John Man

In this engaging discussion, historian John Man sheds light on Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of China. He reveals how this teenage king rose amidst chaos to unite rival states and build monumental projects like the Great Wall and the Terracotta Army. The podcast delves into his ruthless methods, obsessive quest for immortality, and the paranoia that marked his reign. Man also explores the aftermath of his death and the enduring legacy he left on China, highlighting how one man's ambition reshaped an empire.

In this discussion, historian John Man, author of The Gutenberg Revolution, shares insights into Johannes Gutenberg’s transformative invention of the printing press. He explains how this technology democratized knowledge, breaking barriers that previously restricted information to the elite. The conversation delves into the printing press’s role in the Renaissance, its impact on the Reformation, and how it reshaped historical reputations—from Joan of Arc to Vlad the Impaler. Man also highlights the press's pivotal influence on the Scientific Revolution, forever changing how ideas spread.