15-Minute History

World War 1 had lasting consequences that can be seen in the world we know today. Join us as we discuss one part of that great conflict, the Arab Revolt, and the work of Thomas Edward Lawrence, who is known today as Lawrence of Arabia.

The riders sat on their mounts, horses and camels, and gazed across the desert toward the shimmering sea and a small village on its shore. An old fortress dominated what passed for a skyline, the only building that stood more than two stories above the ground. Clusters of palm trees waved in the hot, dry wind, and the soldiers could see knots of people moving about in the town's plaza. No enemy troops were visible and no defenses prepared. The long journey across the desert toward their target had yielded a strategic surprise. Fifty men on horseback stayed in place, while the larger group of four hundred men riding camels began to move left and right. The soldiers on foot rested, knowing they would soon have to run across rocky ground to keep up with the cavalry. Two men had planned this attack; one would lead the horsemen straight toward the target while the other rode his camel around to hit the flanks. With only a nod from their leader, the men charged toward the town of Aqaba. Most students of the First World War know of the great campaigns by mighty armies on the Western and Eastern fronts. Some know of smaller battles fought in Italy, Greece, and on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey. But few—apart from some movie buffs—know the story of the Great Arab Revolt of 1916-18 that brought down an empire that had lasted for over six centuries and gave us the modern Middle East with all its glories and terrors. The revolt was a minor affair in the minds of generals in London, Paris, Berlin, and Constantinople, and its impact on the overall course of the Great War was small. But it produced some of the greatest heroes of that war, men whose deeds shaped the future course of millions of lives around the world. Join us as we teach you about the Arab Revolt and Thomas Edward Lawrence, Lawrence of Arabia.

Join us as we discuss the coronation of King Charles III with famed British historian, Dr. Dominic Selwood. In this special discussion, Dr. Selwood explains the impact of the coronation, what the world can expect from the new king, and the effect such events have had on world history. Dr. Dominic Selwood is a historian, journalist, and barrister. Most recently, he is a bestselling author of the critically-acclaimed, "Anatomy of a Nation: A History of British Identity in 50 Documents". In addition to being a bestselling author and novelist, he is a frequent contributor to national newspapers, radio, and TV including The Telegraph, The Independent, The Spectator, The Catholic Herald, Sky News, and the BBC. He has a doctorate in history from the University of Oxford and a master's from the Sorbonne. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Society of Antiquaries. He graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served as an officer in the British Army. He lives in London with his family.

Join us as we discuss the life and heroism of Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier in WW2.

On the morning of January 26th, Murphy and his men saw movement in the tree line ahead. As the morning fog cleared, over two hundred German infantrymen and six Mark VI Tiger Tanks appeared and began a counterattack. I will stop here for a moment and give you an opportunity to take in this scene. First, consider eighteen men with two armored vehicles against two hundred infantry. Faced with just these odds, there is no strategic or tactical way Murphy’s men could hold the line. Second, add the armor. A single Tiger tank was near impossible to destroy by Allied armor. To put it in perspective, one Tiger Tank could take out more than twelve American Sherman tanks before being crippled enough to be put down. It fired an 88-millimeter shell, the most powerful of the German artillery, and could decimate an entire town without any support. Six of these advanced on Murphy and his eighteen men. Six. I don’t need to tell you the odds of the eighteen men winning against such a force, because there are no odds. It's zero. Listen now and join us in awe at what happened next. Remember…this is real history. Join us as we teach you about the life and heroism of Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier in WW2.

Join us as we discuss Eisenhower's farewell address, the warnings he included, and the impact of what he got right.

The president sat at his desk in the Oval Office as technicians scurried about setting up lights and cameras. He looked down at the speech, his last to the nation he had served for almost a half-century, and his thoughts no doubt turned to the tumultuous events of his life. Two world wars, nations devastated and then reborn, and the constant menace of a new enemy armed with terrible weapons. But perhaps he also thought of the advancements he had witnessed: economic revival and a new standard of living, an unpopular war imperfectly ended, and a world still thriving despite the threat of atomic devastation. His long life was nearing its end, and America’s oldest president would soon hand power to the youngest ever elected. Change was upon the country, and its people deserved one last message from a man who had led it through many dangers. He took a breath and began to speak. “Good evening, my fellow Americans.” Join us as we teach you about Eisenhower's farewell address, the warnings he included, and the impact of what he got right.

Join us as we discuss Sir Isaac Newton, his discoveries, his impact, and how he was a hero in natural philosophy.

The two men walked out the door and into the garden. The weather was warm, with the sun falling over the horizon, almost blinding them as it set. They talked and strolled to an apple tree and sitting beneath it, sipped their tea as they watched the tall grass move against the wind. One of the men turned to his friend and spoke. “You know, I was just in the same situation not long ago, when the notion of gravitation came into my mind.   “I’m sure it weighed on you heavily,” said the man with a chuckle.   The other man merely smiled and looked out across the field in deep contemplation.   “It was occasioned by the fall of an apple,” he said finally. “And I wondered to myself, why should that apple always descend perpendicularly to the ground…?” Join us as we teach you about Sir Isaac Newton, his discoveries, his impact, and how he was a hero in natural philosophy.

It’s Wednesday, October 26, 1881. The sun has begun its descent into the western sky, its light reflecting off the heat waves coming from the hot desert soil. Four men walk through the entrance to a corral. They have come to disarm five gunslingers who have openly broken the law and made threats against them. When they finally stop walking, the group of four stands six to ten feet away from the men they are there to apprehend. Few words are exchanged. The leader, Virgil Earp, commands the criminals to throw down their arms. Of the five, Ike Clanton and Billy Claiborne fled the scene. The remaining three draw their weapons. The four marshals draw theirs. Within thirty seconds, it’s over. As the smell of burnt powder and dust clears in the arid air, three outlaws are dead, three lawmen are wounded, and one stands coolly in the wake of the violent exchange. A close friend later in life quoted his demeanor, temperament, and lack of anxiety as, “a person whom I regarded as absolutely destitute of physical fear. His daring and apparent recklessness in time of danger is wholly characteristic.” This man was Wyatt Earp. Join us in this redux episode as we teach you about Wyatt Earp, his demeanor, achievements, and what made him a man of legend. We will have an all-new episode next week.