History Rage

Paul Bavill

History Rage is the history podcast that challenges everything you thought you knew about the past. Every Monday, host Paul Bavill invites professional historians, acclaimed authors and leading experts to expose historical myths, debunk popular misconceptions and reveal the truth behind the stories that shaped our world. From ancient history and the Vikings to medieval Britain, the Tudor monarchy, the British Empire, world wars and modern history, History Rage tackles the myths, clichés and half-truths that refuse to die. Were Viking helmets really horned? Did Britain fight alone in 1940? Were medieval people really filthy? Discover what actually happened, why the accepted story is often wrong, and how history is far more fascinating than the version you were taught. Whether you love British history, European history, military history, social history or uncovering the hidden stories behind famous people and events, History Rage brings you fascinating historical facts, surprising discoveries and expert insights with a healthy dose of irreverence. Forget dry lectures and dusty textbooks. This is history with attitude: passionate historians challenging conventional wisdom, questioning the accepted narrative and raging against the historical myths we need to stop believing. 🎧 New episodes every Monday. Follow History Rage on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for your weekly dose of history, historical myth-busting, extraordinary true stories and the past explained by the experts who know it best. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  1. 1d ago · Subscribers Only

    The Last Emperor Story is Massively Oversimplified with Paul French

    Were China's last royals truly trapped in a cold, emotionless prison, or is history lying to you? Step inside the crimson walls of Peking's most secretive palace as award-winning author and historian Paul French joins Paul Bavill on History Rage. Shattering decades of cinematic myths and academic clichés born from Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1987 epic The Last Emperor, this episode exposes the hidden human reality of Puyi and Wanrong, China's final emperor and empress. Discover how newly discovered primary sources—including the long-lost diaries and letters of American tutor Isabel Ingram—completely upend the narrative of a sterile, isolated court. From teenage bicycles, hidden phone pranks, and jazz records to the vital, modern presence of the last Empress Wanrong and consort Wenxiu, this episode uncovers a surprisingly vibrant, intimate, and ultimately tragic chapter of modern Chinese history. Featured Guest & Book Details • Guest: Paul French, historian, journalist, and author • Guest Social Media: Follow Paul on Instagram @oldshanghaipaul (https://www.instagram.com/oldshanghaipaul/) • Book Recommendation: The Last Emperor of China: Twilight of the Forbidden City by Paul French • Bookshop Link: Purchase your copy and support independent bookshops via the History Rage Bookshop (https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781783968626) Recommended Additional Episodes Referenced • Episode 309: Jenny Chan Rages about the Japanese Occupation of Manchuria • Episode 274: Matt Okuhara Rages that the Samurai Do Use Guns Follow and Support History Rage • Patreon: Join as a History Rager for £5/month to get monthly livestreams, early ad-free episodes, and the coveted History Rage mug at Patreon History Rage (https://www.patreon.com/historyrage) • Website & Contact: Find all episodes, merch, and updates at the History Rage Website (https://www.historyrage.com)

  2. 1d ago

    344. Europe Was Never Just a Judeo-Christian Entity! with Tharik Hussain

    Is Europe strictly a Judeo-Christian entity, or have we forgotten 1400 years of Islamic history? In this explosive episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill sits down with author, journalist, and historian Tharik Hussain to smash the persistent myth that Europe’s cultural identity is solely Judeo-Christian. Tharik exposes how Islamic heritage is woven directly into the fabric of European identity, tracing back to the earliest days of Islam. Key Insights & Episode Highlights The First Muslim European Navy: Discover how Caliph Uthman and Muawiyah ibn Abu Sufyan launched Islam’s first organized naval presence in Cyprus around the 640s AD, placing early companions of Prophet Muhammad on European soil within the first generation of the faith.The Myth of Conquest vs Liberation: Revisit the 711 AD Muslim arrival in the Iberian Peninsula and how local Jewish communities viewed it as a liberation from severe Visigothic persecution, sparking the Jewish Golden Age.Golden Age Innovations: Learn about Abbas ibn Firnas—the 9th-century polymath who achieved human flight 600 years before Leonardo da Vinci—and Abu al-Qasim al-Zahrawi (Albukasis), the father of modern surgery whose tools mirror modern medical instruments today.Weaponized Mythologies: Deconstruct nation-building legends like Santiago Matamoros ("Moor Slayer") and the fictional Tribute of 100 Virgins, created to fuel anti-Muslim rhetoric during the Reconquista and Crusades.Living Indigenous History: Recognize indigenous European Muslims across Bosnia, Albania, and Kosovo, proving that Islam never left the continent. Guest Information & Book Links Guest: Tharik HussainInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tharik_husseinBuy the Book: Support independent bookshops and the podcast by purchasing Muslim Europe: A Journey in Search of the 1400 Years of History at the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780241742822 Recommended Episodes Keep the historical rage going with these referenced episodes from the archive: Episode 304: Tom Asbridge on why the Black Death was actually a global problemEpisode 237: Steve Tibble on dismantling the glamorization of the Assassins Follow & Support History Rage Website: https://www.historyrage.comTwitter / X: https://twitter.com/historyrageInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyrageFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/historyragePatreon: Join the Angry Mob for early ad-free episodes, monthly live streams, and the official History Rage mug at https://www.patreon.com/historyrage If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. Nov 2 · Subscribers Only

