8 March 2024
101 Things That Never Happened
Richard chats with Dutch historian Jo Hedwig Teeuwisse aka The Fake History Hunter about her internet quest to spot historical rubbish online and correct it and how that has led to a fabulously entertaining and pedantic book. They discuss the non-existence of the chastity belt, how Vikings didn't have horns on their helmet, how Beethoven was not black and why medieval people are wrongly perceived as dirty animals, plus whether it's possible to be sure that any history is true, why we should question what we see on the internet and the darker side of fake history. Plus how to become a history detective yourself and how being corrected online can lead to thanks or anger. And did Hitler only have one ball - you'll have to read Rich's book to find out about that.
Buy the book here (for example) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fake-History-Things-Never-Happened/dp/0753559676/