The Theft That Made The Mona Lisa A Masterpiece

Rogue Heroes- The Incredible True Story of The SAS in WW2. How Britain's Special Forces were Created changing War Forever

The SAS- Special Air Service- who saw that something had to be done in the deserts of North Africa to change the course of WW2 in favor of the Allies. Ingenuity, tragedy, bravery and nonchalance were among the many ingredients, that together, created not only the SAS, but the concept of modern day Special Forces. The exploits of the initial SAS, starting in July 1941 created many myths and legends. The actual stories are more unbelievable than the myths. The SAS made the impossible probable and the unthinkable doable. Their motto: Who Dares Wins- tells a lot about this incredible group. But there is so much more in this epic and fascinating story This episode, in its entirety was created by me. Roberto. Research, writing, editing, the music, the lot

The Gwangju Uprising - The Gwangju Massacre and The Pivotal Democratic Movement

Just a few years after the Korean War became a frozen conflict, a military coup came to power in South Korea. Nearly 20 years later, another military coup came to power. During these years, while "The Miracle of the Han River" greatly increased the industrialization and commercialization of the country- due in part as with similar "miracles" of the past- the influx of outside finance. This miracle came at a cost for many South Koreans, especially those in South Jeolla Province, where the city of Gwangju was situated at the time. Couple this with decades of alleged human rights oppression and marginalization, a seemingly routine protest and demonstration, quickly turns into something else entirely. An experience that many of the citizens found difficult to express. An experience that could not be openly expressed for years because of the continued political situation. The experience, if survived, made the nation take notice, eventually leading to the democratization of the country. A key source for this episode is the book - The Gwangju Uprising- the Pivotal Democratic Movement That Changed the History of Modern Korea, by Choi Jungwoon as translated by Yu Young-nan. The episode was also influenced by the novel- Human Acts- by Han Kang and the movie "A Taxi Driver" directed by Jang Hoon. These sources all show how ordinary people may react in the face of state v1olence Produced, researched and created by Roberto. All music by Roberto #democracy #korea #history @hankang @jangboon @choijungwoon

The Theft That Made The Mona Lisa A Masterpiece

Hard to believe but before the Mona Lisa was stolen, it was viewed as a fine example of Italian Renaissance Art- especially by the intelligentsia and some of the artists in Paris. Others, if they even went into the Louvre, may have likely walked past it or given it a quick look. It was tucked away in a gallery amongst many other paintings. In 1911 the Mona Lisa was stolen. In part due to its relatively diminutive size, which made it much easier to abscond into the streets of Paris. For two years, the painting was missing. The newspapers in Europe and then North America were awash with stories of the theft, the bungling of the security, and almost any other thing the papers could come up with to feed the frenzy of the public. In 1913, it was recovered and the thief caught, which started the stories up to a new frenzy and new heights of story telling. Only the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 and later, the beginnings and rumblings regarding WW1 could keep the Mona Lisa out of the papers.

The Charge of the Light Brigade-Someone Blundered

Theirs is not to reason why, theirs is but to do and die. From the poem the Charge of the Light Brigade, by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. These two lines are probably the most famous lines from the poem and likely famous across the world due to the bravery inferred by the British Light Brigade Calvary in the Crimean War. Yet in the same stanza, there is the line- Someone had blundered. The takeaway from the poem is primarily the bravery and yet the statement is made- someone blundered. Was the Charge a case of Lions led by donkeys? If so, who were the donkeys? Who blundered? Tune in for the rest of the story of the valiant charge along with the somewhat ludicrous leaders that ordered the charge. #Crimeanwar #History #England #France #Russia

Why Did Italy Fail in World War II?

In a word- Mussolini. Obviously there is more to it than that yet what put him and kept him in power was very ineffective when it came to major military operations. World War I showed the world that war was now conducted on an industrial scale with industry and innovation necessary to even think about being in a big operation. Chaos, confusion and propaganda can be helpful components of such an operation but you have to have the capability to back it up. You have to have short term and long term planning. Consideration of supply and training and reserves is needed. Some of the other major powers that entered World War II understood all of this better than others, there was still learning to do with regard to planning, operations and industrialization turning into military might. Italy and Mussolini learned only when it was way to late. While some of his planners made plain that Italy was not yet prepared and would not be for years, that message did not make at difference...at first...but within just a few years, that message came back loud and clear...when it was way too late