History Rewritten: Beyond Myths of Our Past

History Rewritten: Beyond Myths of Our Past

History Rewritten: The Myths Beyond The Myths of Our Past" explores how complex historical events have been simplified, distorted, or reimagined in popular memory. Host Alex Calder examines the gap between what actually happened and what most people believe happened, unpacking how these historical misconceptions shape our understanding of the world today. Through her engaging, conversational style, Alex reveals how political agendas, entertainment media, nationalistic impulses, and simple human desire for compelling narratives have created simplified versions of history that often serve present needs more than historical accuracy. Each episode delves into a different historical myth—from misattributed quotes to Hollywood's reimagining of the Wild West to the sanitized narrative of World War II—demonstrating how a more nuanced understanding of the past can help us navigate contemporary challenges with greater wisdom. Click here to browse handpicked Amazon finds inspired by this podcast series! https://amzn.to/424pzou https://www.quietperiodplease.com/

Episodes

April 16, 2025 26 mins
Alex Calder investigates how misattributed quotes become powerful historical shorthand that shapes our understanding of historical figures and events. The episode explores famous "quotes" like Marie Antoinette's "Let them eat cake," Voltaire's defense of free speech, and Einstein's definition of insanity—none of which these people actually said. Alex examines why we attribute these statements to historical figures who embody their ...
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Alex Calder examines how Hollywood transformed a brief, complex period of American frontier history into an enduring mythology that bears little resemblance to historical reality. The episode contrasts Hollywood's mythic West of dramatic gunfights and rugged individualism with the historical frontier's diverse population, strict gun regulations, economic motivations, and complex relationships with Native American nations. Alex expl...
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Alex Calder explores how the morally complex reality of World War II was transformed into a straightforward narrative of American heroism and unambiguous moral clarity that continues to shape understanding of both that conflict and America's role in the world. While acknowledging the necessity of defeating genuinely evil Nazi and Japanese regimes, the episode examines uncomfortable truths often omitted from the "Good War" narrative...
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