Sophie's selection for this episode is Scottish freedom-fighter and inspiration for the movie Braveheart, William Wallace.  The parallels of his life from youth to the Battle of Stirling Bridge and his gruesome execution are partially echoed by her comparison to a revered modern leader.

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599997/episodes/18768959

In her most intellectually serious pairing in the series so far, Sophie tackles  Charlemagne - medieval emperor, king, and leader of the Carolingian Renaissance.

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599997/episodes/18768959

Queen of Egypt, lover of at least two Roman emperors and sworn enemy of a third, Cleopatra's reign was marked by intrigue, seduction, and civil wars.  Sophie covers it all and teases an unexpected contemporary leader who can't quite compete with Cleo (but who could?)

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599997/episodes/18768959

Sophie retraces the magnificent tales of military conquest authored by the King of Macedon.  Her comparison with a modern-age conqueror of daunting technological challenges is both surprising and compelling.

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599997/episodes/18768959

Archetypal femme fatale and likely scapegoat, Mata Hari tempts Sophie to identify a modern-age temptress of near-equal notoriety.

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599997/episodes/18768959

Global navigation's unsung forefather is arguably the English clockmaker John Harrison.  Sophie examines his life and laser-focused pursuit of a solution to the most urgent scientific challenge of the 18th century.  She then turns her attention to his 20th century doppelgänger.

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599997/episodes/18768959

Straying from her formal European-history focus, Sophie takes on early American aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss and contrasts him with a similarly audacious and gravity-defying innovator.

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599997/episodes/18768959

In this episode Sophie examines the life of eccentric Scottish author and creator of the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  You will be intrigued by the modern era physician to whom she compares our most interesting subject.

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599997/episodes/18768959

This week Sophie discusses the French heroine Joan of Arc and contrasts her with an intriguing modern figure.

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599997/episodes/18768959

Sophie launches her series "Profiles in Contrast" with Rasputin, the mysterious and controversial advisor to Russian Tsar Nicholas II.  His legendary charisma coupled with supposed healing powers took him from peasantry in Siberia to the lofty inner circles of the Russian empire, and, ultimately, the annals of history.  The episode concludes with a fascinating comparison to a 21st century political advisor of not dissimilar notoriety.

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2599997/episodes/18768959