Behind the Bastards
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Behind the Bastards

There’s a reason the History Channel has produced hundreds of documentaries about Hitler but only a few about Dwight D. Eisenhower. Bad guys (and gals) are eternally fascinating. Behind the Bastards dives in past the Cliffs Notes of the worst humans in history and exposes the bizarre realities of th...

Episodes 1,988
Books 1,560
It Came from Something Awful: How a Toxic Troll Army Accidentally Memed Donald Trump into Office Cover

Dale Beran

It Came from Something Awful

How a Toxic Troll Army Accidentally Memed Donald Trump into Office

It was mentioned as a book that helped structure Robert's thoughts about the manosphere and its origins, and it was described as a wonderful book in the context of discussing Hugh Hefner's approach to masculinity and capitalism.

"

This Hefnerian vision of manhood was still tied to economic achievement like the breadwinner vision of manhood. It encouraged conformity and merely changed the system of rewards.

— Episode: Part One: The Birth of the Manosphere

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Episode: Part One: The Birth of the Manosphere

It was mentioned as a book that helped structure Robert's thoughts about the manosphere and its origins, and it was described as a wonderful book in the context of discussing Hugh Hefner's approach to masculinity and capitalism.

"

This Hefnerian vision of manhood was still tied to economic achievement like the breadwinner vision of manhood. It encouraged conformity and merely changed the system of rewards.

Episode: Part One: The Birth of the Manosphere

It was mentioned as a book that helped Robert organize some of his thoughts about the Manosphere and its origins in more order.

"

But like my research on 8chan and stuff, which is like what got me famous in the first place, was kind of proceeding from this. It's definitely I grew up on the Internet. I'll talk about that more later. It's been weird to watch this happen.

in his book, It Came from Something Awful, which is wonderful. David Baron notes, quote, This Hefnerian vision of manhood was still tied to economic achievement like the breadwinner vision of manhood. It encouraged conformity and merely changed the system of rewards.

The Sigma Male: What Women Really Want Cover

John T. Alexander

The Sigma Male

What Women Really Want

It was discussed as a book whose cover features a man in a suit with a medieval sword and was featured in a viral tweet that helped spark the discussion on the Manosphere.

"

It's got something like a quarter of a million shares. The tweet consisted of four images, the cover of a book titled The Sigma Male, What Women Really Want.

— Episode: Part One: The Birth of the Manosphere

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Episode: Part One: The Birth of the Manosphere

It was discussed as a book whose cover features a man in a suit with a medieval sword and was featured in a viral tweet that helped spark the discussion on the Manosphere.

"

It's got something like a quarter of a million shares. The tweet consisted of four images, the cover of a book titled The Sigma Male, What Women Really Want.

Dungeon Master: The Disappearance of James Dallas Egbert III Cover

William Dear

Dungeon Master

The Disappearance of James Dallas Egbert III

The private investigator who initially linked James's disappearance to D&D, later published this book and clarified that the game was not the cause.

"

So the private detective who started all this published his own book, The Dungeon Master, where he clarified that D&D had nothing to do with James's disappearance or suicide, which he...

— Episode: Part Two: The Satanic Panic: America's F...

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Episode: Part Two: The Satanic Panic: America's First QAnon

The private investigator who initially linked James's disappearance to D&D, later published this book and clarified that the game was not the cause.

"

So the private detective who started all this published his own book, The Dungeon Master, where he clarified that D&D had nothing to do with James's disappearance or suicide, which he instead again blamed on chronic depression.

Episode: Part Two: The Satanic Panic: America's First QAnon

It was a book published by the private detective who investigated James Dallas Egbert III's disappearance. It clarified that D&D had no connection with the case, instead attributing the cause to chronic depression.

"

So the private detective who started all this published his own book, The Dungeon Master, where he clarified that D&D had nothing to do with James's disappearance or suicide, which he instead again blamed on chronic depression.

