Episoder
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Who was Sidney Gottlieb, and how did the CIA's MKUltra program attempt to use LSD and psychological warfare to create mind control during the Cold War?
In Part One of this epic two-part episode, James is joined by Jayne Friend to explore the origins of MKUltra through the remarkable life of it's chief, Sidney Gottlieb, the CIA chemist who became America's leading architect of mind control research. From Operation Paperclip and Nazi biological warfare research to Cold War fears of communist brainwashing during the Korean War, this episode examines why the CIA believed controlling human consciousness was essential to national security. The discussion traces Gottlieb's journey from gifted scientist and nature lover to LSD evangelical, laying the foundations for one of the CIA's most controversial and disturbing secret project.s
What's covered in this episode
Sidney Gottlieb's early life, including his upbringing in a Jewish immigrant family, his education at Caltech, and how his club foot shaped his early experiences.How Camp Detrick became the centre of America's biological and psychological warfare research during the early Cold War.The ethical legacy of Operation Paperclip and how former Nazi scientists, including Kurt Blome, were recruited by the United States.How the biological weapons experiments of Japan's Unit 731 influenced CIA programs after 1945.Why the Korean War and reports of American prisoners embracing communism convinced the CIA that Soviet brainwashing had become a genuine national security threat.The creation of Project Bluebird and Project Artichoke under Allen Dulles and Sidney Gottlieb and the search for truth serums, mind control and behavioural manipulation.Albert Hofmann's discovery of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and why Sidney Gottlieb believed LSD offered the key to controlling human consciousness.The history of ergotism, its neurological effects, and why contaminated rye has even been linked to theories surrounding the Salem Witch Trials.How CIA black sites, covert experiments and unethical human testing expanded from prisoners and psychiatric patients to unsuspecting civilians and CIA employees.The hidden role Sidney Gottlieb played in spreading LSD through American universities, artists, writers and the emerging counterculture of the 1960s.The shocking case of the Boston gangster Whitey Bulger, who became a test subject of MK-ULTRA. How Gottlieb's research expanded despite repeated failures, culminating in the creation of MK-Ultra in August 1953.Mentioned in this episode
Sidney Gottlieb, MKUltra, Project Bluebird, Project Artichoke, Allen Dulles, Ira Baldwin, Camp Detrick, Operation Paperclip, Unit 731, Kurt Blome, Joseph Mengele, Auschwitz, Werner von Braun, Shirō Ishii, Korean War, Cold War, Fidel Castro, Soviet Union, communism, brainwashing, mind control, psychological warfare, biological warfare, chemical warfare, truth serum, LSD, lysergic acid diethylamide, Albert Hofmann, ergotism, mescaline, peyote, sodium pentothal, heroin, Whitey Bulger, Frank Olson, Robert J. Lifton, Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism, Salem Witch Trials, propaganda, CIA black sites, patriotism, ethics in scientific research, psychiatric experimentation, memory erasure, Manchurian Candidate, counterculture, The Beatles, The Grateful Dead, Robert Hunter, Ken Kesey, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Cary Grant, Esther Williams, Harold Abramson, Tokyo Harbour, Munich, California Institute of Technology, FDA, Second World War, North Korea, Soviet spies.
Chapters
00:00 – Who Was Sidney Gottlieb? The CIA's Master of Mind Control
01:10 – Sidney Gottlieb's Early Life and Scientific Career
08:17 – Camp Detrick, Nazi Science and Operation Paperclip
13:35 – Unit 731 and the Cold War Weapons Race
18:38 – The Korean War and the Fear of Communist Brainwashing
22:16 – Project Bluebird and Project Artichoke Begin
25:24 – LSD, Truth Serums and the Search for Mind Control
26:46 – Ergotism, Hallucinations and the Origins of LSD
32:32 – Can LSD Really Control Human Consciousness?
37:28 – CIA Black Sites and Secret Human Experiments
44:13 – How the CIA Helped Fuel the 1960s LSD Counterculture
51:35 – The Birth of MKUltra and Sidney Gottlieb's Expanding EmpireThanks to SOULFULJAMTRACKS for their tune "Dark Halloween"
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History's Devils is a history podcast exploring the lives of murderers, charlatans, psychopaths, dictators, war criminals, tyrants, demagogues, revolutionaries, cult leaders, conquerors, fraudsters, and other controversial figures.
History's Devils is hosted by James Crossland, professor of international history and author of:
Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart
The Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism...
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James is joined once again by Jayne Friend for part two of our exploration of Sidney Gottlieb, the CIA chemist who led MK-Ultra, developed Cold War mind control experiments, and became involved in some of the agency's most controversial covert operations.
This episode continues to story of Gottlieb's obsessions with LSD and psychological warfare, whilst covering his involvement in CIA assassination plots against Patrice Lumumba and Fidel Castro. James and Jayne examine how the lack of oversight drove MK-Ultra's unethical human experimentation into new and darker places, why MK-Ultra ultimately failed, the mysterious death of Frank Olson, and how Gottlieb escaped criminal prosecution before retiring to live the life of a wandering hippy and humanitarian. They also ponder MK-Ultra's legacy into the War on Terror.
What's covered in this episode
The career of George White and Operation Midnight Climax, where prostitutes secretly dosed clients with LSD whilst White watched from behind a one-way mirrorThe death of CIA scientist Frank Olson after he was secretly given LSD, the controversy surrounding his fall from a New York hotel window, and later evidence suggesting foul play.Gottlieb's role in developing concealed poisons, suicide devices and assassination methods for covert CIA operations during the Cold War.CIA plots to assassinate Congolese Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba using botulinum toxin, poison kits and other covert methods.The extraordinary range of proposed assassination attempts against Fidel Castro, including contaminated cigars, exploding seashells, poisoned diving equipment, beard-removal schemes and LSD-based disinformation plans.Why MKUltra was shut down in 1973, Gottlieb's destruction of thousands of CIA records, and how surviving files exposed the programme during the Church Committee and the Kennedy Inquiry.Gottlieb's testimony before congressional investigations and his successful negotiation for immunity, leading to his retirement to a farm in Virginia.The long-term legacy of MK-Ultra, its influence on debates about interrogation, intelligence oversight and ethics, and comparisons with CIA interrogation methods during the War on Terror.Mentioned in this episode
Sidney Gottlieb, MKUltra, Project Bluebird, Project Artichoke, Allen Dulles, Frank Olson, George White, Operation Midnight Climax, LSD, mescaline, psilocybin, truth serum, mind control, brainwashing, hypnosis, sensory deprivation, behavioural psychology, chemical warfare, biological warfare, CIA, OSS, Cold War, Korean War, Soviet Union, China, North Korea, prisoner of war brainwashing, Camp King, Nazi scientists, Francis Gary Powers, U-2 Incident, saxitoxin, botulinum toxin, Patrice Lumumba, Congo Crisis, Belgian Congo, Larry Devlin, Fidel Castro, Cuba, Cuban Revolution, Dwight D. Eisenhower, exploding cigars, exploding seashell, thallium salts, Church Committee, Frank Church, Edward Kennedy, Stansfield Turner, Jimmy Carter, CIA oversight, assassination plots, covert operations, human experimentation, ethics in intelligence, War on Terror, Abu Zubaydah, enhanced interrogation, waterboarding, CIA black sites, psychological warfare.
Chapters
00:00 — Sidney Gottlieb: The CIA's Master of MK-Ultra
05:10 — Why the CIA Became Obsessed with Mind Control
10:45 — LSD, Truth Serums and the Birth of MK-Ultra
17:35 — Operation Midnight Climax and Secret CIA Safe Houses
24:40 — Frank Olson: The Scientist Who Fell from a Hotel Window
32:20 — CIA Poisons, Saxitoxin and Covert Assassination Weapons
38:10 — The CIA Plot to Kill Patrice Lumumba
42:00 — Fidel Castro and the CIA's Strangest Assassination Plans
48:00 — The Collapse of MK-Ultra and the Destruction of the Files
53:00 — The Church Committee, Congressional Investigations and Immunity
58:30 — Did MK-Ultra Influence the War on Terror?
