Giants of History

Eyewitness accounts are the best way to explore history.  In this episode, we explore one of the most famous executions in history through the eyes of those that were in the room on that day, February 8th 1587...the day that the life of Mary, Queen of Scots came to an end.   Follow the show on Twitter:  @giantshistory

It's common knowledge that Vincent van Gogh cut off part of his ear at some point in his life.  But, most have no idea of the events that led up to that bloody Sunday night in Arles, France, just before Christmas in 1888.     Twitter:  @giantshistory

Part two in a two part series exploring the life of American abolitionist, Frederick Douglass. Follow the show on Twitter:  @giantshistory

Part one in a two part series on Frederick Douglass. “You have seen how a man was made a slave…you shall see how a slave was made a man.” This is the line Frederick Douglass writes in his autobiography, just before he tells the story of the day he snapped, the day he just couldn’t take it anymore, the day he finally fought back. Follow the show on Twitter:  @giantshistory

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this twelfth and final episode of our series on Winston Churchill, we follow Churchill as his escape from the Boers reaches its final phase. He’s just one train ride away from ultimate freedom. We hope you enjoy! For exclusive access to “Giants of History | Stories” which are extra, full length episodes of Giants of History, visit patreon.com/giantsofhistory. Follow the show on Twitter: @giantshistory

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this eleventh episode of our series on Winston Churchill, we follow Churchill as he continues his efforts to escape from Boer territory, wandering through the South African veld at night. And just as Churchill is about to run out of options, he sees something in the distance that changes everything. We hope you enjoy! For exclusive access to “Giants of History | Stories” which are extra, full length episodes of Giants of History, visit patreon.com/giantsofhistory. Follow the show on Twitter: @giantshistory

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this tenth episode of our series on Winston Churchill, we follow Churchill as he formulates his plan to get out of Boer Territory, and win back his freedom, which lies 300 miles away in Portuguese East Africa.  We hope you enjoy! For exclusive access to "Giants of History | Stories" which are extra, full length episodes of Giants of History, visit patreon.com/giantsofhistory. Follow the show on Twitter:  @giantshistory

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this ninth episode of our series on Winston Churchill, we follow Churchill as he wins back his freedom after escaping from prison, only to find himself in the middle of the South African veld, hundreds of miles from true safety. We hope you enjoy! For exclusive access to “Giants of History | Stories” which are extra, full length episodes of Giants of History, visit patreon.com/giantsofhistory. Follow the show on Twitter: @giantshistory

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this eighth episode of our series on Winston Churchill, we follow Churchill during the immediate lead up to, and the execution of his bold plan to escape. We hope you enjoy! For exclusive access to “Giants of History | Stories” which are extra, full length episodes of Giants of History, visit patreon.com/giantsofhistory. Follow the show on Twitter: @giantshistory

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this "Patreon Preview", we give you a sneak peek at the episode that explores the first major sex scandal in American history which starred front and center, the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton.  We hope you enjoy! For exclusive access to the full length episode, and for more “Giants of History | Stories” which are extra, full length episodes of Giants of History, visit patreon.com/giantsofhistory  Follow the show on Twitter: @giantshistory

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this seventh episode of our series on Winston Churchill, we explore Churchill’s arrival at his prison in Pretoria, South Africa, his day to day life as a prisoner of war, and the formation of his plan to ultimately escape from his Boer captors. We hope you enjoy! For exclusive access to “Giants of History | Stories” which are extra, full length episodes of Giants of History, visit patreon.com/giantsofhistory  Follow the show on Twitter: @giantshistory

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this sixth episode of our series on Winston Churchill, we explore Churchill’s first few days as a prisoner of war, and his early plans for escape. We hope you enjoy! For exclusive access to “Giants of History | Stories” which are extra, all new full length episodes of Giants of History, visit patreon.com/giantsofhistory Gohistorypodcast.com | @giantshistory | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com Please visit our website at gohistorypodcast.com for more information and to sign up for our email newsletter