Necronomicon Cover

Simon

Necronomicon

Patricia Pulling mistakenly believed H.P. Lovecraft was a professor who had written this book and used it as a basis for questions when interrogating teenagers.

"

She advised police officers to open interrogations of teenagers with the question, have you read the Necronomicon or are you familiar with it?

— Episode: Part Two: The Satanic Panic: America's F...

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Episode: Part Two: The Satanic Panic: America's First QAnon

Patricia Pulling mistakenly believed H.P. Lovecraft was a professor who had written this book and used it as a basis for questions when interrogating teenagers.

"

She advised police officers to open interrogations of teenagers with the question, have you read the Necronomicon or are you familiar with it?

Someone after decades after Lovecraft's death published a book called the Necronomicon to kind of cash in on the fact that number one.

Well, it wasn't even a book, right? It wasn't even a real book. No, it was like, yeah.

Episode: Part Two: The Satanic Panic: America's First QAnon

It was a book mentioned as having been published after H.P. Lovecraft's death, and was incorrectly believed to be an educational text by Patricia Pulling. The podcasters clarified that it is a fictional book.

"

Someone after decades after Lovecraft's death published a book called the Necronomicon to kind of cash in on the fact that number one.

Well, it wasn't even a book, right? It wasn't even a real book. No, it was like, yeah. The best thing. Yeah.

Have you read the Necronomicon or are you familiar with it?

Oh, yeah. Fictional. Yeah, it's fucking great.

Behold a Pale Horse Cover

Milton William Cooper

Behold a Pale Horse

It was discussed as a book written by Bill Cooper, containing details of his life, notably with a section on his background and a captivating title.

"

Bill Cooper, which is a great name for a book.

— Episode: Part One: Bill Cooper: The Man Who Kille...

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Episode: Part One: Bill Cooper: The Man Who Killed Truth

It was discussed as a book written by Bill Cooper, containing details of his life, notably with a section on his background and a captivating title.

"

Bill Cooper, which is a great name for a book.

It is a great name for a book.

I didn't always love my father. He was a strict disciplinarian.

My dad did not believe in spare the rod and his belt was put to use frequently in our family.

And like most children who grew up in such families, Bill was like Bill grew up with a like basically focusing all the time on how to avoid getting in trouble.

Episode: Part Two: Bill Cooper: The Man Who Killed Truth

It was described as a 434-page book filled with fake documents and memos, which was said to have become the most influential underground publishing hit in history and was frequently stolen and passed around in prisons.

"

'Written at the level of an undergrad paper in electrical engineering, Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars defines a silent weapon as differing from a conventional weapon in that it shoots situations instead of bullets, originating from bits of data instead of grains of gunpowder.

It attacks under the orders of a banking magnate instead of a military general. Because the silent weapon causes no obvious physical or mental injuries and does not obviously interfere with anyone's daily social life, the public cannot comprehend this weapon and therefore cannot believe that they are being attacked and subdued.

The public might instinctively feel that something is wrong, but because of the technical nature of the silent weapon, they cannot express their feeling in a rational way. They do not know how to cry for help and do not know how to associate with others to defend themselves against it.

Every aspect of his plan to subjugate the world has since become reality, validating the authenticity of conspiracy. This has been written intentionally to deceive people.

For clear understanding, the word Zion should be Sion. Any references to Jews should be replaced with the word Illuminati. And the word goyim should be replaced with the word cattle.

An American Dilemma: The Negro Problem and Modern Democracy, Volume 1 (Black & African-American Studies) Cover

Gunnar Myrdal

An American Dilemma

The Negro Problem and Modern Democracy, Volume 1 (Black & African-American Studies)

It was a 1944 study that highlighted how police often represented white supremacy and social customs rather than solely civic order.

"

The policeman stands not only for civic order as defined in formal laws and regulations, but also for white supremacy and the whole set of social customs associated with this concept.

— Episode: Behind the Police: How The Police Defeat...

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Episode: Behind the Police: How The Police Defeated Lynchin...