1:03:30 — Sidney Gottlieb's Legacy and the Dark History of CIA ExperimentsThanks to SOULFULJAMTRACKS for their tune "Dark Halloween"
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Tag HISTORY's DEVILS
@historysdevils
#HistorysDevils #JamesCrossland #HistoryPodcast #Podcast #History #DarkHistory #HistoricalBiography #TrueHistory #HistoryDocumentary #Deepdive #Storytelling
History's Devils is a history podcast exploring the lives of murderers, charlatans, psychopaths, dictators, war criminals, tyrants, demagogues, revolutionaries, cult leaders, conquerors, fraudsters, and other controversial figures.
History's Devils is hosted by James Crossland, professor of international history and author of:
Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart
The Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism...
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Mangler du episoder?
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What can a video game teach us about American history, morality, capitalism, race, violence, and the myth of the Wild West?
This week, James is joined by Torre Olsen (author of Red Dead's History: A Video Game, an Obsession, and America's Violent Past) to explore the moral grey areas of the Wild West by diving into the Red Dead Redemption video game franchise, and its powerful portrayal of good, evil, and American history. In discussing the fictional characters John Marston and Arthur Morgan, we reveal how a video game prompted players to consider what it means to be “good” or “bad” in a world shaped by violence, survival, and change.
We also discuss how Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2 capture and depict key themes of American history – the decline of the frontier, the rise of federal authority, the death of the Old West, industrialization, the displacement of Native American communities, the Lost Cause myth, race relations, capitalism, gun culture, and the enduring appeal of outlaw mythology.
How accurate are these depictions? And what do they reveal about America’s past, and our fascination with it today?
Whether you're a gamer, history enthusiast, or someone interested in moral philosophy, this episode offers deep insights into one of the most critically acclaimed video game series of all time.
Covered in this episode:
• The real history behind Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2
• Arthur Morgan, John Marston, and Dutch van der Linde as tragic antiheroes
• The historical inspiration for the Van der Linde Gang
• Pinkertons, capitalism, and law enforcement in the American West
• Native American history and frontier expansion
• Confederate monuments and the Lost Cause mythology
• How video games can teach history
• Rockstar Games' portrayal of American society
• The relationship between Red Dead Redemption and Grand Theft Auto
• Why morality systems in video games matterChapters
00:00 Introduction: Why Red Dead Redemption Is More Than a Video Game
02:15 Tor Olson and the History Behind Red Dead's History
06:00 How COVID Lockdowns Led to a Historian Rediscovering Gaming
09:00 The Real American History Hidden Inside Red Dead Redemption 2
12:05 Dutch van der Linde, Arthur Morgan, and the Myth of the Outlaw
17:45 Freedom vs Civilization: The Closing of the American Frontier
23:20 Pinkertons, Capitalism, Policing, and Rockstar's Social Commentary
24:55 Native Americans, Race, and the Historical Accuracy of Red Dead 2
26:30 Confederate Monuments, the Lost Cause, and the Post-Civil War South
34:00 Arthur Morgan's Morality System and the Meaning of Redemption
40:45 The Real Outlaws Behind Red Dead, GTA, and America's Cultural Myths
Thanks to SOULFULJAMTRACKS for their tune "Dark Halloween"
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@historysdevils
#HistorysDevils #JamesCrossland #HistoryPodcast #Podcast #History #DarkHistory #HistoricalBiography #TrueHistory #HistoryDocumentary #Deepdive #Storytelling
History's Devils is a history podcast exploring the lives of murderers, charlatans, psychopaths, dictators, war criminals, tyrants, demagogues, revolutionaries, cult leaders, conquerors, fraudsters, and other controversial figures.
History's Devils is hosted by James Crossland, professor of international history and author of:
Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart
The Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism...
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This week, James (@historysdevils) is joined by Edd Mair (@eplmair) for a double episode on the life of Andrew Jackson, examining how the seventh president of the United States rose from a frontier orphan to become a war hero, slaveholder, populist political figure, and one of the most influential and controversial presidents in American history.
In this first part of Andrew Jackson's story, we trace his journey from the backcountry of the Carolinas during the American Revolution to his emergence as a national celebrity after the War of 1812. The episode examines Jackson's violent temperament, his legendary duelling career, his immersion in frontier politics, military leadership, his attitudes toward slavery and his relentless campaigns against Native Americans. We also explore how his experiences on the American frontier shaped the political style, ideas, and reputation that would eventually carry him to the White House and re-shape the office in his own eccentric and authoritarian image.What's covered in this video:
Andrew Jackson's childhood in Carolinas and his family's experiences during the American Revolutionary War.
Jackson's capture by British forces during the Revolution, and the origins of his lifelong hatred of Britain.
His move to Nashville in the Southwest Territory and his duels with Waightstill Avery, John Sevier and Charles Dickenson.
His controversial marriage to Rachel Donelson.
Jackson's involvement in slavery and evidence of his harsh treatment of those he enslaved.
The rise of Jackson as a political figure in Tennessee and his appointment as commander of the Tennessee militia.
Jackson's role during the War of 1812, his military ambitions, and the wider geopolitical struggle involving Britain, the United States, Spain, and Napoleon.
The Creek War, the Red Stick movement, and Jackson's brutal campaign against Creek resistance.
The Battle of Horseshoe Bend and the military reputation Jackson built through his victories in the American South.
The origins of Jackson's nickname "Old Hickory" and the health problems he endured throughout his military career.
The Battle of New Orleans, Jackson's decisive victory over British forces, and the events that transformed him into a national hero.
Jackson's use of martial law in New Orleans and the controversies that followed his wartime leadership.
The First Seminole War, the Spanish colony of Florida, and Jackson's campaign against Seminole communities, Black settlements, and foreign influence in the region.
The history of Florida as a refuge for escaped slaves, the emergence of the Seminole people, and the strategic importance of the territory to American expansion.
Jackson's treatment of Native Americans and escaped slaves, including the stories of Lyncoya Jackson and Fernando (Polydor).
How Jackson's military successes, frontier image, and popularity with ordinary voters positioned him for a future presidential campaign.
Chapters:
00:00 - Andrew Jackson Before the White House
03:04 - The Violent Boy Who Survived
11:18 - Making a Name on the Frontier
16:54 - Why Jackson Loved Duels
21:27 - Slavery Built His Fortune
27:31 - The Woman Behind the Scandals
33:52 - From Lawyer to Power Broker
37:52 - War of 1812 Changes Everything
44:00 - Jackson's War on the Creeks
50:58 - The Battle That Made Him
55:19 - Conquering Florida by Force
63:14 - America's New Folk HeroThanks to SOULFULJAMTRACKS for their tune "Dark Halloween"
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@historysdevils
#HistorysDevils #JamesCrossland #HistoryPodcast #Podcast #History #DarkHistory #HistoricalBiography #TrueHistory #HistoryDocumentary #Deepdive #Storytelling
History's Devils is a history podcast exploring the lives of murderers, charlatans, psychopaths, dictators, war criminals, tyrants, demagogues, revolutionaries, cult leaders, conquerors, fraudsters, and other controversial figures.
History's Devils is hosted by James Crossland, professor of international history and author of:
Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart
The Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism...
-
In part two of this double-episode on Andrew Jackson, James and Edd explore his rise to the presidency, his turbulent years in the White House, and the lasting impact of his populist politics on America.
From the disputed election of 1824 to his victory in 1828, Andrew Jackson transformed American politics and became one of the most controversial presidents in U.S. history. This episode examines Jackson’s battles with political rivals, the expansion of voting rights, the Petticoat Affair, the Bank War, the Nullification Crisis and the catastrophic Trail of Tears. James and Edd also discuss why Jackson remained popular despite repeated scandals, economic turmoil, and accusations of authoritarianism, while assessing modern comparisons between Jackson and Donald Trump (of course!)
