Author: Brendan Dowd
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Emperor of the Seas by Jack Weatherford
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Emperor of the Seas: Turns out, to beat a Khan, you just needed a boat. Quick synopsis: The life and reign of Kublai Khan. Fact for Non-History People: Marco Polo served Kublai Khan for 17 years. Fact for History Nerds: Kublai Khan’s mother was a Christian. My Take on Emperor…
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Erik Rebain talks the infamous Leopold and Loeb!
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
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Under Cover of Darkness by Amy Bell
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…
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Arrested Adolescence by Erik Rebain
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:…
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Steel Lobsters by Myke Cole
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.…
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Helen Castor joins the podcast to Richard II and Henry IV!
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
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Forged in War by Mark Galeotti
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…
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The Eagle and the Hart by Helen Castor
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…
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Roosevelt to Roosevelt by Stan Haynes
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.…