Author: Brendan Dowd
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The Mesopotamian Riddle by Joshua Hammer
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Mesopotamian Riddle: Nerdiest race ever. Quick synopsis: The story of the race to decipher one of the world’s oldest dead languages. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Cuneiform means “wedge-shaped” which makes a lot of sense when you look at it. Fun Fact for History Nerds: Cuneiform is one of…
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Kate Summerscale Joins Me to Talk WW II Era Serial Killer Reg Christie and (Maybe?) the Execution of an Innocent Man
Let’s right a wrong! Kate Summerscale joins me to talk her book The Peepshow: The Murders at Rillington Place. Murder, yellow journalism, and justice denied. Come listen! Buy The Peepshow Check out Kate’s website
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The Peepshow by Kate Summerscale
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline The Peepshow: Worst liar ever. Except for that one time. Quick synopsis: The story of World War II era serial killer Reg Christie and the possible execution of an innocent man. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: There was at least two serial killers in London during the World War II era.…
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Tower by Nigel Jones
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Tower: Prisoners, jewels, and animals, oh my! Quick synopsis: The story of the Tower of London. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: It was actually a zoo for a while! Wait, sorry, not aristocratic enough. It was a menagerie. Fun Fact for History Nerds: Short list of big names kept in…
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Todd Doughty Talks the Publishing World and How to Be More Grateful About the Little Things
Let’s be happy! Author and bigwig at Doubleday Books, Todd Doughty, joins me to talk the publishing world and his own book, Little Pieces of Hope: Happy-Making Things in a Difficult World. Buy Little Pieces of Hope Follow his Instagram
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Strangers in the Land by Michael Luo
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Strangers in the Land: It didn’t get better once the railroads were finished. Quick synopsis: The story of Chinese immigrants who came to America. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: It took seven weeks for news of the death of President Zachary Taylor to reach California. Fun Fact for History Nerds:…
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Scamanda (Hulu)
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Scamanda: Giving Amandas everywhere a bad name. Quick synopsis: The story of a woman who faked cancer for nearly a decade. Fact for Non-History People: Factitious disorder is a mental illness where someone intentionally lies about illnesses to gain attention. Fact for History Nerds: Yes, it is the same as Munchausen…
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Julie Satow joins me to discuss the women who took over fifth avenue!
Let’s go shopping! Julie Satow joins me to discuss her book When Women Ran Fifth Avenue: Glamour and Power at the Dawn of American Fashion. Buy When Women Ran Fifth Aveune Check out Julie’s website
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The Rebel Romanov by Helen Rappaport
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Rebel Romanov: Even princesses deserve second acts. Quick synopsis: The life of Jule Saxe-Coburg and her flight from Russian court life. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Actual note from Grand Duke Alexander to his future wife included this tidbit that she reported that he was, “authorized by his parents…