What’s covered in this episode
How Andrew Jackson emerged from the First Seminole War as a national hero, became governor of Florida in 1821, and positioned himself for a presidential run.Why Jackson’s reputation as a soldier, duelist, and controversial public figure made him both popular with voters and feared by the political establishment.The election of 1824, including Jackson’s rivalry with Henry Clay, the role of John Quincy Adams, and the accusations of a “corrupt bargain” that denied Jackson the presidency.How Jackson campaigned as an outsider against political elites and overcame attacks such as the infamous coffin handbills.Why tariffs, regional tensions, and dissatisfaction with the Adams administration helped Jackson win the election of 1828.The death of Rachel Jackson shortly after the election and how it shaped Jackson’s outlook as president.The chaotic inauguration of 1829, when crowds overwhelmed the White House and celebrated the arrival of a populist president.The Petticoat Affair involving Margaret “Peggy” Eaton, John Eaton, John C. Calhoun, and the political divisions it created within Jackson’s administration.How Jackson expanded presidential power by replacing federal officials with loyal supporters and reshaping the executive branch.The Bank War and Jackson’s campaign against the Second Bank of the United States, including his belief in decentralized banking and opposition to financial elites.The Nullification Crisis, South Carolina’s resistance to federal tariffs, and Jackson’s confrontation with John C. Calhoun over states’ rights and federal authority.The Indian Removal Act and the forced relocation of Native nations including the Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Seminole peoples.The Trail of Tears, Native American resistance, Supreme Court challenges, and figures such as Osceola, Davy Crockett, and Henry Storrs.Why Jackson won reelection in 1832 despite intense controversy surrounding his presidency.The 1835 assassination attempt by Richard Lawrence and the famous incident in which Jackson attacked his would-be assassin with a cane.How Jackson’s economic policies contributed to the conditions that led to the Panic of 1837 and a major financial crisis.Jackson’s support for Texas independence, his confrontations with France and Britain, and his broader vision of American expansion.Jackson’s retirement in Nashville, his support for the annexation of Texas, and his death in 1845.A comparison of Andrew Jackson and Donald Trump, examining the similarities and differences between two figures often described as populist outsiders.Mentioned in this episode
Andrew Jackson, Rachel Jackson, John Quincy Adams, John Adams, Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun, James Monroe, Martin Van Buren, Margaret Peggy Eaton, John Eaton, Richard Lawrence, Osceola, Davy Crockett, Henry Storrs, Donald Trump, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, JD Vance, Spain, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Texas, Mexico, Britain, France, Russia, American Revolution, War of 1812, Napoleonic Wars, First Seminole War, Second Seminole War, Creek War, Battle of Horseshoe Bend, Trail of Tears, Indian Removal Act, Nullification Crisis, Bank War, Panic of 1837, Petticoat Affair, Monroe Doctrine, Texas Revolution, annexation of Texas, Electoral College, corrupt bargain, states’ rights, federal authority, populism, presidential power, Native American removal, Cherokee Nation, Creek Nation, Choctaw Nation, Chickasaw Nation, Seminole Nation, Democratic Party, tariffs, Bank of the United States, expansionism, American presidency.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: Andrew Jackson’s Rise to the Presidency
00:19 From Florida Hero to Presidential Candidate (1821–1824)
05:27 The Election of 1824, John Quincy Adams and the Corrupt Bargain
16:50 The Election of 1828 and Rachel Jackson’s Death
20:36 Jackson’s Inauguration and the Rise of Mass Politics
24:09 The Petticoat Affair and the Birth of the Spoils System
28:34 The Bank War and the Nullification Crisis
35:24 The Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears
42:25 Re-Election, Jacksonian Democracy and the Democratic Party
46:34 The Assassination Attempt and the Panic of 1837
51:43 Texas, Foreign Policy and Jackson’s Final Years
57:53 Andrew Jackson’s Legacy and Comparisons to Donald Trump
01:02:53 Outro
#andrewjackson #presidents #americanhistory
Thanks to SOULFULJAMTRACKS for their tune "Dark Halloween"
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@historysdevils
#HistorysDevils #JamesCrossland #HistoryPodcast #Podcast #History #DarkHistory #HistoricalBiography #TrueHistory #HistoryDocumentary #Deepdive #Storytelling
History's Devils is a history podcast exploring the lives of murderers, charlatans, psychopaths, dictators, war criminals, tyrants, demagogues, revolutionaries, cult leaders, conquerors, fraudsters, and other controversial figures.
History's Devils is hosted by James Crossland, professor of international history and author of:
Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart
The Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism...
-
This double episode explores the life of William Joyce, better known as Lord Haw-Haw, the infamous Nazi propagandist who went from self-described British patriot to one of the most notorious collaborators of the Third Reich during World War II.
In this first part of the story, James - with the help of Jayne Friend - examines William Joyce's early life, political radicalization, and rise within Britain's fascist movement. From his upbringing in Ireland during the Irish War of Independence to his involvement with the British Fascisti and the British Union of Fascists, the episode traces how Joyce's intense nationalism, anti-communism, and growing admiration for Adolf Hitler pushed him into aligning himself with the Third Reich. The discussion also explores the political climate of interwar Britain, the decline of British fascism, and the events that set Joyce on the path toward becoming Lord Haw-Haw.
What's covered in this episode
William Joyce's childhood in Galway, Ireland, his unionist family background, and how the Irish War of Independence shaped his political beliefs.Joyce's support for the British Empire, his association with the Black and Tans, and his hostility toward Irish republicanism and Sinn Féin.The myths and realities surrounding Joyce's early years, including stories about scouting, military service, and his reputation among classmates and British forces.His move to England after the partition of Ireland and his unsuccessful attempt to build a career in the British Army.Joyce's studies at Birkbeck College in London, his work teaching colonial students, and his failed ambitions in government service and the Foreign Office.How Joyce developed into a gifted public speaker and political agitator during the 1920s.The rise of the British Fascisti, the role of Maxwell Knight's K Squad, and violent confrontations between fascists and communists in London.The 1924 Battersea political rally where Joyce received the facial scar that became one of his defining features.The growth of anti-Semitism within sections of the British far right and the influence of figures such as Arnold Leese and Henry Hamilton Beamish.Joyce's rise within Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists (BUF), including his roles as deputy leader and head of propaganda.The rivalry between William Joyce and Oswald Mosley and why some fascists viewed Joyce as the movement's most powerful speaker.Joyce's personal life, including his marriages to Hazel Barr and Margaret Cairns White, and how his political career affected his relationships.The significance of the Battle of Cable Street in 1936 and its impact on the fortunes of the British Union of Fascists.How the actions of Benito Mussolini in Abyssinia (Ethiopia) and Adolf Hitler in the Rhineland damaged the public image of fascism in Britain.Why Joyce broke with Mosley, embraced National Socialism more openly, founded the National Socialist League, and increasingly aligned himself with Nazi Germany.The ideological contradictions behind Joyce's claim to patriotism and the reasons he came to see service to the Third Reich as compatible with loyalty to Britain.Mentioned in this episode
William Joyce, Lord Haw-Haw, Adolf Hitler, Third Reich, Second World War, World War II, History's Devils, Jayne, Galway, Ireland, British Empire, Act of Union 1801, Irish War of Independence, Sinn Féin, Dáil Éireann, Irish republicanism, Irish Free State, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Royal Irish Constabulary, British Army, Black and Tans, IRA, Worcestershire, Birkbeck College, Foreign Office, British Fascisti, Rotha Lintorn-Orman, Maxwell Knight, K Squad, Communist Party of Great Britain, Battersea, anti-Semitism, Arnold Leese, Henry Hamilton Beamish, The Britons, National Socialism, Oswald Mosley, British Union of Fascists, BUF, Olympia Rally, Battle of Cable Street, East London, Mussolini, Abyssinia, Ethiopia, mustard gas, Rhineland, Treaty of Versailles, National Socialist League, fascism, British fascism, propaganda, political extremism, nationalism, unionism, anti-communism, imperialism, British far right, radicalization, patriotism, collaboration, Nazi Germany.
Chapters
00:00 Chapter 1 — Who Was William Joyce? The Story of Lord Haw-Haw Begins
04:12 Chapter 2 — William Joyce's Childhood in Ireland and Unionist Upbringing
09:30 Chapter 3 — The Irish War of Independence and Joyce's Support for the Black and Tans
17:17 Chapter 4 — Leaving Ireland: Military Failure and a New Life in England
18:34 Chapter 5 — Birkbeck College, Teaching, and Political Ambition
23:23 Chapter 6 — William Joyce Discovers Fascism
26:06 Chapter 7 — The Scar, Anti-Semitism, and Radicalization
30:31 Chapter 8 — Oswald Mosley, the British Union of Fascists, and the Rise of a Fascist Star
34:24 Chapter 9 — Marriage, Affairs, and Life Behind the Fascist Image
39:08
Chapter 10 — The Battle of Cable Street, the Decline of British Fascism, and Joyce's Break with Britain
#britishhistory #fascism
Thanks to SOULFULJAMTRACKS for their tune "Dark Halloween"
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Tag HISTORY's DEVILS
@historysdevils
#HistorysDevils #JamesCrossland #HistoryPodcast #Podcast #History #DarkHistory #HistoricalBiography #TrueHistory #HistoryDocumentary #Deepdive #Storytelling
History's Devils is a history podcast exploring the lives of murderers, charlatans, psychopaths, dictators, war criminals, tyrants, demagogues, revolutionaries, cult leaders, conquerors, fraudsters, and other controversial figures.
