How did William Randolph Hearst become a media giant who shaped public opinion through yellow journalism? The short answer? A silver spoon; AKA silver and gold mines owned by his parents. Join us as we follow “Willy the Worst” on his way to untold riches and influence!

Sources:

Thomas Lennon and Michael Epstein. “The Battle over Citizen Kane.” PBS, 1996.

Nasaw, David. The Chief. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 12 Aug. 2013.

Randolph, William, and Jack Casserly. The Hearsts : Father and Son. Niwot, Colo., Roberts Rinehart, 1991.

The much venerated charge of the light brigade at the battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War was one of the biggest military blunders of all time. The poor decisions made that day had much to do with the personalities of the British high command.

Sources:

Aldrete, Gregory S. History’s Great Military Blunders and the Lessons They Teach. The Great Courses, 2015.

Figes, Orlando. Crimea. New York, Picador, 2012.

The second First Lady of the United States was the mother of a president, a remarkable woman of letters, and in many ways, a founder herself. Join us for Abigail Adams!

Sources:

Holton, Woody. Abigail Adams. Simon and Schuster, 2009.

McCullough, David. John Adams. Simon and Schuster, 2001.

Mussolini’s spectacular fall from power would become a legendary cautionary tale for any would-be (and/or contemporary) despot going forward. Join us for part 4, the brutal conclusion of our series on the Italian fascist dictator!

Sources:

Ben-Ghiat, Ruth. STRONGMEN : Mussolini to the Present. S.L., W W Norton, 2021.

Corner, Paul. Mussolini in Myth and Memory. Oxford University Press, 22 Sept. 2022.

Gooch, John. Mussolini’s War. Simon and Schuster, 1 Dec. 2020.

‌Ridley, Jasper. Mussolini. Rowman & Littlefield, 5 Sept. 2000.

In this episode, Mussolini names and renames things after himself and his fascist “revolution”, appears shirtless in news reels, and decides that Italy should reacquire and acquire land enough to make a new Italian Empire. Join us this week for part 3!

Sources:

Ben-Ghiat, Ruth. STRONGMEN : Mussolini to the Present. S.L., W W Norton, 2021.

Corner, Paul. Mussolini in Myth and Memory. Oxford University Press, 22 Sept. 2022.

Gooch, John. Mussolini’s War. Simon and Schuster, 1 Dec. 2020.

‌Ridley, Jasper. Mussolini. Rowman & Littlefield, 5 Sept. 2000.

In part 2, Benito goes from being the editor of the left wing paper Avanti!, to marching (well, not personally, but figuratively) on Rome with his ultranationalist right wing black shirts. Join us for part 2, the Mussolini switcharoo!

Sources:

Ben-Ghiat, Ruth. STRONGMEN : Mussolini to the Present. S.L., W W Norton, 2021.

Corner, Paul. Mussolini in Myth and Memory. Oxford University Press, 22 Sept. 2022.

Gooch, John. Mussolini’s War. Simon and Schuster, 1 Dec. 2020.

‌Ridley, Jasper. Mussolini. Rowman & Littlefield, 5 Sept. 2000.

How does a young delinquent that is born and raised to be a fiery socialist rabble rouser, end up being the Italian fascist leader, Il Duce? It’s a long, winding road to say the least! Join us for part 1 of Benito Mussolini!

Sources:

Ben-Ghiat, Ruth. STRONGMEN : Mussolini to the Present. S.L., W W Norton, 2021.

Corner, Paul. Mussolini in Myth and Memory. Oxford University Press, 22 Sept. 2022.

Gooch, John. Mussolini’s War. Simon and Schuster, 1 Dec. 2020.

‌Ridley, Jasper. Mussolini. Rowman & Littlefield, 5 Sept. 2000.

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Happy holidays from the History Boiz!

On December 23, 1927, a man walked into a bank in Cisco, Texas and robbed it - while dressed as Santa Claus. Join us for this bullet riddled comedy of errors! Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Sources:

Greene, A C. The Santa Claus Bank Robbery. Denton, Tex., University Of North Texas Press, 1999.

Lumpkin, John. “Sinister Santa: A Look at the 1927 Cisco Bank Robbery.” Texas Highways, 13 Dec. 2017, texashighways.com/culture/history/sinister-santa-a-look-at-the-1927-cisco-bank-robbery/.

Snider, Tui. Santa Claus Bank Robbery. 15 Nov. 2019.