History Rage

Is Tom Hanks too old to storm Omaha Beach?

Host Paul Bavill welcomes Rob Hutton and Duncan Weldon, hosts of the War Movie Theatre podcast, to kick off a series of previews for the Imperial War Museum’s (IWM) Podcast Live Festival. This week, they are raising the curtain on movies in a historical setting with a fierce debate on the one historical inaccuracy that Hollywood keeps getting away with.

Rob and Duncan unleash their r...

This week on History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by military historian and expert on Ian Fleming, Dave Roberts, as they delve into the intriguing world of wartime intelligence and the often-overlooked contributions of Fleming during the Second World War. Together, they dismantle the myths surrounding Fleming's role, revealing the truth behind the man who created James Bond and his significant impact on British Naval Intel...

Britain’s Cold War story is bigger than you ever knew.

In this explosive episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill sits down with historian and author Fraser McCallum to uncover the often-overlooked story of Cold War Britain. Too often reduced to a superpower showdown between the United States and the Soviet Union, the Cold War was a global conflict — and Britain was absolutely central to it.

Fraser, author of Cold War Britain: 5...

Think the WWII U-Boat War was Britain’s closest brush with defeat? Think again. In this live History Rage special, historian Roger Moorhouse – author of Wolfpack: Inside Hitler’s U-Boat War – joins host Paul Bavill to torpedo one of the Second World War’s most persistent myths.

Drawing on brand-new research from the German perspective, Roger reveals why the Battle of the Atlantic was not the near-disaster Churchill’s famous quote su...

In this gripping episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by historian and author Jem Duducu, who returns to tackle the myths surrounding the Wild West. Together, they delve into the fantastical narratives spun by Hollywood and how these portrayals have distorted our understanding of American history.

Myth vs. Reality:

- Jem passionately argues that the glorified image of cowboys and gunfights has overshadowed the tr...

The Troubles remain one of the most defining and misunderstood chapters in modern British and Irish history. In this powerful episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by Oliver Webb-Carter, host of the Aspects of History podcast, to confront the myths, explore the roots of conflict, and reveal why Britain has too often turned a blind eye to Northern Ireland’s past.

Oliver explains how partition, systemic discriminatio...

Think Quakers are all pacifism, porridge and quiet meetings? 🕊️🥣 Think again.

In this electrifying History Rage LIVE episode recorded at the Gloucester History Festival, host Paul Bavill welcomes historian Dr. Erica Canela to uncover the shocking, dramatic and often law-breaking beginnings of Quakerism.

From the 17th-century English Civil Wars to miracle attempts on the banks of the Severn, Erica reveals how early Friends were ...

In this gripping episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by historian and podcaster Dirk Hoffman-Becking to challenge one of the most pervasive myths about the Holy Roman Empire. Together, they dissect the infamous quip that it is "neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire," revealing the rich and complex history that contradicts this oversimplification.

Unraveling the Myth:

- Dirk passionately argues against the misco...

In this eye-opening episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by Professor Hanna Diamond, a leading expert in French history and author of "Josephine Baker's Secret War." Together, they uncover the remarkable and often overlooked wartime contributions of the iconic entertainer and spy, Josephine Baker, who defied expectations and played a crucial role in the Second World War.

Episode Highlights:

• - The Real Josephine Ba...

In this riveting episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill welcomes ancient historian and author Alexandra Sills to explore the captivating world of gladiators in ancient Rome and Greece. Together, they cut through the myths and misconceptions surrounding these iconic figures, offering a fresh perspective on their roles in society and the true nature of the games.

Setting the Record Straight:

- Alexandra passionately debunks th...

In this captivating episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by medievalist and author Dr. Steve Tibble to dissect the mythos surrounding two of history's most notorious groups: the Assassins and the Templars. With a blend of scholarly insight and engaging storytelling, Steve explores the realities of these enigmatic factions, challenging the misconceptions that have arisen over centuries.

The Origins of the Assassin...

Forget Korean Air 007: GPS was always meant for civilians.

What if everything you thought you knew about GPS was wrong? Far from being a secret military tool reluctantly unlocked after tragedy in 1983, GPS was designed with civilian use in mind from the very beginning — and surveyors were using it years before most of us had heard of it.

Paul Bavill welcomes writer and researcher Richard Easton, co-author of GPS Declassified:...

Discover how invisible ink, codes, and women shaped early modern espionage.

Paul Bavill is joined by historians Nadine Akkerman and Pete Langman, co-authors of Spycraft: Tricks and Tools of the Dangerous Trade from Elizabeth I to the Restoration, to expose the myths and realities of Tudor and Stuart espionage. In partnership with the Gloucester History Festival, they explore the hidden world of spies, secret codes, and the overl...

The smooth Tudor–Stuart handover? One of history’s biggest lies..

In this fiery live episode of History Rage, Paul Bavill is joined by Tracy Borman, chief historian of Historic Royal Palaces, to tear apart the enduring myth of a smooth Tudor–Stuart succession. With her explosive new book Stolen Crown about to be released, Tracy reveals how one of the most famous “peaceful handovers” in English history was anything but. Behind th...

Forget Odessa and misery: Mengele’s postwar reality was different.

What if everything you thought you knew about Josef Mengele’s post-war life was wrong? Far from being a miserable fugitive, the “Angel of Death” lived comfortably in South America — supported by networks that had nothing to do with the mythical Odessa organisation.

Host Paul Bavill welcomes journalist and historian Betina Anton, author of Hiding Mengele, t...

Uncover the untold power of female monarchs as Elizabeth Norton debunks myths and reveals hidden histories.

Paul Bavill welcomes Elizabeth Norton, author of Women Who Ruled: 5,000 Years of Female Monarchy, to challenge the entrenched perceptions surrounding female monarchs throughout history. In partnership with the Gloucester History Festival, they dive into the complexities of queenship and the often harsh realities faced...

Think the Troubles were only Northern Ireland? Discover America’s secret hand in the conflict.

The Troubles are often remembered as a conflict confined to Northern Ireland and Britain — but that’s a myth. In this episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by journalist and Pulitzer Prize finalist Ali Watkins to uncover the overlooked role of Irish America in the conflict. Focusing on radical nationalist movements in Phi...

Professor of Medieval History David Carpenter passionately debunks myths about the Magna Carta, revealing its true impact.

In this engaging episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by esteemed historian and professor of medieval history at King's College London, David Carpenter, as they navigate the turbulent waters of 1215—a year marked by rebellious barons, a tempestuous king, and the historic signing of the Ma...

Dr. Victoria Taylor dismantles Luftwaffe invincibility myths, revealing chaos, morale collapse, and radar’s decisive Battle of Britain role.

Episode Highlights:

The Luftwaffe's Expectations: Victoria discusses the mixed morale and expectations within the Luftwaffe as they prepared for the Battle of Britain. Were they truly ready to take on the Royal Air Force, or were there underlying doubts?

The Role of Intelligence:&nbs...