History's Devils is hosted by James Crossland, professor of international history and author of:
Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart
The Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism...
-
In part two of this double episode on William Joyce, James Crossland and Jayne Friend explain how he became Lord Haw Haw, the infamous Nazi broadcaster who transmitted propaganda from Germany to Britain during the Second World War.
James and Jayne follow Joyce's journey from fleeing Britain in 1939 to becoming the most recognizable English-language voice of Nazi propaganda. The episode examines how Joyce built his Lord Haw Haw persona, the role of Nazi radio broadcasts during the war, and why millions of Britons listened to Germany Calling despite knowing it was enemy propaganda. It also traces Joyce's personal decline, drunkenness, his unbending loyalty to Hitler's regime, his hilarious capture after the fall of Nazi Germany, and his eventual execution for treason in 1946.
What's covered in this episode
The introduction of Defence Regulation 18B and how British authorities planned to detain suspected Nazi sympathizers at the outbreak of war in 1939.How William Joyce was warned by MI5 officer and former associate Maxwell Knight and fled Britain with his wife Margaret Joyce before his arrest.The Joyces' arrival in Berlin and their connection to Dorothy Eckersley, a well-connected British fascist living in Nazi Germany.How Dorothy Eckersley's links to Unity Mitford and influential Nazi circles helped William Joyce secure a broadcasting role in Germany.The structure of Nazi propaganda under Joseph Goebbels and the Ministry of Propaganda's control of radio broadcasting.How Joyce joined English-language radio broadcasts aimed at British audiences and developed the Lord Haw Haw persona.The origins of the Lord Haw Haw nickname and the wider network of English-speaking Nazi broadcasters including Wolf Mittler and Norman Baillie-Stewart.The creation of Germany Calling and how Nazi propagandists used British voices to increase credibility with listeners in the United Kingdom.Comparisons between Nazi wartime broadcasting, British political warfare operations, and modern propaganda techniques.How Joyce exploited fears during the Blitz by exaggerating bomb damage, government failures, anti-war sentiment, and political divisions inside Britain.The false claim that the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal had been sunk and how Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain publicly denied the story.Joyce's attacks on Winston Churchill, criticism of British leadership, and use of rumours, conspiracy theories, and sensational stories to attract listeners.His promotion of theories surrounding Pearl Harbor, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Anglo-American relations, and alleged conspiracies involving the British Empire.Why millions of Britons listened to Germany Calling and how wartime distrust, censorship concerns, and dissatisfaction with official information contributed to its popularity.The luxurious lifestyle enjoyed by William and Margaret Joyce within Nazi Germany's elite social circles during the early years of the war.The couple's alcoholism, affairs, violent relationship, and personal decline as Germany's military fortunes worsened.William Joyce's book Twilight Over England and its defence of fascism and Nazism.The impact of major turning points including Operation Barbarossa, the Battle of the Atlantic, Allied operations in North Africa, and the Allied invasion of Sicily on Joyce's credibility.Accounts from fellow Nazi collaborator Eric Pleasants describing Joyce's physical and psychological deterioration by the final years of the war.Joyce's final radio broadcast on 30 April 1945, the same day Adolf Hitler committed suicide in Berlin.The collapse of the Third Reich, the Flensburg Government under Karl Dönitz, and the final days of senior Nazi officials.How British soldiers identified and captured William Joyce near Flensburg after recognizing his distinctive voice and facial scar.Joyce's trial at the Old Bailey, the legal arguments surrounding his nationality, and the treason charges brought against him.Why his British passport and oath of allegiance to the Crown became central to the prosecution's case.William Joyce's execution at Wandsworth Prison on 3 January 1946 and his status as the last person executed in Britain for high treason.Margaret Joyce's detention, release, later life, and death from alcoholism in 1972.The lasting legacy of Lord Haw Haw as a symbol of fascist collaboration, propaganda, treason, and political extremism during the Second World War.What's mentioned in this episode:
William Joyce, Lord Haw Haw, James Crossland, Jayne Friend, Margaret Joyce, Maxwell Knight, MI5, Defence Regulation 18B, Oswald Mosley, British Union of Fascists, British Fascisti, Nazi Germany, Third Reich, Adolf Hitler, Joseph Goebbels, Ministry of Propaganda, Dorothy Eckersley, Peter Eckersley, BBC, Unity Mitford, Wolf Mittler, Norman Baillie-Stewart, Germany Calling, Blitz, Winston Churchill, Neville Chamberlain, Munich Crisis, Munich Agreement, Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia, Czechia, Second World War, World War II, Pearl Harbor, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Anglo-American relations, conspiracy theories, HMS Ark Royal, Royal Navy, Battle of the Atlantic, Operation Barbarossa, North Africa Campaign, Allied invasion of Sicily, Operation Husky, Eric Pleasants, Flensburg, Flensburg Government, Karl Dönitz, Albert Speer, Berlin, Old Bailey, Wandsworth Prison, high treason, British passport, oath of allegiance, Galway, Ireland, propaganda, fascism, Nazism, collaboration, censorship, wartime broadcasting, political warfare, psychological warfare, radio propaganda, treason, British Empire, Nazi collaborators
00:00 Introduction: William Joyce, Lord Haw Haw and Nazi Germany
04:15 Defence Regulation 18B: Why Britain Wanted William Joyce Arrested
09:00 Escape to Berlin: How William and Margaret Joyce Fled Britain in 1939
14:30 Joseph Goebbels and Nazi Propaganda: Joyce Joins Germany Calling
20:45 Who Was Lord Haw Haw? The Voice of Nazi Radio Broadcasting
27:15 The Blitz, Churchill and Propaganda: How Joyce Targeted British Morale
34:30 HMS Ark Royal, Pearl Harbor and WWII Conspiracy Theories
41:00 Hitler's War Turns Bad: Alcoholism, Decline and Twilight Over England
48:00 Hitler's Death and the Collapse of the Third Reich
55:00 Capture, Treason Trial and Execution of William Joyce
#WWII #propaganda #lordhawhaw
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@historysdevils
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History's Devils is a history podcast exploring the lives of murderers, charlatans, psychopaths, dictators, war criminals, tyrants, demagogues, revolutionaries, cult leaders, conquerors, fraudsters, and other controversial figures.
History's Devils is hosted by James Crossland, professor of international history and author of:
Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart
The Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism...
-
In this episode, James is joined by Antonia Senior (author of Stalin’s Apostles: The Cambridge Five and the Making of the Soviet Empire) to discuss Kim Philby, the most notorious member of the Cambridge Five spy ring, and explain how a Cambridge-educated British intelligence officer became one of the Soviet Union's most damaging Cold War agents.
From his privileged upbringing and communist radicalization to his recruitment by Soviet intelligence and rise inside MI6, the conversation challenges the popular image of Philby and the Cambridge Five as glamorous ideological rebels, arguing instead that these notorious spies were driven by a mixture of revolutionary zeal, personal ambition, narcissism, and moral indifference. The episode also explores the real-world consequences of Soviet espionage, including betrayed agents, failed intelligence operations, and Stalin's expansion across Eastern Europe after World War II.
Covered in this episode
• Kim Philby's early life in British India, his father St. John Philby, and his education at Trinity College, Cambridge.
• How the political climate of the 1930s and debates over fascism and communism influenced a generation of Cambridge students.
• Why the Cambridge Five understood the realities of Stalinism and cannot be dismissed as naïve anti-fascists.
• Philby's marriage to Litzi Friedman, his connections to Austrian communists, and his recruitment by Soviet agent Arnold Deutsch.
