for it. Hah. Anyways. I’m bored. I just played Age of Empires, and I got reminded of your little website. By the way, tell everyone its pronounced “Hank’s History How-er”, not “Hank’s History Ow-er”.
you are just too great hank, if i was a woman, well, u know what would happen
haha just messin nice job tho
Hey Hank!
I attend Second Baptist School in Houston, Texas and am taking AP European History, as well. My teacher uses a blog for our class and posted a link to your website for all of my class to check out. We all are very intrigued by your project and were wondering what inspired you to create it. Also, I was wondering what book you used in class and if you are planning to create a sort of review at the end of the year before AP exams. Please check out our class blog (http://sbsapeuro.blogspot.com/) and e-mail me back if you get a chance! My e-mail address is hailied90@gmail.com.
Thanks so much! I look forward to hearing from you!
Hank,
I love your podcast and your down to earth language. Keep up the good work. Very impressive for a guy your age. I’ve always loved history but it took me much longer to realize it than you.
Hey Dennis and Hailie, thanks for listening to my Podcast! Oh, and Hailie, I tried to send you an email, but your email address didn’t work…do you have any other email that I could send the message to?
Hi Hank
Keep up the good work.I wish you could update them more often. I can’t get enough.
Hey Naomi, there is a good one being uploaded tomorrow, so check it out. That will be the last of the prerecorded episodes, so I will be recording probably 2 more this weekend.
Wow…
thanks for your dedication. I know this will be really helpful
Dude… These reviews are awesome.
I just wish you made them for AP World History! I’ll definitely come back for reviews of World Topics! I’m listening to your review over the renaissance right now!
This will be so helpful! Thanks, and best of luck!
I listened to your podcast for the first time (the Renaissance podcast) and must admit I was a bit disappointed. I am writing this b/c I noticed a previous blogger (Andrew on 04 Dec 2007 at 9:13 pm) stated he was listening to the same podcast and thought it was going to be beneficial to his studies. I’m not sure where your research was gathered but there were numerous errors and misconceptions throughout the whole of the cast. Some of the more major points being: Julius II commissioned the paintings on the Sistine Chapel not Leo X – the work was finished prior to Leo becoming Pope); the common man did in fact see much of the art being made at the time b/c much of the art – including the David – was placed in public areas or areas accessible to the public at a viewing distance; Da Vinci was not the most “famous Renaissance Man” – the majority of his concepts and designs were not brought to public attention until well after his death, not to mention the term “renaissance” was not coined during the Renaissance; not all papal rulers we corrupt at the time–actually, fewer were than were not: lastly (and this really was more of a pet peeve) “de Medici” translates as “the Medici” thus saying “the de Medici” translates as “the the Medici” – when referenced one would simply use Medici or the Medici).
I am really not trying to attack your podcast – quite the opposite; I appreciate your efforts in bringing historical knowledge to the public. I would suggest however in your efforts to minimize some of the more bland and insignificant (for your purposes) points about history, please don’t compromise the facts.
Thanks
Hank
I just finished listening to the podcast on the Renaissance. A number of things were misleading but there were two things that really need to be corrected.
First Girolamo Savonarola never killed anyone nor did he have people killed – and he never ruled over Florence.
Second, you stated Michelangelo went blind after painting the Sistine ceiling and that it was one of his last works. BOTH points are completely false. Michelangelo did not paint the ceiling on his back but rather standing – there are in fact sketches of him doing so and he actually wrote a sonnet about it. The ceiling was actually one of his earlier works. He was about 30 years old at the time and contnued to work until the day before he died at the age of 89. In fact, the Sistine ceiling was finished in 1512 and he painted the Last Judgement (again in the Sistine Chapal) in 1535-41. After the ceiling he completed several other paintings, sculptures and artitectural structures.
This is all common knowledge – meaning none of this information is disputed and quite well documented.
Please check your sources.
I must comment on Darren’s views of my Podcast. First of all, I will concede that I made an error on the name of the pope who commissioned the Sistine Chapel. That is, in my opinion, a small error, and one that I don’t think effects people’s understanding of the time. Also, regarding the discussion on Michelangelo: perhaps that is an urban myth. However, once again, I think that you are finding petty points to attack in my Podcast for some reason that I cannot fathom.
