Half-Arsed History

<p>Half-Arsed History's first book, History's Strangest Deaths, is now available: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.html</p><br /><p>Welcome along to Half-Arsed History! It's a weekly podcast highlighting absurd and entertaining stories from history. Three times a week, it helps host Riley Knight feel as though his useless history degree has some kind of real-world relevance.</p><br /><p>Get in touch: halfarsedhistory@gmail.com</p><p>Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/halfarsedhistory</p><p>Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/halfarsedhistory</p><p>Buy Half-Arsed History merch: https://halfarsedhistory.theprintbar.com</p><br /><p>If you've just discovered the show and aren't sure which of the 350+ episodes to start with, here are some suggestions:</p><p>Episode 139: The History of the Toilet - https://sptfy.com/PK3J • https://apple.co/3Giftt3</p><p>Episode 75: The Great Emu War - https://sptfy.com/PK3K • https://apple.co/4jKCvr7</p><p>Episode 197: The History of Nuclear Weapons - https://sptfy.com/PK3L • https://apple.co/4jygYlc</p><p>Episode 233: The 1930 FIFA World Cup - https://sptfy.com/PK3M • https://apple.co/4iltL9P</p><p>Episode 106: The First Circumnavigation - https://sptfy.com/PK3N • https://apple.co/4jewsLj</p><br /><p>Half-Arsed History acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the unceded Gubbi Gubbi (Kabi Kabi) Land on which the podcast is written and recorded, and pays respect to First Nations Elders past, present, and emerging. Indigenous sovereignty was never ceded. This continent always was, and always will be, Aboriginal Land.</p><hr /><p style="color: grey; font-size: 0.75em;"> Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: grey;" target="_blank">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Episode 375: The Book Tour 2025 - LIVE in Brisbane

In this week's episode, enjoy a series of shameful confessions about the mistakes - both those that were found and missed - in History's Strangest Deaths, and listen to a sneaky chapter or two at the end. History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, is now available! Buy your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

08-31
41:11

Episode 374: The Book Tour 2025 - LIVE in Melbourne

In this week's episode, hear all about the editing and proofreading process that History's Strangest Deaths underwent, as well as a painful confession about one of the mistakes that slipped through the cracks. History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, is now available! Buy your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

08-24
40:23

Update: Inventions Will Return in (Probably) Two Weeks

There's a bit too much going on at Half-Arsed History HQ for Inventions to be released on-schedule this week and next, so regularly-scheduled episodes will return after that, in addition to backfill episodes being uploaded to fill the missing weeks, don't you worry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

08-22
06:00

QAH Episode 124: Emperor Caracalla’s Wedding Massacre

Quarter-Arsed History presents: the story of the massacre carried out after Caracalla proposed wedding between himself and the daughter of the Parthian emperor, just time for another real-world wedding that is taking place this week. History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, is now available! Buy your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

08-20
19:22

Episode 373: The Book Tour 2025 - LIVE in Sydney

In this week's episode, get across the behind-the-scenes details when it came to drafting and pitching process for History's Strangest Deaths, as well as a few preview chapters from the book itself. History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, is now available! Buy your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

08-17
41:15

Inventions Episode 33: The Lift

The lift has played a very important role in modern building design and construction, sending skyscrapers higher and higher into the air and transforming the layout and densities of cities all around the world. History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, is now available! Buy your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

08-15
32:26

QAH Episode 123: The Mayerling Incident

Quarter-Arsed History presents: the tragic and gruesome story of the Mayerling Incident, a murder-suicide pact involving the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, is now available! Buy your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

08-13
24:06

Episode 372: The French Revolution - Part 6: The Legacy

In this week's episode, wrap up this six-part mini-series on the French Revolution with its most important legacies - political, social, cultural, and historical. History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, is now available! Buy your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

08-10
01:19:41

Inventions Episode 32: The Refrigerator

The refrigerator changed so much about how we store and eat perishable food - it opened up global food markets with refrigerated transport, improved food safety with cold storage, and transformed our diets and nutrition with new food availability. History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 5th of August across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Buy your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

08-08
32:31

QAH Episode 122: The Festival of the Supreme Being

Quarter-Arsed History presents: the Festival of the Supreme Being, the unhinged religious festival put on by Maxilimilien Robespierre as he attempted to establish the ludicrous brand-new religion he'd invented.History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 5th of August across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Buy your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

08-06
22:21

History's Strangest Deaths is Out Now!

