Half-Arsed History

Episode 398: The Foundation of Modern Singapore

In this week’s episode, discover how, why, and perhaps most importantly where modern Singapore was founded, back in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles. https://open.acast.com/public/streams/65a47774968ba8001771f445/episodes/6987ef4145f62cfe946be981.mp3 Download Episode (Right click and select “Save as…”)

Episode 397: Catherine the Great, the Enlightened Empress

In this week’s episode, meet Catherine the Great, the empress who successfully ruled Russia for almost 35 years despite usurping a throne she had no claim to. https://open.acast.com/public/streams/65a47774968ba8001771f445/episodes/697eb13a56431a2c0f188312.mp3 Download Episode (Right click and select “Save as…”)

Episode 396: The Horrors of Sarah Island

In this week’s episode, become acquainted with Macquarie Harbour Penal Station, known as Sarah Island, which was one of the cruellest and most brutal convict settlements in Australia’s history. https://open.acast.com/public/streams/65a47774968ba8001771f445/episodes/6975a4c6deabc5ae925e9b4b.mp3 Download Episode (Right click and select “Save as…”)

Episode 395: The Raft of the Medusa

In this week’s episode, head the gruesome and tragic tale of the Raft of the Medusa, when almost 150 people were set adrift and abandoned on a rickety raft, resorting to murder and cannibalism to survive. https://open.acast.com/public/streams/65a47774968ba8001771f445/episodes/696c42711e4bca00bf7c3f58.mp3 Download Episode (Right click and select “Save as…”)

Episode 394: Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the Great Engineer

In this week’s episode, meet Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the famous and immensely influential engineer, whose work encompassed bridges, tunnels, railways, ships, and much more besides. https://open.acast.com/public/streams/65a47774968ba8001771f445/episodes/696858270c88d43b28e4d3ed.mp3 Download Episode (Right click and select “Save as…”)