"BackStory with the American History Guys," a new history-based public radio show from the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, announces that a show on the history of energy in America is in the works.

BackStory is a call-in show, and invites your participation. Being a caller takes about ten minutes and involves posing a question or comment regarding energy history to the show's hosts--historians Ed Ayers, Peter Onuf, and Brian Balogh--and then sticking around for the lively conversation to follow. The discussion is taped, not live. In addition, if the history of energy in America is your field of study, producers invite your ideas and comments. Recording sessions will be held on Nov. 15th and 23rd.

PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO CATHERINE MOORE (cvmoore@virginia.edu) OR POST A COMMENT ON www.backstoryradio.org IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING.

Here is a short description of what we're up to with this show:

From Whales to Wind: A History of Energy Ben Franklin once said, “Energy and persistence conquer all things.” Today, the US persistently consumes about 20,000,000 barrels of petroleum-based energy per day. What would Franklin say now? In this episode, BackStory takes on big oil! We’re also taking on big trees, big water, big whales, and everything else that’s fueled American life for the past three centuries. How have they shaped the growth and decline of cities and towns? What are the social costs and benefits of new energy technologies? What is the relationship between personal fuel sources (like caffeine and energy bars) and industrialization? Send along your questions, stories, and ideas, and join us on our power trip!

BackStory hopes to hear from you soon!