The Life of X

This week on The Life of X, we continue our series on America’s Banana King, Samuel Zemurray! This week we discuss: Sam’s role in supporting the Zionist cause and the establishment of the state of Israel United Fruit in Guatemala It’s United Fruit! It’s the CIA! It’s another Coup on the isthmus! The United States government turns its back on United Fruit The end of Sam’s life and the legacy of United Fruit Be sure to tune in next week for The Life of Rick James! Based primarily on:...

This week on The Life of X, we continue our series on America’s Banana King, Samuel Zemurray! This week we discuss: Sam goes toe to toe with power brokers and politicians in the US The Knox Plan and overthrowing the Honduran government Cuyamel becomes a certified threat to United Fruit The Banana Wars Sam sells out and “retires” Sam’s Philanthropy The fish eats the whale! United Fruit with Sam at the helm and the tragedies of World War II Be sure to tune in next week for The Life...

This week on The Life of X, we begin our series on America’s Banana King, Samuel Zemurray! This week we discuss: Sam’s early life and journey to the US Sam Zemurray - the most innovative fruit peddler there ever was The fascinating fruit that is the banana The United Fruit Company and its global influence The growth of Sam’s business - Cuyamel - to rival El Pulpo! Be sure to tune in next week for The Life of Samuel Zemurray (Part 2)! Based primarily on: The Fish That Ate the Whale:...

This week on The Life of X, we continue our discussion of Andrew Carnegie! This week we discuss: The battle for the Edgar Thompson Steelworks at Homestead Frick’s difficult summer of 1892 Andrew and Frick’s deteriorating relationship The birth of Margaret Carnegie in 1897 Andrew becomes the richest man in the world Andrew’s retirement and philanthropy Andrew Carnegie - the friend you wish you had The end of his life Be sure to tune in next week for The Life of Samuel Zemurray (Part...

This week on The Life of X, we continue our discussion of Andrew Carnegie! This week we discuss: How Herbert Spencer’s ideas shaped Andrew’s thinking about his place in the world Andrew and Louise’s continued secret engagement Andrew’s battle with the PARR and his deal with Henry Vanderbilt and J.P. Morgan Andrews views on socialism and the publication of Triumphant Democracy Andrew’s bout with typhoid fever and the deaths of Tom and Mag Carnegie in late 1886 Wedding and relationship...

This week on The Life of X, we continue our discussion of Andrew Carnegie with part 2! This week we discuss: The Trans-Pacific Railroad and what it meant for Andrew Andrew becomes financially independent at 26 and begins his life of travel The Union Iron origin story Andrew’s continued travel and success as a bond salesman in Europe Andrew’s turn to steel Early philanthropy, literary aspirations, and the beginning of a very lengthy courtship Henry Frick Be sure to tune in next week...

This week on The Life of X, we discuss the life of Andrew Carnegie. Born in Dunfermline, Scotland in 1835, Carnegie is best known as a titan of industry, literary figure, and philanthropist in the United States. This week we discuss: Family and early life in Dunfermline Coming to America Mag Carnegie joins the LoX Hall of Amazing Mothers Andrew’s rise meteoric rise from bobbin boy to Superintendent of Pittsburgh Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad by 24. Andrew’s “heroic” role in the...

This week on The Life of X, we continue our discussion of Chiang Kai-shek. This week we discuss: Post-WWII Chinese political situation The Taiwan uprising The conclusion of the Chinese Civil War Chiang’s time in Taiwan and the end of his life Be sure to tune in next week for The Life of Andrew Carnegie (Part 1)! Based primarily on: The Generalissimo: Chiang Kai-shek and the Struggle for Modern China by Jay Taylor Episode Artwork by Caricatures by Paris

This week on The Life of X, we continue our discussion of Chiang Kai-shek. This week we discuss: Chiang’s success and struggles as Supreme Commander of the China Theatre during WWII The Cairo Conference The war in Burma The Japanese Ichigo Campaign Chiang and Vinegar Joe’s crumbling relationship Yalta The death of FDR and Hitler and what they meant for China Red August Chiang’s meeting with Mao Zedong to discuss the future of China Be sure to tune in next week for The Life of...

This week on The Life of X, we continue our discussion of Chiang Kai-shek. This week we discuss: Continued war with Japan and Chiang’s trouble with Warlords CCP explosion in membership Bombing raids over Chongqing World War II and what it meant for Chiang The New Fourth Army Incident Pearl Harbor Vinegar Joe Stilwell The Doolittle Raid The Cairo Conference The Burma Campaign The Yalta Conference and the end of WWII Chiang’s meeting with Chairman Mao and the continued Chinese...

