Historically Speaking Podcast

Legend has it that there once was a King named Arthur who allegedly lived in the late 5th and early 6th centuries and who, with his many companions, successfully fought off numerous enemies in Britain. But was there actually an historical Arthur of real flesh and blood? The Arthurian stories are arguably the greatest legends in Western history, and here in our 50th Episode we explore how the fabled Arthur compares with the historical one. Books: * De Excidio et Conquestu Britanniae [https://www.amazon.com/Excidio-Conquestu-Britanniae-Arthurian-Classics/dp/1078328927/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2A17V16IO53H&keywords=gildas+de+excidio+et&qid=1661389303&sprefix=%2Caps%2C830&sr=8-3] by Gildas  * Historia Brittonum [https://www.amazon.com/History-Britons-Historia-Brittonum-Forgotten/dp/1606209922/ref=sr_1_2?crid=LJQW55XJHAPQ&keywords=historia+brittonum&qid=1661387786&sprefix=historia+britt%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-2] by Nennius * The New Arthurian Encyclopedia [https://www.amazon.com/New-Arthurian-Encyclopedia-Reference-Humanities/dp/0815323034/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3UIUUPXOKJPXL&keywords=the+new+arthurian+encyclopedia&qid=1661387872&sprefix=the+new+arthurian%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-1] Edited by Norris Lacy * Historia Regum Britanniae [https://www.amazon.com/History-Kings-Britain-translation-Brittannie/dp/1843834413/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2H3QVAX9O8OZQ&keywords=historia+regum+britanniae&qid=1661387951&sprefix=historia+regum+%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1] by Geoffrey of Momouth * Le Morte d’Arthur [https://www.amazon.com/Morte-Darthur-Sir-Thomas-Malory/dp/1725861488/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1661388005&sr=8-2] by Sir Thomas Malory * Anglo-Saxon England [https://www.amazon.com/Anglo-Saxon-England-Oxford-History/dp/0192801392/ref=sr_1_1?crid=FRFC0C0ML91Z&keywords=anglo+saxon+england+stenton&qid=1661388111&sprefix=anglo+saxon+england+stenton%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-1] by Sir Frank Stenton  Film: * Excalibur [https://www.amazon.com/Excalibur-Nigel-Terry/dp/B008X5CMCS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ET9K8S5MPSZL&keywords=excalibur&qid=1661388176&rnid=2941120011&s=instant-video&sprefix=excali%2Caps%2C96&sr=1-1] (1981) with Nigel Terry and Helen Mirren * Monty Python and The Holy Grail [https://www.amazon.com/Monty-Python-Grail-Graham-Chapman/dp/B07PGCJM9V/ref=sr_1_1?crid=BUMO8E5JNCMN&keywords=spamalot&qid=1661388240&s=instant-video&sprefix=spamal%2Cinstant-video%2C103&sr=1-1] (1975) with John Cleese and Eric Idle * Camelot [https://www.amazon.com/Camelot-Franco-Nero/dp/B004VFOS2Q/ref=sr_1_1?crid=XTCV130YGCU2&keywords=camelot+richard+harris+movie&qid=1661388326&s=instant-video&sprefix=camelot%2Cinstant-video%2C133&sr=1-1] (1967) with Richard Harris and Vanessa Redgrave

It was a political scandal that rocked France to its core and proved to be a watershed event for European antisemitism. A French officer, Alfred Dreyfus, was accused of passing military secrets to the Germans. He was found guilty by a military tribunal and sent to Devil’s Island, one of the most notorious penal colonies in the world. What happened next will shock and appall you as it did not only France but the entire world. Here in Episode 49, we explore just how far the French military went to cover up their colossal mistake in what would become known as The Dreyfus Affair. Books: * Five years of My Life: 1894-1899 [https://www.amazon.com/Five-Years-My-Life-1894-1899/dp/3945831199/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1660179641&sr=8-3] by Alfred Dreyfus * The Man on Devil’s Island: Alfred Dreyfus and the Affair That Divided France [https://www.amazon.com/Man-Devils-Island-Dreyfus-Divided/dp/0141014776/ref=sr_1_1?crid=34H83WQL7QT9Y&keywords=alfred+dreyfus&qid=1660179614&sprefix=alfred+dreyfus%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-1] by Ruth Harris * The Dreyfus Affair: “J’Accuse and Other Writings of Emile Zola [https://www.amazon.com/Dreyfus-Affair-J%60Accuse-Other-Writings/dp/0300066899/ref=sr_1_2?crid=37WNUQBSO9WQE&keywords=The+Dreyfus+affair+j%27accuse&qid=1660179763&s=books&sprefix=the+dreyfus+affair+j%27accuse%2Cstripbooks%2C71&sr=1-2] * The Dreyfus Affair: The Scandal That Tore France in Two [https://www.amazon.com/Dreyfus-Affair-Scandal-That-France-ebook/dp/B00745YWYO/ref=sr_1_1?crid=4CV05IIETEK&keywords=The+Dreyfus+affair+piers&qid=1660179826&s=books&sprefix=the+dreyfus+affair+piers%2Cstripbooks%2C73&sr=1-1] by Piers Paul Read * The Collapse of The Third Republic [https://www.amazon.com/Collapse-Third-Republic-Inquiry-France-ebook/dp/B07H18D3WV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=27UM1ZV532RQR&keywords=the+collapse+of+the+third+republic+-+william+l.+shirer&qid=1660180054&s=books&sprefix=the+collapse+of+the+th%2Cstripbooks%2C95&sr=1-1] by William Shire Film: * I Accuse [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vejB77kyHcg] (1958) with José Ferrer as Captain Alfred Dreyfus * Papillon [https://www.amazon.com/Papillon-Steve-McQueen/dp/B000OV85AW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=V4SSIIOIMAGQ&keywords=pappillion&qid=1660179529&s=movies-tv&sprefix=papp%2Cmovies-tv%2C95&sr=1-1] (1973) with Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman

There have been many impostors throughout history and in this 48th episode we deal with six of them, two related to English history and four related to Russian history. All at one time or another had many who believed in them (or at least tried to use them for advantage). All six went a long way to pulling off their ruse and we discuss many of the details in this episode. Episode Notes: * Ivan IV (the Terrible) was Grand Prince of Moscow from 1533 to 1547 and Czar of Russia from 1547 to 1584. Books: * The Earlier Tudors [https://www.amazon.com/Earlier-Tudors-1485-1558-History-England-dp-0192852922/dp/0192852922/ref=mt_other?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=1658955160] by J.D. Mackie * Henry VII and the Tudor Pretenders [https://www.amazon.com/Henry-VII-Tudor-Pretenders-Warbeck/dp/1445675080/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1K7XSK4UO2JIY&keywords=henry+VII&qid=1658955276&s=books&sprefix=henry+vii+%2Cstripbooks%2C228&sr=1-1] by Nathen Amin * A Short History of Russia's First Civil War: The Time of Troubles of and the Founding of the Romanov Dynasty [https://www.amazon.com/Short-History-Russias-First-Civil/dp/0271024658/ref=sr_1_1?crid=36JU3QKFJSRU7&keywords=A+Short+History+of+Russia%27s+First+Civil+War&qid=1658955375&s=books&sprefix=a+short+history+of+russia%27s+first+civil+war%2Cstripbooks%2C100&sr=1-1] by Chester S.L. Dunning * A History of Russia [https://www.amazon.com/History-Russia-Nicholas-V-Riasanovsky/dp/019064558X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2KPQM256ULNJ5&keywords=a+history+of+russia+riasanovsky&qid=1658955422&s=books&sprefix=A+history+of+russia%2Cstripbooks%2C96&sr=1-1] by Nicholas V. Riasanovsky  * A Romanov Fantasy:  Life at the Court of Anna Anderson [https://www.amazon.com/Romanov-Fantasy-Life-Court-Anderson/dp/0393065774/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1LDBQY65V3K67&keywords=a+romanov+fantasy&qid=1658955457&s=books&sprefix=a+romanov+fantasy%2Cstripbooks%2C83&sr=1-1] by Frances Welch Film: * Ivan the Terrible [https://www.amazon.com/Ivan-Terrible-Peter-Moers/dp/B07KCL6B7X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3IDSPX2NZGP8N&keywords=ivan+the+terrible&qid=1658955574&s=instant-video&sprefix=ivan+the+t%2Cinstant-video%2C104&sr=1-1] (2014) Documentary * Anastasia [https://www.amazon.com/Anastasia-Ingrid-Bergman/dp/B00265PETO/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2I8OIYNTYZVNM&keywords=anastasia&qid=1658955492&rnid=2941120011&s=movies-tv&sprefix=anastasia%2Caps%2C113&sr=1-2] (1956) Starring Ingrid Bergman

After a six-week hiatus, we’re back and with a fast-paced adventure story that rivals even the best of Hollywood. It’s the story of Hannibal Barca. When outnumbered by the Roman military two to one, this fearless Carthaginian general, complete with eye patch and riding atop a black stallion, defied all odds in one of the bloodiest battles in all of antiquity, thus becoming one of the greatest military commanders the world has ever known. Join us as we delve into the life and times of this extraordinary man.  Episode Notes: * The immediate predecessor of Hannibal in Spain was his brother-in-law, Hasdrubal the Fair (not to be confused with Hannibal's brother, Hasdrubal), who ruled from 229-221 BC., after which Hannibal in 221 at the age of 26 took over Carthaginian Spain. * According to some ancient sources, Hannibal did marry an Iberian woman named Imilce and they had a son, but we do not know this for certain.  Books: * The Punic Wars [https://www.amazon.com/Punic-Wars-Adrian-Goldsworthy/dp/0304352845/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2VUHW4IM0OECI&keywords=the+punic+wars+adrian+goldsworthy&qid=1657670459&sprefix=the+punic+wars%2Caps%2C338&sr=8-1] by Adrian Goldsworthy * A History of Rome [https://www.amazon.com/History-Rome-Michael-Grant/dp/0023456108/ref=sr_1_1?crid=PYXHR3FNZ0FA&keywords=a+history+of+rome+michael+grant&qid=1657670507&sprefix=a+history+of+rome+michael+grant%2Caps%2C91&sr=8-1] by Michael Grant * Hannibal: The Military Biography of Rome’s Greatest Enemy [https://www.amazon.com/Hannibal-Military-Biography-Romes-Greatest/dp/1597976865/ref=sr_1_1?crid=UXMO3NYPSQCR&keywords=hannibal+by+richard+gabriel&qid=1657670537&sprefix=hannibal+by+richa%2Caps%2C142&sr=8-1] by Richard Gabriel * The Histories [https://www.amazon.com/Histories-Oxford-Worlds-Classics/dp/0199534705/ref=sr_1_1?crid=19A7B939GS7SY&keywords=the+histories+by+polybius&qid=1657670566&sprefix=the+histories+by+%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1] by Polybius * A History of Warfare [https://www.amazon.com/History-Warfare-John-Keegan/dp/0679730826/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3M3E2ZUXAZU3E&keywords=a+history+of+warfare+by+john+keegan&qid=1657670648&sprefix=a+history+of+war%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-1] by John Keegan Film: * Hannibal [https://www.amazon.com/Hannibal-Romes-Worst-Nightmare-Vengeance/dp/B072ZDQNR6/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2YH8O61REW1SP&keywords=hannibal+romes+worst+nightmare&qid=1657670741&rnid=2941120011&s=movies-tv&sprefix=hannibal+romes%2Caps%2C96&sr=1-2] (2006) BBC Film * Hannibal: A March on Rome [https://www.amazon.com/Hannibal-March-Rome-Carsten-Gutschmidt/dp/B08NFCZ5WN/ref=sr_1_11?crid=371ML2D1CYYD7&keywords=hannibal&qid=1657670831&s=movies-tv&sprefix=hannibal+%2Cmovies-tv%2C83&sr=1-11] (2018) Documentary * Hannibal in the Alps [https://www.amazon.com/Hannibal-Alps-Jay-Sanders/dp/B087CBRMM5/ref=sr_1_1?crid=35SUSEWEWH7OP&keywords=hannibal+in+the+alps&qid=1657671018&s=movies-tv&sprefix=hannibal+in+the+%2Cmovies-tv%2C80&sr=1-1] (2018) PBS Documentary

