The Revisionist History Podcast

Throwback Thursday: Five Myths About the Vikings

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's Throwback Thursday episode, we debunk five popular myths about those marauders from the North: the Vikings.

The Film that Changed the Way We View the Mafia

12 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"The Godfather" is one of the greatest films ever made; it also, intentionally or not, totally changed the way we see the Mafia and its history. In to...

Tuesday Book Review: People of the Book

11 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's Tuesday Book Review features our first review of a historical novel rather than a straight nonfiction book, because sometimes you can tell his...

Based on True Events vs. Inspired by True Events

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When watching a historical film, you will often encounter either the phrase "based on true events" or "inspired by true events." It may not seem like ...

Blessed Miguel Pro, Hero of the Cristero War

09 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's Sundays With the Saints episode, we meet a heroic priest and martyr from a turbulent time in the history of Mexico. Let's meet Blessed Migu...

Three Enduring Myths About Martin Luther

08 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we debunk three enduring myths about a man who has achieved almost mythic status over the past 500 years: Martin Luther, hero of t...

Three Persistent Myths About Texas

07 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I am a proud native of the Lone Star State, but I am not proud of some of the myths about Texas that many still believe. In today's episode, we debunk...

Four Myths About Queen Elizabeth I

05 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we turn once again to the great monarchs of England. This time, we're debunking myths about the woman who was the daughter of Henr...

Three Myths About America's Founding Fathers on the 4th of July

04 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's 4th of July episode, we debunk some commonly-held myths about America's Founding Fathers.

Three Myths About the American Revolution

03 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all think we know the truth about the American Revolution, but do we really? In today's episode, we debunk three prevasive myths about America's fa...

Sundays with the Saints: Saintly 'Firsts'

02 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Though the saints never sought first place in anything during their lives, some inevitably hold the distinction of being "first" in one way or another...

Four Myths About King Henry VIII

01 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we look at the most famous monarch in English history and debunk four myths about King Henry VIII.

Ex-Presidents Who Ran Again

30 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Donald's Trump's attempt to become president again after losing the White House has only been attempted by six other ex-presidents in our history. In ...

Loyalists and the American Revolution

28 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we're looking once again at the American Revolution, but this time from a very different vantage point, one they never teach us ab...

Tuesday Book Review: A Unique Cold War Smuggler

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's Tuesday Book Review, we look at a book about the Cold War era in Eastern Europe, one that covers a subject and events few textbooks mention...

The Difference Between Popular History and Academic History

26 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode takes a brief look at what constitutes "popular" history and how it differs from academic history.

Sundays With the Saints: The Smiling Saint

25 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's Sundays With the Saints episode, we look at a saint who has, for several reasons, been largely forgotten today. This is a shame and needs t...

The Myth of the Stab in the Back

24 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we look at a myth that sprang up in Germany after World War I which directly led to the rise of Hitler and the Nazis: the myth of ...

The Debate Over US Army Base Names Inexplicably Rages On

23 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The debate over naming US Army bases after Confederate generals should have ended with the recent long-overdue renaming of those bases. According to t...

North Korea Takes Revisionist History to the Extreme

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We've all dealt with an increase in the revision of history over the past decade or so, but nothing compares to the claims coming out of North Korea.

'The Booksellers' is a Documentary Every Lover of Books or History Should See

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we look at a film that combines three things I love: history, documentaries, and bookselling.

Abraham Lincoln, Abolition, and the Emancipation Proclamation

19 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we take a look Abraham Lincoln and the issue of slavery in America. Much has been said, much has been written, but what is the his...

Father's Day Special: The Best and Worst Dads in Literary History

18 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's special Father's Day episode, we're keeping it light. We'll be looking at the best and worst dads in literary history. Happy Father's Day!

Five Myths About World War II

17 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we look at five persistent myths about World War II that need to be corrected.

Five More Historical Myths that Refuse to Die

16 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we debunk five more common historical myths that far too many people still believe are true.

