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Check latest episodes from The Dubious Book of Famous Deeds podcast

Chapter 19. Horatio Nelson, or: The Naval Gaze

2022/06/14

Comedian Clare Blackwood joins me for the thrilling tale of Lord Admiral Nelson: commander of the Royal Navy, hero of the Napoleonic Wars, deadbeat husband. Listen to the story of a man who left everything on the field, including an arm, most of his teeth and an eyebrow. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

Chapter 18. Samuel Colt, or: From My Old, Dead Hands

2022/06/07

If you’re tracing the roots of America’s gun culture, you’ll surely stumble across Samuel Colt, inventor of the Colt Pistol, revolutionary in firearm manufacture and marketing, and total gun nut by anyone’s standards. Guests Rhys Waters and Jesse Harley (‘Canadian Politics is Boring’) come for the weaponry and stay for the pyromania as we explore the life of a man who had a singular appetite for destruction. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

Chapter 17. Walter Raleigh, or: Misadventure Time

2022/05/31

Comedian Brandon Hackett is here for the story of Walter Raleigh, namesake of Raleigh, North Carolina: a great explorer, so we’re told, but really – did he get a single thing right? Or was he really famous because Queen Elizabeth I had the hots for him? Learn all about the man whose missteps and screw-ups landed him in the Tower of London so many times, they’ve still got his room set up. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

Chapter 16. Sir Henry Holland, or: Lady Chatterley’s Doctor

2022/05/24

In a surprisingly horny episode, comedian Ashley Botting (Second City, Because News) is here for the story of Sir Henry Holland: physician to the wealthy, confidante to the elite, and – to spread a rumour we can in no way substantiate – hot lover to them all? Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

Chapter 15. Great Lighthouse Disasters, or: Lead Belly

2022/05/17

Comedian Alastair Forbes is here for stories about lighthouses! Specifically, stories about the destruction of said lighthouses. We’ll also hear a bit about John Smeaton, the first ever civil engineer… but mainly we’re talking lighthouses failing. You know what they say: tragedy plus time equals good podcast content. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

Chapter 14. John Milton, or: Walking Tour de Force

2022/05/10

Allana Reoch is here to learn all the strange, tragic and uncomfortably public details about legendary poet John Milton, all against the backdrop of the English Civil War. The guy was a major pill but will Allana come around on him? Does she have a soft spot for broken things?? Or is John Milton just *that* charming??? (He isn’t.) Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

Chapter 13. Sir Edwin Landseer, or: Must Love Dog Art

2022/05/03

Welcome to season 2! The Dubious Book returns with an extremely funny episode about Queen Victoria’s favourite painter, Edwin Landseer. Tim Baltz (Righteous Gemstones, Shrink) and Marty Adams (Second City) join the podcast to – let’s be honest – absolutely devastate this long dead artist whose main gig was painting pictures of dogs. Find the artwork we discuss at my IG account @famous.deeds, or at this episode’s page on www.thesonarnetwork.com! Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

Season 2 Announcement!

2022/04/19

Hi friends! Been a long time. But I’m happy to tell you that more episodes are just around the corner. Season 2 arrives May 3rd with with more great guests, obscure names and fun stories. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

Chapter 12. Edward Baines of Leeds, or: Trowel Drop

2021/09/27

It’s the season finale! Comedian Lisa Brooke is here for the rags to riches tale of Edward Baines, the newspaperman who had the distinction of being burned in effigy by his fellow citizens not once, but twice. Come for the accusations of bastardy… stay for the silliest name in British history since Ralph Roister Doister. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

Chapter 11. The Emancipation of the Serfs, or: Happy Butter Week

2021/09/20

Just before slavery was abolished in the USA, tens of millions of Russian serfs also received their liberty. But was there a catch? Yes, of course there was! Actor/comedian Anand Rajaram is here for a tale about the high cost of freedom, especially when the nobility pulls the strings. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

Chapter 10. Columbus, Magellan, Da Gama & Vespucci, or: The Tale of Enrique

2021/09/13

Paloma Nuñez (Baroness Von Sketch, Shazam) joins me for the story of not one but four explorers: all famous, all psychos. How much of a bastard was Christopher Columbus? How bad a guest was Vasco Da Gama? How the hell did Amerigo Vespucci get two continents named after him? All this and more as we dive into a very pro-colonial chapter. Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

Chapter 9. Sir Titus Salt, or: The Silicon Valley of Wool

2021/09/06

Kris Siddiqi and Nigel Downer – stars of the television show Bit Playas – are here to learn about Sir Titus Salt, the wealthy industrialist who, for reasons unexplained, built a city in his own name! Was it a Christian utopia? A triumph of capitalism? A child-labour sweatshop? Can it be all three?? Listen and find out! Brought to you By: The Sonar Network

Read The Dubious Book of Famous Deeds podcast reviews

5 out of 5

12 reviews

Toe Gould 2022/05/17

New favorite

I just found this podcast a couple of weeks ago and devoured the whole first season in less than a week.

Anneaie 2022/04/24

The best thing I’ve ever listened to

Literally cannot wait between episodes, this show is addicting and informative in the best way

Angchriskraus 2021/09/20

Worth listening.

Always entertaining although he does drop in notes of his leftist viewpoints.

BHdude 2021/09/20

A Fun and Informative Show

Regardless that the host does ply 21st Century thought to the Victorian Era (you just can’t help but do that) his vigor and joy comes across and makes...

zamnan 2021/09/15

What a treat!

Making fun of Victoriana in a smart way. Dubious guests get sucked into being interested in something they thought they would never be interested in. ...

wu library 2021/08/21

indescribable in the best way

first time in ages that i am anxiously awaiting new episodes of a podcast

check all reviews on aple podcasts