The sieging of walled cities by invading armies is a dismal tale as old as history. However, one siege stands out from them all – as if it had been scripted by Hollywood screenwriters for its surreal origin, bizarre dramatics, and jaw-dropping ending. This episode tells the hard-to-believe story of the 1683 Siege of Vienna.
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025: Did Shakespeare Write Shakespeare?
Though he is considered the greatest and most influential English language writer of all time, William Shakespeare’s authorship of the plays that bear his name has been doubted for at least two centuries. How did these theories arise? Is there any credence to them? Well, the iron simplicity of the answers might surprise you.
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024: Into The Fire - Augustina of Aragon
Faced with certain death from the guns and bayonets of attacking French troops, a young woman supplying water to Spanish soldiers should have joined the defenders in fleeing the battle. However, her immense courage would not allow retreat; her deep patriotism would not abide surrender. So she stayed, and a legend was born. This episode tells the astounding story of Augustina of Aragon.
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023: Death Angels - The Nyos Disaster
When a mass death event strikes a remote region of Africa in 1986, the initial facts are so freakishly weird that even those most skeptical of anything supernatural pause to reconsider with the question, “What in the world just happened here?” As scientists doggedly unravel the truth, the baffling story becomes no less troubling. This episode tells the story of the nearly forgotten mystery of the Nyos disaster.
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022: The Problem Solver - Hedy Lamar
Graced with a stunning face that could launch a thousand ships, Hedwig Kiesler ricocheted repeatedly between fame and scandal. But while no one was looking, she created an innovation so startling that it literally changed the world – an invention that is likely affecting you at the very moment you are reading this. The astonishing story of Hedy Lamarr.
A podcast that delivers history stories with plot twists. David Nix, a writer of historical fiction, brings biweekly historical tales that twist and turn like a good mystery novel. Whether offering new stories or new insights, this podcast drags you down the rabbit holes of history in search of the magical surprise. Find me at davidjnix.com.
South Africa