248. The Renaissance Rebuked: Myths, Misconceptions, and Machiavelli with Ada Palmer
In this thought-provoking episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill engages with historian and author Ada Palmer, whose book Inventing the Renaissance challenges the romanticised narratives surrounding this revered period in Western history. Together, they dissect the myths of golden and dark ages, revealing the complexities and realities that often go unnoticed.The Myth of the Renaissance:Golden Ages and Dark Ages: Ada argues against the simplistic notions of history being divided into periods of prosperity and decline, exposing the propagandistic origins of these concepts.Historical Narratives: Discover how Renaissance thinkers like Petrarch and Machiavelli grappled with their tumultuous reality, questioning the very nature of progress and the cyclical view of history.Art and Power:Dependency on Wealth: Explore how the creation of iconic art and literature was intrinsically linked to the power dynamics of the time, with artists often reliant on the very tyrants they critiqued.The Dark Side of Patronage: Ada reveals the often-ignored darker aspects of artistic patronage, including the violent political upheavals that shaped the environment in which these masterpieces were created.Inquisition and Control:Plurality of Inquisitions: The discussion delves into the various local inquisitions that operated independently, often co-opted by local powers for their own ends, challenging the singular narrative of the Inquisition.Corruption and Morality: Ada highlights the complex relationship between the Church and the populace, illustrating how corruption was often accepted as part of the societal fabric.Guest Information:Buy Ada's book: Inventing the Renaissance: Myths of a Golden AgeFollow Ada on X: @Adapalmer and on Bluesky: @adapalmer.bskysocial If you’re inspired by this episode, consider joining the 'Angry Mob' on Patreon at patreon.com/historyrage for exclusive content, early access, and the iconic History Rage mug.Follow the Rage:- Twitter: @HistoryRage- Paul on Twitter: @PaulBavillFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/HistoryRageInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyrageStay curious, stay passionate, and most importantly, stay angry! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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247. The War Movie Tropes that Won't Die with Rob Hutton & Duncan Weldon | Imperial War Museum Podcast Live Festival
Is Tom Hanks too old to storm Omaha Beach?Host Paul Bavill welcomes Rob Hutton and Duncan Weldon, hosts of the War Movie Theatre podcast, to kick off a series of previews for the Imperial War Museum’s (IWM) Podcast Live Festival. This week, they are raising the curtain on movies in a historical setting with a fierce debate on the one historical inaccuracy that Hollywood keeps getting away with.Rob and Duncan unleash their rage on the persistent and problematic trend in war cinema: the casting of much older actors as young combat soldiers in World War II movies.The Saving Private Ryan Problem: Discover exactly why Tom Hanks (mid-to-late 40s) as a Ranger Captain, and Matt Damon (27) as Private Ryan, were both fundamentally too old for their D-Day roles—in some cases by 20 years.The hosts argue that casting older actors fundamentally changes how we perceive the Second World War, overshadowing the reality that the fighting was overwhelmingly done by fresh-faced 19-year-olds.But is historical accuracy the real goal? The discussion turns to the industry's love for "whizzy ideas" and the notorious trope of a writer or director "struggling to get the green light"—and whether this pursuit of a marketable story is the real reason historical truth gets sacrificed for Hollywood blockbusters.Find out which TV series, like Band of Brothers, got the ages right, and whether Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk managed to break the mold.Plus, a fascinating discussion on how the youthful, risk-taking mindset applies not just to infantry and Luftwaffe pilots, but even to Formula 1 drivers.Don't miss this heated discussion!Listen to War Movie Theatre: Find Rob and Duncan’s podcast everywhere you get your podcasts and follow on all social media channels @warmovietheatreSee them Live: This episode previews the IWM Podcast Live Festival on the 1st of November. Be sure to grab your tickets for the live discussion on movies in a historical setting!Tickets available at: https://www.iwm.org.uk/events/podcast-liveSupport History Rage: Love the show? Check the links for how to support Paul Bavill's podcast, including getting ad-free listening and the coveted History Rage mug.Subscribe at www.patreon.com/historyrage Follow History Rage on Social Media @historyrage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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246. Ian Fleming was neither desk jockey nor action hero with Dave Roberts