• The origins of the Cambridge Five and the recruitment of Donald Maclean, Guy Burgess, Anthony Blunt, and John Cairncross.
• Philby's activities during the Spanish Civil War, including allegations of his involvement in a plot to kill Francisco Franco.
• How World War II created unprecedented opportunities for Soviet penetration of British intelligence, MI5, MI6, SOE, and the Foreign Office.
• The extraordinary level of access enjoyed by the Cambridge Five, including British cabinet discussions, Churchill's briefings and Bletchley Park intelligence
• The Konstantin Volkov affair.
• Philby's role in Cold War intelligence failures, anti-Soviet operations in Eastern Europe, radio games, and missions into Poland, the Baltic States, Albania, and Georgia.
• Project Venona, the identification of Donald Maclean as the Soviet source codenamed Homer, and the dramatic defections of Maclean and Guy Burgess.
• Philby's final years in Beirut and Moscow, his deteriorating personal life, the collapse of his reputation, and his disillusioning experience inside the Soviet Union he had served for decades.
Mentioned in this episode
Kim Philby, Cambridge Five, Harold Adrian Russell Philby, St. John Philby, Rudyard Kipling, Kim, Trinity College Cambridge, Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Cold War, Soviet Union, Communism, Fascism, Anti-Fascism, British Intelligence, MI5, MI6, NKVD, KGB, FSB, Antonia Senior, Stalin's Apostles, Donald Maclean, Guy Burgess, Anthony Blunt, John Cairncross, Arnold Deutsch, Theodore Maly, Litzi Friedman, Edith Tudor Hart, Vienna, British India, Arabia, British People's Party, National Socialism, Anti-Semitism, Spanish Civil War, Francisco Franco, The Times, World Federation for the Relief of Victims of German Fascism, William Norman Ewer, Daily Herald, Federated Press of America, Communist Party of Great Britain, Special Operations Executive, SOE, Operation Barbarossa, Operation Husky, Sicily, Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, Bletchley Park, Imperial Defence Committee, Konstantin Volkov, Stuart Menzies, Yuri Modin, Oleg Kalugin, Albania, Poland, Georgia, Baltic States, Lithuania, Eastern Europe, Soviet Expansion, Stalinism, Gulag, World Revolution, American Imperialism, Soviet Imperialism, Washington Embassy, CIA, Project Venona, Arlington Hall, Manhattan Project, Los Alamos, One-Time Pad Encryption, Homer, Cairo, Beirut, Nicholas Elliott, Peter Wright, Buster Milmo, Eileen Philby, Eleanor Brewer, Hungary 1956, Soviet Defectors, Double Agents, British Foreign Office, Intelligence Failures, History's Devils.
Chapters
00:00 The Traitor Who Helped Stalin Win Secrets
00:59 Who Was Kim Philby?
05:15 Family, Cambridge and Political Radicalization
09:26 Communism, Anti-Fascism and the Stalin Question
11:47 Arnold Deutsch and Soviet Recruitment
19:41 Spain, Franco and Philby's First Missions
23:30 Building the Cambridge Five Spy Network
28:53 World War II and Infiltrating British Intelligence
35:40 How the Cambridge Five Accessed Britain's Greatest Secrets
39:19 Konstantin Volkov and Philby's Deadliest Betrayal
46:27 Cold War Operations, Eastern Europe and Soviet Expansion
48:42 Project Venona, Donald Maclean and the Burgess Defection
59:08 Philby's Exposure, Escape to Moscow and Final Years
#spies #intelligencehistory #coldwar
Thanks to SOULFULJAMTRACKS for their tune "Dark Halloween"
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@historysdevils
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History's Devils is a history podcast exploring the lives of murderers, charlatans, psychopaths, dictators, war criminals, tyrants, demagogues, revolutionaries, cult leaders, conquerors, fraudsters, and other controversial figures.
History's Devils is hosted by James Crossland, professor of international history and author of:
Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart
The Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism...
-
In this episode of History’s Devils, James is joined by Lewis Sage-Passant (How To Get on A Watchlist) to explore the rise of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency and the violent contradictions at the heart of its founder, Allan Pinkerton.
Once a Chartist radical, Pinkerton reinvented himself in America as a celebrated detective and Union intelligence agent during the American Civil War. After the war, his story took a darker turn as he became increasingly consumed by conspiracy thinking, transforming his agency into a powerful private security force that was used by industrialists to suppress strikes and control workers who were agitating for their rights at the height of America's Gilded Age.
A must-listen deep dive for anyone interested in the history of private security, radical politics and the hidden forces behind wealth and power in America.
Further Reading
Beyond States and Spies: The Security Intelligence Services of the Private Sector· Inventing the Pinkertons; or, Spies, Sleuths, Mercenaries, and Thugs
· Allan Pinkerton: America's Legendary Detective and the Birth of Private Security
What's covered in this episode
• Allan Pinkerton's childhood in Glasgow's Gorbals district, his working-class upbringing, and the political influences that shaped his early life.
• The impact of Chartism, the People's Charter of 1838, and the political unrest of Industrial Revolution Britain, including the legacy of the Peterloo Massacre.
• The debate over whether Pinkerton was a genuine Chartist activist or potentially an informant within the movement before emigrating to America in 1842.
• Pinkerton's arrival in Illinois after a shipwreck off Nova Scotia and his transition from cooper and barrel maker to aspiring crime fighter.
• The famous counterfeiting investigation near Dundee, Illinois, that launched Pinkerton's career in law enforcement and private investigations.
• The weaknesses of nineteenth-century American policing and how they created opportunities for private security services and detective agencies.
• The creation of the Northwest Police Agency and its transformation into the Pinkerton National Detective Agency.
• Pinkerton's work protecting railroads, investigating theft, combating counterfeit currency, and developing early investigative tradecraft.
• The origins of the famous "We Never Sleep" logo and the connection between Pinkerton branding and the modern term "private eye."
• Pinkerton's recruitment of female investigators and his innovative use of undercover operatives drawn from target communities.
• Pinkerton's anti-slavery beliefs, involvement with the Underground Railroad, support for Abraham Lincoln, and alleged links to abolitionist John Brown.
• The Harpers Ferry raid, the role of Robert E. Lee in suppressing the uprising, and claims that Pinkerton considered helping Brown escape imprisonment.
• Pinkerton's relationship with George McClellan and the emergence of private detectives as intelligence operatives during the American Civil War.
• The alleged Baltimore Plot of 1861 and Pinkerton's role in protecting President-elect Abraham Lincoln during his journey to Washington for inauguration.
Mentioned in this episode
Allan Pinkerton, Pinkerton Detective Agency, Lewis Sage-Passant, James Crossland, Glasgow, Gorbals, River Clyde, Chartism, People's Charter, Peterloo Massacre, French Revolution, Industrial Revolution, Luddites, Dundee Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, counterfeiting, private security, private intelligence, railroad security, Adams Express Company, We Never Sleep, private eye, Abraham Lincoln, John Brown, Bleeding Kansas, Harpers Ferry Raid, slavery, abolitionism, Underground Railroad, George McClellan, American Civil War, Robert E. Lee, Baltimore Plot, Fire Eaters, Maryland, intelligence tradecraft, corporate investigations, detective history, nineteenth-century policing.
Chapters
Introduction to History's Devils (00:11)Allan Pinkerton's Early Life and Political Interests (04:14)The Move to America and Early Detective Work (09:38)Founding the Pinkerton Detective Agency (15:12)Pinkerton's Role in the Civil War (22:26)The Pursuit of Jesse James (37:11)Transition to Union Suppression and Strikebreaking (42:28)The Homestead Strike and Pinkerton's Legacy (51:53)Conclusion and Reflections on Pinkerton's Impact (62:54)Thanks to SOULFULJAMTRACKS for their tune "Dark Halloween"
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Tag HISTORY's DEVILS
@historysdevils
#HistorysDevils #JamesCrossland #HistoryPodcast #Podcast #History #DarkHistory #HistoricalBiography #TrueHistory #HistoryDocumentary #Deepdive #Storytelling
History's Devils is a history podcast exploring the lives of murderers, charlatans, psychopaths, dictators, war criminals, tyrants, demagogues, revolutionaries, cult leaders, conquerors, fraudsters, and other controversial figures.
History's Devils is hosted by James Crossland, professor of international history and author of:
Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart
The Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism...
