(Pre-recorded before the pandemic shut everything down)
In episode 45, Dan Parrella explains to Pedro Lima (and producer Chris Crespo) why Cuba has has a long history of bad leadership. From Gerardo Machado to Miguel Díaz-Canel, Dan breaks down why their style of military dictatorships has always caused problems for the actual people of the country, and he suggests ways this problem could be fixed, but the leaders of several different countries will not like what he thinks needs to happen. Enjoy the show!
In episode 44 of Half True History, Dan Parrella tells Pedro Lima (and Chris Crespo) all about the Borgias, Italy’s most notorious family, with a Pope who oversaw the Jubilee of 1500, which of course featured, The Contest. This story is bananas and full of mysterious falls down walls and off bridges as well as more than one possible murder by poisoning so we hope you enjoy as you sit around with your own family.
In episode 41, Dan Parrella connects with Pedro Lima (and Chris Crespo) via internet in order to remotely explain the timeline, circumstances and consequences of the plague a.k.a the black death. Dan talks about how it started in China and spread throughout Europe and Russia, how the first wave lasted five years, how the Mongols weaponized the plague, and how it traveled via rats and fleas stowing away on trade routes. Dan also explains the Statute of Labourers and how it led to the English Peasant’s Revolt and the death of the feudal system, ushering in a golden age of workers. Enjoy the show!