Gullible Georgians: hoaxes in the Enlightenment period
HistoryExtra podcast
05/28/26
•50m
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The 18th century was an age of industrialisation, scientific exploration and ‘progress’, but what happened when those rational foundations were shaken? Cultural and art historian Madeleine Pelling – whose latest book is Hoax: Truth and Lies in the Age of Enlightenment – speaks to Isabel King about the fascinating world of hoaxes in the period, from the dangerous to the downright bizarre.
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To explore another famous historical hoax, check out this story, where one man created a fake version of Paris during the First World War: https://bit.ly/4n3Vjo2
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Previous Episode
The Hotel Lutetia in central Paris lived several lives in the tortured times of the 1930s and 1940s. Before the war, it was the hub of dissenting activity from anti-Nazi German exiles. During the war, it was the HQ for German military intelligence – and after the war, it was a deportee relocation centre. Jane Rogoyska, author of Hotel Exile, talks to David Musgrove about what we can learn about the remarkable story of the this ever-evolving building.
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Don't miss our six-part HistoryExtra Academy course with Laurence Rees on Nazi Germany: https://bit.ly/4aB46ba
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Next Episode
Cleopatra’s bloody rise to power
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•29m
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Captivated by Cleopatra? Matt Elton has curated a collection of essential reading, listening and viewing from the HistoryExtra vaults to help bring the ancient queen to life: https://bit.ly/3Pgs3hv
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