Myths About the Spanish Inquisition

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's 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...

The Nobel Prize Winner You've Never Heard Of

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we meet a giant of French literature few Americans have even heard of. We need to change that, because in addition to being a grea...

Ten Common Historical Myths that Refuse to Die

12 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode is a roundup of ten historical myths that continue to persist today despite all evidence to the contrary.

Sundays with the Saints: St. Edmund Campion

11 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's Sundays with the Saints episode, we meet a man from a time when relations between the Church of England and the Catholic Church were not ne...

Your Favorite Bible Quotes Aren't Really in the Bible

10 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we're setting the record straight on some popular quotes people think are from one of the foundational works of Western Civilizati...

The Revolutionary War Hero You've Never Heard Of

09 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are countless figures who were pivotal in historical events but sadly forgotten by history. Today, we correct that for one hero of the American ...

Throwback Thursday: Three Maritime Myths from the Age of Sail

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's Throwback Thursday episode, we embark on a voyage of debunking three persistent myths of the high seas from the Age of Sail.

Misquoting History

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We tend to take the quotes we read from historical figures for granted, but we really shouldn't. In today's episode we look at just a few of the count...

Trigger Warnings and Revisionist History

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we look at a recent spate of trigger warnings and outright rewriting of classic literature that are the very epitome of revisionis...

When Jesus Made the Cover of Time

05 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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

Facts and Myths About St. Francis of Assisi

04 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

St. Francis of Assisi is both one of the most beloved saints ever and an important historical figure as well. In today's episode, we'll look at some f...

Facts and Myths About the Spanish-American War

03 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Spanish-American War is one of the shortest and least remembered wars in American history. Even in this brief conflict, however, myths and misconc...

Ten Great War Movies Every History Buff Must See

02 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we're looking again at historical movies, this time the ever-popular war movie. Not all of these are completely historically accur...

Ten Great Western Movies Every History Buff Must See

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we're going to the movies, to a uniquely American genre that has fallen out of favor in recent years. That needs to be corrected, ...

The Forgotten Role of Africa in World War I

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we look at the role Africa and its people played in the First World War. Contrary to popular belief, they were not spared the horr...

Three Myths About Aaron Burr

29 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we look at a few facts and debunk three myths about a character who looms large in American History: Aaron Burr.

Sundays with the Saints: St. Francis Xavier

28 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's Sundays with the Saints episode, we meet perhaps the greatest missionary in history after St. Paul himself and the first Christian missiona...

Bruce Springsteen's 'Born in the USA' is Still Misunderstood Today

27 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we combine two of the things I love most: debunking historical myths and Bruce Springsteen. More specifically, we'll look at the r...

Debunking the Myth that the USSR Could Have Won WWII Alone

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we debunk a myth that has been taught (and believed) in Russia for over 75 years: that the USSR could have defeated Nazi Germany wi...

A Different Kind of Mafia Film

22 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After four straight episodes on the JFK assassination, I wanted to transition with something light. Today, we look at a film based (very loosely) on a...

Lee Harvey Oswald Acted Alone: JFK Assassination Conspiracy Theories Debunked

20 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we wrap up our short series on the JFK assassination conspiracy theories. We'll take a closer look at Lee Harvey Oswald as well as...

The Conspiracy Theory Goes Hollywood: Oliver Stone's Film 'JFK'

19 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is the third installment in a short series about conspiracy theories and the role they play in revisionist history. Today's episode examines the ...

Castro, the Military, and the Mafia: Three JFK Assassination Conspiracy Theories Debunked

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is the second installment in a short series about conspiracy theories and the role they play in revisionist history. Today's episode takes a clos...

Conspiracy Theories and Revisionist History: A Short Series

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode is the first in a short series that will deal with the idea of conspiracy theories and their effects on revisionist history. Part 1 lo...

Facts and Myths About King Tut

15 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we separate the facts from the myths regarding the most famous boy king of all time: King Tutankhamum, better known to history as ...