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this fifth episode of our series on Winston Churchill, we explore the Boer’s trap of the British reconnaissance train, its aftermath, and Churchill’s reaction to it. This is a wild one. We hope you enjoy! For exclusive access to “Giants of History | Stories” which are extra, all new full length episodes of Giants of History, visit patreon.com/giantsofhistory Gohistorypodcast.com | @giantshistory | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this “Patreon Preview” episode, we tell the story of the events that put Ronald Reagan’s name on the front page of a newspaper for the first time in his life.  He was seventeen.  We hope you enjoy!  For exclusive access to “Giants of History | Stories” which are extra, all new full length episodes of Giants of History, visit patreon.com/giantsofhistory Gohistorypodcast.com | @giantshistory | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this fourth episode of our series on Winston Churchill, we explore the reconnaissance mission that Churchill joins aboard an armored train in eastern South Africa, which is scheduled to travel north out of Estcourt headed towards Ladysmith. But that plan takes a severe turn when the armored train encounters members of the Boer Army along the way. We hope you enjoy!   For exclusive access to “Giants of History | Stories” which are extra, all new full length episodes of Giants of History, visit patreon.com/giantsofhistory Gohistorypodcast.com | @giantshistory | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this third episode of our series on Winston Churchill, we explore Churchill's arrival in South Africa for the Boer War, his race from Cape Town to Natal, and his arrival at Estcourt where he plans to join a reconnaissance mission on an armored train.  We hope you enjoy!   For exclusive access to “Giants of History | Stories” which are extra, all new full length episodes of Giants of History, visit Patreon.com/giantsofhistory Gohistorypodcast.com | @giantshistory | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! This episode is the second in a short series that covers one of the greatest escape stories in modern history…and the hero of this story is none other, than Winston Churchill. We hope you enjoy! For exclusive access to “Giants of History | Stories” which are extra, all new full length episodes of Giants of History, visit Patreon.com/giantsofhistory Gohistorypodcast.com | @giantshistory | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! This episode is a preview of the work I'm publishing for supporters of the podcast via Patreon.  To become a supporter, and get instant access to thirteen all new, extra episodes of Giants of History, please click the patreon.com/giantsofhistory I hope you enjoy!   gohistorypodcast@gmail.com | @giantshistory | gohistorypodcast.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! This episode is the first in a short series that covers one of the greatest escape stories in modern history…and the hero of this story is none other, than Winston Churchill. We hope you enjoy! For exclusive access to “Giants of History | Stories” which are extra, all new full length episodes of Giants of History, visit Patreon.com/giantsofhistory Gohistorypodcast.com | @giantshistory | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! This episode is a “Giants of History Special” in which we explore a much more recent story than we have in the past.  And while it may sound like pure fiction, it is 100% true.  We hope you enjoy! Gohistorypodcast.com | @giantshistory | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com Please visit our website at gohistorypodcast.com for more information and to sign up for our email newsletter

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! This episode is a preview of the work I’m publishing on the show’s Patreon page.  The full length episode is available to monthly supporters of Giants of History.  To become a supporter, and get access to this episode as well as all the other episodes exclusively available to patrons of the show, visit Patreon.com/giantsofhistory Gohistorypodcast.com | @giantshistory | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this thirteenth and final episode in part one of our series on Cleopatra, we explore in great detail the assassination of Julius Caesar, as well as the impact his death had on Cleopatra’s immediate future, and ultimately, her life.  We hope you enjoy! For exclusive access to “Giants of History | Stories” which are extra, all new full length episodes of Giants of History, visit Patreon.com/giantsofhistory. This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com.  Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @giantshistory | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com Please visit our website at gohistorypodcast.com for more information and to sign up for our email newsletter

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this twelfth episode of our series on Cleopatra, we continue to explore the events leading up to the assassination of Julius Caesar, including the many bad omens that appeared as the Ides of March approached.  We hope you enjoy! For exclusive access to “Giants of History | Stories” which are extra, all new full length episodes of Giants of History, visit Patreon.com/giants of history. This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com.  Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @giantshistory | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com Please visit our website at gohistorypodcast.com for more information and to sign up for our email newsletter Editor’s Note:  Many of the quotes used in this episode are from Barry Strauss’ book “The Death of Caesar.”  Mr. Strauss is mistakenly referred to as “Robert Strauss” during one of those references

