History Rage

Paul Bavill

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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  1. 14h ago • Subscribers Only

    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 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!

  2. 14h ago

    318. The Fall of the Byzantine Empire was NOT inevitable with Laura Bolick

    The Byzantine Empire didn’t have to fall—history simply chose differently. The fall of Constantinople in 1453 is often presented as the inevitable end of a decaying empire—but what if that narrative is completely wrong? In this episode of History Rage, historian and author Laura Bolick dismantles one of history’s most persistent myths: that the Byzantine Empire was doomed long before the Ottoman cannons fired. Drawing on her book Saving Byzantium: The Struggle to Salvage an Empire, Laura reveals a world full of missed opportunities, fragile alliances, political infighting, and last-minute efforts that nearly changed history. Rather than a slow collapse caused by decadence, the Byzantine story is one of diplomacy, survival, and desperate attempts to rally Western support that very nearly worked. At the heart of this story are two remarkable figures—Cardinal Johannes Bessarion and Isidore of Kiev—who risked everything to secure military aid from Western Europe. Their mission to unite the Orthodox and Catholic Churches was intended to bring the crusading forces that might have saved Constantinople. Incredibly, Ottoman commanders themselves nearly abandoned the siege before a final breakthrough changed the course of history forever. This episode explores the deeper causes behind the fall of Byzantium, including Western complacency, internal European conflicts, and the dangerous assumption that great cities could never truly fall. It’s a powerful reminder that history isn’t predetermined—it's shaped by decisions, timing, and human choices. In This Episode, We Discuss: Why the fall of Constantinople was not historically inevitableHow Western Europe failed to support Byzantium when it mattered mostThe political and religious tensions between Orthodox and Catholic ChurchesThe role of crusades in late medieval diplomacyHow the Ottomans engineered one of history’s most remarkable siegesWhat Byzantium’s fall teaches us about modern geopolitical complacency About the Guest Laura Bolick is an art historian and researcher specialising in late medieval Byzantium and Renaissance intellectual culture. Her work focuses on the cultural survival of Byzantium and the figures who fought to preserve its legacy. Book: Saving Byzantium: The Struggle to Salvage an Empire Buy from the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781398122192 (Using this link supports independent bookshops and the podcast.) Follow Laura Bolick Check your preferred bookseller for Saving Byzantium: The Struggle to Salvage an EmpireLook out for talks, articles, and appearances connected to Byzantine and Renaissance history Follow & Support History Rage Love bold historical debate and myth-busting scholarship? Here’s how to stay connected: Website: https://historyrage.comTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/historyrageFacebook: https://facebook.com/historyrageInstagram: https://instagram.com/historyrage Support the Podcast Subscribe on Apple PodcastsListen ad-free for £3/month via Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/historyrageShare this episode with fellow history enthusiastsYour support helps keep historical myths under siege. Why This Episode Matters History often looks inevitable in hindsight—but as this episode reveals, the fall of Byzantium was anything but certain. From near-abandoned sieges to failed crusades and shifting alliances, the fate of Constantinople hung on fragile moments and human decisions. Understanding those moments doesn’t just reshape medieval history—it challenges how we think about the future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. 4d ago

    317. The Russians and Austro-Hungarians in WWI are not rubbish with Nicolai Eberholst | Great War Group Conference Special

    Think the First World War was just the Western Front and incompetent Eastern armies? Think again! In this explosive episode of History Rage, First World War historian, Trustee of the Great War Group, and Ring of Fire co-author Nicolai Eberholst tears down the persistent myths surrounding the Russian and Austro-Hungarian armies. Nicolai breaks down why dismissing these powers as "bad armies" or useless corpses is wrong, proving how vital they were to the conflict. What You’ll Discover: The Russian Army: Beyond the "steamroller" and Tannenberg myths—how Russia inflicted devastating casualties and bound German forces until 1918.The Austro-Hungarian Empire: Why fighting a 1.3-front war with an 8-million-man army was essential for Central Power survival.Post-War Myths: How interwar bias, post-imperial storytelling, and Western-centric history buried the real story of the Eastern Front. Don't miss Nicolai speaking live at the Great War Group Conference from 9th – 11th October at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds! Grab your conference tickets here: https://greatwargroup.com/product-category/conference/ Recommended Episodes Episode 210: The Great War is a Global War (with Nicolai Eberholst & Alex Churchill)Episode 154: The Indian Army Contribution (with Adam Prime) Books & Referral Details Buy Ring of Fire: A New Global History of the Outbreak of the First World War at the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781035903412 Guest Information Guest: Nicolai EberholstSocial Media: @pikegrey1418Great War Group: https://greatwargroup.com Follow, Contact & Support History Rage Website: https://www.historyrage.comX (Twitter): https://x.com/HistoryRagePatreon: Support us for £5/month for ad-free episodes, early releases, live streams, and the exclusive mug: https://www.patreon.com/historyrage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Jul 26 • Subscribers Only

