History Rage

Is Europe strictly a Judeo-Christian entity, or have we forgotten 1400 years of Islamic history?In this explosive episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill sits down with author, journalist, and historian Tharik Hussain to smash the persistent myth that Europe’s cultural identity is solely Judeo-Christian. Tharik exposes how Islamic heritage is woven directly into the fabric of European identity, tracing back to the earliest days of Islam.Key Insights & Episode HighlightsThe First Muslim European Navy: Discover how Caliph Uthman and Muawiyah ibn Abu Sufyan launched Islam’s first organized naval presence in Cyprus around the 640s AD, placing early companions of Prophet Muhammad on European soil within the first generation of the faith.The Myth of Conquest vs Liberation: Revisit the 711 AD Muslim arrival in the Iberian Peninsula and how local Jewish communities viewed it as a liberation from severe Visigothic persecution, sparking the Jewish Golden Age.Golden Age Innovations: Learn about Abbas ibn Firnas—the 9th-century polymath who achieved human flight 600 years before Leonardo da Vinci—and Abu al-Qasim al-Zahrawi (Albukasis), the father of modern surgery whose tools mirror modern medical instruments today.Weaponized Mythologies: Deconstruct nation-building legends like Santiago Matamoros ("Moor Slayer") and the fictional Tribute of 100 Virgins, created to fuel anti-Muslim rhetoric during the Reconquista and Crusades.Living Indigenous History: Recognize indigenous European Muslims across Bosnia, Albania, and Kosovo, proving that Islam never left the continent.Guest Information & Book LinksGuest: Tharik HussainInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tharik_husseinBuy the Book: Support independent bookshops and the podcast by purchasing Muslim Europe: A Journey in Search of the 1400 Years of History at the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780241742822Recommended EpisodesKeep the historical rage going with these referenced episodes from the archive:Episode 304: Tom Asbridge on why the Black Death was actually a global problemEpisode 237: Steve Tibble on dismantling the glamorization of the AssassinsFollow & Support History RageWebsite: https://www.historyrage.comTwitter / X: https://twitter.com/historyrageInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyrageFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/historyragePatreon: Join the Angry Mob for early ad-free episodes, monthly live streams, and the official History Rage mug at https://www.patreon.com/historyrageIf you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

Marilyn Monroe was a savvy, trailblazing studio boss—not a helpless starlet.In this centennial year of Marilyn Monroe's birth, historian and author Lucy Jane Santos joins Paul Bavill on History Rage to shatter decades of Hollywood mythmaking.From taking on studio executives to setting up her own production company, Marilyn Monroe fought relentless 1950s misogyny to take control of her career—only to be dismissed by contemporaries as a "dumb blonde" or a "diva" on set.Lucy peels back the layers of retro gossip surrounding the chaotic, brilliant production of Some Like It Hot. Discover the real dynamics between Marilyn, director Billy Wilder, and co-stars Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. Plus, unearth the truth about acting coach Paula Strasburg and why this timeless comedy continues to captivate audiences over six decades later.Guest Information & Recommended BookGuest: Lucy Jane SantosWebsite: https://www.lucyjanesantos.com/Social Media: Follow Lucy on X @lucyjanesantos and Instagram @lucyjanesantos_Buy the Book: Support the guest and the podcast by buying Nobody's Perfect: The Making of Some Like It Hot from the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781036138806Recommended Additional EpisodesEpisode 175: Guy Walters on our obsession with the Mitford sisters.Episode 227: Anne de Courcy on Coco Chanel.Follow, Contact & Support History RageSupport on Patreon: Join the Rage Train at https://www.patreon.com/historyrage for £5/month to get early ad-free episodes, monthly live streams, and the official History Rage mug!Follow Us: Twitter/X @HistoryRage | Instagram @HistoryRageWebsite: https://www.historyrage.com

