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Half-Arsed History
QAH Episode 17: Bertha Benz and the First Test Drive
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Quarter-Arsed History presents: Bertha Benz, an automotive pioneer who undertook the world's first-ever long-distance test drive of a car, when she drove the Benz Model III over 100km from Mannheim to Pforzheim.
The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, the second Half-Arsed History book, is available now! Order your copy - AU/NZ (affiliate link): https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/bkq2G9
International: https://www.readings.com.au/product/9781761472596/the-most-interesting-people-youve-never-heard-of--riley-knight--2026--9781761472596
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10433. Episode 433: The Book Tour 2026 - LIVE in Adelaide
47:01||Ep. 10433In this week's episode, get a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, as well as a bunch of really excellent gags about Adelaide.
50028. Week 38: The Straw Hat Riot
22:05||Ep. 50028This week in history we’ve got the very first circumnavigation, we’ve got the establishment of a weird neutral country, we’ve got the publication of a beloved children’s book - and we’ve got a week-long New York City riot kicked off by people wearing straw hats.
10429. Episode 429: The Viking Age - Part 4: Society
01:05:00||Ep. 10429In this week's episode, explore the everyday lives of the Vikings, learning about how their society was organised, what they wore, what they ate, what they did for fun, and how their religion changed over time.
Second Book Available Now & Live Show Tickets Running Out
04:16|Half-Arsed History's second book, The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, is available now at all good bookshops (and probably some bad ones, too). Alternatively, you can snag your copy at one of the upcoming live shows, but don't delay in securing your tickets - some shows are running low. Head to halfarsedhistory.net to book!
50037. Week 37: The Execution of “Martin Guerre”
25:54||Ep. 50037This week in history we’ve got a a turning point in an ancient war, we’ve got a turning point in evolutionary biology, we’ve got a turning point in very stupid decision-making - and we’ve got an intriguing tale of fraud and deception, with a man executed for claiming to be someone he wasn’t.
10428. Episode 428: The Viking Age - Part 3: Expansion
51:43||Ep. 10428In this week's episode, learn all about the far-reaching regions to which the Vikings expanded, including Ireland, Iceland, Central and Eastern Europe, and beyond.
50036. Week 36: The End of the Western Roman Empire
24:20||Ep. 50036This week in history we’ve got a battle that defined the history of ancient Rome, we’ve got a famous abolitionist breaking his chains, we’ve got the extinction of an Australian marsupial - and we’ve got the event that marked the downfall of the Western Roman Empire after years of decline
10427. Episode 427: The Viking Age - Part 2: Conquest
01:01:18||Ep. 10427In this week's episode, continue discovering the story of the Viking Age, including learning why Vikings transitioned from raiding to conquest and settlement, and the consequent establishment of the Danelaw and Normandy.
50035. Week 35: The Origin of Stockholm Syndrome
28:40||Ep. 50035This week in history we’ve got London destroyed by a fire, we’ve got the shortest war in history, we’ve got an Olympic marathon won by a bloke in a car - and we’ve got the interesting but somewhat dubious psychological origin of the term Stockholm Syndrome.