Author: Brendan Dowd

  • The Asteroid Hunter by Dante Lauretta

    The Asteroid Hunter by Dante Lauretta

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Asteroid Hunter: Who knew space could be so anxiety inducing? Quick synopsis: A firsthand account of the OSIRIS-REx space mission by its leader, Dante Lauretta.    Fact for Non-History People: Asteroid Bennu might kill us all on September 24, 2182. Fact for History Nerds: About 17 meteorites hit Earth every…

  • Big Vape: The Rise and Fall of Juul (Netflix)

    Big Vape: The Rise and Fall of Juul (Netflix)

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Big Vape: If you beat them, you can still join them. Quick synopsis: The story of the e-cigarette, Juul. Fact for Non-History People: Juul was valued at $38 billion at its height. Fact for History Nerds: By July 2022, Juul was valued at $450 million. My Take on Big Vape: I…

  • Author Jane Tippett joins the podcast to talk Edward VIII!

    Author Jane Tippett joins the podcast to talk Edward VIII!

    Let’s abdicate! Author Jane Tippett joins the podcast to talk her book Once a King: The Lost Memoir of Edward VIII. Come listen to the drama! Buy Once a KingCheck out Jane’s website

  • Plentiful Country by Tyler Anbinder

    Plentiful Country by Tyler Anbinder

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Plentiful Country: Irish need apply. Quick synopsis: A look at how Irish immigrants fleeing the Irish Potato Famine prospered once they reached the U.S.    Fact for Non-History People: England did not stop exporting food out of Ireland during the famine. Fact for History Nerds: Approximately 1 million Irish died during…

  • Once a King by Jane Tippett

    Once a King by Jane Tippett

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Once a King: Lots of drama with little accountability. Quick synopsis: A look at the unpublished memoir of Edward VIII of England. You know, the one who quit. Fact for Non-History People: Edward was paid $75,000 in 1947 to write 3 articles on his childhood. In today’s dollars, that’s… a lot.…

  • Can I Tell You a Secret? (Netflix)

    Can I Tell You a Secret? (Netflix)

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Can I Tell You a Secret?: The secret is that you should skip this. Quick synopsis: The story of a series of harassment cases against women on social media in the UK. Fact for Non-History People: None. Fact for History Nerds: Still none. My Take on Can I Tell You a…

  • North Korea Expert and Author Sung-Yoon Lee joins the podcast!

    North Korea Expert and Author Sung-Yoon Lee joins the podcast!

    Let’s visit the Hermit Kingdom! North Korea Expert and Author Sung-Yoon Lee joins the podcast to talk about his book The Sister: North Korea’s Kim Yo Jong the Most Dangerous Woman in the World. Come listen! Buy The Sister

  • On Great Fields by Ronald White

    On Great Fields by Ronald White

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for On Great Fields: More than just a sweet mustache. Quick synopsis: A look at the life of Civil War officer and hero of Gettysburg, Joshua Chamberlain. Fact for Non-History People: Chamberlain was named after the American ship captain who is famous for the saying, “Don’t give up the ship.” Fact for…

  • Empires of the Steppes by Kenneth Harl

    Empires of the Steppes by Kenneth Harl

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Empires of the Steppes: It wasn’t just Genghis. Quick synopsis: A look at the leaders of the Eurasian steppes. Fact for Non-History People: Attila the Hun died during a celebration of his wedding from probably a burst blood vessel. Fact for History Nerds: The man who coined the term “Silk Road”…