It was a 1944 study that highlighted how police often represented white supremacy and social customs rather than solely civic order.

"

The policeman stands not only for civic order as defined in formal laws and regulations, but also for white supremacy and the whole set of social customs associated with this concept.

Episode: Behind the Police: How The Police Defeated Lynchin...

It was cited as a 1944 study that saw police as representing not only order but also white supremacy and social customs related to it.

"

The policeman stands not only for civic order as defined in formal laws and regulations, but also for white supremacy and the whole set of social customs associated with this concept.

12 Years A Slave Cover

Solomon Northup

12 Years A Slave

It was mentioned as a memoir providing an account of the brutality of slave patrols, specifically the use of dogs to hunt down enslaved people who had broken curfew.

"

one slave fled before one of these companies thinking he could reach his cabin before they could overtake him. But one of their dogs, a great ravenous hound, gripped him by the leg and held him fast....

— Episode: Slavery, Mass Murder and the Birth of Am...

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Episode: Slavery, Mass Murder and the Birth of American Pol...

It was mentioned as a memoir providing an account of the brutality of slave patrols, specifically the use of dogs to hunt down enslaved people who had broken curfew.

"

one slave fled before one of these companies thinking he could reach his cabin before they could overtake him. But one of their dogs, a great ravenous hound, gripped him by the leg and held him fast. The patrollers whipped him severely.

Episode: Slavery, Mass Murder and the Birth of American Pol...

It was mentioned as an example of the brutality of slave patrols, recounting a scene where a slave was punished for breaking curfew and attacked by dogs.

"

one slave fled before one of these companies thinking he could reach his cabin before they could overtake him. But one of their dogs, a great ravenous hound, gripped him by the leg and held him fast. The patrollers whipped him severely.

Filibusters and Financiers: the Story of William Walker and His Associates Cover

William O (William Oscar) Scroggs

Filibusters and Financiers

the Story of William Walker and His Associates

It was discussed as being published in 1916, during a time where colonialism was viewed positively. The book discussed the growing support of filibustering, particularly mentioning the 'appetite comes with eating' proverb in regards to American land hunger.

"

if on the other hand they happened to direct their attention towards another nation whose sovereignty was formally recognized by their own they were called filibusters

— Episode: Part One: The Dumbest Colonizer in Histo...

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Episode: Part One: The Dumbest Colonizer in History

It was discussed as being published in 1916, during a time where colonialism was viewed positively. The book discussed the growing support of filibustering, particularly mentioning the 'appetite comes with eating' proverb in regards to American land hunger.

"

if on the other hand they happened to direct their attention towards another nation whose sovereignty was formally recognized by their own they were called filibusters

there is a proverb current among Frenchmen to the effect that the appetite comes with eating and in the case of the land hunger of the American people the truth this assertion seems well established

as soon as they set foot on American soil the colonists from Europe were compelled to wrest their lands from the savages many of whom resisted the invaders to the death

Episode: Part Two: The Dumbest Colonizer in History

It was discussed as a 1916 book that was somewhat favorably biased towards William Walker and the concept of Manifest Destiny. It was used to give insight into the mindset of Americans who supported Walker's actions in Mexico.

"

It is consoling, however, to record that our faults, numerous as they were, were symptoms of youth and super abundant health rather than signs of senile degeneracy.

Monster Manual: Core Rulebook III (Dungeons & Dragons) Cover

Monte Cook

Monster Manual

Core Rulebook III (Dungeons & Dragons)

Robert mentioned that one of the best monsters in this D&D book was a giant hovering aborted god fetus, which was a very cool monster.

"

Anyway, that's a reference for the nine people listening to this podcast right now.

— Episode: All Fertility Doctors Are Bastards

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Episode: All Fertility Doctors Are Bastards

Robert mentioned that one of the best monsters in this D&D book was a giant hovering aborted god fetus, which was a very cool monster.

"

Anyway, that's a reference for the nine people listening to this podcast right now.