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this “Patreon Preview” we get a sneak peek at the latest episode published for supporters of the podcast on Patreon… “FDR: Steel Soul” To become a supporter of the podcast and get immediate access to eight new Giants of History episodes, go to www.patreon.com/giantsofhistory.  We hope you enjoy! This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @giantshistory | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this eleventh episode of our series on Cleopatra, we explore the events leading up to the assassination of Julius Caesar and some of the conspirators who spearheaded the charge.  We hope you enjoy! All new episodes of the show are now available at www.patreon.com/giantsofhistory This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @giantshistory | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this tenth episode of our series on Cleopatra, we explore Cleopatra and Caesar’s reunion in Rome as well as cover some of the events that occur while Cleopatra is in the city.  We hope you enjoy! All new episodes of the show are now available at www.patreon.com/giantsofhistory This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @giantshistory | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this ninth episode of our series on Cleopatra, we explore Cleopatra’s long journey from Egypt to Rome, and the lead up to her reunion with Julius Caesar.  We hope you enjoy! All new episodes of the show are now available at www.patreon.com/giantsofhistory This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @giantshistory | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this eighth episode of our series on Cleopatra, we explore the cruise Cleopatra and Caesar take up the Nile after the War for Alexandria ends, the birth of their baby Caesarion, and the triumphs celebrated by Caesar upon his return to Rome.  We hope you enjoy! All new episodes of the show are now available at www.patreon.com/giantsofhistory This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @giantshistory | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com Please visit our website at gohistorypodcast.com for more information and to sign up for our email newsletter

