Fascinating People Fascinating Places Daniel Mainwaring

Despite being orphaned at a young age, Simon Bolivar was far from an orphan Annie character. Born into a wealthy Criollo family in 1783, his education continued before he made an extensive trip around Europe. While there, he was introduced to ideas of the enlightenment and events such as the French Revolution.

Despite his ethnically Spanish roots, he returned to Venezuela determined to gain independence and establish a republic. In subsequent years he became involved in three separate Venezuelan republics whilst establishing himself as the de facto ruler of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, and Bolivia. The latter even named after him. 

But his legacy is complicated. A proponent for the abolishment of slavery, for a time an ally of the newly independent Haiti, Bolivar while earning the moniker ”The Liberator” was ultimately pushed out of power.

In this episode I examine Bolivar’s life with my guest, a leading expert on the subject -- his compatriot -- Prof. Tomas Helmut Straka Medina of the prestigious Andre Bello Catholic University of Caracas, Venezuela. Tomas explains the nuances of Bolivar’s reign, his motivations and the context of the overall geopolitical situation.

Guest:  Prof. Tomas Helmut Straka Medina

Tomás Straka is a Venezuelan historian, author, and professor of history at the Andrés Bello Catholic University. He has authored various works, including ”La voz de los vencidos,” ”Hechos y gente,” ”Un Reino para este mundo,” ”La épica del desencanto,” and ”La república fragmentada,” among others.

Straka holds a PhD in History from Andrés Bello Catholic University and has been a visiting scholar at prestigious institutions like the University of Chicago and Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.

He is a member of the National Academy of History in Venezuela since 2016.


Straka’s contributions to Venezuelan history and academia are significant, reflected in his extensive bibliography covering various aspects of Venezuelan history and society.

In addition to his academic endeavors, Straka is known for his involvement in preserving democratic memory in Venezuela, as highlighted in his work ”Por el rescate de la memoria democrática en Venezuela.”

His role as a historian and essayist extends beyond academia, making him a prominent figure in discussions surrounding Venezuelan history and contemporary issues.



Twitter: @thstraka 
Instagram: @ thstraka2




Music: Pixabay

This episode is sponsored by World History Encyclopedia, one of the top history websites on the internet. I love the fact that they’re not a Wiki: Every article they publish is reviewed by their editorial team, not only for being accurate but also for being interesting to read. The website is run as a non-profit organization, so you won’t be bombarded by annoying ads and it’s completely free. It’s a great site, and don’t just take my word for it they’ve been recommended by many academic institutions including Oxford University. Go check them out at WorldHistory.org or follow this link: World History Encyclopedia.

The DeCavalcante Crime Family of New Jersey were the inspiration for HBO’s acclaimed Sopranos drama series. In this episode, I speak with one of their members: Aidan Gabor. He is a mafia henchman, turned DOJ informant and cop. 

Gabor shares his origin story from his parents escape from Soviet occupied Budapest to his childhood descent into crime and his eventual redemption based on the Baha’i faith. Aiden Gabor is also the author of and autobiographical book linked below. 

Guest: Aiden Gabor author of Conflicting Loyalties: My Life as a Mob Enforcer Turned DOJ Informant

*This episode contains strong language

Music: Pixabay

Composer Universfield Free Use

Creative Commons License: 

Rebecca Evans

Title
O Mio Babbino Caro - Rebecca Evans






Description
English: O mio babbino caro - A track by Rebecca Evans. From the 1995 album Rebecca
Cymraeg: O mio babbino caro - Trac gan Rebecca Evans. O’r albwm 1995 Rebecca

Performance date 1995
Record ID Sain SCD2105




This episode is sponsored by World History Encyclopedia, one of the top history websites on the internet. I love the fact that they’re not a Wiki: Every article they publish is reviewed by their editorial team, not only for being accurate but also for being interesting to read. The website is run as a non-profit organization, so you won’t be bombarded by annoying ads and it’s completely free. It’s a great site, and don’t just take my word for it they’ve been recommended by many academic institutions including Oxford University. Go check them out at WorldHistory.org or follow this link: World History Encyclopedia.

Rome’s first and arguably greatest Emperor Octavian (Augustus) helped to evolve and expand the Roman Republic into an empire that encompassed France, parts of Germany, Asia Minor, Egypt and North Africa. But the seemingly all conquering Roman met his match in an African woman called Candace. Who was she? How did she come to be the de facto leader of the Kushites? How was she able to defeat Augustus and ensure an independence for her people that lasted for hundreds of years?

