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PODCAST

Rearview Mirror Chronicles

Keith Hockton, FRAS, is a writer, publisher, and award-winning podcaster based in Penang, Malaysia, with a deep passion for uncovering the stories that shaped our world. As the Southeast Asia Editor for International Living magazine, Keith explores the intersections of history, culture, and modern life across the region.A dynamic lecturer and storyteller, he speaks internationally on Southeast Asian politics, economics, and history—bringing the past to life with clarity, wit, and insight. Keith is

history documentary

All Episodes

34:52

Christmas

Rearview Mirror Chronicles ·

2024/12/27

Send us a textThis week on Rearview Mirror Chronicles, we unwrap the rich tapestry of Christmas history! From the sacred nativity stories in the Gospels to the Reformers’ bold attempts to redefine the holiday, we trace the evolution of this beloved celebration. We'll explore how St. Nicholas inspired the jolly figure of Santa Claus, revisit Dickens's timeless A Christmas Carol and its role in reviving festive traditions, and marvel at the extraordinary moment during World War I when soldiers ...

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53:01

The Colosseum - Rome's Arena of Death

Rearview Mirror Chronicles ·

2024/12/20

Send us a textStep back in time to the heart of ancient Rome, where the roar of the crowd rivaled the clash of swords, and the sands of the arena were stained with the stories of bravery, betrayal, sheer spectacle and blood. The Colosseum wasn’t just a stadium; it was a symbol of an empire’s power and its people’s unyielding thirst for entertainment.In this episode, we uncover the secrets behind the engineering marvel that has withstood the test of time, delve into the lives of the gladiators...

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44:45

Persia

Rearview Mirror Chronicles ·

2024/12/12

Send us a textPersia, the land of kings and legends, was a marvel of human achievement, blending unparalleled innovation, cultural sophistication, and vast empire-building. Stretching from the Mediterranean to the Indus Valley, the Persian Empire was a beacon of connectivity, uniting diverse peoples under the revolutionary rule of Cyrus the Great and his successors. Its engineering feats, like the sprawling Royal Road, facilitated trade and communication across continents, while the opulence ...

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8:44

Kipling's "IF" and "The Two Sided Man" - Your...

Rearview Mirror Chronicles ·

2024/12/04

Send us a textRudyard Kipling’s "If—" and "The Two-Sided Man" are masterclasses in poetic craftsmanship, distilling the essence of human resilience and complexity into words that resonate across generations. Join Keith as he explains why these two poems mean so much to him, and why together, these poems reflect Kipling’s genius in capturing the universal tensions of existence, making them as brilliant as they are timeless—windows into the soul.

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55:00

What Ifs - Counterfactuals

Rearview Mirror Chronicles ·

2024/11/28

Send us a textWhat Ifs, Counterfactuals, are a gateway to the infinite possibilities of history, where imagination collides with reality to unravel the fragile threads of what might have been. They remind us that history is not a predetermined march but a chaotic web of choices, accidents, and pivotal moments where a single decision could have reshaped the world. What if Alexander the Great had lived another decade, or Napoleon had resisted the temptation of Russia? These "what ifs" are more ...

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53:22

Admiral - Thomas Lord Cochrane - Part 3

Rearview Mirror Chronicles ·

2024/11/21

Send us a textIn the twilight of his turbulent life, Lord Thomas Cochrane stood as a testament to unyielding defiance and unrelenting ambition. Once jailed and cast out of the Royal Navy under a cloud of scandal, his indomitable spirit found new purpose across oceans. Hired by Chile, Brazil, and Greece, he became a liberator and naval genius, carving his legend into the histories of nations yearning for freedom. Returning to Britain decades later, vindicated and celebrated, Cochrane was resto...

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59:08

Post Captain - Thomas Cochrane - Part 2

Rearview Mirror Chronicles ·

2024/10/23

Send us a textThomas Lord Cochrane's daring assault at the Battle of Basque Roads in 1809 was nothing short of audacious. Leading a fleet of fire and bomb ships, Cochrane, a brilliant but rebellious Royal Navy officer, spearheaded a bold night attack against the anchored French fleet. In a blaze of chaos, the fire ships hurtled toward the French vessels, causing panic and forcing them to cut anchor. Cochrane's brilliant use of unorthodox tactics created confusion and devastation, trapping man...

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45:16

Master and Commander - Thomas Cochrane - Part 1

Rearview Mirror Chronicles ·

2024/10/16

Send us a textThomas Cochrane's meteoric rise to Post Captain was a whirlwind of audacity, brilliance, and defiance. In 1801, after just a few years of service, Cochrane's relentless daring at sea earned him the rank, Master and Commander, of the tiny HMS Speedy, a 14 gun sloop with just 54 men and boys. Against all the odds, he captured or sank 53 French and Spanish vessels, including the much larger Spanish frigate El Gamo, which boasted 32 guns, carrying a crew of around 319 men. His ...

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48:04

Pompeii

Rearview Mirror Chronicles ·

2024/10/10

Send us a textThe ancient city of Pompeii, frozen in time by the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, offers one of the most extraordinary glimpses into Roman life. Imagine walking through streets where vibrant murals still adorn walls, bread sits petrified in ovens, and people were caught in their final moments by a deadly cloud of ash traveling at 400mph. The city's tragic fate turned it into a unique archaeological time capsule, revealing how Romans lived, worked, and celebrat...

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34:13

The Rosetta Stone

Rearview Mirror Chronicles ·

2024/10/05

Send us a textIn the summer of 1799, a simple black slab unearthed by a group of French soldiers in Egypt would forever change our understanding of ancient history. This stone—now known as the Rosetta Stone—bore a decree written in three scripts: Greek, Demotic, and Egyptian hieroglyphs. It was the key that unlocked the mysteries of a lost language, allowing scholars to finally decode the cryptic hieroglyphs that had eluded understanding for centuries. Join us as we explore the dramatic story...

