Author: Brendan Dowd
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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…
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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
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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…
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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…
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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.…