Podcast Episode 4 - Stubborn Nags of Ancient Rome, Part I

He didn't like Greeks. He didn't like Carthage. He didn't like hero generals lying around spending the Treasury's money. He didn't like women who displayed too much luxury and ostentation. 

What a guy. 

Meet Cato the Elder, a stick in the mud of the ancient Roman Republic, who felt it was his duty to keep everyone in line. 

Hopefully, his descendants would be more fun. In a future episode, we'll meet his great-grandson--Cato the Younger, and find out that the apple doesn't really fall far from the tree. 

The Catos. 

Stay tuned for Stubborn Nags of Ancient Rome, Part II.

Have a listen to the History's Trainwrecks Podcast at the links or embedded players below:

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Like the show? Subscribe to the podcast and like or follow our Facebook page for more historical trainwrecks and their adventures.

Sources

Duncan, Mike. “The Storm Before the Storm: The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic” Public Affairs, 2017.

Livy, “The Early History of Rome.” Penguin Classics, 2002

Podcast Episode 3 - Keep Your Pants On

Podcast Episode Three - Keep Your Pants On

 

One privilege of rank is getting to keep your pants on. 

History's Trainwrecks Episode Three:

   

 

In 1942, American Major General Mark Clark was on a top-secret mission in German-occupied Algiers to persuade the French commander not to resist the planned Allied invasion of North Africa, codenamed Operation Torch.

On his way back to the submarine, the general worried that his wet pants (and the two thousand dollars in gold he had in his belt) might drag him down. He turned to the next lowest ranking officer and ordered him to surrender his trousers.

It's good to be in charge.

Have a listen to the History's Trainwrecks Podcast at the links or embedded players below:

Itunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1566357950?mt=2

Google Podcasts:
https://www.google.com/podcasts...

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0EDHR8NUqtfUYbL5l3Mr28

Audible:
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IHeart Radio:
https://www.iheart.com/.../269-historys-trainwrecks.../

Amazon Music:
https://music.amazon.com/.../e2a604.../history's-trainwrecks

Like the show? Subscribe to the podcast and like or follow our Facebook page for more historical trainwrecks and their adventures.

Sources

“Flawed, but Essential: Mark W. Clark and the Italian Campaign in World War II” Mikolashek, Jon, Florida State University, 2007

“Mark W. Clark” Wikipedia

“George C. Marshall” Wikipedia

“Operation Flagpole” Wikipedia

“Top Secret: Gen. Mark Clark’s Daring Operation Flagpole” Schultz, Duane, Warfare History Magazine, 2019

“Spain during World War II” Wikipedia

“Operation Torch” Wikipedia

Podcast Episode 1 - Trainwreck Defined

Podcast Episode One - Trainwreck Defined 

Click in the boxes below to listen to the episode:

     

I use the word “trainwreck” as a kind of verbal shorthand to describe that intangible quality that made each of these historical figures go from being household names and wielding vast power and influence to end up as relative nobodies. There was something about them that rubbed people the wrong way – ego, arrogance, tone-deafness to public  opinion and the sensitivities of those around them, and a sense of superiority to those above them. They were not team players. There was only room for one on their stage.

In the end, the men I listed, and the other historical figures I will cover in this show, destroyed their own  careers or ruined their chances for a celebrated place in history. They did it by choice, with their eyes open, always believing they were in the right. 

You’ve probably known people in your lives who outwardly seemed to have everything going for them, but in the end, things never work out.

Although some may find the term pejorative, “trainwreck” comes the closest to figuring out what went wrong with people who had demonstrated their superior talents, who had all the connections they needed, who always seemed to be in the right place at the 31 right time, and who seemed destined for success.

It was their own self-sabotage that ultimately cost them everything.

On our next episode, we’ll dive in to a temper tantrum that just maybe changed the course of American history. 

Have a listen to the History's Trainwrecks Podcast at the links or embedded players below:

Itunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1566357950?mt=2

Google Podcasts:
https://www.google.com/podcasts...

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0EDHR8NUqtfUYbL5l3Mr28

Audible:
https://www.audible.com/pd/Podcast/B08JJMCMYV...

IHeart Radio:
https://www.iheart.com/.../269-historys-trainwrecks.../

Amazon Music:
https://music.amazon.com/.../e2a604.../history's-trainwrecks

Like the show? Subscribe to the podcast and like or follow our Facebook page for more updates!

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