Is America really the global saviour of democracy it claims to be, or is that just a myth? Dive deep into the complex world of US Politics and American History with host Paul Bavill and guest historian Jackson Van Uden on this special episode of History Rage. Far from being a pure bastion of freedom from its inception, the History of the United States reveals a consistent, hidden vein of authoritarianism and anti-democratic behaviour that stretches all the way from the American Revolution to the modern era. Discover how Founding Fathers like Thomas Jefferson used George III as a political scapegoat, why early elections like 1824 subverted the popular will, and how figures from Abraham Lincoln to Richard Nixon wrestled with executive overreach. Whether you are fascinated by American Presidents, the History of Democracy, or the complex realities of US Midterm Elections, this episode dismantles centuries of sanitized Political History to challenge everything you thought you knew. Key Highlights & Topics CoveredThe Founding Myth: Unpacking how Thomas Jefferson blamed King George III to mask elite power grabs during the American Revolution. Elitism and the Electoral College: Why the architects of the Constitution feared direct democracy and how early presidential choices sidelined everyday citizens. Wartime Powers & Expansion: Examining executive overreach, civil liberties, and authoritarian measures from the Civil War to Woodrow Wilson and FDR. Homegrown Tyrants & Watergate: Looking at domestic demagogues like Huey Long and the legacy of Richard Nixon and Watergate. Recommended Episodes Referenced in This TranscriptEpisode 262: It's Time to Stop Glorifying Henry VIII Episode 129: Totalitarianism is a 20th Century Phenomenon Guest Information & LinksGuest: Jackson Van Uden (Historian of authoritarianism, curator of the Katherine of Aragon Festival, and host of History with Jackson) History with Jackson Podcast: Available on all major podcast platforms https://historywithjackson.co.uk/podcastKatherine of Aragon Festival: Keep an eye out for the festival coming to Peterborough in January 2027 How to Follow, Contact, and Support History RageSupport the Show on Patreon: Join as a History Rager at patreon.com/historyrage to get early ad-free episodes, monthly live streams, and the coveted History Rage mug (tiers starting at £3 to £5 per month). Apple Podcasts: Subscribe for early, ad-free episodes directly through Apple Podcasts. Spread the Word: Tell a friend and help grow the community—stay angry!

Think you know the history of early Cold War espionage? Think again.In this gripping episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill sits down with Dr. Stephen Long, Assistant Professor of International Relations and author of A Rich Harvest of Bitter Fruit, to dismantle decades of myths surrounding the CIA and MI6’s covert operations in communist Albania.For years, mainstream history has claimed that the West launched a failed "rollback" operation to achieve regime change against Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha, and that notorious Soviet mole Kim Philby single-handedly sabotaged the mission. Using a massive cache of recently declassified CIA documents, Dr. Long exposes these narratives as fundamental fallacies. Discover how the operation was actually constrained by geopolitical anxieties surrounding Yugoslavia's Tito, how the CIA "cut its teeth" on a sophisticated propaganda war, and why Kim Philby's true significance has been vastly distorted by his historical celebrity.From the heartbreaking double-cross of the "Apple" agent team to the tactical lineage that led directly to the Bay of Pigs, this episode completely rewrites the playbook on early Western intelligence failures.Recommended Additional EpisodesEpisode 103: Beyond the Stasi: The Untold Story of East Germany with Katja HoyerEpisode 285: The Cambridge Five Are a Bunch of Shit with Antonia SeniorAbout the GuestDr. Stephen Long is an Assistant Professor of International Relations at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and an expert in US foreign policy and intelligence history.Buy the Book: Grab your copy of A Rich Harvest of Bitter Fruit: MI6, CIA Covert Action in Communist Albania directly from the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781837732241Support & Follow History RageSupport us on Patreon: Get early, ad-free episodes, access to monthly live streams, and the coveted History Rage mug for just £5/month: https://www.patreon.com/historyrageFollow the Rage: Share this episode, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Google, and help another passenger climb aboard the rage train! 

Think the legendary detective began at 221B Baker Street?Step onto the Victorian hospital wards of 19th-century Edinburgh! Before Arthur Conan Doyle created the master sleuth, he was a medical student mesmerized by Dr. Joseph Bell—a Scottish surgeon who could read a human body like a crime scene. Long before standard forensic science existed, Bell used acute observational deduction to unmask army deserters, uncover poisons, and assist Edinburgh’s police surgeon in solving headline-grabbing murders. In this gripping episode, medical historian, bestselling author, and YouTube host Dr. Lindsey Fitzharris joins Paul Bavill to tear away the fictional facade and reveal the real, complex man behind the Sherlock Holmes legend. Discover how Bell’s groundbreaking diagnostic eye helped pioneer courtroom expert testimony, reform Victorian nursing, and inspire a literary icon—even if both Bell and Doyle grew to despise the famous detective! Guest Links & Social Details:Official Website: https://drlindseyfitzharris.com/YouTube Series (Under the Knife): https://www.youtube.com/@UnderTheKnifeShowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlindseyfitzharris/X (Twitter): https://x.com/DrLindseyFitzBuy the Book (History Rage Bookshop): https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780241632611Recommended Episodes Referenced in Transcript:Episode 1: Cat Irving rages that Burke and Hare were not body snatchers. Episode 254: Debunking the Lizzie Borden axe murder myths. Episode 280: Alanna Skuse rages that Renaissance medicine is not quackery. Follow, Contact & Support History Rage:Support the Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/historyrageFollow on X (Twitter): https://x.com/HistoryRageFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyrage/