A Brief Mother's Day Episode

14 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! Today's episode is a brief one about the best and worst moms in literature, mainly because there just ar...

Three Myths About the Watergate Scandal

12 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we look at a pivotal moment in US history: the Watergate scandal during the presidency of Richard M. Nixon. Several myths have gro...

Fort Hood Renamed After a True American Hero

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode is a follow-up to one I did almost a year ago. For over 80 years, the Fort Hood Army Base has been named after someone who fought agai...

Five Times Russia Underestimated a Supposedly Weaker Opponent

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Not learning from history is as bad or worse than revising it. In today's episode, we look at five times that Russia severely underestimated a suppose...

Cinco de Mayo is Not Mexican Independence Day

05 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today is Cinco de Mayo, and in this episode, we correct the single biggest misconception about the festive holiday.

A Brief Update

05 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This brief episode is an update to one from about six weeks ago, this time with some good news and a sincere thank you.

Three Myths About the Vietnam War

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we dispel three persistent myths about the Vietnam War. At least one surprised even me.

Sundays with the Saints: Mary Magdalene

30 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most famous women in the Bible has been remembered completely wrong because of revisionist history. In today's Sundays with the Saints epis...

Four Myths About George Armstrong Custer and the Battle of Little Big Horn

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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

The Battle Over Cleopatra Continues

22 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we look at the ongoing battle over Cleopatra's true ethnicity and what actresses should be "allowed" to portray her in films.

Four Famous Authors Shaped by War

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes, great literature comes from horrific beginnings. In today's episode, we look at four authors whose work was shaped by their service in some...

Pope Pius XII Was Not 'Hitler's Pope'

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we will set the historical record straight about a man who has been grossly misrepresented and unfairly libeled in the decades sinc...

Sundays with the Saints: Blessed Daniel Brottier

16 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's Sundays with the Saints episode, we meet a man who was a French priest, war hero, and dedicated servant of the orphans of Paris.

Revising Recent History - A Review of the Film 'The Two Popes'

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I typically don’t do in-depth reviews of movies here, but after having finally watched the 2019 film "The Two Popes" on Netflix, I have to put down ...

Polish Cavalry Never Charged Nazi Tanks in World War II

10 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we take on a myth that somehow still persists despite being debunked numerous times: the claim that Polish cavalry units charged G...

Christian Denominations and Historical Revision

08 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We're only a day from Easter, which makes it the perfect time to look at the actual historical facts behind the founding of some of the major Christia...

Why is King Charles called Defender of the Faith?

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With his coronation only one month away, today we look at why King Charles III of England is called the Defender of the Faith.

Ten Great Documentaries You Need to See

01 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 episo...

How Political Correctness Causes Revisionist History

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode looks at how political correctness has invaded our study of history and the consequences of allowing it to go unchallenged.

We Should All Be Reading History

25 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode is about something all of us should be doing: reading history. We'll be talking about why you should be reading history (in both nonfi...

Help Keep The Revisionist History Podcast Alive

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is one I hoped I'd never have to do, but recent changes to the platform make it necessary to put out an appeal for your support. The deta...

Author Profile: Nicholas Basbanes

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On today's author profile episode, we meet the Dean of books about books (and the history of the book): Nicholas Basbanes.

Three Presidents and Their Unexpected Ties to the Alcohol Industry

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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

Five Myths About St. Patrick and His Famous Holiday

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

St. Patrick's Day is this Friday, and in today's episode we debunk some myths about both the man and the day we celebrate in his name.

Four Myths About Benito Mussolini

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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

Facts and Myths About the Alamo on the Anniversary of the Final Battle

06 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today is the anniversary of the fall of the Alamo. The 1836 battle is known around the world, and in today's episode, we'll separate the fact from the...

Some Papal Trivia for Ash Wednesday

22 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There is no end to the amount of trivia and anectdotes about the pope and the papacy. For Ash Wednesday, we take a brief look at some of the most inte...

