Byzantium And The Crusades - The Second Age of the Crusaders Episode 10 “Frederick and the Recovery of Jerusalem”

The German Emperor Frederick II was an unusual medieval monarch. He shocked contemporaries by keeping a harem in his court at Palermo, and was excommunicated three times by the Pope. Yet he was the only monarch to succeed in recovering Jerusalem.

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.

Back Bar - A Good Fight

A countdown to WWI and a bright, bubbly festive drink named after a killing machine. 

As the great old powers of Europe marched toward war the conflict seemed inevitable. But was it? Was there a way these men could have resolved their differences? Joining us on this journey is the French 75, a bright bubbly little drink named after a fearsome peace of WWI artillery. What can this drink teach us about fighting out our issues, and have we really learned our lesson from the past? Special guests this week are Zahra Bates of Courvoisier Cognac, Keli Rivers of Sipsmith Gin and Angry Staff Officer of the War Stories podcast.

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!

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Byzantium And The Crusades - The Second Age of the Crusaders Episode 9 “The Fifth Crusade: Defeat Snatched from Victory”

The Fifth Crusade is poised for victory in Egypt. But its final offensive ends in catastrophe. Find out what went wrong 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.

Curious City - How Bagels Got To Chicago And Where To Eat Them

Curious City reporter Monica Eng and editor Alexandra Salomon try to help one listener who claims NY has better bagels find some good ones in Chicago. Plus, we trace the local history of the donut-shaped bread: From its arrival in the U.S. with Jewish immigrants to mass production to a renaissance of local artisanal bakers who have gone back to the traditional way of making them.

Byzantium And The Crusades - The Second Age of the Crusaders Episode 8 “The Fifth Crusade: The Siege of Damietta”

The Fifth Crusade has struck at Egypt. Can its fanatical leader, Cardinal Pelagius, achieve the greatest victory since the First Crusade? 

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.

Back Bar - Greensward

Manhattan: an island, a drink and a park for the people.

As New York City grew it needed a place. A place for people to walk, to play, to promenade, to relax. A place with green. Meanwhile there was more and more money pouring into bars and the gentlemen barkeepers of the gilded age were experimenting with all kinds of new drinks from all over the world, including this new stuff from Italy called sweet vermouth. Somehow Central Park and the Manhattan stood the test of time and became not just for the few, but for the many. Special guests this week are Robert Simonson author of “A Proper Drink” and Kyle Sallee of Central Park Food Tours.

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 7 “The Fifth Crusade”

The Fifth Crusade isn't as well known as it should be. It was actually one of the most significant military expeditions that set out to recover Jerusalem. 

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 - The Environmental Impacts Of The Chicago River Reversal

We dug into the Curious City archives and pulled out one of our favorites, a story about the Chicago River. Chicago’s bold maneuver to reverse the Chicago River diverted sewage away from Lake Michigan, allowing Chicago’s continued growth. But it was hardly a perfect solution. The effects of the groundbreaking engineering feat are still being felt today -- even as far as the Gulf of Mexico. Reporter Carson Vaughan has that story.