-
This week, James sets sail with Jamie Goodall (author of The Pirates of Chesapeake Bay and Pirates and Privateers) into one of the strangest true stories of the Golden Age of Piracy – the rise and fall of the so-called “Gentleman Pirate”, Stede Bonnet who abandoned wealth, status, and family for a life of crime at sea. Often described as a pirate driven by a midlife crisis, Bonnet’s journey from plantation owner in Barbados to notorious outlaw of the high seas is as chaotic as it is fascinating.
Charting his brief but colourful career, we look at how Bonnet captained a ship despite his lack of sailing experience, his disastrous command decisions and his encounters with the notorious Captain Edward “Blackbeard” Teach. Along the way, we discuss where Bonnet fits in the wider tale of the legendary Nassau Republic, which dominated piracy in the Caribbean during the early 1700s.
Check this one out if you enjoy pirate lore or have ever wished you could sail away with Blackbeard and wreak havoc on the high seas!
Topics Covered in this episode:
Stede Bonnet's origins in Barbados
The War of Spanish Succession and the impact its ending had on piracy
The Nassau "Pirate Republic"
Why hiring a pirate crew and paying them a regular wage was a bad idea
Stede Bonnet's career in piracy along the eastern American seaboard
The way Stede Bonnet treated his crew and his style of captaincy
The story of Blackbeard, AKA Edward Thatch
The problems of Captain's Johnson's General History of the Pirates as a source
How Blackbeard took over Bonnet's ship, the Revenge and the rivalry that developed between the two men
The Act of Grace and how Blackbeard and Bonnet both sought a pardon for their crimes but then returned to Piracy
The Battle of the Cape Fear River that lead to Bonnet's capture
His escape from Charleston and re-capture
Stede Bonnet and Blackbeard's deaths
The ending of the Golden Age of Piracy
Chapters
00:00 - The Gentleman Pirate Mystery
01:14 - Why Steed Bonnet Became a Pirate
03:44 - A Midlife Crisis at Sea
06:23 - Was Bonnet Losing His Mind?
09:22 - Early Success on the High Seas
12:49 - Nassau: Pirate Republic
15:03 - Meeting Blackbeard Changes Everything
20:32 - Blackbeard Takes Control
24:18 - The King's Pardon Arrives
27:47 - Can a Pirate Go Straight?
30:32 - One Last Voyage
36:49 - Trial, Execution, and Infamy
52:16 - The Legend of Steed Bonnet
Follow Jamie on Threads and Instagram @L_Historienne and on Bluesky @Lhistorienn and check out her website here
Thanks to SOULFULJAMTRACKS for their tune "Dark Halloween"
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Tag HISTORY's DEVILS
@historysdevils
#HistorysDevils #JamesCrossland #HistoryPodcast #Podcast #History #DarkHistory #HistoricalBiography #TrueHistory #HistoryDocumentary #Deepdive #Storytelling
History's Devils is a history podcast exploring the lives of murderers, charlatans, psychopaths, dictators, war criminals, tyrants, demagogues, revolutionaries, cult leaders, conquerors, fraudsters, and other controversial figures.
History's Devils is hosted by James Crossland, professor of international history and author of:
Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart
The Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism...
-
This week, James welcomes Mikki Brock (@historymikki) back onto the show to dive deep into the controversial world of Satanism and the cultural impact of the Church of Satan’s founder, Anton LaVey. This episode explores the origins of LaVey’s church and how his philosophy challenged traditional religion, focusing on libertarian personal freedom and the rejection of societal norms.
This episode also examines the wave of fear known as the Satanic Panic, which fuelled widespread misinformation about Satanism and the occult during the 1980s, persisting into the era of QAnon and Pizzagate. Finally, we look at how an unexpected consequence of the panic was the founding of the The Satanic Temple – a progressive advocacy group that promotes empathy, tolerance and other very non-evil things.
For anyone into American cultural history, religious history and the occult or, if you’ve ever asked yourself the question: What is Satanism really about? This episode is for you!
#satanism
Thanks to SOULFULJAMTRACKS for their tune "Dark Halloween"
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Tag HISTORY's DEVILS
@historysdevils
#HistorysDevils #JamesCrossland #HistoryPodcast #Podcast #History #DarkHistory #HistoricalBiography #TrueHistory #HistoryDocumentary #Deepdive #Storytelling
History's Devils is a history podcast exploring the lives of murderers, charlatans, psychopaths, dictators, war criminals, tyrants, demagogues, revolutionaries, cult leaders, conquerors, fraudsters, and other controversial figures.
History's Devils is hosted by James Crossland, professor of international history and author of:
Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart
The Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism...
-
Long before The Troubles, 7/7 and other modern terrorism, Britain faced a wave of bombings that shocked the Victorian world.
Step into one of the most overlooked chapters of British history in this gripping episode on the "Dynamite War" of the 1880s - often described as the first “war on terror.” Joined by Gillian O'Brien (author of The Darkness Echoing: Ireland's Places of Famine, Death and Rebellion), James explains how Irish republican groups like the Clan Na Gael and Irish Republican Brotherhood carried out bombing campaigns in Britain, bringing political violence to the heart of the London.
Learn how advances in explosives like dynamite - invented by Alfred Nobel of peace prize fame - changed the nature of asymmetrical warfare and terrorism, creating fear, media frenzy, and new policing tactics. We break down key events, targets, and the debates within the Irish independence movement over the morality of terrorism.
This episode also examines how the British government responded with informers, spies and the development of the world's first bomb squad!
Perfect for listeners interested in history podcasts, Irish history, terrorism studies, political violence, and Victorian Britain, this episode provides deep insight into a forgotten conflict that helped shape modern ideas of terrorism and state response.
Thanks to SOULFULJAMTRACKS for their tune "Dark Halloween"
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Tag HISTORY's DEVILS
@historysdevils
#HistorysDevils #JamesCrossland #HistoryPodcast #Podcast #History #DarkHistory #HistoricalBiography #TrueHistory #HistoryDocumentary #Deepdive #Storytelling
History's Devils is a history podcast exploring the lives of murderers, charlatans, psychopaths, dictators, war criminals, tyrants, demagogues, revolutionaries, cult leaders, conquerors, fraudsters, and other controversial figures.
History's Devils is hosted by James Crossland, professor of international history and author of:
Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart
The Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism...
-
In this episode, James is joined by Jem Duducu (author of The History of the Western Movie) to tell the story of a teenage gunslinger who became a legendary figure wrapped in folklore, media exaggeration, and historical debate – Billy the Kid.
Tracing the story of Billy’s criminal career and involvement in the Lincoln County War, we discuss how Hollywood films and pop culture transformed a young outlaw into a Wild West icon, generating the myth that he somehow survived his deadly encounter with the lawman Pat Garrett in 1881, and went on to live into the 1950s as a mysterious drifter and adventurer named Brushy Bill Roberts.
This episode is perfect for fans of true crime, American history, film history and Wild West legends. Whether you're curious about outlaw myths, frontier justice, or the real story behind Billy the Kid, you’ll discover surprising facts, historical insights, and the truth behind the legend.
Check out Jem’s book – The History of the Western Movie
Follow Jem @jemduducu
Thanks to SOULFULJAMTRACKS for their tune "Dark Halloween"
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Tag HISTORY's DEVILS
@historysdevils
#HistorysDevils #JamesCrossland #HistoryPodcast #Podcast #History #DarkHistory #HistoricalBiography #TrueHistory #HistoryDocumentary #Deepdive #Storytelling
History's Devils is a history podcast exploring the lives of murderers, charlatans, psychopaths, dictators, war criminals, tyrants, demagogues, revolutionaries, cult leaders, conquerors, fraudsters, and other controversial figures.
History's Devils is hosted by James Crossland, professor of international history and author of:
Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart
The Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism...
-
In Part Two of this two-part History's Devils episode, James and Jayne finish the story of Donald Trump and Vince McMahon by explaining how the psychology of professional wrestling shaped Trump's two presidencies, and altered the way in which American politics operates.
Along the way, they discuss the similarities between alternative facts and Kayfabe (wrestling speak for "keeping it fake") and the connections between WWE and the MAGA movement, whilst pondering what a Vince McMahon presidency would look like?