It was a very cool monster.

one of the best monsters in the Dungeons and Dragons like third edition Monster Manual was this giant hovering aborted god fetus.

Medical Conditions in the Athlete Cover

Katie Walsh Flanagan

Medical Conditions in the Athlete

It was mentioned in the podcast as a source for information about the harsh conditions and cost-cutting practices within the plant, leading to the disaster.

"

during the training period technicians were treated as casual workers after the training they were only paid an hourly rate a technician who accepted a job at the MIC plant got a paper about receiving...

— Episode: The Industrial Disaster That Makes Chern...

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Episode: The Industrial Disaster That Makes Chernobyl Look...

It was mentioned in the podcast as a source for information about the harsh conditions and cost-cutting practices within the plant, leading to the disaster.

"

during the training period technicians were treated as casual workers after the training they were only paid an hourly rate a technician who accepted a job at the MIC plant got a paper about receiving six months of training but after five weeks he was asked to stop the training and to take charge as a full-fledged plant operator

Episode: The Industrial Disaster That Makes Chernobyl Look...

It was mentioned in the context of discussing the poor working conditions within the Bhopal plant, noting how technicians were treated as casual workers and how promotions were based on loyalty to the bosses rather than experience.

"

during the training period technicians were treated as casual workers after the training they were only paid an hourly rate a technician who accepted a job at the MIC plant got a paper about receiving six months of training but after five weeks he was asked to stop the training and to take charge as a full-fledged plant operator

Anarchism and Other Essays (Annotated) Cover

Emma Goldman

Anarchism and Other Essays (Annotated)

It was mentioned as a pamphlet discussing how the focus on constructing anarchist institutions has receded from anarchist practice.

"

And there's these thinkers like Christian Williams, who's an anarchist from the Pacific Northwest, who wrote a pamphlet about this called *Wither Anarchism*.

— Episode: It Could Happen Here Weekly 26

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Episode: It Could Happen Here Weekly 26

It was mentioned as a pamphlet discussing how the focus on constructing anarchist institutions has receded from anarchist practice.

"

And there's these thinkers like Christian Williams, who's an anarchist from the Pacific Northwest, who wrote a pamphlet about this called *Wither Anarchism*.

Episode: It Could Happen Here Weekly 26

The pamphlet was described as arguing that the focus on constructing institutions and the nitty-gritty of how to do that has receded from anarchism as it is actually practiced.

"

There's these thinkers like Christian Williams, who's an anarchist from the Pacific Northwest, who wrote a pamphlet about this called Wither Anarchism.

The Engineers and the Price System / The Socialist Economics of Karl Marx and His Followers Cover

Thorstein Veblen

The Engineers and the Price System / The Socialist Economics of Karl Marx and His Followers

This book was mentioned as a source of the theory of corporate sabotage, with a section titled "On the Nature and Uses of Sabotage", discussing how corporations routinely sabotage their own production to maintain prices.

"

In the first part of The Engineers and the Price System, a work that has been broadly ignored even by his followers, Veblen wrote a section called On the Nature and Uses of Sabotage.

— Episode: It Could Happen Here Weekly 11

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Episode: It Could Happen Here Weekly 11

This book was mentioned as a source of the theory of corporate sabotage, with a section titled "On the Nature and Uses of Sabotage", discussing how corporations routinely sabotage their own production to maintain prices.

"

In the first part of The Engineers and the Price System, a work that has been broadly ignored even by his followers, Veblen wrote a section called On the Nature and Uses of Sabotage.

Episode: It Could Happen Here Weekly 11

It was discussed as a book that heavily focused on the concept of corporate sabotage. The author was quoted directly from the book, arguing that the ordinary work of a corporation is a form of sabotage, as it prioritizes profits over the needs of people.

"

In the first part of "The Engineers and the Price System", a work that has been broadly ignored even by his followers, Veblen wrote a section called "On the Nature and Uses of Sabotage".