In this episode, I speak with a subject matter expert Prof. Emeritus Stanley Burstein of California State University, Los Angeles. We discuss the Roman expansion into Africa, the identity of Kandake AKA ”Candace,” her legacy, and her huge role in shaping both African and Roman history. 

Guest: Prof. Stanley Burstein works on Amazon

Music: Pixabay

This episode is sponsored by World History Encyclopedia, one of the top history websites on the internet. I love the fact that they’re not a Wiki: Every article they publish is reviewed by their editorial team, not only for being accurate but also for being interesting to read. The website is run as a non-profit organization, so you won’t be bombarded by annoying ads and it’s completely free. It’s a great site, and don’t just take my word for it they’ve been recommended by many academic institutions including Oxford University. Go check them out at WorldHistory.org or follow this link: World History Encyclopedia.

Coming in May, I talk to Mafia gangster turned DOJ informant Aiden Gabor on Fascinating People, Fascinating Places.




Guest: Aiden Gabor author of Conflicting Loyalties: My Life as a Mob Enforcer Turned DOJ Informant

Creative Commons License: 

Rebecca Evans

Title
O Mio Babbino Caro - Rebecca Evans






Description
English: O mio babbino caro - A track by Rebecca Evans. From the 1995 album Rebecca
Cymraeg: O mio babbino caro - Trac gan Rebecca Evans. O’r albwm 1995 Rebecca

Performance date 1995
Record ID Sain SCD2105




This episode is sponsored by World History Encyclopedia, one of the top history websites on the internet. I love the fact that they’re not a Wiki: Every article they publish is reviewed by their editorial team, not only for being accurate but also for being interesting to read. The website is run as a non-profit organization, so you won’t be bombarded by annoying ads and it’s completely free. It’s a great site, and don’t just take my word for it they’ve been recommended by many academic institutions including Oxford University. Go check them out at WorldHistory.org or follow this link: World History Encyclopedia.

In 1913, Albert Schweitzer, a respected theologian and organist left Alsace-Lorraine and made his way to the French colony of Gabon. As a newly qualified doctor, he decided to to use his skills to establish a free hospital in a remote corner of the French Empire. Schweitzer eventually earned a Nobel prize for his humanitarian work and his hospital still stands today.

Decades later, award winning author Eric Madeen followed in Schweitzer’s footsteps and found himself in the now independent Gabon. While there he gained insight into Schweitzer’s life and legacy while having extraordinary experiences of his own that have since inspired his writing work. 

In this episode, I talk to Eric about Schweitzer, life in the jungle, his writing, and his more recent experiences in Japan. 

Eric Madeen Official Website

Music: Pixabay

This episode is sponsored by World History Encyclopedia, one of the top history websites on the internet. I love the fact that they’re not a Wiki: Every article they publish is reviewed by their editorial team, not only for being accurate but also for being interesting to read. The website is run as a non-profit organization, so you won’t be bombarded by annoying ads and it’s completely free. It’s a great site, and don’t just take my word for it they’ve been recommended by many academic institutions including Oxford University. Go check them out at WorldHistory.org or follow this link: World History Encyclopedia.

30 years ago the US brokered Oslo accords seemed to herald a new era of peaceful coexistence for Israelis and Palestinians. Yasser Arafat -- long demonized as a terrorist in the Tel Aviv, whilst being hailed as a freedom fighter in Palestine -- shared a Nobel Peace Prize with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and politician Shimon Peres. 

30 years later, peace seems further away than ever before after  Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants’ horrific 7 October attack on Israel provoked a response from Israel that caused South Africa to take Israel to court for allegedly committing genocide. 

In this episode I speak with Middle Eastern policy and strategy expert Dr. Stephen Zunes a Professor at the University of San Francisco. We discuss how the Oslo accords unraveled, the role of the US, the current situation, and prospects for peace.

Guest:

Dr. Stephen Zunes Official Website

Music: Pixabay

This episode is sponsored by World History Encyclopedia, one of the top history websites on the internet. I love the fact that they’re not a Wiki: Every article they publish is reviewed by their editorial team, not only for being accurate but also for being interesting to read. The website is run as a non-profit organization, so you won’t be bombarded by annoying ads and it’s completely free. It’s a great site, and don’t just take my word for it they’ve been recommended by many academic institutions including Oxford University. Go check them out at WorldHistory.org or follow this link: World History Encyclopedia.