I stand behind the rest of my comments:
Leonardo Da Vinci, in the modern time, is considered one of the greatest Renaissance Men. I used him as an example to help my listeners understand what a Renaissance Man was. If you did not know, the people I am trying to help with these Podcasts are between the ages of 15 and 17. Furthermore, Savonarola was the “religious leader of Florence and as such contributed to the fall the of the Medici dynasty”, according the the book used by my AP listeners, A History of Western Society. Wikipedia (I know, not the most reliable source, but helpful anyway) states that, in 1494, “Savonarola emerged as the new leader of the city, combining in himself the role of secular leader and priest”
As for the comments about the public nature of art, I feel like my commentary was not at all misleading. The majority of art was purchased by wealthy patrons and not for the public. Granted, some art was displayed in public areas, but much was commissioned for the glory of the wealthier members of society. I feel like this is more an argument over historical interpretation than fact. Finally, the comments regarding my use of de’ Medici were, I thought, somewhat silly, but I will address them anyway: the text uses de’Medici, so I used this in my podcast so that students would not be confused.
Lastly, you must realize, I am not an expert. I recorded this Podcast when I was 16 because I love history. Perhaps next year, when I am in college, I will not make these insignificant errors, but for the time being I think that my Podcast is very helpful to my intended audience: high school seniors who want to do well on the AP test in May.
Way to pwn darren, hank! I don’t care about those petty details either, and as long as I do well on that AP exam in may, everything’ll be fine. My future is in your hands buddy
hey thanks for the great podcast! i was just wondering how you got interested in history. was it from your school’s AP euro class? oh and i was also wondering whether you had seminars in your euro class because im sure if you did you would have kicked ass!!! hahaha
It’s “danke schön.”
Hank, your podcast is informative and helpful, plus fun to listen to! Thanks for taking the time to help everyone out. I was wondering if you used the notes from your AP Euro class or if you researched everything separately. Anyway, I love the podcast and please keep posting more.
Hank, your podcasts are enormously entertaining and interesting. I am most pleased with the fact that you are able to attack such intellectual material with few digressions, and yet still innocuously inject your humor and “down to earth” colloquialisms (”…You’d get your genitals beaten off. You might think that’s disgusting, but hey–that’s the Renaissance.”) Also, you pick the most interesting characters as favorites: Napolean, Pope Leo X, etc.
I sincerely hope that you will continue to keep making podcasts, even after you finish what you wish to cover in AP Euro.
Best of luck in Darthmoth.
Dear Hank,
I am 61 years old. I have been following the history of Europe offerred now at the Berkeley webcast site by Dr. Anderson. I thought she was the best. I listened for three hours to you yesterday and it added alot to my understanding of these eras. I just wanted to let you know that you helped me better understand the religious wars which were always confusing for me. I am looking forward to the rest of your talks. It is a real joy to hear young Americans learning history. Believe me it will stay with you through the years and will always draw you back as more and more scholars share their perceptions. I hope you have seen Simon Schama’s “A History of Britain”. Thanks for your work! Sincerely, Merry Staser
can you please do a podcast on nationalism chapter 25!
and update more often.
i know i sound kinda pushy and mean but please?
your podcasts help me so much and well i finished chapter 22 weeks ago.
thanks!
dude stop being so pushy. He’ll get to chapter 25 when he feels like it.
Why hello there Hank. Katie and I were surfing the web and stumbled upon your website. We thought we’d leave you a comment. Hank’s History Hour is actually kinda funny and we wish you did it last year because it would have helped a lot. Maybe then KT would have got a score over 2. PSH what a loser. BTW great race today. Your war-cry was both hilarious and extremely frightening. But it was super cool. Bye bye, see you later. AP EURO ROCKS! All hail Mrs. Ferron!
Sara & Katie
Hank, I must say I admire what you’re doing here. I’ve been trying to get a head start on studying for the AP Exam (plus my Euro teacher is unintelligible so I’ve been using it for tests) and your podcast has been so helpful! It’s also refreshing, because most education-centered podcasts are made by teachers, many of whom are so boring to listening to that I wonder why I bother.
Keep up the good work!
p.s.
Got anything on the Great Depression/Start of WWII?