From that work, writers and speakers who dilate on the militarious exploits of the nation's businessmen will not commonly allude to this voluminous running administration of sabotage, this conscientious withdrawal of efficiency that goes into their ordinary day's work.

We are not used to thinking of the ordinary work of a corporation being sabotage.

But for Veblen, there was no other explanation for what he was seeing.

But for reasons of business expediency, it is impossible to let these idle plants and idle workmen go to work.

That is to say, for reasons of insufficient profit to the businessmen interested or in other words, for reasons of insufficient income to the vested interests which control the staple industries and so regulate the output of product.

Charismatic Capitalism: Direct Selling Organizations in America Cover

Nicole Woolsey Biggart

Charismatic Capitalism

Direct Selling Organizations in America

The book was brought up while discussing how MLMs, including Amway, manipulate people into believing that failure is their fault, not the system itself.

"

MLMs gaslight you into believing that if you follow their flawless system and don't succeed, there is simply something wrong with you.

— Episode: Part Two: Amway: The Gravedigger of Demo...

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Episode: Part Two: Amway: The Gravedigger of Democracy

The book was brought up while discussing how MLMs, including Amway, manipulate people into believing that failure is their fault, not the system itself.

"

MLMs gaslight you into believing that if you follow their flawless system and don't succeed, there is simply something wrong with you.

Episode: Part Two: Amway: The Gravedigger of Democracy

The book was referenced as an academic study on the practices of direct selling organizations in the USA, specifically MLMs. The podcast hosts discussed it in the context of how MLMs influence their members.

"

MLMs gaslight you into believing that if you follow their flawless system and don't succeed, there is simply something wrong with you.

Driving While Brown: Sheriff Joe Arpaio versus the Latino Resistance Cover

Terry Greene Sterling

Driving While Brown

Sheriff Joe Arpaio versus the Latino Resistance

The book detailed Joe Arpaio's time in school and how he was subjected to anti-immigrant racism, a factor that likely influenced his later actions as Sheriff. It also offered insights into his career and tactics as Sheriff, including details about his posse.

"

Joe Arpaio had a difficult time in school. He struggled to get passing grades and often bore the brunt of anti-immigrant thoughts. Dago, WAP, Guinea. He took it, pretended to ignore it because that's...

— Episode: Part One: Joe Arpaio: America's Favorite...

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Episode: Part One: Joe Arpaio: America's Favorite Concentra...

The book detailed Joe Arpaio's time in school and how he was subjected to anti-immigrant racism, a factor that likely influenced his later actions as Sheriff. It also offered insights into his career and tactics as Sheriff, including details about his posse.

"

Joe Arpaio had a difficult time in school. He struggled to get passing grades and often bore the brunt of anti-immigrant thoughts. Dago, WAP, Guinea. He took it, pretended to ignore it because that's what you did back then, he told us.

We came to understand that Arpaio learned in the small drug enforcement agency then overseen by the Treasury Department, a lot of things that would inform his tenure as a Maricopa County Sheriff.

We asked Arpaio several times if he'd ever killed anybody. He answered, Not that I know of, although in Turkey I used to have gun battles. I think one gun battle I did hit one or two dope peddlers only because I am the one that had the gun. A 38, I guess.

He added hastily that he had never killed anyone in the United States. Another time he told us, In Turkey I've had some gun battles. I don't know who killed who, but I never killed anybody.

Episode: Part One: Joe Arpaio: America's Favorite Concentra...

It was mentioned that the book provided a less favorable view of Joe Arpaio's schooling, where he faced anti-immigrant prejudice, and also offered insights into his law enforcement career, particularly his methods and motivations.

"

Joe Arpaio had a difficult time in school. He struggled to get passing grades and often bore the brunt of anti-immigrant thoughts. Dago, WAP, Guinea. He took it, pretended to ignore it because that's what you did back then, he told us.

We came to understand that Arpaio learned in the small drug enforcement agency then overseen by the Treasury Department, a lot of things that would inform his tenure as a Maricopa County Sheriff. He learned how to assume a fictitious role.