This week on History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by military historian and expert on Ian Fleming, Dave Roberts, as they delve into the intriguing world of wartime intelligence and the often-overlooked contributions of Fleming during the Second World War. Together, they dismantle the myths surrounding Fleming's role, revealing the truth behind the man who created James Bond and his significant impact on British Naval Intelligence.The Real Ian Fleming:Beyond the Desk: Dave discusses the misconceptions that portray Fleming as merely a desk-bound author, highlighting his pivotal role in shaping Naval Intelligence and his innovative ideas that contributed to the war effort.Wartime Operations: Explore Fleming's involvement in the formation of 30 Assault Unit, an elite intelligence unit tasked with capturing enemy secrets and technology, showcasing his strategic mind and leadership abilities.Operation Ruthless:A Wild Plan: The episode reveals the audacious Operation Ruthless, where Fleming proposed a daring scheme to capture German Enigma machines by crash-landing a Heinkel bomber in the English Channel, demonstrating his bold and unconventional thinking.Capturing Secrets: Learn about the successes of 30 Assault Unit in securing vital intelligence, including Enigma machines and Italian naval charts, that played a crucial role in the Allies' strategic planning.Fleming's Legacy:A Man of Influence: Dave articulates how Fleming's charm and connections made him an indispensable figure within British intelligence, proving that his contributions went far beyond his literary fame.Recognition: The discussion emphasises the need to acknowledge Fleming's wartime achievements, which have been overshadowed by his later success as the author of the iconic James Bond series.Guest Information:Discover more about Dave Roberts and his work with 30 Assault Unit at 30au.co.uk.Follow Dave on Twitter at @ihistorical for insights and updates.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review for History Rage on Apple, Spotify, or Podchaser! Join the 'Angry Mob' on Patreon for early episodes, exclusive content, and the coveted History Rage mug. Subscribe at www.patreon.com/historyrage.Follow the Rage:- Twitter: @HistoryRage- Instagram: @historyrage- Facebook: History Rage For all the latest episodes and updates, visit our website at www.historyrage.com.Stay Angry, Stay Informed - History Rage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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245. Britain Plays a Major Role in the Cold War with Fraser McCallum | Imperial War Museum Podcast Live Festival
Britain’s Cold War story is bigger than you ever knew.In this explosive episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill sits down with historian and author Fraser McCallum to uncover the often-overlooked story of Cold War Britain. Too often reduced to a superpower showdown between the United States and the Soviet Union, the Cold War was a global conflict — and Britain was absolutely central to it.Fraser, author of Cold War Britain: 50 Years in the Shadow of the Bomb, reveals how the Cold War reshaped the UK — from British intelligence and its notorious spy scandals to the rise of protest movements like CND and the Greenham Common protests. He shows how Britain’s nuclear ambitions, NATO involvement, and cultural life all intertwined with a conflict that defined half a century.You’ll discover:Why Britain’s role in the Cold War was far greater than most people realiseHow the UK was vital to the creation of NATO and the success of the Berlin AirliftThe devastating truth behind British nuclear weapons testing and its human costHow British intelligence in the Cold War was rocked by class privilege and spy scandals such as the Cambridge FiveThe way Cold War protests like Aldermaston and Greenham Common shaped politics and public debateHow the Cold War left its mark on British culture, television, music, and everyday lifeWhy the Cold War’s legacy still influences British politics and society todayFrom the NHS scaling back services to fund the bomb to Margaret Thatcher turning “Iron Lady” into her personal brand, this episode reveals the Cold War as a British story — one of espionage, nuclear strategy, protest, and pop culture.If you’ve ever thought of the Cold War as a distant standoff between Washington and Moscow, Fraser McCallum will change your mind. The story of Cold War Britain is one of courage, compromise, scandal, and survival — and it still shapes our world today. 