Half-Arsed History's first book, History's Strangest Deaths, is now available at all good bookstores, and probably some bad ones as well. You can buy a paper version, an ebook version, or an audiobook version (or all three, if you feel like it).AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

08-04
05:10

Episode 371: The French Revolution - Part 5: The Directory

In this week's episode, get across the final chapter in the tale of the French Revolution: the broad political failure that was the French Directory, the collapse of which represented the end of the revolution itself. History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 5th of August across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

08-03
01:08:51

Inventions Episode 31: The Sewing Machine

The sewing machine is a piece of technology that has had an outsized historical influence - not just on the textile industry, but on society, culture, and history as well.History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 5th of August across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

08-01
29:27

QAH Episode 121: A Brief History of the Guillotine

Quarter-Arsed History presents: a brief history of the guillotine, a device popularised during the French Revolution, responsible for the deaths of countless thousands during the Reign of Terror. History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 5th of August across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

07-30
27:14

Episode 370: The French Revolution - Part 4: The Terror

In this week's episode, get across the darkest and bloodiest chapter in French revolutionary history: the Reign of Terror, which saw tens of thousands of people killed by political violence.History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 5th of August across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

07-27
56:42

Inventions Episode 30: The Friction Match

The friction match and its subsequent developments helped to democratise fire - matches have made it possible for anyone, at any time, to make use of one of humanity's most important tools, fire. History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 5th of August across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

07-25
25:07

Tickets for the 2025 Book Tour are now available!

Join me in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Maroochydore as I go through some of the stories from History's Strangest Deaths, and share juicy behind-the-scenes details about how the book was made. Don't delay - these tickets are limited and will likely run out pretty swiftly.Sydney - 6:00pm 7th August at the Chauvel Cinema, tickets $20: https://www.dymocks.com.au/events/details/index/id/NTAyMA~~Melbourne SOLD OUT - 6:00pm 8th August at Readings Emporium: https://www.readings.com.au/events/riley-knight-in-conversationBrisbane SOLD OUT - 6:00pm 14th August at the Brisbane Square Library: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/meet-riley-knight-brisbane-square-library-tickets-1451216099419Maroochydore SOLD OUT - 6:00pm 15th August at Harry Hartog: https://events.humanitix.com/q-and-a-and-signing-with-riley-knightI'll stick around after each show for a Q&A and signings. Looking forward to seeing everyone there! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

07-23
07:16

QAH Episode 120: The Man in the Iron Mask

Quarter-Arsed History presents: the Man in the Iron Mask, a mysterious prisoner of the French king Louis XIV, who was imprisoned for 34 years without anyone ever learning his true identity. History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 5th of August across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

07-23
28:31

Episode 369: The French Revolution - Part 3: The Constitution

In this week's episode, understand some of the most important legacies of the French Revolution as it worked to establish a constitutional monarchy, before the ultimate abolition of the monarchy and establishment of a republic in 1792.History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 5th of August across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

07-20
01:08:38

Inventions Episode 29: The Camera

The camera is everywhere, today - we carry them around with us in our pockets - but it has a two-hundred year history that has brought us to this point, filled with groundbreaking, revolutionary technological advancements. History's Strangest Deaths, the first Half-Arsed History book, releases on the 5th of August across the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand region. Pre-order your copy from Booktopia or A&U:AU/NZ: https://www.booktopia.com.au/history-s-strangest-deaths-riley-knight/book/9781761472589.htmlInternational: https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Riley-Knight-History's-Strangest-Deaths-9781761472589 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

07-18
25:09

LittleRoma

Learning through Austrlian political system while knitting an Irish Pub, such fun

04-20 Reply

Samantha Varrone

Judge: Roll deception 9 y/o: Nat 20

11-23 Reply

MehdiMK

Awesome!

08-25 Reply

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