We asked Arpaio several times if he'd ever killed anybody. He answered, Not that I know of, although in Turkey I used to have gun battles. I think one gun battle I did hit one or two dope peddlers only because I am the one that had the gun. A 38, I guess.

He added hastily that he had never killed anyone in the United States. Another time he told us, In Turkey I've had some gun battles. I don't know who killed who, but I never killed anybody.

Growing Up Duggar Cover

Jill Duggar

Growing Up Duggar

The four older Duggar sisters published this book, capitalizing on their family's fame and discussing relationships. Josh Duggar contributed a passage about accountability and confessing sins.

"

As I became a young man, I was constantly tempted to have lots of wrong thoughts and often battled to keep my heart right.

— Episode: Part Two: The Cult Behind Josh Duggar

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Episode: Part Two: The Cult Behind Josh Duggar

The four older Duggar sisters published this book, capitalizing on their family's fame and discussing relationships. Josh Duggar contributed a passage about accountability and confessing sins.

"

As I became a young man, I was constantly tempted to have lots of wrong thoughts and often battled to keep my heart right.

One of the greatest things that helped me in my struggles was my parents' commitment to accountability.

They were faithful to talk with each of us children if we were willing to share honestly and openly with them to maintain a clear conscience.

I learned quickly that great freedom can be achieved by accountability, but that deep accountability requires humility and openness.

I often had failures in my early teenage years, but I found that I had a clear conscience only when I was willing to confess my thoughts quickly to God and to my parents.

Episode: Part Two: The Cult Behind Josh Duggar

The four older Duggar sisters published this book, capitalizing on their family's fame. Josh Duggar provided a quote from the book about accountability and confessing sins to God and his parents.

"

As I became a young man, I was constantly tempted to have lots of wrong thoughts and often battled to keep my heart right.

One of the greatest things that helped me in my struggles was my parents' commitment to accountability.

They were faithful to talk with each of us children if we were willing to share honestly and openly with them to maintain a clear conscience.

I learned quickly that great freedom can be achieved by accountability, but that deep accountability requires humility and openness.

I often had failures in my early teenage years, but I found that I had a clear conscience only when I was willing to confess my thoughts quickly to God and to my parents.

A Love That Multiplies: An Up-Close View of How They Make it Work Cover

Michelle Duggar

A Love That Multiplies

An Up-Close View of How They Make it Work

Michelle Duggar wrote this book, where she included a story told by her husband about purity and the consequences of losing it, using a bike as a metaphor.

"

Imagine that your parents are going to surprise you and give you a brand new bike for Christmas.

— Episode: Part Two: The Cult Behind Josh Duggar

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Episode: Part Two: The Cult Behind Josh Duggar

Michelle Duggar wrote this book, where she included a story told by her husband about purity and the consequences of losing it, using a bike as a metaphor.

"

Imagine that your parents are going to surprise you and give you a brand new bike for Christmas.

Two weeks before Christmas, they buy your bike and hide it in the storage shed in the backyard.

But then the boy next door sneaks into the shed and borrows your new bike. He stunt rides it up and down the back alley.

On Christmas morning, your parents lead you out to the shed to reveal the special gift they bought for you.

And as they open the door and say, 'surprise,' they're just as surprised as you are. You're all shocked to see that the bike looks like it's been thrown off a cliff.

Episode: Part Two: The Cult Behind Josh Duggar

Michelle Duggar's book featured a story about a bike as a metaphor for purity, suggesting that any sexual activity before marriage damages a person's value and purity.

"

Imagine that your parents are going to surprise you and give you a brand new bike for Christmas.

Two weeks before Christmas, they buy your bike and hide it in the storage shed in the backyard.

But then the boy next door sneaks into the shed and borrows your new bike. He stunt rides it up and down the back alley.

On Christmas morning, your parents lead you out to the shed to reveal the special gift they bought for you.