The two tests my class owned on was the two tests we listened to Hank for. For the rest of the tests, we’ve been ahead. Point being, HANK ROCKS and DARREN NEEDS TO GET OVER HERSELF! HANK IS PRACTICLY MY IDOL!
Thanks Cooley. Darren and I had a conversation by email and actually ended up getting along. Glad my Podcast is helping you guys out
Rachel, there will be Podcasts on the Depression and WWII coming up. I should have both up by the end of the week… Thanks for listening!!
com on buddy, may 9th is the exam and my life is depending on you…I hope you’ll have all of them up by then
I’m testing on May 9th too, and this podcast might be more helpful than the book, b/c it’s easier for me to learn by listening, but our teacher can’t manage to give us a proper lecture. This is so much easier to listen to b/c it’s like your talking normally, not overly formal. You totally rock =]
I believe that I am in Brooke’s class…Brooke, if that’s you…in my car…if not, sorry.
Hank, I just want to say YOU ARE GOD.
the end.
and if I go to hell for that.
I won’t have failed the AP test.
=D
many thanks
SWEET!!! ONE MORE!!!!
We’re ahead of you by a chapter I think, but this is amazingly helpful in terms of reviewing for the AP Exam. I’m a little less afraid of the test every time a podcast ends, thanks soo much =]
Hey Hank
but i havent discovered this until today
I’m in madeleine and brooke’s class of AP Euro
When are u updating next?
our chapter 30 test is tomorrow and you don’t have a podcast up yet
Just wondering then when chapter 30 and 31 will be up because i’m also taking the exam may 9th and our final the tuesday of that same week
and thanks for the ap euro help!
I’m in this class too
and this is the most bombsauce thing ever
whats up brooke, malia, mads…
Hi grace
im going to fail life
may 9th = my death
Wow I love how the class just congregated on his comments.
Could we get any creepier?
I started chapter 31, and either the sleep deprivation is getting to me, or it’s exactly the same as chapter 30 >_
Hello Hank,
I’m in the same class as the rest of the (oddly congregated) stalkers, I’d just like to say how much we all appreciate it. I found the site over the weekend, and the looks on people’s faces when we would tell them about it were hilarious. What’s even more exciting is the fact that you have an (albeit earlier) edition of our book, so the podcasts help with tests as well. Thanks so much!
And Brooke . . . chapter 31 and 30 seem so much like the same thing because they cover areas that we already know about. There is no dividing line in our memories between the Vietnam war and eastern European nationalist revolutions (understandably), so it all just seems like a (really long, mildly pointless) blur.
That makes sense, and would also explain my crappy grade on the test today (as if something aside from my own glaring stupidity is to blame).
I’m super excited for the chapter 30 & 31 podcasts, as well as chapters 23-25, even if we get them after the AP exam.
Brooke, when you say crappy grade on the test, do you mean a low 5?
No, I mean a high 4 with the curve.
i dont wanna take the ap exam on the ninth
imma fail it.
damn it
go hank! as a teacher, and having a master’s in history, your podcasts are accurate,well thought out, and entertaining without being dumbed down-exceedingly hard to do with today’s expectations. as for the errors mentioned by others-well, some things are minor (once in your podcast you went the wrong direction to get to a city, but i think it was your first or second), but some of (most of) what has been mentioned above, esp about leo and micheal o’ the renaissance is quite accurate-most people do not know that mickey started to go blind (attributed, but not verified, to chemicals in his paints). i especially loved your rebuttal. keep up the good work, it only gets better from here.
……and please, tell your student followers that it’s only a test (yes, i took several ap tests at your age). i can tell you that if you are my age and still hanging on to your ap scores, wow, you need to move on. and yes, to all those out there thinking ‘what a teacher who doesn’t even use caps? duh…’ get a life-like those of us who listen to hank. :0)
Hey! I was sent here by my AP Euro teacher like two days ago, and I’m really starting to wish he would have given us this website from the beginning. I’ve only had a chance to listen to two so far, but the podcasts are super easy to listen to and the random language makes things memorable (e.g. the city states of Italy during the Renaissance are like two bullies fighting over a kid whose lunch money they want) and pretty much prevent the info from being too drone-y. I doubt I’ll get them all in before the test Friday, but what I have listened to will definitely help out. Thanks!