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35:45

Aphra Behn - 17th Century Writer, Author, Playwight...

Rearview Mirror Chronicles ·

2024/09/29

Send us a textWelcome to today's episode, where we dive into the daring and double life of Aphra Behn, the first Englishwoman to support herself through her writing — and perhaps the most intriguing spy of the 17th century. Imagine being a playwright whose biting satires thrilled Restoration audiences, all while secretly working as a government agent, risking your life in the shadows of international intrigue!Aphra’s journey from a mysterious birth to becoming a literary sensation — all while...

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37:41

Crossing The Rubicon - Path of No Return

Rearview Mirror Chronicles ·

2024/09/18

Send us a textAfter crossing the Rubicon, Caesar plunged Rome into chaos, setting the stage for one of history's most dramatic power struggles. With his legions at his back, he marched swiftly towards Rome, sending shock waves through the Senate and striking fear into the heart of his rival, Pompey. As panic spread, Pompey and the senators fled the city, abandoning Rome to Caesar’s control. In a stunning move, Caesar seized the treasury, and with no one to oppose him, he reshaped the politica...

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34:33

Crossing of the Rubicon - The Die is Cast

Rearview Mirror Chronicles ·

2024/09/15

Send us a textThe year is 49 BC, and Rome teeters on the edge of chaos. Julius Caesar, a brilliant general with legions of fiercely loyal soldiers, stands on the banks of the Rubicon River—a shallow stream marking the point of no return. Behind him lies the safety of his command in Gaul; ahead, the looming threat of civil war. The Senate has ordered him to disband his army, but for Caesar, that would mean political suicide. With the future of Rome hanging in the balance, he utters the fateful...

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31:39

Verses of Resilience - 8 Inspirational Masterpieces

Rearview Mirror Chronicles ·

2024/09/07

Send us a textKeith has a cold this week (cue the sad violins) and couldn’t finish the research for the podcast he really wanted to do. So instead, he's decided to take us on a thrilling poetic ride—because why not, right?Join us as he dives into eight of the most powerful and timeless poems ever written. We’re talking about the defiant resilience of Invictus, the life-changing crossroads in The Road Not Taken, and the unshakable confidence of Still I Rise. You'll also get some soul-soothing ...

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43:02

The Bloomsbury Group

Rearview Mirror Chronicles ·

2024/08/30

Send us a textThe Bloomsbury Group was an eclectic circle of intellectuals, artists, and writers who defied convention and redefined the cultural landscape of early 20th-century Britain. Imagine a salon where Virginia Woolf's groundbreaking narratives, John Maynard Keynes' revolutionary economic theories, and Vanessa Bell's avant-garde paintings converged, all fueled by fierce debates on art, politics, and sexuality. Their relationships were as complex and intertwined as their ideas, creating...

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62:10

The Freemasons - Their Secrets Revealed

Rearview Mirror Chronicles ·

2024/08/24

Send us a Text Message.The Freemasons have long been a subject of fascination and intrigue, shrouded in secrecy, mystique, and conspiracy theories. Originating as a stonemason guild in the late medieval period, the organization evolved into a global fraternity with a complex system of rituals, symbols, and philosophies. The allure of the Freemasons lies in their enigmatic traditions, their influence on historical events, and the notable figures rumored to have been members—from George Washing...

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37:15

Napoleon - The Greatest Art Thief of All Time

Rearview Mirror Chronicles ·

2024/08/17

Send us a Text Message.Napoleon Bonaparte wasn’t just a military genius; he was also one of history’s most audacious art thieves. During his campaigns across Europe, he systematically looted countless masterpieces, amassing an unparalleled collection of art for France. His most notorious haul came from Italy, where he plundered treasures like the "Laocoön and His Sons" and "The Wedding at Cana," transporting them back to Paris. These works filled the Louvre, which Napoleon envisioned as the g...

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62:57

Robin Hood: Myth and Man

Rearview Mirror Chronicles ·

2024/08/08

Send us a Text Message.In the heart of Sherwood Forest, the legendary Robin Hood, along with his loyal band of Merry Men, including the formidable Little John, the cunning Will Scarlet, and the ever-faithful Friar Tuck, waged a relentless war against the tyranny of the Sheriff of Nottingham. By his side stood the enchanting Maid Marian, whose love and courage matched his own. Together, they robbed from the rich to give to the poor, becoming the people's champions in an age of oppression. But ...

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54:53

Hawaii - Paradise Stolen

Rearview Mirror Chronicles ·

2024/08/03

Send us a Text Message.The overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893 was a dramatic and tumultuous event, marked by a strategic and calculated coup orchestrated by a small group of American and European business interests. Queen Lili'uokalani, the last reigning monarch, its first Queen, faced mounting pressure from these powerful elites who sought to annex the islands to the United States to secure their economic and political interests. With the aid of the U.S. military, these insurgents dep...

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57:00

The Trafalgar Chronicles: Nelson's Finest Hour

Rearview Mirror Chronicles ·

2024/07/26

Send us a Text Message.At the Battle of Trafalgar on October 21, 1805, Admiral Horatio Nelson solidified his legendary status in naval history. Leading the British fleet with unparalleled strategic brilliance, Nelson defied conventional tactics by dividing his forces into two columns and charging directly at the Franco-Spanish line. This bold maneuver shattered the enemy's formation, sowing chaos and confusion. Amid the fierce clash, Nelson's flagship, HMS Victory, spearheaded the assault, it...

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152 results

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