And as they open the door and say, 'surprise,' they're just as surprised as you are. You're all shocked to see that the bike looks like it's been thrown off a cliff.

Betrayal of the American Right Cover

Murray N. Rothbard

Betrayal of the American Right

It was referenced in a discussion about the history of the word 'libertarian', and how it was hijacked by Murray Rothbard to become a right-wing concept. The quote from the book was used to discuss the changes in meaning and the impact of Rothbard's ideology.

"

One gratifying aspect of our rise to some prominence is that for the first time in my memory we our side has captured a crucial word from the enemy. Libertarians had long been simply a polite word for...

— Episode: Part One: Nestor Makhno: Anarchist Warlo...

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Episode: Part One: Nestor Makhno: Anarchist Warlord and Boo...

It was referenced in a discussion about the history of the word 'libertarian', and how it was hijacked by Murray Rothbard to become a right-wing concept. The quote from the book was used to discuss the changes in meaning and the impact of Rothbard's ideology.

"

One gratifying aspect of our rise to some prominence is that for the first time in my memory we our side has captured a crucial word from the enemy. Libertarians had long been simply a polite word for left-wing anarchists that is for anti private property anarchists either of the communist or syndicalist variety but now we had to turn him over.

Episode: Part One: Nestor Makhno: Anarchist Warlord and Boo...

It was mentioned as a book where Rothbard highlighted his efforts to reclaim the term 'libertarian' and shift its meaning from its original anarchist connotations to a right-wing perspective.

"

One gratifying aspect of our rise to some prominence is that for the first time in my memory we our side has captured a crucial word from the enemy.

The Founders: The Story of Paypal and the Entrepreneurs Who Shaped Silicon Valley Cover

Jimmy Soni

The Founders

The Story of Paypal and the Entrepreneurs Who Shaped Silicon Valley

It was discussed as a biography of Cecil Rhodes, focusing on his development and upbringing, and was quoted in relation to his childhood and behaviour.

"

When vexed, he would hide in a dark corner under the staircase, not speaking for hours.

— Episode: Part One: Cecil Rhodes: The First Proud...

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Episode: Part One: Cecil Rhodes: The First Proud Boy

It was discussed as a biography of Cecil Rhodes, focusing on his development and upbringing, and was quoted in relation to his childhood and behaviour.

"

When vexed, he would hide in a dark corner under the staircase, not speaking for hours.

He sometimes fled to the family's summer home with a book, pouring over it by the hour together, resenting imperiously any attempted intrusion.

He was prone to strange fits of moodiness, some vague uneasiness of spirit whose source he was never able to properly communicate, unaware himself of whether it was melancholy or horror that seized him.

Occasionally, the young Rhodes rocked himself to and fro and kept up a low crooning which was almost a moan, a crooning that never shaped itself into articulate words.

At such times, Miss Rhodes would go to her special son and, with her arms about him, she would beg him to explain the reason of his disquiet. But he never told her, locking himself then as later in a private, possibly solipsistic world.

Episode: Part One: Cecil Rhodes: The First Proud Boy

It was described as a biography of Cecil Rhodes, detailing his childhood and upbringing, including his mother's coddling and his father's criticism of his dreams.

"

Miss Rhodes was unusually skilled in establishing supportive relations. Well-liked by contemporaries and servants, she provided an ample measure of love for her children, especially Cecil. It was that special love which was the foundation of his invincible self-confidence, an affirmative sense of self, which was both a spur to accomplishment and a resilient buffer against the ravages of failure.

My father frequently and I am now sure wisely demolished many of my dreams is fantastical. But when I had rebuilt them on more practical lines, he was ready to listen again. He never failed to put his finger on the weak spots, and his criticism soon taught me to consider a question from every possible point of view.

roads may have continued dreaming of a university education and of life as a professional, probably a barrister. But these would have been dreams with utilitarian motives. For the moment, he was content to have land of your own horses of your own and shooting when you like and a lot of black inwards to do what you like with apart from the fact of making money.

Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.