History's Devils
Who were the worst people in history?
HISTORY'S DEVILS is a weekly deep-dive podcast that investigates the world's most infamous historical figures. Each episode explores the life, actions, and impact of a notorious person from history, examining the facts behind their reputation and the events that shaped their legacy.
Hosted by Professor James Crossland, HISTORY'S DEVILS covers dictators, tyrants, war criminals, cult leaders, revolutionaries, con-artists, conspiracy theorists and other controversial historical figures, combining deep research with compelling storytelling to reveal the darker side of human history.
Perfect for fans of dark history, history documentaries, historical biographies, and in-depth explorations of the people who changed the world for better - or for worse.
All the devils are here. And we are ready to tell their stories.
History's Devils
Hitler's Best Friend? How Rudolf Hess became a Human Conspiracy Theory
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In this episode of HISTORY’S DEVILS, host James Crossland is joined by Paul Woodadge (WW2TV) to examine the strange and controversial life of Rudolf Hess, one of the most enigmatic figures of World War II.
As Deputy Führer to Adolf Hitler, Hess played a key role in the rise of Nazi Party. But in 1941, he shocked the world with his solo flight to Scotland - an extraordinary and desperate attempt to negotiate peace between Britain and Nazi Germany.
This episode explores Hess’s early life, his fascination with the occult, and his unwavering ideology, while unpacking the mystery behind his actions. Why did Hess believe he could broker peace? Was he acting alone, or was there a deeper strategy at play involving important figures from Britain and Germany?
From wartime diplomacy and Nazi leadership to enduring conspiracy theories, this deep dive into Hess’s story sheds light on one of the most bizarre incidents of the Second World War.
Perfect for listeners interested in WWII history, Nazi Germany, political intrigue, and historical mysteries.
Check out WW2TV –
Further Reading
Peter Padfield, Hess: Flight for the Fuhrer (1991)
James Douglas-Hamilton, The Truth About Rudolf Hess (2018)
Roy Connors-Nesbit & Georges van Acker, The Flight of Rudolf Hess: Myths & Reality (2007)
James Leasor, Rudolf Hess: the Uninvited Envoy (2016)
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to History's Devils
00:27 Rudolf Hess: The Enigmatic Deputy Fuhrer
04:09 Hess's Early Life and Influences
11:19 Hess's Rise in the Nazi Party
18:11 Hess's Role in Nazi Policies
25:28 The Context of Hess's Flight
31:56 The Fateful Flight to Scotland
39:37 Hess's Capture and Aftermath
43:51 Conspiracy Theories Surrounding Hess
44:23 The Peace Party Theory
46:45 The Lure Theory
56:15 The Madman Theory
01:02:41 Hess's Fate and Legacy
Thanks to SOULFULJAMTRACKS for their tune "Dark Halloween"
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History's Devils is a history podcast exploring the lives of murderers, charlatans, psychopaths, dictators, war criminals, tyrants, demagogues, revolutionaries, cult leaders, conquerors, fraudsters, and other controversial figures.
History's Devils is hosted by James Crossland, professor of international history and author of:
Rogue Agent: From Secret Plots to Psychological Warfare, the Untold Story of Robert Bruce Lockhart
The Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism...
