Author: Brendan Dowd
-
Trial by Ambush by Marcia Clark
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Trial by Ambush: Oh look, a miscarriage of justice. Quick synopsis: The trial of Barbara “Bloody Babs” Graham in the 1950s. Fact for Non-History People: Clark was dubbed “Giggles Clark” during the OJ Trial because a camera caught her smiling and chuckling at times. She found the name funny, actually. Fact…
-
Reagan by Max Boot
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Reagan: Wow, that whole “Gipper” thing was total BS. Quick synopsis: The life of U.S. President Ronald Reagan. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Reagan’s post-presidency office was used as a set in Die Hard. Fun Fact for History Nerds: By 2022, Reagan had an approval rating of 73% only bested…
-
John Oller joins the podcast to talk American gangsters!
Let’s join the war on crime! John Oller joins the podcast to talk his book Gangster Hunters: How Hoover G-men Vanquished America’s Deadliest Public Enemies! Come listen! Buy Gangster HuntersCheck out John’s website
-
Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline: Grade school failed us all. Quick synopsis: The founding of New England. Come on, everyone knows this one. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: It should never be forgotten that the Pilgrims were actually aiming for Virginia. Oops. Fun Fact for History Nerds: By the end of the first year, only 50…
-
Gangster Hunters by John Oller
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Gangster Hunters: Whole lotta crime in a short amount of time. Quick synopsis: The story of the FBI taking down the most famous gangsters in American history. Fact for Non-History People: During a particularly laborious search, the FBI considered asking the Boy Scouts for help. Cooler heads prevailed. Fact for…
-
The Swamp Fox by John Oller
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Swamp Fox: Leave my history alone, Mel Gibson. Quick synopsis: A biography of Francis Marion, American Revolutionary officer and guerilla warfare proponent. Fact for Non-History People: Francis Marion is (loosely) the inspiration for Mel Gibson’s character in The Patriot. Banastre Tarleton is the historical inspiration for the bad guy in…
-
Gladiator Historian Alexander Mariotti Joins the Podcast!
Let’s enter the arena! Gladiator Historian Alexander Mariotti Talks Gladiator I and II, Spartacus, and the Glory of Rome! Why go to the movies when you can get everything you need right here? Come listen! Check out Alexander’s website
-
Ghosts of Panama by Mark Harmon and Leon Carroll Jr.
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Ghosts of Panama: Turns out you shouldn’t trust drug dealers. Quick synopsis: The story of the U.S. invasion of Panama. Fact for Non-History People: Manuel Noriega was into the occult and had a “witch” on staff. Fact for History Nerds: During the 1970s, 63% of the School of the Americas…
-
The Forgers by Roger Moorhouse
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Forgers: Sometimes, crime is good. Quick synopsis: The story of Polish diplomats and their passport forgery operation in World War II. Fact for Non-History People: It’s estimated the Germans carried out more than 600 separate massacres against Polish POWs and civilians. Fact for History Nerds: One of the early…