Author: Brendan Dowd

  • Peter the Great by Robert Massie

    Peter the Great by Robert Massie

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Peter the Great: He was enlightened and a drunk. A man after my own heart. Quick synopsis: A (very, very) in depth biography of Peter the Great of Russia. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Peter took what might be the first “gap year” ever. In 1697, he took a group…

  • Russell Shorto Tells the Story of How New Amsterdam Became New York

    Russell Shorto Tells the Story of How New Amsterdam Became New York

    Let’s do some renaming! Russell Shorto joins me to talk his book Taking Manhattan: The Extraordinary Events That Created New York and Shaped America.  Buy Taking Manhattan Check out Russell’s website

  • Taking Manhattan by Russell Shorto

    Taking Manhattan by Russell Shorto

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Taking Manhattan: Business decisions made at cannon-point. Quick synopsis: The story of how New Amsterdam became New York. Fact for Non-History People: In 1673, during the Third Anglo-Dutch War, New York became New Orange when the Dutch retook it, but it was given up again in the treaty ending the war.…

  • Con Mum (Netflix)

    Con Mum (Netflix)

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Con Mum: Mama knows best (how to rob you blind). Quick synopsis: The story of a chef and the long-lost mother who showed up and took him for everything he had. Fact for Non-History People: Con artist Victor Lustig sold the Eiffel Tower. Twice. Fact for History Nerds: Bernie Madoff tops…

  • Hallie Rubenhold talks the true crime case of Dr. Crippen!

    Hallie Rubenhold talks the true crime case of Dr. Crippen!

    Let’s tell the whole story! Hallie Rubenhold, celebrated author of The Five, joins me to talk her true crime book Story of a Murder: The Wives, the Mistress, and Dr. Crippen.  Buy Story of a Murder Check out Hallie’s website

  • Story of a Murder by Hallie Rubenhold

    Story of a Murder by Hallie Rubenhold

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Story of a Murder: A story finally fully told. Quick synopsis: The story of murderer Dr. Hawley Crippen, his victims, and maybe an accomplice. Fact for Non-History People: Between 1891 and 1901, the number of female clerks in England and Wales went from 18,947 to 57,736. Fact for History Nerds: A…

  • The Next One Is For You by Ali Watkins

    The Next One Is For You by Ali Watkins

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Next One Is For You: First, you get the guns. Quick synopsis: The story of how a group of Philadelphia gunrunners supplied the IRA during the Troubles. Fact for Non-History People: In the six months following Bloody Sunday, NORAID sent over $300,000 in donations to Northern Ireland. Fact for History…

  • Comedian Mike Drucker joins the podcast to talk his life in video games!

    Comedian Mike Drucker joins the podcast to talk his life in video games!

    Let’s boot up! Comedian and Writer (Full Frontal/The Tonight Show) Mike Drucker joins me to talk his book Good Game, No Rematch: A Life Made of Video Games.  Buy Good Game, No Rematch

  • Good Game, No Rematch by Mike Drucker

    Good Game, No Rematch by Mike Drucker

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Good Game, No Rematch: Literal trigger warning for Duck Hunt survivors. Quick synopsis: A memoir by comedian and comedy writer (Tonight Show/Full Frontal) Mike Drucker seen through his life in video games. Fact for Non-History People: The Nintendo company is 135 years old. Fact for History Nerds: In Street Fighter 1,…