Can we please stop believing that our ancestors didn't eat vegetables?Are you tired of the myth that historical diets consisted only of giant turkey legs and gout-inducing meats? In this episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill welcomes food historian, author, and podcaster Sam Bilton to dismantle the persistent lie that people in the past avoided fruit and veg. From the misconception that medieval tables lacked greens to the Victorian culinary crimes that saw Brussels sprouts boiled for 40 minutes, Sam sets the record straight using the very text evidence left behind by historical cooks.Discover how Tudor banquets actually incorporated seasonal produce, why Giacomo Castelvetro tried to get early 17th-century Brits to eat more celery, and how potatoes became the ultimate Shakespearean aphrodisiac. Plus, Sam reveals why an Elizabethan "boiled salad" is actually closer to modern gastropub fare than you think. It’s time to torch the meat-only myth and find out what our ancestors were really cooking.Recommended EpisodesIf you loved diving into the realities of historical dining, check out these recommended episodes from the History Rage archive:Episode 204: Neil Buttery rages that medieval people did have table manners.Episode 208: Annie Grey rages that British food is not dull and beige.About the GuestSam Bilton is a food historian, lecturer, and author specializing in historical culinary arts. She is the author of Much Ado About Cooking: Delicious Shakespearean Feasts for Every Occasion.Buy the Book: Get your copy of Much Ado About Cooking directly from the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781035427680Podcasts: Listen to Sam on the Comfortably Hungry podcast and A Is for Apple.Social Media: Follow Sam on all platforms @MrsSBilton.Support & Follow History RageHelp us keep the rage train rolling! You can support the podcast, get ad-free early access, join monthly live streams, and grab your exclusive History Rage mug by becoming a patron.Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/historyrageFollow us on Twitter/X: https://x.com/HistoryRageWebsite: https://www.historyrage.com

Did the ancient world celebrate queer love, or did they invent homophobia?Stop repeating the myth that the ancient Greeks and Romans lived out an enlightened, carefree bisexual paradise. In this explosive episode of the History Rage Podcast, where historical myths are debunked, host Paul Bavill sits down with historian, linguist, and author Harry Tanner to tear down everything you think you know about ancient sexuality truths.From popular pop-history literature to classic classrooms, we are constantly told that sexuality is a modern 19th-century invention and that ancient city-states completely tolerated same-sex love. But the original ancient Greek texts paint a much darker reality, exposing the deep roots of ancient Greek homophobia. In discussing his book, The Queer Thing About Sin, Harry exposes the starting gun of systemic bias in the 5th and 4th centuries BCE, tracking how societal crises, severe wealth inequality, plagues, and wars forced ancient cultures to turn aggressively on their queer citizens.Discover the hidden truth behind discriminatory laws in Athens and Sparta, the reality of Romans and homosexuality, and the broader history of queer phobia. We explore why we must finally stop confusing brutal acts of wartime dominance with actual sexual tolerance. We also dive into the linguistic traps of the New Testament, confronting the intersection of religion and homophobia, and how academic nuance is the ultimate antidote to dogmatic prejudice. It is raw, it is angry, and it is a vital rewrite of Western history from History Rage.Recommended Episodes to Binge NextEpisode 275: The Lives and Loves of Alexander the Great with Stephen HarrisonEpisode 185: The Relationships of James I with Gareth RussellAbout Our GuestBuy the Book: Grab your copy of The Queer Thing About Sin directly from the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781399422314Follow Harry Tanner: Connect on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/harryjamestanner or find him on Threads at https://www.threads.net/@harryjamestannerSupport & Follow History RageSupport us on Patreon: Unlock early, ad-free episodes, monthly livestreams, and the highly coveted History Rage mug for just £5 a month at https://www.patreon.com/historyrageFollow the Show: Stay updated with the latest historical rants on Twitter/X at https://x.com/HistoryRage or visit our central hub at https://www.historyrage.comSpread the Rage: If you are loving the show, please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and tell a friend to get aboard the rage train! 

