Fascinating People Fascinating Places

Having been lost to history for 3,000 years, Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun became a household name in 1922 when British Archaeologist Howard Carter excavated his tomb. But who was the man behind the iconic golden mask? What treasures were found in his tomb

Some 1500 years after Alaric led the Visigoths in the sacking of Rome, the eternal city was braced for another invasion. There was talk of as many as a million supporters of fascist politician Benito Mussolini, seizing power by force. What followed was si

Some 1500 years after Alaric led the Visigoths in the sacking of Rome, the eternal city was braced for another invasion. There was talk of as many as a million supporters of fascist politician Benito Mussolini, seizing power by force. What followed was si

In September 1972, the Olympic Motto “Faster, Higher, Stronger,” became an irrelevance as the world’s greatest sporting event was ravaged by violence and bloodshed as the Palestinian Black September group massacred 11 members of the Israeli delegation. In this episode, I discuss the Munich Massacre. Why it happened, how it happened, and whether it could have been prevented. Music by Pixabay

In September 1972, the Olympic Motto Faster, Higher, Stronger, became an irrelevance as the worlds greatest sporting event was ravaged by violence and bloodshed as the Palestinian Black September group massacred 11 members of the Israeli delegation. In

Episode 3 of 3 As the Cold War was winding down, a group of 11 East European teenagers — barely known to each other — appeared on the playground at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic School in Bishop’s Stortford, a quiet town 30 miles from London. How would the town, and their new classmates react to their arrival? And why had they come? In this peculiar three-part story, I recount a tale of daredevil esca...

Episode 3 of 3As the Cold War was winding down, a group of 11 East European teenagers -- barely known to each other -- appeared on the playground at St. Mary's Roman Catholic School in Bishop's Stortford, a quiet town 30 miles from London. How would the

Episode 2 of 3As the Cold War was winding down, a group of 11 East European teenagers -- barely known to each other -- appeared on the playground at St. Mary's Roman Catholic School in Bishop's Stortford, a quiet town 30 miles from London. How would the

Episode 2 of 3 As the Cold War was winding down, a group of 11 East European teenagers — barely known to each other — appeared on the playground at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic School in Bishop’s Stortford, a quiet town 30 miles from London. How would the town, and their new classmates react to their arrival? And why had they come? In this peculiar three-part story, I recount a tale of daredevil esca...

As the Cold War was winding down, a group of 11 East European teenagers -- barely known to each other -- appeared on the playground at St. Mary's Roman Catholic School in Bishop's Stortford, a quiet town 30 miles from London. How would the town, and their

As the Cold War was winding down, a group of 11 East European teenagers — barely known to each other — appeared on the playground at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic School in Bishop’s Stortford, a quiet town 30 miles from London. How would the town, and their

Wagga Wagga: World War 1 StoriesOn commemorative occasion such as Anzac and Memorial Day, we inevitably reflect on the service of prior generations in The First World War as well as other conflicts. But while these service men and women fought bravely du

Robespierre: The Reign of TerrorOn 21 January 1793, a gruesome scene unfolded at the place de la revolution in Paris. After attempting to address the crowd only to have his words drowned out by drums, King Louis XVI the King of France was decapitated by

On the periphery of the Malian city of Gao, close to the banks of the River Niger, sits an extraordinary pyramid-like structure. Standing 17 meters tall, and reportedly constructed with mud and wood shipped in from Mecca, some 7,000 kilometers away, it is

In the years after World War II, hundreds of millions of Africans experienced newfound independence after decades or in some cases centuries of Colonialism. But in South Africa, the descendants of white settlers, and other European immigrants increased t

On the 29 April 1770, two men attempted to stop the disembarkation of a group of strange and unwelcome visitors on a beach in what came to be known as Botany Bay in Australia. The interlopers were lead by Captain James Cook of the British Royal Navy, and

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Britons were subject to a penal system including up to 220 crimes punishable by death. These offences ranged from murder to theft, from arson to wearing blackface while poaching. Even young children, were subject to these d

Caligula the Roman emperor has been held up as the archetype of a crazy ruler for the last 2,000 years. But was he as bad as the history books say he was? And is everything you've read about him true? In this episode I examine Caligula and explain why he

Morris dancing -- a traditional type of British folk dance is synonymous with villages fairs and men dressed in white dancing with wooden sticks. But there are many more elements to "Morris" that the stereotypes we are familiar with. In this episode, I ex

Witches have existed in Denmark since primitive times. Though in the past, many were categorized as "cunning folk" since they were concerned with good deeds rather than ill. But in the late 16th century, anyone carrying around runes, whipping up potions,

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The Roman Emperor Commodus is best know for Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of him in the movie Gladiator. There is little doubt the ranks as one of Rome's craziest emperors. In this Wednesday bonus mini-cast, I separate fact from fiction and examine the man

Druids are synonymous with Stonehenge and the Summer Solstice but are these modern druids representative of their ancient forbears? And who exactly were the druids? Many people base their knowledge of the druids on brief remarks made by Roman Emperor Juli

On 13 September 1999 Gennadiy Seleznyov speaker of the Duma announced to the Russian parliament that a terrorist attack had hit the remote and hitherto unremarkable city of Volgodonsk. The bombing did occur but not until 3 days later. But it was this inci

On 13 September 1999 Gennadiy Seleznyov speaker of the Duma announced to the Russian parliament that a terrorist attack had hit the remote and hitherto unremarkable city of Volgodonsk. The bombing did occur but not until 3 days later. But it was this inci