The Revisionist History Podcast

Hollywood doesn't care much about historical accuracy, and historically accurate movies aren't always great. The five we cover in today's Throwback Thursday episode are both accurate historically and excellent films as well.

In today's episode, we explore both some facts and some myths about the most forgotten war in American history: the War of 1812.

In today's episode, we travel back to the time of King Henry VIII of England to meet a man who took a conscientious stand against the king and paid the ultimate price.

In today's episode, we debunk the persistent myth that the Victorian Age in England was one of total sexual repression. The facts are much more interesting.

Merry Christmas! We all know the Christmas story from Luke's gospel, but in honor of the holiday, today's special Christmas episode looks at a Christmas story you may not be familiar with.

To wrap up the year, we will be looking back at some of the most popular episodes of 2023. We start with an episode debunking three persistent myths from the Age of Sail.

Rather than debunking Christmas myths (which we did in an earlier episode anyway), today we'll be looking at the origins of two of our most cherished and enduring Christmas traditions: the Christmas tree and the Nativity scene.

Today is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas. In today's episode, we take a closer look at her appearance to St. Juan Diego 500 years ago.

We're right at two weeks before Christmas, which makes it the perfect time to debunk some long-held and long-cherished myths about the holiday.

In today's episode, we tackle a myth I didn't know about until recently: the claim by some that the Roman Emperor Constantine actually started the Catholic Church.

Since I missed the Sundays with the Saints episode yesterday, today I am combining that with our Tuesday book review segment. In this episode, we look at the books that influenced the saints.

Sometimes, even an outstanding historical series gets some major facts wrong. In today's Throwback Thursday episode, we look at three times this happened in the HBO miniseries "Band of Brothers."

In today's episode, we look at the four US presidents who won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Today's episode is not about history but rather an update on recent developments with the podcast and some changes as a result of those developments. Also, the email I mentioned in the episode is revisionisthistory@yahoo.com. Thanks.

In today's episode, I'm pulling an episode from the archives that should have run again during Banned Books Week. In it, we look at a recent spate of trigger warnings and outright rewriting of classic literature that are the very epitome of revisionist history.

For this week's Tuesday Book Review, we're looking at a giant of the 20th century and an equally massive biography: "Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II" by George Weigel.

In today's Sundays with the Saints episode, we meet the last of the four great Latin Fathers of the Church: Pope St. Gregory the Great.

In today's Throwback Thursday episode, we debunk four myths about the least-known leader of World War Two: Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.

From the toppling of his statues to moves to rename cities named after him, few historical figures cause as much debate centuries after their death as Christopher Columbus. Was he a hero, or a villain, or both? Today's Columbus Day episode looks at that question.

In today's Sundays with the Saints episode, we look at a saint and Church Father that virtually everyone has heard of: St. Augustine of Hippo, author of "The Confessions."

On today's Throwback Thursday episode, we debunk four myths about the RMS Titanic, which tragically sank on the early morning of April 15, 1912, and is one of the most famous maritime disasters in history.

Since it's become something of a month-long celebration, it's not too early to talk briefly about the history, revisionist and otherwise, of Halloween. No ghosts here...just a jack o' lantern lit by facts. Enjoy.

In today's Sundays with the Saints episode, we look at the life of another early Church Father. Let's meet St. Ambrose of Milan.

Tomorrow, October 1st, kicks off Banned Books Week in the United States. On the surface, it may not seem like that has anything to do with revisionist history, but in reality, it does. Let's look at how and why.

History is filled with examples of missed opportunities, and in today's episode, we look at one involving Abraham Lincoln, Italian freedom fighter Giusepe Garibaldi, and the American Civil War.

More than 300 years after the infamous Salem Witch Trials, the event remains shrouded in myth and misconception. In today's Throwback Thursday episode, we set the record straight.

In today's episode, we take a look at the man who is the literal poster boy of revisionist history. If you only know him as "that guy on the T-shirt," you're in for a surprise.

In today’s episode, we look at one of the all-time greats of literature and a man who not only wrote novels about history but lived it as well. Let's meet Alexandre Dumas, author of "The Three Musketeers" and "The Count of Monte Cristo."

In today's episode, we take a look at a neglected literary art form: the hagiography. Is it real history or pious hoax? Let's find out.

In today's Sundays with the Saints episode, we look at St. Jerome, the man who translated the Bible into Latin and may have been the grumpiest saint who ever lived.

It's been a rough month so far, and we all need some good news for a change. So rather than busting myths about today's subject, we instead present five cool facts about the greatest American author ever: Ernest Hemingway.

In today's episode, we head back out to sea and debunk some cherished myths about those most romanticized of maritime marauders: pirates.

