Half-Arsed History

This week's monument is the Colosseum, found in the Italian capital of Rome, which played host to bloody spectacles for hundreds of years during the height of the Roman Empire. The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, the second Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 29th of September across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order your copy from Booktopia or Readings:...

Quarter-Arsed History presents: the Fine Cotton Affair, when a horse racing syndicate made a farcical attempt at a "ring-in", involving hair dye, spray paint, and ultimately, multiple jail terms for those involved. The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, the second Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 29th of September across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order...

In this episode of Half-Arsed History, hear the tale of the famous Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, whose mixed historical legacy includes being in command of the first successful sea voyage from Europe to Asia. The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, the second Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 29th of September across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order y...

This week's monument is the Western Wall, which in the Jewish faith is one of the holiest places in the world, but was originally built as a retaining wall for the expansion of the Second Temple on Temple Mount. The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, the second Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 29th of September across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order you...

Quarter-Arsed History presents: the White Ship Disaster, a shipwreck that saw the heir to the English throne die, directly leading to the outbreak of a prolonged civil war known as the Anarchy. The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, the second Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 29th of September across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order your copy from Bookto...

In this episode of Half-Arsed History, learn all about the Anarchy, a devastating civil war that took place in 12th-century England in the wake of a succession crisis. The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, the second Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 29th of September across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order your copy from Booktopia or Readings: AU/NZ (af...

This week's monument is the Pantheon, found in the Italian capital city of Rome - an ancient Roman temple built almost a thousand years ago, the exquisitely-decorated Pantheon is still in use today as a Catholic church. The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, the second Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 29th of September across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-o...

Quarter-Arsed History presents: Edward Louis Curdes, an American flying ace from the Second World War, who not only deliberately shot down an American plane, but was awarded a medal for it. The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, the second Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 29th of September across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order your copy from Booktopia...

In this episode of Half-Arsed History, uncover the mystery of a forgotten technology, an incendiary weapon that burnt even after being doused with water: Greek Fire.  The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, the second Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 29th of September across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order your copy from Booktopia or Readings: AU/NZ...

This week's monument is Mahabodhi Temple, an ancient and exquisite place of worship found in northeast India, said to be where the Buddhist faith was founded. The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, the second Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 29th of September across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order your copy from Booktopia or Readings: AU/NZ (affiliate l...

Quarter-Arsed History presents: Michael Howe, a fearsomely cruel bushranger who terrorised the people of Van Diemen's Land - colonial Tasmania - in the early 19th century. The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, the second Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 29th of September across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order your copy from Booktopia or Readings: AU/NZ...

In this episode of Half-Arsed History, hear all about the Treaty of Waitangi - how and why it was written, translated, and signed, as well as the many important consequences it had for Aotearoa New Zealand. The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, the second Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 29th of September across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order your cop...

This week's monument is Petra, an ancient city built thousands of years ago in what is today Jordan, with many of its most famous buildings exquisitely carved out of rock faces. The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, the second Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 29th of September across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order your copy from Booktopia or Readings:...

Quarter-Arsed History presents: Hongi Hika, a Māori chieftain and warleader who played a huge part in the history of Aotearoa New Zealand in the early 19th century. The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, the second Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 29th of September across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order your copy from Booktopia or Readings: AU/NZ (...

In this episode of Half-Arsed History, learn about the original inhabitants of Aotearoa New Zealand, the Māori, and how their way of lives changed and developed as they settled their homeland before encountering visitors from across the seas.  The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, the second Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 29th of September across the Australia and Aotea...

This week's monument is the Acropolis of Athens, a hilltop citadel dating back almost two and a half thousand years that features some of the most incredible examples of ancient Greek architectural and cultural output. The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, the second Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 29th of September across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-or...

Quarter-Arsed History presents: the 1914 Newfoundland Sealing Disaster, a tragic tale of death on the ice as completely avoidable communication issues saw two ship captains believe a lost crew was aboard the other's vessel. The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, the second Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 29th of September across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. P...

In this episode of Half-Arsed History, hear the incredible tale of Florence Nightingale, the founder of the modern profession of nursing.  The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, the second Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 29th of September across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order your copy from Booktopia or Readings: AU/NZ (affiliate link): http...

This week's monument is the Nazca Lines, a remarkable and mysterious series of enormous shapes and patterns "drawn" into the Peru's Nazca Desert, that can only be seen properly from high in the air. The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, the second Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 29th of September across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order your copy from B...

Quarter-Arsed History presents: Yoshie Shiratori, a bloke who escaped four different times in four different ways from four different prisons - and then went back to prison of his own accord. The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, the second Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 29th of September across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order your copy from Booktopi...

More change is coming to Half-Arsed History: as the show has experienced unprecedented growth over the last twelve months, I want to talk about the big plans I have for the future, how I'm working to make them a reality, and what is supporting these plans - namely, for the first time, host-read ads. I'm posting this update to be as transparent as possible, and to seek your understanding by explain...

In this episode of Half-Arsed History, go on a journey through the history of tennis, one of the modern world's most popular professional sports and one that dates back almost a thousand years. The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, the second Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 29th of September across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order your copy from Bookto...

This week's monument is the Great Wall of China, a series of defensive fortifications that has helped to secure the northern borders of various Chinese realms for over two and a half thousand years, with its most famous and iconic sections being built from the 14th century onwards. The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, the second Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 29th of Septem...

Quarter-Arsed History presents: HMS Diamond Rock, an island that the British Royal Navy once commissioned as a ship, leading to a tradition of creating "stone frigates" - areas of land that were, as far as the Royal Navy was concerned, actual ships. The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, the second Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 29th of September across the Australia and Aote...

In this episode of Half-Arsed History, learn about the history of an international relations theory known as the Democratic Peace Theory, which argues that democracies never go to war with one another.  The Most Interesting People You've Never Heard Of, the second Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 29th of September across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order your co...