David Plotz’s Tour of D.C.’s Civil War Forts and Fortifications

Look, we’ll admit right now that this week’s episode is interesting. We’ll stipulate that. David Plotz, CEO of CityCast.fm and longtime contributor to Slate’s Political Gabfest is fascinated by the measures taken around the nation’s capital to prevent a Confederate invasion that could tilt the balance of the war. He details all the forts that were constructed - many out of earthen materials - around the perimeter of the city and you will end up being fascinated as well. But shhh, don’t worry, because while it’s very interesting, it is not exciting. We know who wins the war. So you can get lost in the minutiae of these measures and drift off to sleep, far from the cannons’ blast.