Revisionist History
Revisionist History is Malcolm Gladwell's journey through the overlooked and the misunderstood. Every episode re-examines something from the past—an event, a person, an idea, even a song—and asks whether we got it right the first time. From Pushkin Industries. Because sometimes the past deserves a second chance.
iHeartMedia is the exclusive podcast partner of Pushkin Industries.
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Presenting: The Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell
When you purchase The Bomber Mafia audiobook at www.bombermafia.com you will receive the exclusive Listener's Guide featuring new commentary from Malcolm and the producers/engineers involved in the making of this amazing audio project.
16 min
27
Bonus: Return to the 404
We're back in Atlanta - with a few jaunts to Jamaica, Kenya, court-side NBA games, and a deep dive into fine art forgery.
35 min
28
Bonus: Druid Hills
Revisionist History takes a trip to Malcolm's favorite city
31 min
29
A Memorial for the Living
Lessons from the world’s most perfect memorial.
39 min
30
"Oh Howard, You Idiot!”
The true story behind the greatest autobiography you’ve never read.
45 min
31
Hamlet Was Wrong
The delicate science of hiring nihilism, examined in five deeply-personal case studies.
38 min
32
Goodbye, Farewell and Amen
How do we remember one of the deadliest nights in human history? We don't.
39 min
33
Bombs-Away LeMay
The arguments, accidents and sheer serendipity that led to the longest night of World War II.
39 min
34
May the Best Firebomb Win
Basement laboratories. Mad scientists. Sticky gels, and a bake-off in the desert.
36 min
35
The Bomber Mafia
On the eve of World War II, a band of visionaries tried to reimagine modern warfare. They failed.
32 min
36
The Powerball Revolution
In Bolivia, a political activist radically reforms the voting process for... student council elections?
41 min
37
Hedwig’s Lost Van Gogh
An escape from war-torn Germany. Lavish dinners with Hollywood royalty. The long journey of a Van Gogh still life.
39 min
38
Dragon Psychology 101
Dragons hoard treasure, deep in their lairs. They don’t show it off to their neighbors.
41 min
39
Introducing Revisionist History Season Five
Andy Warhol. War. Smaug the Dragon. And, as always, digressions of great importance.
2 min
40
Revisionist History Presents: The Limits of Power
A timely excerpt from David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell
44 min
41
The Queen of Cuba
On February 24, 1996, Cuban fighter jets shot down two small planes operated by Brothers to the Rescue, an organization in Florida that tried to spot refugees fleeing Cuba in boats.
58 min
42
The Obscure Virus Club
Throughout the 1960s, a biologist named Howard Temin became convinced that something wasn’t right in science’s understanding of viruses.
35 min
43
Chutzpah vs. Chutzpah
You thought that there was only one kind of chutzpah. Wrong. There’s two
37 min
44
In a Metal Mood
Two seasons after its investigation of the decline of McDonalds french fries, Revisionist History returns to fast-food’s high-tech test kitchens.
38 min
45
Descend into the Particular
An unarmed man is shot to death by police. How does the Jesuitical idea of “disordered attachments” help us make sense of what happened?
41 min
46
Dr. Rock’s Taxonomy
John Rock was the co-inventor of the birth control pill — and a committed Catholic. He wanted his church to approve of his invention.
37 min
47
The Standard Case
Revisionist History tries to make sense of the conundrum of PED use in baseball, using the 500-year-old philosophical techniques of St. Ignatius.
36 min
48
Good Old Boys
If you disagree with someone — if you find what they think appalling — is there any value in talking to them?
38 min
49
Tempest in a Teacup
Bohea, the aroma of tire fire, Mob Wives, smugglers, “bro” tea, and what it all means to the backstory of the American Revolution.
35 min
50
The Tortoise and the Hare
A weird speech by Antonin Scalia, a visit with some serious legal tortoises, and a testy exchange with the experts at the Law School Admissions Council prompts Malcolm to formulate his Grand Unified Theory for fixing higher education.
38 min