Author: Brendan Dowd

  • Monsterland by Nicholas Jubber

    Monsterland by Nicholas Jubber

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Monsterland: Exactly what you want it to be. Quick synopsis: A look at the origins of history’s greatest monsters. Fact for Non-History People: One of the possible origins for vampires can be found in a Russian text from 1047. Fact for History Nerds: Mary Shelley was only 18 when she wrote…

  • The Body in the Snow: The Trial of Karen Read (Max)

    The Body in the Snow: The Trial of Karen Read (Max)

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Body in the Snow: I still don’t know how I’d vote. Quick synopsis: The first trial of Karen Read for the murder of her boyfriend, Boston PD Officer John O’Keefe. Fact for Non-History People: Regularly, dozens to hundreds of people would stand outside the courthouse during the trial to either…

  • Pulitzer Prize Winner Caroline Fraser Talks Ted Bundy, the Rise of Serial Killers, Pacific Northwest Life, and the Lead Crime Hypothesis

    Pulitzer Prize Winner Caroline Fraser Talks Ted Bundy, the Rise of Serial Killers, Pacific Northwest Life, and the Lead Crime Hypothesis

    Let’s talk the age of serial killers! Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Fraser joins me to talk her book Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers.  Buy Murderland Check out Caroline’s website

  • Murderland by Caroline Fraser

    Murderland by Caroline Fraser

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Murderland: So many ways to die. Quick synopsis: A look at the rise of serial killers in the 1970s and 1980s with a focus on the Pacific Northwest. Fact for Non-History People: Serial killers peaked in the U.S. with 300 known offenders in the 1970s. Fact for History Nerds: Washington state…

  • Nothing but Courage by James Donovan

    Nothing but Courage by James Donovan

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Nothing but Courage: One of the few reasons to jump out of a perfectly good plane. Quick synopsis: The 82nd Airborne’s mission on D-Day. Fact for Non-History People: The American airborne forces would comprise 13,000 paratroopers and 4,000 men delivered by gliders. Fact for History Nerds: Approximately 2,500 American paratroopers would…

  • Helen Carr Talks English Kings, Their Favorites, and the Upheaval of the 14th Century

    Helen Carr Talks English Kings, Their Favorites, and the Upheaval of the 14th Century

    Let’s pick a favorite! Helen Carr joins me to talk her book Sceptred Isle: A New History of the Fourteenth Century. Buy Sceptred Isle Check out Helen’s website

  • Sceptred Isle by Helen Carr

    Sceptred Isle by Helen Carr

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Sceptred Isle: Just because they are your favorite doesn’t mean they are everyone else’s. Quick synopsis: A look at English royal upheaval in the 14th century. Fact for Non-History People: Richard II is credited with either inventing or popularizing the handkerchief. Fact for History Nerds: Right before the Black Death arrived,…

  • Submersed by Matthew Gavin Frank

    Submersed by Matthew Gavin Frank

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Submersed: Weirder than you can possibly expect. Quick synopsis: A look at amateur submarine culture and the murder of journalist Kim Wall. Fact for Non-History People: It is impossible to go 20,000 leagues under the sea because that’s twice the circumference of Earth. Fact for History Nerds: Kim Wall spoke 8…

  • Alexander Rose Returns to Talk the Battle of the Atlantic and the Heist of a German U-Boat

    Alexander Rose Returns to Talk the Battle of the Atlantic and the Heist of a German U-Boat

    Let’s go sub hunting! Alexander Rose returns to talk his book Phantom Fleet: The Hunt for Nazi Submarine U-505 and World War II’s Most Daring Heist! Buy Phantom Fleet Check out Alex’s website