    ENSA Was Not Every Night Something Awful with Matt Eaton

    Was wartime entertainment just dreadful monotony, or did it actually save troop morale? Discover the astonishing truth about ENSA (Entertainment National Services Association) and the trailblazing women like Virginia Vernon who risked everything to bring frontline morale to British troops in World War II. In this episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by military historian and author Matthew Eaton to shatter the widespread myths surrounding wartime entertainment. Far from the lazy tropes of "every night something awful", ENSA mobilized a massive civilian workforce—from West End impresarios like Basil Dean to daring civilian liaison officers like Virginia Vernon—navigating dangerous war zones from Arras to Rangoon. We unpack the vital differences between civilian ENSA and military outfits like the RAF Gang Show and Stars in Battle Dress, how legendary performers like George Formby managed morale on the ground, and the profound long-term legacy ENSA left on British culture and the arts. Guest Information & Links • Guest: Matthew Eaton • Book: Madame V, Virginia Vernon's War: Battling to Bring ENSA Entertainment to the British Troops • Buy the Book (History Rage Bookshop): https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781837052776 Recommended Additional Episodes Referenced • Episode 239: Hannah Diamond rages that there’s a lot more to Josephine Baker than a banana skirt. • Episode 330: Sinclair Mackay rages that Dad’s Army does the Home Guard a severe injustice. Follow & Support History Rage • Patreon (Support the show for £5/month for early ad-free episodes, monthly live streams, and a History Rage mug): https://www.patreon.com/historyrage • Website / Contact: Share the podcast, get aboard the rage train, and connect with the show online.

  4. Nov 2

    343. Marilyn Monroe was Neither Diva Nor Dumb Blonde with Lucy Jane Santos

    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 SantosWebsite: 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 @HistoryRageWebsite: https://www.historyrage.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Oct 29

    342. America Hasn’t Always Been This Bastion of Democracy with Jackson Van Uden

    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/podcastKatherine 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.

  6. Oct 26 · Subscribers Only

    Historic Sex Was Not Just Lie Back and Think of England with Kate Lister

    In this episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by historian, host of the Betwixt the Sheets podcast, and author Dr. Kate Lister to unpack the long, misunderstood history of female pleasure. From ancient Mesopotamian love poetry to the dark era of Victorian medical pathologization, Kate tears down the enduring myth that women’s sex drives are inherently fragile or delicate compared to men’s. Together, they explore: • The "Orgasm Gap": Why modern heterosexual women are still facing a pleasure disparity, and how historical social scripts continue to affect bedroom dynamics today. • Mesopotamian Erotica: Discovering the ancient goddess Inanna, wedding hymns, and the original colloquialisms for female anatomy. • Victorian Revisionism: How Victorian historians erased erotic history, introduced "nymphomania" as a medical diagnosis, and pathologized female desire. • Historic Contraception: The bizarre, dangerous, and sometimes surprising methods used before modern birth control—from animal gut condoms to crocodile dung pessaries. • The Contraceptive Revolution: How the introduction of the pill redefined bodily autonomy, education, and career opportunities for women. Reclaim your historical right to pleasure and dive into a funny, cathartic, and deeply informative conversation about female sexual agency through the ages. Recommended Episodes • Episode 108: Victorians were NOT prudes with Dr. Kate Lister • Episode 306: Catherine the Great did NOT have sex with a horse with Dr. Kate Williams About the Guest • Guest: Dr. Kate Lister (Historian, Author, and Host) • Podcast: Betwixt the Sheets • Book: Flick: The Story of Female Pleasure • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DrKateLister Grab your copy of Flick: The Story of Female Pleasure from the official History Rage Bookshop—every purchase supports independent bookshops, the author, and the podcast: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780857506436 Follow & Support History Rage • Patreon: Get early ad-free episodes, monthly live streams, and the official History Rage mug by supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/historyrage • Website / Socials: Follow the rage on Twitter/X, Instagram, and Facebook @HistoryRage or visit https://www.historyrage.com

  7. Oct 26

    341. Stop Believing the CIA Tried to Overthrow Albania with Stephen Long

    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 HoyerEpisode 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/historyrageFollow 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.

  8. Oct 19

    340. The Real Sherlock Holmes Was a Victorian Surgeon: Dr. Joe Bell with Lindsey Fitzharris

    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/@UnderTheKnifeShowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlindseyfitzharris/X (Twitter): https://x.com/DrLindseyFitzBuy 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/historyrageFollow on X (Twitter): https://x.com/HistoryRageFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyrage/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
33 Ratings

About

History Rage is the history podcast that challenges everything you thought you knew about the past. Every Monday, host Paul Bavill invites professional historians, acclaimed authors and leading experts to expose historical myths, debunk popular misconceptions and reveal the truth behind the stories that shaped our world. From ancient history and the Vikings to medieval Britain, the Tudor monarchy, the British Empire, world wars and modern history, History Rage tackles the myths, clichés and half-truths that refuse to die. Were Viking helmets really horned? Did Britain fight alone in 1940? Were medieval people really filthy? Discover what actually happened, why the accepted story is often wrong, and how history is far more fascinating than the version you were taught. Whether you love British history, European history, military history, social history or uncovering the hidden stories behind famous people and events, History Rage brings you fascinating historical facts, surprising discoveries and expert insights with a healthy dose of irreverence. Forget dry lectures and dusty textbooks. This is history with attitude: passionate historians challenging conventional wisdom, questioning the accepted narrative and raging against the historical myths we need to stop believing. 🎧 New episodes every Monday. Follow History Rage on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for your weekly dose of history, historical myth-busting, extraordinary true stories and the past explained by the experts who know it best. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Paul Bavill
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    448
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2022-2026 Paul Bavill
  • Show Website
    History Rage
  • Provider
    PAUL BAVILL

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