    Of Course Medieval and Tudor People Ate Vegetables with Sam Bilton

    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

  5. Jul 26

    316. The B-17 Was Crap with Will Carver aka LordHardthrasher

    Was the legendary B-17 really brilliant—or dangerously overrated wartime myth? The B-17 Flying Fortress is one of the most iconic aircraft of the Second World War—but what if its reputation doesn’t match reality? In this explosive episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill welcomes aviation historian and YouTube creator Will Carver to challenge one of the biggest myths of Allied air power. Known for his sharp analysis and uncompromising views, Will argues that the B-17’s legendary status owes more to storytelling, culture, and Hollywood than battlefield performance. From its origins in 1930s military theory to the brutal realities of daylight bombing over Germany, this episode digs into why the aircraft that symbolised American courage may not have delivered the technical superiority it promised. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why the B-17 Flying Fortress became such a powerful cultural icon The real limitations of its bomb load, range, and survivability How daylight precision bombing proved far harder than planners expected The truth about the Norden bombsight and its controversial testing history Why raids like Schweinfurt exposed devastating weaknesses How aircraft design decisions limited bomb capacity and effectiveness Why the courage of crews matters even more when the technology struggles Despite its fearsome reputation, the B-17 often carried smaller bomb loads than British heavy bombers and struggled to defend itself against increasingly capable German fighters. Its reliance on formation flying reduced speed, altitude flexibility, and survivability—sometimes with catastrophic results. Why This Episode Matters This episode isn’t about mocking history—it’s about understanding it properly. Will makes a powerful point: praising equipment as flawless risks overshadowing the extraordinary bravery of the crews who flew it. Many airmen climbed aboard knowing the risks were immense, flying into intense flak and fighter opposition regardless. Their courage deserves recognition grounded in truth, not mythology. If you love Second World War aviation, strategic bombing history, or myth-busting history podcasts, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Guest Details — Will Carver YouTube Channel: ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@HardThrasher Follow Will on Social Media: Instagram: @lordhardthrasher X (Twitter): @lordhardthrashe Bluesky: @lordhardthrasher.bsky.social Threads: @lordhardthrasher Will produces engaging aviation history content that blends humour, research, and critical analysis to challenge long-held assumptions about military aircraft and wartime strategy. Listen to More from History Rage If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: Episode 23 — Matt Bone challenges Spitfire worship Episode 163 — Jane Gulliford Lowe asks: What about the Halifax? History Rage is the podcast where historians and experts challenge the myths we think we know—and replace them with evidence-based history. Follow & Contact History Rage Stay connected and join the rage: 🌐 Website: https://www.historyrage.com 📧 Email: historyragepod@gmail.com 🐦 X (Twitter): @HistoryRage 📘 Facebook: History Rage Podcast 📸 Instagram: @historyrage Support the Podcast Love the show? Here’s how to help keep History Rage flying: ⭐ Become a Patron: Join the community and access exclusive monthly livestreams https://www.patreon.com/historyrage 🎧 Listen Ad-Free: Subscribe via Apple Podcasts or Patreon from just £3 per month 📣 Spread the Word: Tell a friend, share an episode, or post about History Rage online—word of mouth keeps the rage alive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Jul 23 • Subscribers Only

    The Russians and Austro-Hungarians in WWI are not rubbish with Nicolai Eberholst | Great War Group Conference Special

