Dustin Bass

Dustin Bass is the creator and host of the “American Tales” podcast and cofounder of “The Sons of History.” He writes two weekly series for The Epoch Times: Profiles in History and This Week in History. He is also an author.

The Missionary’s Son Who Found the Incas’ Machu Picchu

In this installment of ‘Profiles in History,’ the descendant of prominent missionaries becomes an explorer and makes one ...

American Essence September 5, 2026
Epoch Booklist: Recommended Reading for Sept. 4–10

This week, we feature an excellent novel that presents an insider's take on a Roman statesman’s rise to ...

Book Recommendation September 3, 2026
Wyoming Museum Launches New Exhibit Celebrating the Bison

As part of the nation’s 250th celebration, Buffalo Bill Center of the West launches ‘Buffalo Nation’ to commemorate ...

American Essence August 31, 2026
How Patience Paid Off in Gen. William T. Sherman’s Campaign for the City of Atlanta

In ‘This Week in History,’ neither Fabian strategy nor aggressive Confederate tactics proved capable of halting Sherman’s Georgia ...

American Essence August 29, 2026
Epoch Booklist: Recommended Reading for Aug. 28–Sept. 3

This week, we feature a fascinating homage to the colorful insects that brighten our world and a thorough ...

Book Recommendation August 27, 2026
The American Astronomer Whose Name Was Written in the Stars

In this installment of ‘Profiles in History,’ an impoverished Tennessean found his way to become one of history’s ...

American Essence August 23, 2026
How NASA’s Lunar Orbiter Changed the Way the World Looked at Itself

In ‘This Week in History,’ NASA sent spacecraft to take photos of the moon’s far side and received ...

American Essence August 22, 2026
A Collection of Wisdom From the Lost Works of Ancient Greek Thinkers

Taken from literary fragments, James Romm’s ‘Since You’re Mortal …’ provides the first English translation of the ancients’ ...

Book Review August 21, 2026
Epoch Booklist: Recommended Reading for Aug. 21–27

This week, we feature a masterful, academic debunking of old wives’ tales and a deeper look into the ...

Book Recommendation August 20, 2026
A Bloody, Fantastical Biography of a Legendary Viking King

Don Hollway’s ‘Hammer of the Gods’ proves a fast-paced read that seamlessly and entertainingly intertwines myth, legend, and ...

Book Review August 20, 2026
New Book on History of Gilded Age Board Games Is a Critical Theory Mess

Susan R. Asbury’s ‘Family Game Night’ turns a cynical eye on the family parlor of 1880 to 1920.

Book Review August 18, 2026
The National Bank Controversy That Left a President Without a Party

In ‘This Week in History,’ Whigs worked to empower their party and corral support for a national bank ...

American Essence August 15, 2026
The Humble Origin and Lasting Impact of William Dean Howells

In this installment of ‘Profiles in History,’ a self-educated Ohioan rose through the literary ranks to become known ...

American Essence August 15, 2026
Epoch Booklist: Recommended Reading for Aug. 14–20

This week, we feature the suspenseful ordeal of fishermen stranded in shark-infested waters and an engaging novel that ...

Book Recommendation August 13, 2026
How a Failing Businessman Elevated the World

In this installment of ‘Profiles in History,’ a tinkerer and failing businessman finally hit on one of world’s ...

American Essence August 8, 2026
How Recording WWII Soldiers Led to the Hit Show ‘Candid Camera’

In ‘This Week in History,’ Allen Funt’s experiences at Cornell and the Signal Corps helped produce one of ...

American Essence August 8, 2026
Epoch Booklist: Recommended Reading for Aug. 7–13

This week, we feature a scholarly, historical timeline of communism’s trajectory and a biographical account of one man’s ...

Book Recommendation August 6, 2026
How a Miner’s Wire Rope Transformed American Transportation

In ‘This Week in History,’ a father and son immigrated to California for the Gold Rush, and the ...

American Essence August 1, 2026
Epoch Booklist: Recommended Reading for July 31–Aug. 6

This week, we feature a comprehensive and balanced study on an ancient Egyptian wonder and a timely guidebook ...

Book Recommendation July 30, 2026
A Study of How the Battle of Königgrӓtz Helped Create the German Empire

Angus Konstam’s ‘Königgrӓtz 1866’ digs into the details surrounding one of Europe’s most important 19th-century conflicts.

Book Review July 30, 2026
The Brief and Dangerous Life of Wright Flier Arch Hoxsey

In this installment of ‘Profiles in History,’ a young automobile mechanic becomes the country’s face of aviation.

American Essence July 28, 2026
The Long, Complex Path to Creating the Defense Intelligence Agency

In ‘This Week in History,’ WWII highlighted intelligence deficiencies, leading numerous administrations to try to fix the problem.

American Essence July 25, 2026
Epoch Booklist: Recommended Reading for July 24–30

This week, we feature a comprehensive look at a museum’s expansive collection of WWI artifacts and a personal ...

Book Recommendation July 23, 2026
An Immense Study on the Universal Philosophies of Shakespeare’s Plays

David Womersley’s ‘Thinking Through Shakespeare’ is a detailed examination of how humanity’s great questions center in the Bard’s ...

Book Review July 21, 2026
Over 60 Years of Bringing Readers Closer to the Ancient Greek Tragedians

In this installment of ‘The Reissue,’ a look at the University of Chicago Press’ labor of love for ...

Book Recommendation July 19, 2026
How American Ingenuity and Oil Defied the Nazi Threat

In ‘This Week in History,’ the federal government and private industry collaborated to build the world’s largest pipeline ...

American Essence July 18, 2026
Epoch Booklist: Recommended Reading for July 17–23

This week, we feature a close look at the full scope of preparations for D-Day and a research-based ...

Book Recommendation July 16, 2026