Imagine being hung three times… unsuccessfully. That’s exactly what happened to Englishman, John “Babbacombe” Lee in 1885. Or in the case of Herman Göring, being slipped a cyanide pill just hours before you were scheduled to be hung. Or foiling your pursuers by killing yourself first and being laid out in full regalia upon their arrival. Here in Episode 46, we explore seven individuals who cheated the hangman one way or another. Books: * Antony and Cleopatra [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041T4A2A/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=historicallys-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B0041T4A2A&linkId=2ef01e5bbfca60dc67d2f4f5af03689f] by Adrian Goldsworthy * Queen Elizabeth I [https://www.amazon.com/Queen-Elizabeth-I-J-Neale/dp/0897333624/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1627409846&sr=8-2] by J.E. Neale * Valiant Ambition: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution [https://www.amazon.com/Valiant-Ambition-Washington-Benedict-Revolution/dp/0143110195/ref=sr_1_3?crid=353TK236PMOVD&keywords=benedict+arnold+book&qid=1654038487&sprefix=benedict+arnold%2Caps%2C76&sr=8-3] by Nathaniel Philbrick * "Babbacombe" Lee: The Man They Could Not Hang [https://www.amazon.com/Babbacombe-Lee-They-Could-Hang/dp/086114760X/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2V5VCJG8P46YT&keywords=john+babbacombe+lee&qid=1654038592&sprefix=john+babbacombe+lee%2Caps%2C60&sr=8-2] by John Lee * Jack the Ripper: The Definitive Casebook [https://www.amazon.com/Jack-Ripper-Definitive-Richard-Whittington-Egan/dp/1445686546/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1633478901&sr=8-1] by Richard Wittington Egan * Inside the Third Reich [https://www.amazon.com/Inside-Third-Reich-Albert-Speer/dp/0684829495/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3PW31PLSH4RGY&dchild=1&keywords=inside+the+third+reich+albert+speer&qid=1619496088&sprefix=inside+the+third+reich%2Caps%2C162&sr=8-1] by Albert Speer Film: * Cleopatra [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008RKLATK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=historicallys-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B008RKLATK&linkId=f7098807ac5e76adc287b5c56caf4c60] (1963) with Elizabeth Taylor * Benedict Arnold: Hero Betrayed [https://www.amazon.com/Benedict-Arnold-Betrayed-Peter-OMeara/dp/B09JZ1FQ1Y/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2CVH09ZBH3G82&keywords=benedict+arnold&qid=1654039064&s=instant-video&sprefix=benedict+ar%2Cinstant-video%2C71&sr=1-1] (2021) Documentary * Jack the Ripper [https://www.amazon.com/Jack-Ripper-Trevor-Marriott/dp/B075415SLX/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=jack+the+ripper&qid=1633480377&s=instant-video&sr=1-6] (2017) Documentary with Trevor Marriott * Judgement at Nuremburg [https://www.amazon.com/Judgment-at-Nuremberg-Spencer-Tracy/dp/B00VHAGDIK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=OK5BZ5WXIST7&dchild=1&keywords=judgement+at+nuremberg&qid=1619496268&sprefix=judgement%2Cinstant-video%2C171&sr=8-1] (1961) with an all-star cast * Downfall [https://www.amazon.com/Downfall-Bruno-Ganz/dp/B07TK4X9LX/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=downfall&qid=1619477813&s=instant-video&sr=1-1] (2005) with Bruno Ganz as Hitler