Think history is a neat, upward march of progress? Think again.We love to tell ourselves a cozy story about human history: we started as innocent hunter-gatherers in perfect harmony with nature, invented farming, and smoothly leveled up all the way to modern civilization. But Patrick Wyman—historian, author, and creator of the smash-hit Tides of History podcast—is here to tell us that standard textbook narrative is absolute bollocks. In this explosive episode of History Rage, Patrick unleashes on the myth of the "golden age" of human innocence and exposes the messy, chaotic reality of our deep past.The truth? Human prehistory isn’t a straight line—it’s 10,000 years of spectacular booms, violent crashes, and desperate trade-offs. From prehistoric European societies tearing themselves apart in mysterious waves of conflict to sophisticated urban centers that completely rejected the need for kings or rulers, our ancestors weren't floating through an age of innocence. They were just like us: making shit up as they went along, altering their environments, and desperately trying to stay in the game.Plus, Patrick stays fired up to deliver a much-needed, historically accurate beatdown to the internet's favorite conspiracy theory: no, aliens did not build the pyramids.Ready to abandon the march of progress and see our ancestors for who they truly were? Hit play now to get angry, get smart, and look at human history with a whole new perspective.About Our Guest: Patrick WymanPatrick Wyman is a historian, author, and the brilliant mind behind the massive history podcasts The Fall of Rome and Tides of History.Buy the Book: Support the podcast and pick up Patrick's incredible new book, The Lost Worlds, directly from the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780063256484Listen to the Podcast: Search for Tides of History on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your audio.Follow Patrick on Threads & Instagram: https://www.threads.net/@wyman_patrick or https://www.instagram.com/wyman_patrickFollow Patrick on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/patrick_wymanRecommended Additional EpisodesIf you loved diving into the mysteries of the ancient world, make sure to queue up these recommended episodes of History Rage next:Episode 17: Caroline Nicolay rages that there was plenty of rich civilization thriving long before the Romans ever turned up.Episode 132: Professor Jim Leary talks about the deep prehistory of human movement and migration.Support & Follow History RageHistory Rage relies entirely on the support of our legendary listeners to keep the rage train rolling.Support us on Patreon: Get early, ad-free episodes, access to monthly livestreams, and the coveted History Rage mug for just £5 a month: https://www.patreon.com/historyrageFollow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/HistoryRageFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/HistoryRageShare the Rage: If you loved this episode, the absolute best thing you can do is leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and tell a friend to get them on board! 

Forget Henry VIII: It is Time to Reignite the Power of the Six QueensAre you ready to stop defining these six extraordinary Tudor women by the man they married? In this episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill welcomes back Tracy Borman, Chief Historian of Historic Royal Palaces. Together, they shatter the centuries-old "six wives" narrative to focus on the individual achievements, political savvy, and lasting legacies of these phenomenal rulers. From Catherine of Aragon’s military leadership and Anne Boleyn’s driving force behind the Reformation, to Jane Seymour’s sharp financial agency, Anne of Cleves’s masterclass in diplomatic survival, Katherine Howard’s misunderstood agency, and Katherine Parr’s radical political and literary intellect—discover why it is time to throw out the "wives" myth and put the Six Queens front and centre. This episode is produced in proud partnership with Historic Royal Palaces and their Six Queens campaign, an initiative transforming how these legendary women are taught in schools. Discover educational resources, classroom videos, and updates on next year's Six Queens Week at the Historic Royal Palaces website: https://www.hrp.org.uk. Recommended Additional EpisodesEpisode 262: Stop Glorifying Henry VIII with Jackson Van Uden Episode 264: Team Catherine vs. Team Anne with Kate McCaffrey Guest Info & ResourcesGuest: Tracy Borman (Chief Historian, Historic Royal Palaces) Website & Books: Learn more about Tracy's work and her latest novel, The House of Boleyn, at https://www.tracyborman.co.uk X/Twitter: @TracyBormanFollow & Support History RageWebsite: https://www.historyrage.com X/Twitter: @HistoryRageSupport on Patreon: Get early ad-free episodes, monthly live streams, and the official History Rage mug for £5/month at https://www.patreon.com/historyrage