Half-Arsed History
Welcome along to Half-Arsed History! It's a weekly podcast highlighting absurd and entertaining stories from history. Three times a week, it helps host Riley Knight feel as though his useless history degree has some kind of real-world relevance.Get in touch: halfarsedhistory@gmail.comSupport the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/halfarsedhistorySubscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/halfarsedhistoryBuy Half-Arsed History merch: https://halfarsedhistory.theprintbar.comIf you've just discovered the show and aren't sure which of the 350+ episodes to start with, here are some suggestions:Episode 139: The History of the Toilet - https://sptfy.com/PK3J • https://apple.co/3Giftt3Episode 75: The Great Emu War - https://sptfy.com/PK3K • https://apple.co/4jKCvr7Episode 197: The History of Nuclear Weapons - https://sptfy.com/PK3L • https://apple.co/4jygYlcEpisode 233: The 1930 FIFA World Cup - https://sptfy.com/PK3M • https://apple.co/4iltL9PEpisode 106: The First Circumnavigation - https://sptfy.com/PK3N • https://apple.co/4jewsLjHalf-Arsed History acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the unceded Gubbi Gubbi (Kabi Kabi) Land on which the podcast is written and recorded, and pays respect to First Nations Elders past, present, and emerging. Indigenous sovereignty was never ceded. This continent always was, and always will be, Aboriginal Land. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes
Oct 23, 2024 • 17min
QAH Episode 81: The Dancing Plague of 1518
Quarter-Arsed History presents: the Dancing Plague of 1518, a bizarre, unexplained phenomenon that saw the citizens of Strasbourg take to the streets and dance unceasingly for weeks on end. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 20, 2024 • 56min
Episode 330: Johann Strauss II, the Waltz King
In this week's episode, meet Johann Strauss II, a brilliant composer from the Romantic period, famous for his lively and joyful waltzes.Strauss playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/195Ic94w6sCRNi19f0G1UP?si=54adb35532604621 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 18, 2024 • 23min
Monuments Episode 42: The Statue of Liberty
This week's monument is the Statue of Liberty, an instantly-recognisable symbol of the United States of America that has a thoroughly non-American origin story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 16, 2024 • 21min
QAH Episode 80: Carlos Kaiser, Soccer's Greatest Conman
Quarter-Arsed History presents: Carlos Kaiser, a conman who managed to build a 13-year career as a star soccer player, without ever actually taking to the pitch and playing a game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 12, 2024 • 60min
Episode 329: The Great Escape from Stalag Luft III
In this week's episode, hear the true story of the Great Escape, when Allied prisoners of war made a daring attempt at a mass breakout from a Nazi prison camp. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 11, 2024 • 28min
Monuments Episode 41: Neuschwanstein Castle
This week's monument is Neuschwanstein Castle, a spectacularly beautiful castle perched atop a mountain ridge in the German Alps. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 9, 2024 • 29min
QAH Episode 79: The French Revolution, According to AI
Discover the fascinating integration of AI in podcast production, as hosts share their enthusiasm for automated script writing. Delve into the tumultuous events of the French Revolution starting in 1789, marked by the Tennis Court Oath and the storming of the Bastille. Explore the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, from revolutionary hero to self-crowned emperor, navigating the fine line between idealism and ambition. Finally, enjoy a humorous take on the chaotic yet transformative conclusion of the revolution and ponder the future of storytelling with AI.
Oct 6, 2024 • 1h 5min
Episode 328: The Crusades - Part 2
Dive into the chaotic finale of the Crusades with tales of irony and absurdity from the Fourth and Fifth campaigns. Discover how misguided decisions led to the sacking of Constantinople and failed attempts to reclaim Jerusalem. Explore Frederick II's diplomatic maneuvers and his struggles with the Church as he launched the Sixth Crusade. Learn about the eventual decline of Crusader ambitions and the impact of the Mamluks, culminating in a reflection on the complex legacy left by these historical battles.
Oct 4, 2024 • 18min
Monuments Episode 40: The Sagrada Familia
This week's monument is the Sagrada Familia, a huge and very unusually designed church in Barcelona, Spain - that after 140 years, still hasn't been finished. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 2, 2024 • 19min
QAH Episode 78: The Flemish Revolution
Quarter-Arsed History presents: the Flemish Revolution, usually known by the name the Flemish Peasant Revolt of 1323-1328, which saw angry Flemish villagers take up arms against their hated feudal lord. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
