Blog

Let’s tell the whole story! Erik Rebain joins me to discuss his book Arrested Adolescence: The Secret Life of Nathan Leopold. Turns out murder was just the tip of the iceberg. Come listen! Buy Arrested Adolescence

Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Under Cover of Darkness: If the bombs didn’t get you… Quick synopsis: A look at various murders in London during World War II.   Fact for Non-History People: There were at least two active serial killers in London during World War II. Fact for History Nerds: Between 1898 and 1939, England […]

Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Arrested Adolescence: As if being a murderer wasn’t enough. Quick synopsis: The story of how Nathan Leopold fooled a lot of people after the murder of Bobby Franks.   Fact for Non-History People: Leopold worked as a nurse in prison and helped in a malaria cure trial. Fact for History Nerds: […]

Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Steel Lobsters: Knights. Guns. Bad mix apparently. Quick synopsis: The story of the last fully armored knights in England and how they went extinct.   Fact for Non-History People: The Thirty Years War may have killed as many as 8 million people or 20% of the European population at that time. […]

Let’s seize the throne! Helen Castor joins me to talk her new book The Eagle and the Hart: The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV. It’s one of the best books of 2024. Come listen! Buy The Eagle and the Hart

Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Forged in War: No lies detected. Quick synopsis: A look at Russian wars throughout its history.   Fact for Non-History People: Galeotti posits that Oleg the Wise should get the credit for creating Russia rather than the usually named Ryurik. Fact for History Nerds: After the fall of the USSR, Pepsi […]

Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Eagle and the Hart: Richard II sucked. (The actual dude, not the play.) Quick synopsis: A look at what made Henry IV overthrow Richard II of England.   Fact for Non-History People: The bill for the candle wax alone to celebrate the birth of Richard’s older brother was 400 pounds […]

Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Roosevelt to Roosevelt: It’s like high school only political. Quick synopsis: A look at the nominating conventions between the time of Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt.   Fact for Non-History People: Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt were fifth cousins. Fact for History Nerds: Multiple western states allowed women to vote well before 1920. […]

Let’s be cunning! Tabitha Stanmore joins me to discuss her book Cunning Folk: Life in the America of Practical Magic. She explains why cunning folk weren’t burned at the stake like witches. Buy Cunning FolkCheck out Tabitha’s website

Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The United States of Cryptids: You don’t need to believe to have fun. Quick synopsis: An encyclopedia of some U.S based cryptid stories.   Fact for Non-History People: The term cryptid was first used in 1983. Fact for History Nerds: Cryptids are not monsters, but animals or creatures mentioned in folklore […]

Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil: A rare instance where I love the movie and the book. Quick synopsis: A story about the denizens of Savannah, Georgia and a famous murder in their midst.   Fact for Non-History People: Savannah allows you to take your drinks in to-go cups […]

Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for I’m Not a Monster: Yes, she is. Quick synopsis: The story of the murders committed by Lois Riess, the “Killer Grandma.” Fact for Non-History People: There were 181 murders in Minnesota in 2023. Fact for History Nerds: Schizophrenia affects about .32% of the worldwide population. My Take on I’m Not a […]

Let’s remember the nobodies! Social media titan and now author Adrian Bliss joins me to talk his new book The Greatest Nobodies of History: Minor Characters from Major Moments. It’s hilarious and its got real history in it! Come listen! Buy The Greatest Nobodies in History

Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Bandit Heaven: They went to heaven alright. Quick synopsis: Stories of various Wild West gangs and their hideouts in the 1880s and 1890s.   Fact for Non-History People: The Sundance Kid’s real name was Harry Longabaugh. Fact for History Nerds: The word “cowboy” wasn’t a Wild West creation. It was first […]

Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Greatest Nobodies of History: Find out what the ferret thinks. Quick synopsis: Stories told from the point of view of the people (and animals!) often overlooked in history.   Fact for Non-History People: Yes, there used to be a position called “groom of the stool” and yes, it is what […]