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Revisionist History: The Staten Island Problem

Revisionist History: The Staten Island Problem

By: Pushkin Industries
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On the 250th anniversary of the United States, Revisionist History investigates the overlooked story of what was, at the time, the biggest secession movement in the U.S. since the Civil War.

A movement that took place on a small island miles out to sea from New York City. An early example of the politics of resentment that dominates America today. What do you do when a democracy looks like it’s falling apart?

Over the course of five episodes, The Staten Island Problem reconstructs the battle for New York City amidst the turbulent early 1990s — the rise of Rudy Giuliani, the peak of the homicide rate, the Wu-Tang Clan, young Donald Trump, and the first Black mayor of New York — all through the prism of the city’s Forgotten Borough. Through colorful characters and never-before-heard archival audio, The Staten Island Problem reveals what can happen when a disgruntled minority manages to take over — and fracture — a democracy.

To get early access to ad-free episodes and extra content, subscribe to Pushkin+ in Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus.

Revisionist History is Malcolm Gladwell's journey through the overlooked and the misunderstood. Every episode re-examines something from the past—an event, a person, an idea, even a song—and asks whether we got it right the first time. From Pushkin Industries. Because sometimes the past deserves a second chance.

iHeartMedia is the exclusive podcast partner of Pushkin Industries.

2026 Pushkin Industries
Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • Introducing Revisionist History
    Jun 3 2016

    Coming soon, a new podcast series from bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell.

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    3 mins
  • The Lady Vanishes
    Jun 16 2016

    In the late 19th century, a painting titled The Roll Call, by a virtually unknown artist, took England by storm. But after that brilliant first effort, the artist all but disappeared. Why? And what does The Roll Call tell us about the fate of those first through the door?

    To learn more about the topics covered in this episode, visit www.RevisionistHistory.com

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    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    34 mins
  • Saigon, 1965
    Jun 23 2016

    In the early 1960s the Pentagon set up a top-secret research project in an old villa in downtown Saigon. The task? To interview captured North Vietnamese soldiers and guerrillas in order to measure the effect of relentless U.S. bombing on their morale. Yet despite a wealth of great data, even the leaders of the study couldn’t agree on what it meant.

    To learn more about the topics covered in this episode, visit www.RevisionistHistory.com

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    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    41 mins
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One of the best podcasts I've come across so far. Ticks all the boxes. Am only sad that I will run out of new ones eventually. Keep going Malcolm!!!

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