Hey Hank!!!
we found your podcasts “coincidentally” and…
WE LOVE THEM!!!!
hahahahahaha
wish we found them earlier.
but now the test is only two days away..
thank you sooooooooooooooooo much though!
we envy your big brain
hope everyone ace the exam this friday!!
THANK YOU HANK
Hey, thanks so much. I live in Indonesia and so I don’t have access to a lot of AP Euro study material. Thanks so much! I listened to all of your podcasts before our practice test and I got a 5. Thanks again!
Yea from Gallitz class. Although I never actually listened to any of the podcasts, I have a feeling that it is going to teach much more than my teacher lmfao. That is why I’m going to start listening to them now. Thanks man.
Although I never actually listened to any of the podcasts, I have a feeling that it is going to teach much more than my teacher lmfao. That is why I’m going to start listening to them now. Thanks man.
your podcasts are absolutely amazing. i wish i had found them before today, considering the AP test is tomorrow but they are still super helpful with my weak spots. i wish you had one on the most important parts of european history and the big picture as a review for the AP test because nobody really has study guides just on the big picture stuff. nonetheless, this is really great. keep up the great work and thanks again for all your help!!
this is wonderfull stuff!! im so glad i was able to find your podcasts before the AP test (22 hours before)! if i get a 5, im giving the credit to you.
HANKKKKKK YOU DA BOMB
yes it’s 10 30 at night right before the ap exam and i just found your podcasts but nevertheless they’re amazing thank you so much i’m really an oral learner and this is exactly what i needed to actually study without drawing little french people all over my notes
UR DA BOMB!
hey hank!
i found out about your podcasts today…
it would have been nice if i knew earlier, but better late than never!
anyway, i think its awesome your doing this.
even though its the night before the exam, it’s been really helpful.
i listened to a couple and i enjoyed them.
they cleared up some concepts for me.
i hope you keep doing this.
it’s great that you can express your love for history.
if only i was as dedicated as you. lol
keep it up!! =]
your reviews were really helpful… today is the day of the AP test and we’re all dyinggg and listening to the podcasts in our sleep. thank you so so much for making euro a bit more interesting… maybe you should become an ap euro teacher you’re much more competent than any of the teachers in our school!!
Thanks!!!!!
ps– good luck to everyone taking the ap exam today!
Hey Hank!
We took the test and your podcasts really helped! (S: I used your information on my essays!) (K: Some of your facts were directly on the test! Thanks!)
Keep doing these podcasts for college courses! We are both seniors…Congratulations on getting into your college of choice!
Thanks for posting even when you were sick…
What AP classes have you taken? What did you get on your AP Euro test?
hey above…what was the essay questions???
What was the question? I really need to know, anyone know it?
Technically, we can’t discuss the essay questions or any questions at all on the test without running the risk of getting our scores voided by the people at the college board *rolls eyes*
Its asinine I know but you would be surprised at the level of technical skill they have in finding out when/who posted stuff in reference to the current test.
Hank, I must say you are a hero to your peers. Considering some of those questions, and the quality of your podcasts, fear not you are almost guaranteed a 5. We all owe you a debt of gratitude. Give your self a present, you deserve.
Wow…your podcasts really helped me for the Exam on Friday! R u going to do podcasts for APUS History? That would be great!!!
Howdy y’all (feeling southern)
Anyhoo, glad to hear that the test went well. I actually took the test two years ago, Alex, and got a five. Sadly, I don’t think that I will be doing a US podcast. Doubt I will have the time in college next year… I hope that there are people who use my Podcast as a template to craft their own AP Podcasts though…
Yeah. Pretty sure that your podcasts are the most helpful thing EVER.
Keep making them…
Otherwise I wont pass history.. D:
Thanks for all your help bro
I still think I failed the test, but your podcasts made it feel alot better for me. so sad that you’e leaving…anyway, It’s been a great ride and I hope you’ll reconsider the US history thing, if you have time, of course=)
Hey Hank,
I love your podcast, im a grade 11 student thats just getting into history. Out of all the podcasts ive listened to, the history of Rome, Hard core history, yours is my favourite. By the way you tell the stories, and the language you use I can tell you share my love of European History. Im thinking of creating my own history podcast and you certainly inspired me to do so! I love how you talk about Da Vinci( im a huge fan) and Anne Boelyn! I was listening to the Religious Wars and it actually made me laugh out loud because of the way you were talking about them kickin’ ass! I love that your not all stuck up about it! You are so awesome and i can’t wait to hear more of you stuff!