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this seventh episode of our series on Cleopatra, we explore the War for Alexandria and the impact the war has on the relationship between Cleopatra and Caesar.  We hope you enjoy! All new episodes of the show are now available at www.patreon.com/giantsofhistory This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @giantshistory | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this sixth episode of our series on Cleopatra, we explore the immediate aftermath of the first meeting between Cleopatra and Julius Caesar and the events that their union that evening causes.  We hope you enjoy! This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @giantshistory | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this fifth episode of our series on Cleopatra, we take some time to explore the history of Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great, as it's their rivalry, and subsequent civil war, which will eventually bring Caesar to Egypt.  And it is this event, the arrival of Caesar in Egypt, which will once again tip the balance of power in Egypt away from Ptolemy XIII and back toward Cleopatra.  We hope you enjoy! This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @historygiants | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this fourth episode of our series on Cleopatra, we explore Cleopatra’s first three years as Pharaoh of Egypt and the power struggle that rages between her and her younger brother and co-ruler, Ptolemy XIII.  We hope you enjoy! This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @gohistorypodcst | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this third episode of our series on Cleopatra, we explore the famous first meeting of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar, as well as the places and experiences that forged her formidable intellect and education.  We hope you enjoy! This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @gohistorypodcst | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In the second episode of our series on Cleopatra, we explore Cleopatra’s family and aspects of her early childhood.  We hope you enjoy! This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @gohistorypodcst | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In the first episode of our series on Cleopatra, we explore the historical path of Cleopatra’s ascension to the throne of Egypt, as well as the world into which she would ultimately be born and have to fight for power in.  We hope you enjoy! This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @gohistorypodcst | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this introductory episode to our new series on Cleopatra, we explore some of the misunderstandings and lesser known facts about the legendary queen and her reign.  We hope you enjoy! This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @gohistorypodcst | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this ninth and final episode of our series on Martin Luther King Jr., we explore in detail the final hours and assassination of King.  This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @gohistorypodcst | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this eighth episode of our series on Martin Luther King Jr., we explore the events that took place on the last night King ever spent alive.  We also discuss the passage of one of the most important pieces of legislation to ever get signed into law…The Civil Rights Act of 1964.  We hope you enjoy! This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @gohistorypodcst | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this seventh episode of our series on Martin Luther King Jr., we explore some of the more controversial parts of King’s personal life, as well as the rising action toward what would ultimately become The Civil Rights Act of 1964.  The year 1963 was an eventful one for King as you will see.  We hope you enjoy! This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @gohistorypodcst | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this sixth episode of our series on Martin Luther King Jr., we explore some of the key events in the march toward the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and King’s involvement in each, including the march in Birmingham which focused the eyes of the nation on all that was happening in the south.  We hope you enjoy! This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @gohistorypodcst | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this fifth episode of our series on Martin Luther King Jr., we explore the history of segregation and the singular event which launched King’s fame and gave him the platform to fight for civil rights on the national stage.  We hope you enjoy! This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @gohistorypodcst | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this fourth episode of our series on Martin Luther King Jr., we explore King’s decision to ultimately pursue the ministry, his ordination, and the end of his formal education which concludes with his being awarded his PhD from Boston University.  We hope you enjoy! This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @gohistorypodcst | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this third episode of our series on Martin Luther King Jr., we explore King’s early experiences in college both academically and socially.  Then, two events take place in July of 1946 that spark national outrage and lead to King making a firm decision about his future.  We hope you enjoy! This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @gohistorypodcst | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this second episode of our series on Martin Luther King Jr., we explore a handful of stories from his youth that he himself considered seminal events and critical to who he later became.  But it would be his first trip to the northeastern part of the United States that would clearly define what ultimately would become his purpose in life.  We hope you enjoy! This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @gohistorypodcst | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this first episode of our series on Martin Luther King Jr., we examine one of the more poignant stories of his life, as well as explore his lineage and the roots from which his gifts for oratory came from.  And as we all know, it was his oratorical powers which made him so effective and influential later in life.  We hope you enjoy! This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @gohistorypodcst | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this intro show to our exploration of Martin Luther King Jr., we discuss details of his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, as well as briefly cover some of the more poignant events that occurred in his life prior to his rise to national prominence.  In addition, we’ve included the last five minutes of the famous speech at the end of the show in an effort to set the tone for all that it to come as we move forward in our exploration of his incredible life.  We hope you enjoy! This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this fifth and final episode of our John D. Rockefeller series, we explore the rise of Standard Oil from a single refinery operation to one of the largest companies in the history of American business.  But it was one event in particular, in 1872, which truly launched Standard Oil and Rockefeller to the pinnacle of power.  We hope you enjoy! This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @gohistorypodcst | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this fourth episode of a now five part series, we explore the big pivot Rockefeller makes into the oil refining business.  And amidst a number of competitors in the market, Rockefeller’s business acumen quickly finds a way to elevate his refinery over all the others.  But another bold move is soon on the horizon for Rockefeller, and he puts all his skills to use in order to see his vision for the business realized.  We hope you enjoy! This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this third episode of a now four part series, we explore Rockefeller’s first three years as a bookkeeper in the business world…a time which he would later refer to as his “apprenticeship”.  But Rockefeller has bigger plans for himself as we shall see, and his time as a bookkeeper at Hewitt & Tuttle proves to be the perfect training ground for the future king of capitalism.  We hope you enjoy! This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @gohistorypodcst | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In the second episode of a three part series, we explore the ups and downs in the life of the young John D. Rockefeller… and it would be one of these down times that would serve as the catalyst for Rockefeller’s entry into business and put him on his path to wealth and riches beyond imagination.  We hope you enjoy! This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @gohistorypodcst | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back all history fans to the Giants of History Podcast! In this first episode of a three part series, we explore the rough and humble beginnings of America’s most legendary capitalist, John D. Rockefeller.  His early years are anything but typical, but a tough living situation forces him to develop a skill set that he’ll find very useful later in life.  Also, an early experience with money proves a revelation for the young Rockefeller and sets him on his path.  We hope you enjoy! This episode of Giants of History was brought to you by Audible.com Visit audibletrial.com/history to download your free audiobook Gohistorypodcast.com | @gohistorypodcst | gohistorypodcast@gmail.com