In today's Throwback Thursday episode, we wade into a myth so pervasive that almost everyone accepts it as fact. Let's take a look at the Spanish Inquisition and set the record straight.

In today's episode, we debunk five common myths about the greatest Roman in history: Julius Caesar.

In today's Tuesday Book Review, we look briefly at one of the best histories of the American Civil War ever written: James McPherson's "Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era."

In today's episode, we address a question that comes up more often than it should: does revisionist history really matter? It absolutely does, and we'll explain why.

Today, I am using our "Sundays with the Saints" episode to debunk a common myth about the saints: that they were always serious, always sour, and never, ever, funny. The evidence definitely shows otherwise.

Everyone knows that George Washington led the Continental Army in the American Revolution and became the first President of the United States. Fewer know that it may have been a young Lieutenant Colonel George Washington who in 1754, twenty-two years before the American colonies declared independence, actually started the French and Indian War. In today's episode, we look at Washington's role in starting the first truly global conflict.

In today's episode, we debunk a conspiracy theory that has raged for 45 years: that Pope John Paul I was murdered.

In today's Throwback Thursday episode, I review a book about a pivotal yet nearly forgotten period in American history.

Just a brief note before today's full episode asking you to listen to the next episode on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/show/24OIdPLNou7U8Cq1uDGP7t?si=r6usx4_TR9i45Jv5rpsAWA

History can be revised not only by what is changed but sometimes simply by what is forgotten. Today's episode addresses that by introducing you to the literary ambulance drivers of World War I. If you've never heard about these courageous volunteers who became the best-known authors of the 20th century, some of the names may surprise you.

Today's episode is a little different in that I am not only reviewing a book, but one in which I believe the myths it contains are actually a good thing. Let's look at "No One Here Gets Out Alive," the biography of Doors lead singer Jim Morrison and an interesting chronicle of the 1960s.

Today marks the 22nd anniversary of the September 11th attacks. In this episode, which I do every year around this time, we introduce you to a hero of that day who should never be forgotten: Rick Rescorla.

In today's episode of Sundays with the Saints, we look at one of the most beloved saints in the world. Let's meet St. Teresa of Avila.

In today's episode, we look at what you might not immediately consider a source for great content about history: YouTube. There are some channels that aren't just informative but also a lot of fun.

In today's episode, which comes on the one-year anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, we look back at a reflection I did shortly after that sad day.

After the passing of Queen Elizabeth II one year ago tomorrow, many of us binge-watched films about kings and queens. In this Throwback Thursday episode, I give you five of my favorites.

In today's episode, we separate fact from fiction regarding a historical figure most of us know best from the novel "The Three Musketeers," or at least its many film versions: Cardinal Richelieu.

For today's Tuesday Book Review, we look at Eamon Duffy's fine combination of history and biography, "Ten Popes Who Shook the World."

In today's episode, we look at three myths about one of the most famous US Presidents ever: John F. Kennedy.

Sunday is usually the day we look at saints and their place in history, but today's episode veers from that a bit. Today, I want to introduce you to a book that has influenced Western civilization more than any other, but that is sadly neglected today.

Happy Labor Day weekend! In today's episode, I want to give a brief update about the podcast and some changes that are coming. We'll be back to history again tomorrow.

For too long, documentaries have been labeled by most people as being boring. That is definitely not the case with the ten we look at in today's Throwback Thursday episode.

In today's episode, we dispel four myths about the greatest president in American history: Abraham Lincoln.

In today's Tuesday Book Review, we look at Robert K. Massie's mammoth biography of Russia's most influential Tsar in "Peter the Great: His Life and World."

In today's episode, we return to the subject of the American Civil War, specifically an issue that is hotly debated today: Confederate monuments and statues in the public square. Let's look at the real history here; it may surprise you.

In today's Sundays with the Saints episode, we meet the patron saint of writers and journalists: St. Francis de Sales.

For this Saturday's episode, we're back at the movies. This time, we're looking at 15 great historical films from the glorious 1960s that everyone should see.

Since it's Friday, today's episode is a bit lighter than usual. We'll be debunking five urban legends (or myths, if you prefer) that kids in the '70s and '80s totally believed, proving that revisionism extends even to the pop culture side of history.

People today love to lament the lack of civility between our politicians, as if it's a new phenomenon. But is it? In today's Throwback Thursday episode, we set that record straight as we head into another election season.

When you're considered the "Father of the Nation," it's inevitable that some myths will spring up about you. Such is the case with George Washington, so let's debunk a few.

Today's Tuesday Book Review looks at a biography of a man from a period of English history few know about, written by one of the great novelists of the 20th century.