Further Reading
Ringmaster: Vince McMahon and the Unmaking of AmericaThings to Know About Donald Trump's Relationship with Vince McMahon00:00 - Introduction: Wrestling psychology in politics
02:15 - The concept of kayfabe and its significance
05:37 - Projecting success and inflating figures in rallies
08:11 - Trump’s manipulation of perceptions and alternate realities
13:08 - The use of promos, nickname attacks, and soundbites
17:14 - The rise of soundbite politics and social media dominance
21:26 - How Trump creates and blends realities with "alternative facts"
26:37 - The evolution of Trump's self-image and propaganda portraits
29:38 - The distortion of January 6th and the concept of political kayfabe
32:43 - The role of audience suspension of disbelief in support
36:31 - The spectacle ecosystem: rallies, chaos, and entertainment as political currency
40:37 - Pro wrestling, UFC, and the culture of machismo in Trump’s narrative
45:15 - The influence of WWE, political endorsements, and celebrity ties
50:07 - Hypothetical: Vince McMahon as a president and the wrestling of power
50:42 - Episode wrap-up and future reflections on political kayfabeThanks to SOULFULJAMTRACKS for their tune "Dark Halloween"
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Tag HISTORY's DEVILS
@historysdevils
#HistorysDevils #JamesCrossland #HistoryPodcast #Podcast #History #DarkHistory #HistoricalBiography #TrueHistory #HistoryDocumentary #Deepdive #Storytelling
History's Devils is a history podcast exploring the lives of murderers, charlatans, psychopaths, dictators, war criminals, tyrants, demagogues, revolutionaries, cult leaders, conquerors, fraudsters, and other controversial figures.
History's Devils is hosted by James Crossland, professor of international history and author of:
Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart
The Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism...
-
Summary
Dive into one of the strangest and most revealing alliances in modern history as History’s Devils unpacks the decades-long relationship between Donald Trump and Vince McMahon.
In Part One of this two-part series, James and Jayne trace a 40-year connection between the future U.S. president and the controversial boss of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). From glitzy spectacle to behind-the-scenes scandal, they explore how ambition, media manipulation, and controversy fuelled both men’s rise to power.
Along the way, the hosts introduce a provocative thesis: to truly understand Donald Trump, you must first understand professional wrestling. Is modern American politics more performance than policy? And did the world of scripted rivalries, crowd psychology, and larger-than-life personas help shape a presidency?
Further Reading
Ringmaster: Vince McMahon and the Unmaking of AmericaThings to Know About Donald Trump's Relationship with Vince McMahonChapters
00:00 - Welcome to History’s Devils: Exploring Modern Scoundrels
02:07 - The Multi-Dimensional Influence of WWE on Politics
04:02 - Trump and McMahon: Masters of Audience Suspension of Disbelief
09:20 - Vince McMahon’s Childhood and Persona: Power and Insecurity
15:19 - Wrestling Territories, Monopoly, and Ruthless Business Tactics
18:05 - The Birth of WrestleMania and Its Cultural Impact
22:15 - Scandals, Legal Troubles, and Teflon Resilience
28:13 - Trump’s Early Wrestling Ties and the 1980s ‘Greed is Good’ Era
31:49 - WrestleMania in Atlantic City: Branding Manipulation
36:27 - Trump’s Return to Wrestling in the 2000s and ‘The Apprentice’
42:45 - Building the Trump Gimmick: From Wrestler to Reality TV Star
52:36 - The 2007 WrestleMania 23 and the ‘Battle of the Billionaires’
59:55 - The Final Face-Off and Trump’s Iconic WWE Persona
62:09 - Wrestling, Politics, Power, and the Future LandscapeThanks to SOULFULJAMTRACKS for their tune "Dark Halloween"
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Tag HISTORY's DEVILS
@historysdevils
#HistorysDevils #JamesCrossland #HistoryPodcast #Podcast #History #DarkHistory #HistoricalBiography #TrueHistory #HistoryDocumentary #Deepdive #Storytelling
History's Devils is a history podcast exploring the lives of murderers, charlatans, psychopaths, dictators, war criminals, tyrants, demagogues, revolutionaries, cult leaders, conquerors, fraudsters, and other controversial figures.
History's Devils is hosted by James Crossland, professor of international history and author of:
Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart
The Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism...
-
This week, James is taking a backseat and letting Paul Bavill (History Rage Podcast) dive into one of the most chilling true crime stories in British history – the poisonous rampage of Mary Ann Cotton. Widely believed to be Britain’s first female serial killer, Cotton was a seemingly ordinary Victorian who woman became known as the infamous “Black Widow,” accused of poisoning those closest to her for financial gain.
Set against the grim backdrop of Victorian England, this episode examines the disturbing pattern of deaths that followed Mary Ann Cotton wherever she went, and how life insurance schemes may have motivated her crimes – leaving a legacy that the people of Britain still feel today.
A must listen episode for fans of true crime, serial killer stories and tales of Victorian depravation.
When you’re done listening to this, check out History Rage
Thanks to SOULFULJAMTRACKS for their tune "Dark Halloween"
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#HistorysDevils #JamesCrossland #HistoryPodcast #Podcast #History #DarkHistory #HistoricalBiography #TrueHistory #HistoryDocumentary #Deepdive #Storytelling
History's Devils is a history podcast exploring the lives of murderers, charlatans, psychopaths, dictators, war criminals, tyrants, demagogues, revolutionaries, cult leaders, conquerors, fraudsters, and other controversial figures.
History's Devils is hosted by James Crossland, professor of international history and author of:
Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart
The Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism...
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In this episode of HISTORY’S DEVILS, host James Crossland is joined by historian, author and scholar of Satan, Mikki Brock to explore the extraordinary life of John Dee, the famed court magician of Elizabeth I.
From occult practices and alchemy to conversations with angels - and possibly demons - this episode dives into Dee’s myth-making, confidence tricks, and his role in the intrigues of Queen Elizabeth's court. Discover how Dee’s influence extended from mystical experiments to shaping the idea of the British Empire.
Perfect for listeners fascinated by true history, the Elizabethan era, magic and the occult, royal intrigue, and the hidden stories that shaped the modern world.
🎙️
Buy Mikki’s Book – https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526160904/
Follow Mikki on Instagram – @historymikki
Further Reading
Benjamin Woolet, The Queen’s Conjurer: The Life and Magic of Dr John Dee (2002)
Glynn Parry, The Arch-Conjuror of England: John Dee (2013)
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to John Dee: The Man Behind the Mystique
02:35 John Dee's Early Life and Education
04:45 The Intersection of Mathematics and Magic
07:47 Navigating Political Turmoil: Dee's Context
11:59 Dee's Relationship with Queen Elizabeth I
16:01 Alchemy: The Quest for Gold
25:09 Exploration and the Search for Riches
29:55 The Vision of a British Empire
32:21 The Myth of the British Empire
33:26 Mathematics and Navigation
34:07 Mirrors, Kabbalah, and Angelic Communication
37:05 The Role of Edward Kelly
40:59 Adventures and Misadventures in Europe
44:56 The Decline of John Dee
48:47 Legacy and Impact of John Dee
Thanks to SOULFULJAMTRACKS for their tune "Dark Halloween"
Follow HISTORY's DEVILS
On Instagram @historysdevils
https://www.instagram.com/historysdevils/
On Substack
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Follow JAMES CROSSLAND
On Bluesky @jamescrossland.bsky.social
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Tag HISTORY's DEVILS
@historysdevils
#HistorysDevils #JamesCrossland #HistoryPodcast #Podcast #History #DarkHistory #HistoricalBiography #TrueHistory #HistoryDocumentary #Deepdive #Storytelling
History's Devils is a history podcast exploring the lives of murderers, charlatans, psychopaths, dictators, war criminals, tyrants, demagogues, revolutionaries, cult leaders, conquerors, fraudsters, and other controversial figures.
History's Devils is hosted by James Crossland, professor of international history and author of:
Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart
The Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism...
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In this episode of HISTORY’S DEVILS, host James Crossland is joined by historian and author Chris Kempshall to explore the rise, fall, and legacy of Darth Vader—one of the greatest villains in cinematic history.
From his origins as Anakin Skywalker to his transformation into a Sith Lord, this episode dives deep into Vader’s character development across the Star Wars saga. What drove his fall the dark sides? And how does his story reflect real-world history, politics, and ideology?