yours truly
Emily
Hey Hank,
Thanks for the fun alternative to actually paying attention to my AP European history teacher (you have no idea; that woman is scary beyond belief). I much prefer your upbeat and “user friendly”version of European history to her “let’s speed through everything so I can spend 4 months on Hitler” take on it. I was just writing because some of my friends and I were wondering if you are going to be continuing to do podcasts for next year. (Meaning AP US history) You and Princeton Review were pretty much my teachers this year (or at least those last three days before the exam when I started to actually attempt to learn the material) and I really hope that I’m able to listen to more of your podcasts next year.
(Oh, I’m sorry about all of the little digressions in the parentheses. Those are the fun facts, and you have to read around them. Otherwise you might get a little confused….. like my friends do when we write letters to one another)
Ahahaha, sorry. I just read the comment a few spaces above mine, and apparently you’ve already said that you’re not doing AP US. =) Sorry about that. I visited the site with a thought in mind, so I didn’t look at anything between the top of the page and the bottom when I got here.
Hey Hank
If we have any questions is there a way we can reach you? Like email or msn chat?
Hi Hank
If we have any questions is there a way we can reach you? Like email or msn chat?
Hey everyone! I don’t know if anyone still checks this… I am sure many of you are glad to never have to listen to me talk about social conditions during the Industrial Revolution ever again
ha ha…
BUUTTTTT…. just wanted to say, as of now: THERE WILL BE A US PODCAST UP BY THE END OF SUMMER!!!!
Yes, I finally decided that it needed to be done. I was unable to find a job this summer due to a vacation that my family is taking right in the middle of our break, so I plan on doing the US Podcast to stay productive… I will not have the help of the same teacher, so the Podcasts will probably not be in the exact same style, but I do have my old US teacher’s notes and plenty of weird ass stuff to say about some people in American history, so they should be pretty interesting… check back later this summer to see how things are coming along… and I hope you all are having a fantastic break…
Oh, and thanks everyone for the continued support… and chris, I totally don’t mind the parenthesis. If you can’t tell, I have a similar problem with ellipses… ha ha…
Oh, and Emily: you can reach me at my email: henrykarlnelson@gmail.com if you have any questions…
Yes! Hank, I’m so glad you decided to do a podcast for US history, your lessons are so humorous and informative. I kept checking this sight in hopes that you would decide to continue your history saga and now you have! I can’t wait for the first one.
Hey Hank…I am glad that you’ve decided to make a podcast for APUSH…but where are they?
So glad you’re making a US History podcast, hope it’s up soon, and thanks so much for helping me get a 5 on the AP Euro History this year! Best history podcast out there!
Mikey was going blind. There is a little known story that details him and Pope Julias getting into several screaming matches over just that. Apparently, when the paints fell in his eyes he would scream profanities; problem was, the Pope was having mass at exactly that time. So, you can imagine that when a voice from the rafters was calling out “Aw, da***t,” it didn’t go over well. Might have been an amuseing thing to watch though. Presumably the Pope replied with his own share of profane language.
Anywho, I really like this podcast. It is interesting, and provides an excellent study supplement. (It is no substitute for actually reading the textbook, but you’ve said that yourself ^_^)
YO brah, you iz tha shizz my nizz fo rizzle diss right here helped me straightup git meself gooder grades fo dat AP EURAPEIN histree. Word up! keep dat shizz goin fo sho cuz this so good I lovez it mayne! yo yo yo word up! i iz outta here but I iz giving u da props yo! t to tha hanks man! dat means thanks!! git it? hahahaha LAWL. PROPS TO YA BRAH!
I get the A cuzza u bro!
you should do one on hernando cortes.
because i really need help :/
Hey! I love the podcast and you do a really great job. I actually have the same book that you’re using so it’s realy nice to follow along in the book(I do have to pause a lot so write my own notes because our tests are really picky). You’re also not monotone which really helps and your podcast really helps with all the main idea concepts. Thanks a bunch and you have really great dedication that really helps me out=D Thanks:)
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANK.
HANK I LOVEEE YOUr hair.
you’re awesome.
high fiveEEEEEEEE!