Today's "Sundays with the Saints" episode looks at the first US citizen canonized by the Catholic Church and the patron saint of immigrants. Let's meet St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, better known as Mother Cabrini.

In today's episode, we correct some of the myths and revisions found in the hit Broadway musical "Hamilton."

Censorship has ramped up in our school libraries recently. In today's episode, we look at the fact that these censors have learned nothing from the history of past attempts to censor what we read and listen to.

I've talked before on this podcast about the importance of reading history. In today's episode, I offer five books I think everyone should read as they seek to understand true history. Some you may recognize, and some you may never have heard of, but all are worth your time.

We have talked on this podcast about many different ways history is revised and altered. In today's episode, we look at the most direct, destructive method: the burning of books and libraries.

Today's Sundays with the Saints episode explores some of the revisionist history that has sprung up about Pope John Paul II's role in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe 30 years ago.

In today's episode, we debunk three myths about a man who was once a sacred cow of American history: Robert E. Lee.

In today's Throwback Thursday episode, we look at three of our most famous U.S. presidents and their surprising ties to the adult beverage industry.

In today's episode, we take a critical look at a sacred cow of American "historical" programming: Schoolhouse Rock.

In today's epsiode we have one more book review, this time about Paris in the decade following the First World War and the ex-pat writers and artists of that time, including the author of "A Moveable Feast," Ernest Hemingway.

In today's episode we look at the myths that have grown up around one of the towering figures of the 20th Century: the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan.

On today's "Sundays with the Saints" episode, we meet a Bavarian priest who spent most of his life working tirelessly among immigrants in the United States, throughout the US Civil War, and during a tragic cholera outbreak in New Orleans. Let's meet Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos.

In today's episode, we're debunking five myths about one of the most famous leaders of all time: Napoleon Bonaparte.

In today's episode we look at the Crusades, always a daunting and controversial subject, and dispel three common myths about them that just won't go away.

In today's Throwback Thursday episode, we take on a myth that somehow still persists despite being debunked numerous times: the claim that Polish cavalry units charged German tanks during the invasion of Poland in World War II.

In a slight departure from our regular Tuesday book review epsiode, today we'll be looking at the history of Penguin Paperbacks, as well as some of their awesome offerings.

The Vietnam War has been discussed, debated, and written about more than any other conflict over the past 50 years, but one key player gets almost no mention. In today's episode, we'll correct that as we examine the role the Soviet Union played in the Vietnam War.

In today’s Sundays with the Saints episode, we look at five biographies about popes and the history they were a part of, a history that they were both shaped by and ultimately helped to shape themselves.

We've talked in past episodes about great books about history and why you should read history. Today, we'll be discussing something that should be obvious, but maybe isn't: why libraries matter, perhaps now more than ever.

In today's episode (because it's Friday), we look at the pivotal role played by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in the fall of the Berlin Wall.

In today's Throwback Thursday episode, we look at four battles that changed the course of European history and preserved western civilization as we know it. Many politically correct revisionists hope you'll forget these battles; we're here to make sure you don't.

There is a common misconception that the 1980s were not a great literary decade, but it's simply not true. In today's episode, we set that record straight.

In today's Tuesday Book Review episode, we take a look at books in translation. Books in translation can expand our worldview while entertaining us at the same time and can shed light on history in a way that a textbook never can.

Today, we debunk some persistent myths about the greatest empire the world has ever known: the Roman Empire.

In today's Sundays With the Saints episode, we meet a modern-day martyr who battled crime and corruption at the cost of his life: Blessed Father Pino Puglisi.

Hollywood is great at entertaining but often horrible at presenting historical events. In today's episode, we look at eight movies that got history really wrong.

On this date in history, the great Ernest Hemingway was born. Let's meet a man who, while often shrouded in myth, was both a legend and one of the greatest writers of all time.

In today's Throwback Thursday episode, we debunk four myths about George Armstrong Custer and the Battle of Little Big Horn. Some of the facts may surprise you.

In today's episode, we take on the historical revisionist phenomenon of the "good old days." Those idyllic days of eras past, viewed honestly, weren't that idyllic after all.

In today's Tuesday Book Review, we turn again to historical fiction to teach us about real history, this time with "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society."

In today's episode, we debunk three persistent myths about the Mafia that have entrenched themselves in the public imagination and need to be dispelled.

In today's Sundays with the Saints episode, we meet the founder of the Society of Jesus, better known as the Jesuits: St. Ignatius Loyola.

In today's episode, we debunk five persistent myths about the American Civil War.

Grigori Rasputin was a larger than life character in the court of Czar Nicholas II and Czarina Alexandra just before the Russian Revolution. He is also the subject of numerous myths; today, we'll debunk four of them.