Heroes and Howlers

“I have not told half of what I saw. ” Marco Polo (1254–1 324 ) There’s a reason why Marco didn’t tell the other half - because that would have lifted the lid on Niccolo Polo, Marco’s dad. Niccolo was the true hero and it’s his name that should have gone down in the history books - Paul and Mikey tell you why.  Facebook Twitter Instagram   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“I could sooner reconcile all Europe than two women.” Louis XIV (1643-1715) Well he would say that, wouldn’t he? In this episode Mikey and Paul look at power, progeny, Louis’ love life, and how a certain one-eyed sex tutor saved the House of Bourbon. Facebook Twitter Instagram   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“There is nothing impossible to him who will try. ” Alexander of Macedon ( 356 – 323 BC ) Alexander successfully conquered the known world but without his trusty steed, Bucephalus, many say he would have been only half the man. Just how much have famous horses changed the course of history? Mikey and Paul saddle up to find out.   Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

“For the execution of the voyage to the Indies, I did not make use of intelligence, mathematics or maps.” Christopher Columbus Well no wonder he got lost!! Throw in some phantom islands plus a manatee fetish, and it's a surprise his ships ever left port. Paul and Mikey go exploring the high seas for answers. NB Columbus did NOT discover America! Facebook Twitter Instagram   See omnystudio.com/list...

"Dulce et decorum est, pro patria mori" - Wilfred Owen (via Horace)   ' The Black Hand Gang - a name to strike fear into the heart of any Archduke. Throw in one hell of a wrong turn and… where’s Sat-Nav when you need it? Join Mikey and Paul as they take The Great War for a spin (Part I) Facebook Twitter Instagram   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"The Wall will be standing in 50 and even in 100 years" - GDR head of state Erich Honecker, January 1989 The Berlin Wall, The Iron Curtain, The Warsaw Pact, The Eastern Bloc – could they all have been brought tumbling down by one lousy press conference? Join the boys as they sift through the rubble. Warning: contains German! Facebook Twitter Instagram   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

“Be temperate in wine, eating, girls, and sloth; or the gout will have you both.” - Benjamin Franklin Everyone knows America was born on the Fourth of July, but what brought about the Declaration of Independence? Paul and Mikey dissect the politics, the economics, and the often overlooked role of gout… Yes that’s right, we said ‘gout’.  Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

“The most signal and most durable monument of human folly that has yet appeared in any age or nation." - David Hume The Crusades is one of the defining chapters in History, a showcase for ‘East meets West’. It was the era of great men, Saladin, Richard the Lionheart, St Bernard of Clairvaux. So who cocked up the Fourth Crusade? And how did it end up turning on fellow Christians? Comedian Mikey Rob...

' “History is a huge gramophone in which the voices of nations are preserved .” Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal To round off another great year, Paul and Mikey dish up the last of their tasty morsels from the smorgasbord that has been Season 8. More stories, more insights, and of course… more maps!! Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“ Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection. ” Winston Churchill It's that time of year again! The halls are decked with holly and there’s a big tree blocking Martin Place. Listen in on the last of this Season’s episodes to get you in the Festive Spirit. Bottoms Up! Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“ Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection. ” Winston Churchill It's that time of year again! The halls are decked with holly and there’s a big tree blocking Martin Place. Listen in on the last of this Season’s episodes to get you in the Festive Spirit. Bottoms Up! Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“I judge a man by one thing, which side would he have liked his ancestors to fight on at Marston Moor? ” Isaac Foot (Liberal MP/father of Michael) Paul and Mikey dish up more tasty morsels from episodes 4 to 6. More stories, more insights, and of course… more maps!! Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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It's that time of year! Christmas displays are in the Myer windows and the streets are lighting up. To get you ready for the home stretch of the year, Mikey and Paul are treating you with the Christmas special of last year, enjoy! Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“But what does it mean, the plague? It's life, that's all.” Albert Camus “Opinion has caused more trouble on this little earth than plagues or earthquakes.” Voltaire Move over COVID 19, in History the Bubonic Plague takes all the prizes. So Paul and Mikey are going in search of the worst of the worst. Camus vs Voltaire - Who will win the spoils? Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listen...

“History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it.” Did Churchill ever really say this?! Paul and Mikey dish up more tasty morsels from episodes 1 to 3. More stories, more insights, and of course… more maps!! Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Russia has sold us a sucked orange!” Horace Greeley, editor of the New York World's response to the Alaskan purchase of 1867.  In this episode Paul and Mikey look at how the politics of the Old World literally shaped the Americas. And why a tiny Caribbean island might be worth more than half a continent. Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“ Wait not while your foe fits arrow to bowstring when you can send your own arrow into him.” Babur, founder of the Mogul Empire.  The Mogul Empire is seen as quintessentially Indian, but was born out of Afghanistan and Central Asia. Paul and Mikey go in search of why this could be, and the long lasting effects it would have on Indian cuisine. This episode is to be enjoyed in the presence of a goo...

“ How can anyone govern a nation that has two hundred and forty-six different kinds of cheese? ” Charles De Gaulle Blessed are the cheesemakers - well, Paul and Mikey certainly think so! Join them on their historical world tour in search of the Grand Fromage . Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In preparation for their 8th season, Paul and Mikey are too busy to bang out a new ep. Instead of missing a week, the guys thought they'd spoil you with an old favourite- the South Sea Bubble (18th Century). Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Cities are the result of farmers working too hard. In fact, History is the result of farmers working too hard.’ Mark Forsyth, A Short History of Drunkenness Paul and Mikey keep digging and serve up a whole new bunch of treats from episodes 7 and 8. More stories, more insights, and of course… more maps!! Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Every man has his price, or a guy like me couldn’t exist.” Howard Hughes In this episode Paul and Mikey look at the archetypal eccentric billionaire, and how the life of one man did so much to mirror and then shape 20th Century America. Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Just because a King is a King does not mean he is not human. ” Saladin The Kurds are one of History’s most put-upon races. But where are they, who are their heroes, and what prospects do they have for the future? Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“The hero is one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for men to see by.” Felix Adler Paul and Mikey keep digging and serve up a whole new bunch of treats from episodes 4 to 6. More stories, more insights, and of course… more maps!! Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half as much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” Kenneth Grahame , The Wind in the Willows In this episode Paul and Mikey look at three vessels that got well and truly messed up. From 17th century Sweden to the heights of the Cold War, these are three bizarre tales of the sea. Facebook Twitter Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...