The Poison Room Podcast

Society EN ↓ 35 episodes

Transcripts of all episodes available at poisonroom.comThe Poison Room is a podcast about dangerous writing - from the very first anti-vaccination literature to the Anarchist Cookbook. Banned books, burned books, ridiculous laws, and centuries of misinterpreting holy texts, as well as books that are dangerous to read and own, and books that were dangerous to write.

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: soundcloud.com

Author

The Poison Room Podcast

Episodes

Episode 10: Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots Part 1 - Of Bonds and Caskets 30.11.2019 48:15

This week we're in Tudor Britain, and the unfortunate incidents throughout the life of Mary Queen of Scots that were caused by people writing things down. Go to poisonroom.com for transcripts, references, and bibliography for all episodes. Find the podcast on Twitter: @poisonroompod  Send an email: poisonroompodcast@gmail.com

Episode 9: Tangents - Valley Forge Edition 16.11.2019 56:01

Something different this week: documents and accounts I've come across whilst researching that I found interesting, even if they're not related to dangerous books. This one is extracts from the diary of Albigence Waldo, a surgeon in the First Infantry Regiment of the Connecticut Line during America’s Revolutionary War. No episode next week, and then after that I'll be back with a couple of episode...

Episode 8: Exapno Mapcase 09.11.2019 58:56

Today’s story is brought to you courtesy of the best of the Marx Brothers, and involves his first - and only - trip to Russia. Go to poisonroom.com for transcripts, references, and bibliography for all episodes. Find the podcast on Twitter: @poisonroompod Send an email: poisonroompodcast@gmail.com

Episode 7: Curse tablets 02.11.2019 47:24

A short introduction to Greco-Roman curse tablets (katadesmoi and defixiones): how do you make one? Who was using them? What for? Can you protect yourself against them? And what do those weird words mean? Go to poisonroom.com for transcripts, references, and bibliography for all episodes. Find the podcast on Twitter: @poisonroompod  Send an email: poisonroompodcast@gmail.com

Episode 6: The Shark Papers 26.10.2019 33:39

It’s 1799, and we’re in the waters around Haiti and Jamaica. This week’s episode is a tale of a remarkable story of shark helping to convict some smugglers. Go to poisonroom.com for transcripts, references, and bibliography for all episodes. Find the podcast on Twitter: @poisonroompod  Send an email: poisonroompodcast@gmail.com

Episode 5: Smallpox part 5 - Massey Strikes Back 19.10.2019 45:01

Edmund Massey makes his reply, and gets his uncle to help him, too. Unfortunately, one definite survivor of the pamphlet war was smallpox. Sigh. Good news, though. We got it eventually. Hopefully. Go to poisonroom.com for transcripts, references, and bibliography for all episodes. Find the podcast on Twitter: @poisonroompod Send an email: poisonroompodcast@gmail.com

Episode 4: Smallpox part 4 - Maitland & Pseudo-Maitland 12.10.2019 51:51

Featuring Maitland's reply to Edmund Massey, and a second, delightfully sarcastic letter written by someone who may or may not be Maitland. Spoiler: It's probably not Maitland. Go to poisonroom.com for transcripts, references, and bibliography for all episodes. Find the podcast on Twitter: @poisonroompod  Send an email: poisonroompodcast@gmail.com

Episode 1: Smallpox part 1 - Edmund Massey 01.10.2019 57:26

Part one of the story of the first anti-vaccination movement and smallpox inoculation.

Episode 2: Smallpox part 2 - William Wagstaffe 01.10.2019 1:10:16

Part two of our investigation into the birth of the anti-vaccine movement and smallpox inoculation. Featuring the medical arguments of William Wagstaff.

Episode 3: Smallpox part 3 - Charles Maitland 01.10.2019 56:22

Part three of the history of the beginning of the anti-vaccination movement against smallpox inoculation, discussing Charles Maitland's reply to his critics.