🎟️ Don’t miss the chance to engage with history live! Join us at the Imperial War Museum Podcast Live Festival on 1st November: https://www.iwm.org.uk/events/podcast-live 📚 Connect with Fraser MacCallum:Follow him on Instagram: @fraser_mcca11umFind him on X (Twitter): @fmcca11umPurchase his book: Cold War: 50 Years in the Shadow of the Bomb: https://shop.iwm.org.uk/products/cold-war-britain-fifty-years-in-the-shadow-of-the-bomb?srsltid=AfmBOoobMcNPt3aIzk7bpNozuodXXP973Amue5pjiI7NddhTvz9l-No-🔥 Support History Rage for ad-free episodes and exclusive content:Subscribe for just £3/month on Apple or PatreonUnlock additional perks for £5/month: patreon.com/historyrageSpread the word and bring more listeners into the Rage! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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244. The U-Boat War Was Not a Close Run Thing with Roger Moorhouse
Think the WWII U-Boat War was Britain’s closest brush with defeat? Think again. In this live History Rage special, historian Roger Moorhouse – author of Wolfpack: Inside Hitler’s U-Boat War – joins host Paul Bavill to torpedo one of the Second World War’s most persistent myths.Drawing on brand-new research from the German perspective, Roger reveals why the Battle of the Atlantic was not the near-disaster Churchill’s famous quote suggests. He walks us through:Why most English-language histories ignore the German side of the U-boat campaign.How a brief “happy time” in 1940–41 shaped Britain’s self-image as plucky underdog.The statistics showing how Liberty ships and countermeasures reversed the threat.Inside the cramped, stressful life aboard a Type VII U-boat — from “tin can rage” to PTSD-like symptoms.The propaganda, recruitment and astonishing casualty rates of the Kriegsmarine’s submarine arm.Enigma, aerial radar, hedgehog mortars and other Allied innovations that made 1943 the turning point.It’s WWII history as you’ve never heard it before — directly from the other side of the periscope. If you’re fascinated by Second World War naval history, military myths, or the Battle of the Atlantic, this episode is a must-listen. Roger Moorhouse blends gripping stories with hard data to show how the real U-boat war unfolded — and why understanding it matters.Roger’s new book Wolfpack: Inside Hitler’s U-Boat War (out 9 October) is the definitive account of Germany’s submarine campaign told from the inside.🔗 Listen now to bust the “close-run” myth of the U-boat war.📚 Pre-order Roger Moorhouse’s book: Wolfpack: Inside Hitler’s U-Boat Warhttps://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780008644895💬 Join the History Rage Live community – for £5/month on Patreon you can take part in monthly livestreams, ask your own questions, win prizes and bag the coveted History Rage mug.👉 Subscribe on your favourite podcast app and leave us a 5-star review to help more history fans find the show.Connect with Roger Moorhouse:- Follow Roger on Twitter: @roger_moorhouseStay connected with History Rage on social media:- Twitter: @HistoryRage- Instagram: @historyrage- Facebook: HistoryRageStay curious, stay passionate, and most importantly, stay angry! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Think history is boring? That’s because you’ve only ever heard the fake version.On History Rage, professional historians come in swinging — smashing the myths, clichés, and half-truths that keep getting recycled in classrooms, documentaries, and TikToks. Vikings with horned helmets? Nope. Britain standing alone in 1940? Wrong. Medieval people never bathed? Rubbish.Why listen? Because the truth is way more exciting. You’ll leave every episode with jaw-dropping stories, killer facts to shut down pub bores, and the smug satisfaction of knowing what really happened.🎧 Episodes drop every Monday. 📲 Follow now and get the history they don’t teach you — raw, raging, and real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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