History Rage

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 Book

• Guest: Lucy Jane Santos
• Website: 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/10120/9781036138806

Recommended Additional Episodes

• Episode 175: Guy Walters on our obsession with the Mitford sisters.
• Episode 227: Anne de Courcy on Coco Chanel.

Follow, Contact & Support History Rage

• Support 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 @HistoryRage
• Website: https://www.historyrage.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Covered

• The 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 Transcript

• Episode 262: It's Time to Stop Glorifying Henry VIII
• Episode 129: Totalitarianism is a 20th Century Phenomenon

Guest Information & Links

• Guest: 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/podcast
• Katherine of Aragon Festival: Keep an eye out for the festival coming to Peterborough in January 2027

How to Follow, Contact, and Support History Rage

• Support 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!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Episodes

• Episode 103: Beyond the Stasi: The Untold Story of East Germany with Katja Hoyer
• Episode 285: The Cambridge Five Are a Bunch of Shit with Antonia Senior

About the Guest

• Dr. 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/10120/9781837732241

Support & Follow History Rage

• Support 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/historyrage
• Follow the Rage: Share this episode, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Google, and help another passenger climb aboard the rage train! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/@UnderTheKnifeShow
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlindseyfitzharris/
• X (Twitter): https://x.com/DrLindseyFitz
• Buy the Book (History Rage Bookshop): https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780241632611

Recommended 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/historyrage
• Follow on X (Twitter): https://x.com/HistoryRage
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyrage/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Episodes

If 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 Guest

Sam 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/10120/9781035427680
• Podcasts: Listen to Sam on the Comfortably Hungry podcast and A Is for Apple.
• Social Media: Follow Sam on all platforms @MrsSBilton.

Support & Follow History Rage

Help 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/historyrage
• Follow us on Twitter/X: https://x.com/HistoryRage
• Website: https://www.historyrage.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Next

• Episode 275: The Lives and Loves of Alexander the Great with Stephen Harrison
• Episode 185: The Relationships of James I with Gareth Russell

About Our Guest

• Buy the Book: Grab your copy of The Queer Thing About Sin directly from the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781399422314
• Follow Harry Tanner: Connect on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/harryjamestanner or find him on Threads at https://www.threads.net/@harryjamestanner

Support & Follow History Rage

• Support 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/historyrage
• Follow 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.com
• Spread 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! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Wyman

Patrick 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/10120/9780063256484
• Listen 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_patrick
• Follow Patrick on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/patrick_wyman

Recommended Additional Episodes

If 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 Rage

History 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/historyrage
• Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/HistoryRage
• Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/HistoryRage
• Share 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! 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Forget Henry VIII: It is Time to Reignite the Power of the Six Queens

Are 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 Episodes

• Episode 262: Stop Glorifying Henry VIII with Jackson Van Uden
• Episode 264: Team Catherine vs. Team Anne with Kate McCaffrey

Guest Info & Resources

• Guest: 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: @TracyBorman

Follow & Support History Rage

• Website: https://www.historyrage.com
• X/Twitter: @HistoryRage
• Support 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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever noticed that the JFK assassination is the only event in history where absolutely everyone feels entitled to an aggressive opinion? 🤬 The rich, human narrative of Dealey Plaza has been completely hijacked by toxic internet debates and dogmatic conspiracy culture.

But what if everything we've been arguing over misses the point entirely? 🕵️‍♂️ In this episode, author Martin Fitzgerald joins the pod to rescue history from the shouting matches. We move past the tired political theories to explore the incredible, bizarre, and deeply moving stories of the ordinary, reluctant witnesses who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

From the absolute chaos of an unpreserved crime scene to government agencies lying out of sheer institutional self-preservation, we unpack how official blunders birthed modern conspiracy culture. We also dive into the fragile nature of memory under trauma—including a witness who swore the six-second shooting lasted five minutes! Plus, Martin finally reveals the idiosyncratic, hilariously human truth behind the infamous "Umbrella Man".

Are you ready to drop the dogmatism and enjoy the fascinating mystery of the unknown? Click your favourite player below to stream the episode right now! 🎧

Links & Resources

Get the Book:

Grab your copy of Martin Fitzgerald's fantastic book, The Umbrella Man and Other Stories, directly from the History Rage Bookshop to support the show:

👉 https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781837360253

Connect with the Guest:

• Follow Martin Fitzgerald on Social Media: @4hundredblows

Recommended Companion Episodes:

• Episode 54: Stephen Wisdom rages on the moon landing theories.
• Episode 265: Hallie Rubenhold rages on why identifying Jack the Ripper is completely pointless.

Support & Follow History Rage

If you love tearing down historical myths and want to keep the rage alive, here is how you can support our independent podcast:

• Become a Patron: Join the Rage Train on Patreon for £5/month to get early, ad-free episodes, access to monthly live streams, and the coveted History Rage mug!

👉 https://www.patreon.com/historyrage

• Follow Us: Stay updated with our latest historical rants on social media.
• Spread the Word: Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and tell a friend to get aboard the Rage Train!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did the Tudors really invent medieval fake news, or did the Yorkists get there first?

When we think of historical spin, Tudor propaganda usually takes centre stage. But host Paul Bavill sits down live at the Gloucester History Festival with acclaimed medieval historian and author Nathen Amin (House of Beaufort, Son of Prophecy) to completely shatter this dynastic myth.

In this fiery live session, Nathen exposes how Henry VII was simply a student of the game, adopting the very political playbook created by the House of York. From medieval Photoshop on parchment rolls and character assassination against Margaret of Anjou to the destruction of parliamentary records, discover how the Yorkists pioneered every trick in the book long before the Tudors ever claimed the throne.

Digital Passes & Festival Information

Nathen Amin appeared as part of the Gloucester History Festival. Digital passes to catch up on other talks from the festival can be purchased online at https://www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk.

Recommended History Rage Episodes

If you enjoyed this deep dive into medieval politics, check out these related episodes:

• Episode 79: Richard III Fanatics with Nathen Amin – Nathen's famous first appearance unleashing his rage on Ricardian myths.
• Episode 137: Nathen rages that Henry VII should not be the Tudor nobody talks about

Guest Info & Books

Follow Nathen Amin and order his books:

• Website / Books: Find Son of Prophecy, and more at https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781398133525
• X (Twitter): https://x.com/nathenamin
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathenaminauthor

Connect, Follow & Support History Rage

Angry about bad history? Join the movement, follow us, and help keep the rage alive!

• Support on Patreon: Get early access, exclusive extras, and the coveted History Rage mug at https://www.patreon.com/historyrage
• Listen & Subscribe: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast providers.
• Follow on X (Twitter): https://x.com/HistoryRage
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyrage
• Visit the Website: https://www.historyrage.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.