Byzantium And The Crusades - Season 10 Mongols and Mamluks Episode 1 “Genghis Khan”

The last fifty years of the Crusader states were dominated by two new emerging superpowers - the Mongols and the Mamluks. In this episode, we hear the extraordinary story of the man who created the Mongol Empire - Genghis (or Jenghiz) Khan.

Please take a look at my website nickholmesauthor.com where you can download a free copy of The Byzantine World War, my book that describes the origins of the First Crusade.

Curious City - Safe At Work: The Life Of Alice Hamilton

Scientist Alice Hamilton’s investigations into toxins in Chicago’s factories led to some of the first workplace safety laws in the country. She was known for her “shoe leather” epidemiology, wearing out the soles of her shoes from all the trips she made to Chicago homes, factories and even saloons to figure out what was making people sick. Reporter Edie Rubinowitz has her story.

Curious City - Safe At Work: The Life Of Alice Hamilton

Scientist Alice Hamilton’s investigations into toxins in Chicago’s factories led to some of the first workplace safety laws in the country. She was known for her “shoe leather” epidemiology, wearing out the soles of her shoes from all the trips she made to Chicago homes, factories and even saloons to figure out what was making people sick. Reporter Edie Rubinowitz has her story.

Back Bar - The Old Men and the Sea

One man invented it. Another one named it. And over the years their clashing personalities shaped the Hemingway Daiquiri. 

When Ernest Hemingway arrived in Cuba he was nearing the end of his days as a young man. When one day he stumbled into La Florida in Havana he met a man who would become his constant companion over the next few years. When Constantino Ribalaigua was tending bar one day and watched a young boisterous author take his seat he met the man that would shape his legacy forever. Special guests this week are “Potions of the Caribbean” author and Latitude 29 owner Jeff “Beachbum” Berry and Philip Greene, author of “To Have and Have Another.”

Please SUBSCRIBE and RATE the show if you can. Join us every two weeks as we talk about history's favorite drinks and how what we drink shapes history. To see what's coming next follow Greg on instagram @100ProofGreg. #drinkinghistory

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Back Bar by becoming a member!

Back Bar is Powered by Simplecast.

 

Byzantium And The Crusades - The Second Age of the Crusaders Episode 14 “The Beginning of the End”

In this episode we reach a turning point in the history of the later Crusades, as the Crusaders face a devastating battle against Ayub, Sultan of Egypt. This marks not just the beginning of the end for the Crusaders but the start of the rise to power of the Mongols and the Mamluks, both of which will come to dominate the thirteenth century.

Please take a look at my website nickholmesauthor.com where you can download a free copy of The Byzantine World War, my book that describes the origins of the First Crusade.

Curious City - WBEZ’s Beginnings With The Board Of Education

WBEZ, where Curious City gets produced, actually began as a radio station that broadcast educational programs for kids. In this week’s episode Monica Eng explores WBEZ’s roots in education and looks at how we went from math and fairy tales over the radio to a news and information station. Goodbye “Lady Make Believe,” hello “All Things Considered.”

Byzantium And The Crusades - The Second Age of the Crusaders Episode 13 “The Fall of Jerusalem”

In 1239, the Barons' Crusade arrived in Palestine to help the Kingdom of Jerusalem. But it achieved little and, in 1244, Jerusalem was captured and sacked by a group of Turkish nomads. It would be nearly 700 years before a Christian army regained the city. 

Please take a look at my website nickholmesauthor.com where you can download a free copy of The Byzantine World War, my book that describes the origins of the First Crusade.

Curious City - Can Anyone Propose Legislation To City Council?

Little-known fact: in Chicago, you don’t need to be an elected official to propose legislation to City Council. But does this process really work? Has anyone ever done it? WBEZ city politics reporter Claudia Morell investigates. Along the way she speaks to a former governor and a cab driver who have tested it out for themselves.

Back Bar - Exactly Approximately 3.2%

A poorly designed law that works and an expertly designed drink that sucks.

When Prohibition was repealed in 1933 American drinkers had a lot of catching up to do. Tastes had changed and big brewers took note, cutting costs and striking ingredients until Americans were left with a low ABV bubbly bread soup that tasted vaguely like something they half-remembered. Flash forward to today and Lite Beer is one of the most well-designed products on the planet, while Americans are still untangling an ungainly patchwork of laws leftover from the bad old prohibition days. It begs the question: what does it mean to make something well? Special guests this week are Garret Oliver of Brooklyn Brewing Co., Brandon Skall of DC Brau and Garrett Peck, author of “The Prohibition Hangover.”

Please SUBSCRIBE and RATE the show if you can. Join us every two weeks as we talk about history's favorite drinks and how what we drink shapes history. To see what's coming next follow Greg on instagram @100ProofGreg. #drinkinghistory

Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Back Bar by becoming a member!

Back Bar is Powered by Simplecast.

Byzantium And The Crusades - The Second Age of the Crusaders Episode 12 “The Lombard Wars”

The Lombard Wars were a period of civil war in the Crusader states between the German Emperor Frederick II's Lombard troops and the Crusader barons in Cyprus and Palestine. Why did the Muslim states not attack the Crusaders when they were weakened by civil war? Find out in this episode.

Please take a look at my website nickholmesauthor.com where you can download a free copy of The Byzantine World War, my book that describes the origins of the First Crusade.