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This is History: History’s Greatest Fails

This is History: History’s Greatest Fails

By: Sony Music Entertainment
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About this listen

 History’s Greatest Fails is a miniseries from Dan Jones and Elizabeth Day that aims to answer the simple, but complex, question: Why do losers make history? From Richard III, to Vincent Van Gough, to the purposefully forgotten female Pharaoh Hatshepsut, this series is going to help you better understand how the idea of failure changes over time, and what lessons failure has for all of us. Dan and Elizabeth are old friends, fellow history graduates, and fellow authors and podcasters. Dan Jones is host of This Is History — A Dynasty to Die For, a narrative podcast that charts the bloody and complex drama of England’s Plantagenet dynasty, now up to its 10th season. Elizabeth is host of How To Fail, a podcast that has brought together hundreds of luminaries and thinkers including Kate Winslet, Yuval Noah Hariri, and Malala Yousafzai, to reflect on failure in the present. Over six episodes, History’s Greatest Fails will dissect failure of all kinds, from troubled historical rulers, to the failures of remembrance, to the failures that have created the happy accidents that last for generations. As always, Dan’s royal favourites can chime in anytime on the royal court on Patreon at patreon.com/thisishistory. And for the bonus episodes of this miniseries, Dan and Producer Al are hearing from the favourites directly via voice notes! Following along as they discuss the failures the royal favourites’ have deemed historic! A Sony Music Entertainment production. To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.comSony Music Entertainment Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • Introducing...Season 1 of This is History: A Dynasty to Die For

    Introducing...Season 1 of This is History: A Dynasty to Die For
    Aug 24 2022
    Power, greed, religion and sex: historian Dan Jones brings the drama of medieval history alive through compelling stories, larger-than-life characters and vivid scenes. In the first season, get to know the most dysfunctional family of the Middle Ages – the Plantagenets – and find out how their scandalous betrayals and bloody politics shaped the world we live in today. A Somethin’ Else & Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 min
  • Season 1 | 1. Queen on The Run

    Season 1 | 1. Queen on The Run
    Sep 20 2022
    This episode contains descriptions of violence or sexual content that may not be suitable for all listeners. Until yesterday, Eleanor of Aquitaine was the queen of France. Now, divorced and dethroned, she’s running for her life. Noblemen are lying in wait to capture her and lay claim to her lands. But, if she can escape them, and reach her destination in time, she’ll become more powerful than ever before. This is the beginning of the bloodiest dynasty in European history. This is History is a Somethin’ Else & Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Written and presented by Dan Jones Producer - Rosie Merotra Series Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills Executive Producer - Dave Anderson Executive Producer - Peggy Sutton Production Manager - Jen Mistri Composer - Matt Acheson Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O’Shaugnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    19 mins
  • Season 1 | 2. Power Couple

    Season 1 | 2. Power Couple
    Sep 22 2022
    Henry Plantagenet is a rowdy teenager full of nervous energy and big plans to invade England. He’s also the man Eleanor of Aquitaine chooses to marry. Their union is a savvy business deal that will change their lives, and the shape of Europe, forever. This is History is a Somethin’ Else & Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Written and presented by Dan Jones Producer - Rosie Merotra Series Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills Executive Producer - Dave Anderson Executive Producer - Peggy Sutton Production Manager - Jen Mistri Composer - Matt Acheson Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O’Shaugnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    15 mins
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I find the author gives a good sense of the context of events without assuming the listener knows much about the time period (which I did not before listening) or getting overly bogged down with details and he gives handy recaps where appropriate. Therefore, I feel it'd be a good introduction into the period for those interested - since it's not as in depth as the books the author has written (several of which I've also very much enjoyed so that's not to be put off, just if you're newer to historical non-fiction this could be a good gentle introduction). This is further supported by the short episodes, I was surprised by how short they are but I do feel the breaks are well placed.

I also like how the author says when information is suspected and not confirmed or when he's taking creative liberties/stating his own historical opinion. I think this lends credibility and good context if you're interested in history in a more academic manner. It's also just interesting to know what has and hasn't been proven to a widely accepted level of accuracy.

Dan Jones is a very competent, engaging and amusing narrator. I've also found use of sound effects...well, effective. Not too much so as to be distracting or irritating but just a little something which pulls you in and keeps you engaged.

Well written, well narrated - I'm enjoying it very much

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Dan brings atmosphere and excitement to the story, and a great story it is. Should be a feature film or Netflix series!!!

Addictive

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I love history & this is brilliantly written & performed. I have just found it on Audible & the whole story has kept me riveted during a decorating project. I can't wait to here what happens next.

Fantastic

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Entertaining, interesting, informative and extremely addictive. Very well presented in a way that's easily understood. Thank you Dan!

These podcasts should come with a warning!

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Love Dan Jones' videos, I'm not much of a podcast person but this is just fabulous! Dan's written and narrating skills are second to none. I will definitely be following.

Brilliant!

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