This week on The Life of X, we continue our discussion of Chiang Kai-shek. This week we discuss: The Nanjing Decade Growth of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) The near-defeat of the CCP in 1934 and the Long March The Young Marshal’s betrayal and the kidnapping of Chiang Kai-shek Debate within the KMT over who to ally with Chiang Ching-kuo The Marco Polo Bridge incident The Rape of Nanjing Chiang’s victory at Tai’erzhuang and the Yellow River Dike Be sure to tune in next week for...

This week on The Life of X, we continue our discussion of Chiang Kai-shek. This week we discuss: The Northern Expedition Soong Mayling The Ghost of the Countryside Chiang’s violent purge of the communist elements of the KMT The beginning of the Chinese Civil War The Young Marshal and the Soviet invasion in 1929 Be sure to tune in next week for The Life of Chiang Kai Shek (Part 3)! Based primarily on: The Generalissimo: Chiang Kai-shek and the Struggle for Modern China by Jay...

This week on The Life of X, we have part one of The Life of Chiang Kai-shek, the leader of the Republic of China from 1928-1975. This week we discuss: Chiang’s early life and family His marriage at age 14 to Mao Fumei His early education in China Cutting his Queue His time spent and education in Japan The 1911 Revolution Sun Yatsen and the KMT War with Japan The October Revolution and the May 4th Movement Connections to the Comintern Be sure to tune in next week for The Life of...

This week on The Life of X, we discuss the life of Callie House. Born a slave, in 1861, House went on to become the face of the reparations movement in the United States during Reconstruction. This week we discuss: Her childhood and experience as “Slave Contraband” What freedom was like for African Americans in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War Callie’s early adult years and the formation of her family The National Ex-slave Mutual Relief, Bounty and Pension Association and...

This week on The Life of X, we conclude our series on Bruce Lee. In Part 3, the birth of Bruce’s children, his break into the US television and film industry, his development of Jeet Kun Do, the trials and tribulations of becoming a film star, and his rising popularity with the releases of Long Street and Big Boss. This week we discuss: Some of the films that Bruce is best known for The toll being a super-star took on him Health issues and his untimely death The rumors that sprouted up...

This week on The Life of X, we continue our series on Bruce Lee. In Part 2, we discussed Bruce’s early days in the United States living with Ruby Chow, the beginning of his career as a teacher, the relationships he started with people who would become his lifelong friends, meeting Linda, and the Long Beach Sports International Karate Tournament. This week we discuss: The birth of Bruce’s children, Brandon and Shannon His break into the US television/film industry with Charlie Chan and The...

This week on The Life of X, we continue our series on Bruce Lee. In Part 1, we discussed his early life growing up on the rough and tumble streets of Hong Kong, his introduction to Wing-Chun, and his decision to emigrate to the United States. This week we discuss: Bruce’s early days in San Francisco His move to Seattle and the beginning of his career as a teacher Early students who became lifelong friends His return visit to Hong Kong in 1963 Meeting Linda and establishing the Jun Fan...

This week on The Life of X, we begin our series on a cultural icon, Bruce Lee. In this week's episode we cover: Bruce’s parents and early life in the rough and tumble streets of mid-20th century Hong Kong Bruce, the child actor Difficulties in school Bruce’s street gang, the Tigers of Junction Street Yip Man and Bruce’s introduction to Wing-Chun Bruce’s plans to come to the United States Be sure to tune in next week for The Life of Bruce Lee (Part 2)! Based primarily on: Bruce Lee:...

This week on The Life of X, we conclude our series on Mother Teresa. In this week's episode we’ll cover: The work she did for the sick and dying at Nirmal Hriday The work she did for the poor and abandoned children at Shishu Bhavan Her work with those suffering from leprosy The international spread of the Missionaries of Charities The Malcolm Muggeridge interview in 1968 The deaths of her family members Taking a broader leadership role with the Missionaries of Charity The end of her...

This week on The Life of X, we begin our series on a truly selfless individual, Mother Teresa. In this week's episode we’ll cover: Her family and early life growing up in Skopje during turbulent times Her father’s mysterious death and the effect it had on her family Her calling to join the Loreto Sisters as a young woman and the work she did as a member of their order Her experience on Direct Action Day Inspiration Day Her relationship with Father Van Exem Her decision to leave the...