EPISODE 104: The Saint And The Death Squads
“It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter he kin...
2024-02-13 07:34:03 +0000 UTC View Post
History on Fire posts
HOF YouTube: Deadly Dinners
New original content created for the History on Fire YouTube channel.
In today’s video, I’ll touch on just five cases of ‘deadly dinners’--including meals with everyone's favorite crazy...
Mini-Episode 19: Princesses, Partisans and Spies
When one of my grandmothers was a teenager during WWII, she was a partisan who actively fought against the fascist regime and the Nazis propping it up. This is perhaps why I am fascinated by storie...
2024-02-01 20:03:35 +0000 UTC View PostA Chat with Bernie Maopolski
Recently, I joined Bernie from the Fan of History & What’s New In History Podcast to talk about an AMAZING LiDAR survey of the Yucatan lowlands. We discuss life in the "Pre-Classic" Mayan wor...
2024-01-25 02:18:01 +0000 UTC View PostMoney (That's What I Want)... Or Maybe Not
A quick essay about why I had to turn down a lucrative deal :)
2024-01-18 18:52:37 +0000 UTC View PostBirthday
Today I turn 50. Here's something I've wanted to write for a long time
2024-01-11 18:29:09 +0000 UTC View PostEPISODE 65 The Taiping Rebellion (Part 3): A River of Death
“Everywhere in southern Anhui they are eating people.” Zeng Guofan
“Infants but ...
2024-01-10 20:15:23 +0000 UTC View PostApologies!
My apologies for forgetting to post here part 2 of the Taiping series. I just fixed that. And to add substance to my apology, I'll post the third and last part of this series in a couple of minutes...
2024-01-10 20:11:02 +0000 UTC View PostEPISODE 64: The Taiping Rebellion (Part 2): Jesus’ Chinese Younger Brother
“Is not this insurgent movement truly wonderful? These rebels keep Sabbath as we do, they pray to...
2024-01-10 20:09:09 +0000 UTC View PostThe King of Kings vs. The Nomadic Queen
I just released a new mini-documentary on YouTube. I’m going to keep releasing mini-docs throughout 2024 to see if the channel gets enough traction. If it does, great. Then, I’ll keep doing it....
2024-01-04 18:15:51 +0000 UTC View PostMy Grandfather
My grandfather, Stelio, was born on Jan 3 1917--107 years ago. During WWII, along with his unit he joined the Allies and fought his way up north. I spent a ton of time with him and my grandmother u...
2024-01-03 23:23:23 +0000 UTC View PostStupidly Happy
A story of how I grew up, and a musical playlist to spread a little happiness
Mini-Episode 18: The Bear Storm
New mini-episode! Merry Christmas! And thank you so much for your support. It truly makes all the diffe...
2023-12-24 01:22:40 +0000 UTC View PostMexico 1985
Here's an essay I just published on Substack. You don't need a subscription there to check it out. Just click the link. Have a great one!
2023-12-20 19:47:37 +0000 UTC View PostHonor and Violence in the Renaissance
A new History on Fire YouTube video!
2023-12-13 20:34:45 +0000 UTC View PostHow Alcoholism May Have Saved Western Europe
In the 1240s, the Mongol army seemed unstoppable and well on its way to conquer all of Europe. In this quick video, I explore how booze may have been the key ingredient that prevented the conquest....
2023-12-06 20:27:35 +0000 UTC View PostSand Creek
Here's an essay I just published on Substack. You don't need a subscription there to check it out. Just click the link. Have a great one!
2023-11-29 18:59:45 +0000 UTC View PostMini-Episode 17: Frankenstein, Bicycles and Volcanos
In 1815, a volcano explodes in Indonesia. The consequences are far-reaching: millions of people starve, and a German inventor creates the first prototype for bicycles. Things don’t stop there. A ...
2023-11-26 15:47:15 +0000 UTC View PostThe Thief and the Moon: From Ryokan to Franco Bolelli
Here's an essay I just published on Substack. You don't need a subscription there to check it out. Just click the link. Have a great one!
2023-11-22 02:46:29 +0000 UTC View PostEpisode 63: The Taiping Rebellion (Part 1): Drug Dealers and Visionaries
“The entire story of the Taiping Rebellion might be told, from one perspective, as the rage of a fail...
2023-11-17 20:22:16 +0000 UTC View PostEpisode 62: Plagues, Mystery And Dancing
“The universities do not teach all things, so a doctor must seek out old wives, gypsies, sorcerer...
2023-11-17 20:17:20 +0000 UTC View PostThe 1994 Sun Dance
Here's an essay I just published on Substack. You don't need a subscription there to check it out. Just click the link. Have a great one!
EPISODE 103: The Lone Samurai, Miyamoto Musashi (Part 2)
“If you know the way broadly you will see it in everything.” — Miyamoto Musashi
Ever since I started History on Fire, one topic has been the most consistently requeste...
2023-11-06 22:33:02 +0000 UTC View PostTheodore Roosevelt and Italy’s Most Popular Sport
Here's an essay I just published on Substack. You don't need a subscription there to check it out. Just click the link. Have a great one!
Mini-Episode 16: Yasuke
The lead character in our episode has been the subject of an anime series, historical fiction novels and movies that are being developed about his life. This is the tale of Yasuke, an African man, ...
2023-10-16 18:53:55 +0000 UTC View PostHistory and the Passing of Time
Just published a new essay on Substack about history and how the passing of time erases... just about everything. For your convenience, in case you don't want to click on the Substack link, I'll pa...
2023-10-14 18:14:00 +0000 UTC View Post'Killers of the Flower Moon' YouTube Video
Here's my new YouTube video: a quick overview of the material I cover in Episode 101, but this includes archival images and the stunning good looks of yours truly :)
2023-10-05 19:57:12 +0000 UTC View PostEpisode 102: The Lone Samurai, Miyamoto Musashi (Part 1)
Today, you get a brand new episode one week ahead of the public release and ad-free!
“All warfare is based on deception.” Sun Tzu
Ever since I started History o...
2023-10-02 17:37:50 +0000 UTC View PostThe Greatest Painter Who Ever Lived
In honor of Caravaggio's birthday, I just published this essay about him. I hope you find it interesting
2023-09-28 23:35:58 +0000 UTC View PostGuest Appearance on the Game-Changing History Podcast
I was recently a guest on the Game-Changing History podcast. Given that it's a history podcast, and some of you may be interested, here's a link for you.
2023-09-24 06:31:12 +0000 UTC View Post