Six Myths About Lent

20 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's almost Ash Wednesday, so it seems like a good time to debunk some common myths and misconceptions about an event that goes back 2,000 years: the ...

Throwback Thursday: Four Facts About the Crimean War

16 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's Throwback Thursday episode, we look at a few facts about a largely forgotten war. Crimea is in the news today, and this is the perfect time...

Five Films That Got History Right

03 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hollywood doesn't care much about historical accuracy, and historically accurate movies aren't always great. The five we cover in today's episode are ...

Throwback Thursday: Texas Cannot Secede from the Union

26 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One bit of revisionist history that refuses to die is the myth that Texas has the ability to secede from the United States. In today's Throwback Thurs...

Three Maritime Myths from the Golden Age of Sail

21 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we embark on a voyage of debunking three persistent myths of the high seas from the Age of Sail.

An Update to Start the New Year

11 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I'm a little late with this one, but I want to give a brief update on what is coming in the new year.

Tuesday Book Review: Hemingway's Paris Years

03 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In today's first Book Review Tuesday of 2023, we look at several essential books on Ernest Hemingway's time in Paris in the 1920s, a pivotal period in...

Four Myths About the Salem Witch Trials

02 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Over 300 years after the infamous Salem Witch Trials, the event remains shrouded in myth and misconception. In today's episode, we set the record stra...

Sundays With the Saints: St. Boniface and the Christmas Tree

11 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today's Sundays with the Saints episode looks at one of our most treasured Christmas traditions and a saint's role in it. Let's meet Saint Boniface an...

History Proves That 'The Big Lie' Has Consequences

05 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The ongoing narrative that the 2020 election was illegitimate reached a new low recently, and an event from 100 years ago shows just how dangerous tha...

Three Major Historical Errors in the Miniseries 'Band of Brothers'

28 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes even an outstanding historical series gets some major facts wrong. In today's episode, we look at three from the HBO miniseries "Band of Bro...

When Soccer Stopped a War

18 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we look at a little-known event that ties soccer to world history.

Sundays with the Saints: St. Martin of Tours

13 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Since we're only a few days past Veterans Day, in today's Sundays with the Saints episode let's meet the patron saint of soldiers, St. Martin of Tours...

Debunking Some Thanksgiving Myths

11 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We're just about two weeks from Thanksgiving Day here in the United States, so it's a great time to debunk some common Thanksgiving myths.

A Look at Presidential Concession Speeches of the Past

09 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The idea of giving a gracious concession speech following a political defeat seems like ancient history. In today's episode we look at some from both ...

You Can Help Support the Podcast

08 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As we approach the end of the year, I want to take a moment to ask for your support for this podcast. Also, here's the link to my Medium.com page as m...

Politicians Insulting Each Other Is Nothing New

05 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 epsiode we set that recor...

Lessons from History: Three Things King Charles III Can Learn from Pope Benedict XVI

21 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we are not debunking myths, but rather looking at lessons from history, specifically what King Charles III can learn from Pope Emer...

Tuesday Book Review: Inferno - The World at War, 1939-1945

18 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As promised last week, this week's Tuesday Book Review episode focuses on World War II. We'll be looking at "Inferno: The World at War, 1939-1945" by ...

If Columbus Loses His Holiday, He Has to be Replaced with Another Italian

14 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode is a somewhat tongue-in-cheek response to the madness this week surrounding the Columbus Day holiday. We all need to calm down a littl...

Tuesday Book Review: Spain in Our Hearts - Americans in the Spanish Civil War

11 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On today's Tuesday Book Review episode, we'll look at "Spain in Our Hearts: Americans in the Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939" by Adam Hochschild

A Brief Bit of Housekeeping: Transcripts Are Available on Medium.com

08 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I wanted to take a moment to briefly let everyone know that many of the episodes here have been converted to articles on the website Medium.com. For t...

My Five Favorite Films About Kings and Queens

19 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Many of us have been watching films about kings and queens since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II a little over a week ago. In this episode I give yo...