    Think the First World War was just the Western Front and incompetent Eastern armies? Think again! In this explosive episode of History Rage, First World War historian, Trustee of the Great War Group, and Ring of Fire co-author Nicolai Eberholst tears down the persistent myths surrounding the Russian and Austro-Hungarian armies. Nicolai breaks down why dismissing these powers as "bad armies" or useless corpses is wrong, proving how vital they were to the conflict. What You’ll Discover: • The Russian Army: Beyond the "steamroller" and Tannenberg myths—how Russia inflicted devastating casualties and bound German forces until 1918. • The Austro-Hungarian Empire: Why fighting a 1.3-front war with an 8-million-man army was essential for Central Power survival. • Post-War Myths: How interwar bias, post-imperial storytelling, and Western-centric history buried the real story of the Eastern Front. Don't miss Nicolai speaking live at the Great War Group Conference from 9th – 11th October at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds! Grab your conference tickets here: https://greatwargroup.com/product-category/conference/ Recommended Episodes • Episode 210: The Great War is a Global War (with Nicolai Eberholst & Alex Churchill) • Episode 154: The Indian Army Contribution (with Adam Prime) Books & Referral Details • Buy Ring of Fire: A New Global History of the Outbreak of the First World War at the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781035903412 Guest Information • Guest: Nicolai Eberholst • Social Media: @pikegrey1418 • Great War Group: https://greatwargroup.com Follow, Contact & Support History Rage • Website: https://www.historyrage.com • X (Twitter): https://x.com/HistoryRage • Patreon: Support us for £5/month for ad-free episodes, early releases, live streams, and the exclusive mug: https://www.patreon.com/historyrage

  7. Jul 19 • Subscribers Only

    Did the Ancient Greeks and Romans Invent Homophobia? With Harry Tanner

    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!

  8. Jul 19

    315. The Battle of Badon was NOT a Britain-defining victory with Nick Higham

    The battle that built Arthur’s legend may never have mattered Was the Battle of Badon really the decisive moment that saved Britain from the Anglo-Saxons — or has history given it far more importance than it deserves? In this episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by leading early medieval historian Professor Nick Higham to challenge one of the most persistent myths in British history. The popular narrative tells us that Badon was a crushing British victory that halted Anglo-Saxon expansion for generations — often linked to the legendary figure of King Arthur. But when you dig into the sources, archaeology, and timeline, that story begins to unravel. Drawing on early texts, including the writings of Gildas, Professor Higham explains how the earliest reference to Badon describes a siege rather than a dramatic battlefield clash. More importantly, the event seems to have been used mainly as a chronological marker rather than as evidence of a decisive national victory. Later writers transformed this brief reference into a heroic turning point, laying the foundations for the Arthurian tradition that still shapes popular history today. This episode explores how archaeology challenges the idea of a long pause in Anglo-Saxon expansion after Badon. Instead of retreat, the material record shows continued settlement growth and cultural spread across southern Britain. Rather than one defining battle, the fall of Roman Britain and rise of Anglo-Saxon England appears to have been a long, complex transition shaped by migration, shifting power, and cultural change. If you enjoy myth-busting history and want to understand how legends are created — and why they endure — this episode delivers a powerful rethink of one of Britain’s most famous early medieval events. About the Guest — Professor Nick Higham Professor Nick Higham is Emeritus Professor of Early Medieval History at the University of Manchester and one of the UK’s leading experts on the transition from Roman Britain to Anglo-Saxon England. His research focuses on the origins of England, early medieval warfare, and the development of historical traditions. Buy the Book Featured in This Episode: How England Began: From Roman Britain to the Anglo-Saxons Support the podcast and the author by purchasing here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780300254921 Find out more about Professor Nick Higham’s work through his academic publications and public history contributions.   Explore More History Rage Episodes If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: Episode 201 — The Anglo-Saxons Were No Better Than the VikingsEpisode 148 — Vikings Are Not Just Mass SlaughterersThese episodes expand on the realities behind popular myths about early medieval Britain. Follow and Contact History Rage Got a historical myth you’d like to see challenged? Get in touch: 📧 Email: historyragepod@gmail.com 🌐 Website: https://historyrage.com 🐦 Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/historyrage 📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/historyrage 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/historyrage Support History Rage If you love bold, myth-busting history, you can help keep the rage alive: ⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify 📣 Share this episode with fellow history lovers 🎧 Support on Patreon for bonus content, livestreams, and exclusive perks: https://patreon.com/historyrage Every share, review, and supporter helps bring more historians and bigger historical debates to the microphone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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4.9
out of 5
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Paul Bavill
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    414
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2022-2025 Paul Bavill
  • Show Website
    History Rage
  • Provider
    PAUL BAVILL

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