Drawing on Chris' The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire and The History and Politics of Star Wars, the pair breakdown the historical influences behind Vader, the nature of power and authoritarianism, and the enduring cultural impact of this iconic character.
From analysing Vader’s crimes to exploring his place at the heart of the Star Wars universe, this episode blends film analysis, history, and pop culture into one compelling deep dive.
If you're interested in Star Wars, film history, villains, or the real-world ideas behind iconic characters, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
See what Chris is up to and purchase his books at: https://chriskempshall.com/
Further Reading
Chris’ Stuff – it’s all you need.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Star Wars and Personal Memories
03:14 Darth Vader: The Iconic Villain
09:26 Real-World Influences on Star Wars
14:45 Character Development of Darth Vader
20:22 Darth Vader's Symbolism and Design
28:22 The Tragedy of Anakin Skywalker
32:27 The Dark Path of Anakin Skywalker
35:28 Anakin's Dark Turn
39:57 The Weight of Choices
41:59 Vader's Evolution in the Franchise
47:43 The Legacy of Darth Vader
55:34 Cultural Impact and Parodies of Vader
Thanks to SOULFULJAMTRACKS for their tune "Dark Halloween"
Follow HISTORY's DEVILS
On Instagram @historysdevils
https://www.instagram.com/historysdevils/
On Substack
https://jamescrossland.substack.com/
Follow JAMES CROSSLAND
On Bluesky @jamescrossland.bsky.social
https://bsky.app/profile/jamescrossland.bsky.social
Tag HISTORY's DEVILS
@historysdevils
#HistorysDevils #JamesCrossland #HistoryPodcast #Podcast #History #DarkHistory #HistoricalBiography #TrueHistory #HistoryDocumentary #Deepdive #Storytelling
History's Devils is a history podcast exploring the lives of murderers, charlatans, psychopaths, dictators, war criminals, tyrants, demagogues, revolutionaries, cult leaders, conquerors, fraudsters, and other controversial figures.
History's Devils is hosted by James Crossland, professor of international history and author of:
Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart
The Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism...
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In this episode of HISTORY’S DEVILS, host James Crossland is joined by Lisa Traynor (Royal Armouries) to uncover the story of Felice Orsini—the little-known figure behind the first modern terrorist attack.
A radical Italian nationalist, Orsini changed undertandings of political violence with his 1858 assassination attempt on Napoleon III in Paris. Using a unique improvised explosive device known as the Orsini Bomb, his actions inspired a generationa of radicals and pioneered the tactic of terrorism for the modern age.
This episode explores the origins of terrorism, revolutionary politics, and the rise of political violence in 19th-century Europe. How did Orsini’s attack influence future extremists? And why has his legacy been largely forgotten?
Check out James’ book on the subject: The Rise of Devils: Fear & The Origins of Modern Terrorism
See what Lisa and her team are up to at Britain’s Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds
Further Reading
Michael St John Packe, The Bombs of Orsini
Carola Dietze, The Invention of Terrorism in Europe, Russia and the United States
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Modern Terrorism
02:46 The Life and Times of Felice Orsini
05:38 Political Context of 19th Century Italy
08:28 The Rise of Italian Nationalism
11:12 Orsini's Revolutionary Activities
14:14 The Daring Escape from Prison
17:01 Orsini's Celebrity Status and Impact
19:43 The Shift to Terrorism as Tactic
22:36 The Availability of Weapons in the 19th Century
26:17 The Velodog and Personal Protection
28:32 Orsini's Revolutionary Ideals
29:31 The Design and Function of the Orsini Bomb
35:20 The Spectacle of Terrorism
41:32 The Aftermath and Political Repercussions
49:19 Legacy of Orsini and the Concept of Terrorism
Thanks to SOULFULJAMTRACKS for their tune "Dark Halloween"
Follow HISTORY's DEVILS
On Instagram @historysdevils
https://www.instagram.com/historysdevils/
On Substack
https://jamescrossland.substack.com/
Follow JAMES CROSSLAND
On Bluesky @jamescrossland.bsky.social
https://bsky.app/profile/jamescrossland.bsky.social
Tag HISTORY's DEVILS
@historysdevils
#HistorysDevils #JamesCrossland #HistoryPodcast #Podcast #History #DarkHistory #HistoricalBiography #TrueHistory #HistoryDocumentary #Deepdive #Storytelling
History's Devils is a history podcast exploring the lives of murderers, charlatans, psychopaths, dictators, war criminals, tyrants, demagogues, revolutionaries, cult leaders, conquerors, fraudsters, and other controversial figures.
History's Devils is hosted by James Crossland, professor of international history and author of:
Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart
The Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism...
-
In this HISTORY’S DEVILS two-parter, James Crossland is joined by Jayne Friend to explore the shocking true story of Francis Tumblety - one of the most disturbing conmen of the 19th century. A self-proclaimed doctor, master grifter, and notorious charlatan, Tumblety’s dark life intersects with some of history’s most infamous crimes, including the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the terror of the 1888 Jack the Ripper murders.
From bizarre medical scams and criminal activity to violent assault, illegal abortions and disturbing obsessions, this episode dives deep into the sinister underworld of Victorian era London and Gilded Age America.
If you’re interested in true crime, Victorian history, serial killers, and real-life villains, this is a story you won’t want to miss.
Further Reading
Timothy B. Riordan, The Prince of Quacks: The Notorious Life of Dr Francis Tumblety, Charlatan and Jack the Ripper Suspect (2009)
Donald Rumbelow, The Complete Jack the Ripper (2016)
www.casebook.org – the best website BY FAR on the Jack the Ripper case
Chapters
Episode 1
00:00 Introduction to History's Devils
00:56 The Notorious Francis Tumblety
02:51 Tumblety's Early Life and Background
05:57 Tumblety's Quackery and Medical Practices
11:50 The Rise of Tumblety's Fame
17:57 Tumblety's Criminal Activities and Legal Troubles
23:49 The Civil War and Tumblety's Role
29:45 Conclusion and Reflection on Tumblety's Legacy
30:53 Divisions in the Medical Fraternity During the Civil War
32:09 The Reality of War: Medical Challenges and Quackery
34:45 The Rise of Francis Tumblety: A War Grifter
38:55 Tumblety's Exploits: From Medical Claims to Scams
43:47 The Fallout: Arrests and Accusations
50:46 The Confusion of Identity: Tumblety and the Assassination Plot
54:49 The Wilderness Years: Tumblety's Decline and Arrests
59:58 The Ripper Connection: Tumblety's Final Chapter
Episode 2
00:00 Introduction to History's Devils
00:28 Tumblety's Involvement in Jack the Ripper Case
01:44 Cultural Representations of Jack the Ripper
03:57 The Press and Public Perception
06:02 Tumblety's Reputation and Suspicions
07:40 Evidence Linking Tumblety to the Murders
11:12 Tumblety's Medical Quackery and Theories
14:20 Psychological Aspects of Tumblety's Crimes
17:31 Exploring Tumblety's Identity and Relationships
19:51 The Profile of a Suspect
21:48 The Emergence of Tumblety
24:57 The Arrest and Speculation
27:36 The Evidence and Eyewitness Accounts
33:01 The Life After the Ripper
36:39 The Final Years and Legacy
Thanks to SOULFULJAMTRACKS for their tune "Dark Halloween"
Follow HISTORY's DEVILS
On Instagram @historysdevils
https://www.instagram.com/historysdevils/
On Substack
https://jamescrossland.substack.com/
Follow JAMES CROSSLAND
On Bluesky @jamescrossland.bsky.social
https://bsky.app/profile/jamescrossland.bsky.social
Tag HISTORY's DEVILS
@historysdevils
#HistorysDevils #JamesCrossland #HistoryPodcast #Podcast #History #DarkHistory #HistoricalBiography #TrueHistory #HistoryDocumentary #Deepdive #Storytelling
History's Devils is a history podcast exploring the lives of murderers, charlatans, psychopaths, dictators, war criminals, tyrants, demagogues, revolutionaries, cult leaders, conquerors, fraudsters, and other controversial figures.
History's Devils is hosted by James Crossland, professor of international history and author of:
Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart
The Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism...
- Se mer
