The hottest History Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top History Topics

In Favor of Neolithic Role Playing and Reenactment

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 16 Nov 10
💾 History
  1. The 1830s New England diet was high in meat and flour, with vegetables and fruits considered as "garnish".
  2. Women played an important societal role due to the progression of capitalism freeing up their time for social and reform movements.
  3. New Englanders at that time consumed large portions of food, had digestive problems as the top health complaint, and regularly ate organ meats.

The woman who turned to charcoal

The Quack Doctor • 0 implied HN points • 26 Apr 24
💾 History Medical Deception 19th century
  1. A woman named Miss Perry in 1860s New York presented a unique medical condition where she appeared to excrete waste through her skin, even coughing up substances resembling charcoal.
  2. Dr. Sayre suspected deception in Miss Perry's case and found evidence of a hoax involving fake coatings and stories of charcoal extraction from her body.
  3. Miss Perry's case raises questions about her motivations, whether seeking compassion, wielding power, avoiding reality, or dealing with psychological distress through fabricated symptoms.

Profiting by deceit: a treatment for alcoholism in Edwardian London

The Quack Doctor • 0 implied HN points • 31 May 24
💾 History Medical Alcoholism Treatment
  1. Businessman Arthur Lewis Pointing profited from deceit by selling fake products like 'A. D. Invisible Elevators' that falsely claimed to increase height.
  2. Pointing's 'Antidipso' product preyed on the families of alcoholics, offering false hope and claiming to cure alcoholism with covert powders for the drinker's coffee.
  3. The scandalous nature of Antidipso, revealed through deceptive marketing and ineffective ingredients, eventually led to Pointing's downfall, highlighting the unethical nature of profiting from deceit.

Life During Wartime: Elliot Ackerman on Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Anabasis

The Octavian Report • 0 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
💾 History Ancient History Military History Cultural History Intellectual history Political History War Studies Historiography
  1. People often ask the wrong questions before going to war, and charismatic leaders can hide their true motives so armies become committed before they know why they’re fighting.
  2. Chance, not intelligence or bravery, often decides who wins or loses in war. Small, random events — like a single javelin — can flip men’s fortunes overnight.
  3. The Anabasis depicts a "directionless" war where soldiers debate whether to return, settle, or keep fighting, which mirrors modern conflicts fought for many reasons other than actually ending them.

77 Squadron in Korea

Military Aviation Videos • 0 implied HN points • 16 Apr 24
💾 History Military War Documentary
  1. The documentary focuses on 77 Squadron RAAF in the Korean War and features interviews from individuals who were part of the squadron.
  2. The film is based on the 77 Squadron Association book 'Swift to Destroy: An Illustrated History of 77 Squadron RAAF 1942-2012'.
  3. Military Aviation Videos is a reader-supported publication, and readers can support the work by becoming free or paid subscribers.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Greatest War: Tom Holland and Graham Allison on Thucydides

The Octavian Report • 0 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
💾 History Ancient History Military History Diplomatic History Political History Intellectual history
  1. When a rising power threatens a ruling one, the structural stress between them makes large-scale conflict more likely and ordinary flashpoints can trigger war.
  2. War is not inevitable—leadership choices and lessons from past cases can prevent catastrophe, but managing a rising power will be a long, stressful generational task.
  3. Thucydides emphasized power politics and left out cultural and social factors, so ancient Athens and Sparta are imperfect models and should be applied to modern states with caution.

Specter of 1917: Anne Applebaum on Putin and Soviet Russia

The Octavian Report • 0 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
💾 History Russian history Soviet history Revolutions Political History 20th century State Violence Geopolitics
  1. Russia’s 1917 upheaval mixed long-term inequality and wartime collapse with a spontaneous February revolt that was later seized by a small, well-organized Bolshevik party in October.
  2. The Bolsheviks consolidated power through careful planning, political violence, and institutions like the Cheka, crushing rivals and imposing Soviet rule across diverse national and social groups.
  3. The Soviet approach left a lasting legacy: chaotic 1990s privatization helped create oligarchs, and Putin revived security‑state instincts, favoring insider rule, secrecy, and suppression of dissent.

“Information Wants to be Free”: The history of that quote

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 25 Oct 15
💾 History Quote Origins Accuracy Publication
  1. The quote 'Information wants to be free' originated in a conversation between Stewart Brand and Steve Wozniak in 1984, highlighting the conflicting views on the value and accessibility of information.
  2. The idea that information should be free, but the time spent on it should not, underscores the balance between information's economic worth and the scarcity of attention.
  3. The original transcription of the conversation revealed that the term 'information wants to be free' was not accurately spoken by Brand, with the qualifier 'almost' altering the context of the statement.

Master Plan: An Interview with John Lewis Gaddis

The Octavian Report • 0 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
💾 History Military History Political History Intellectual history Diplomatic History Ancient History Modern History Historiography
  1. Effective grand strategy mixes hedgehog focus and fox agility, knowing when to pursue one big aim and when to shift into adaptive, creative problem-solving.
  2. Planning and disciplined preparation are essential, but you must be ready to abandon plans and improvise when unexpected realities hit.
  3. Today’s short attention spans, political polarization, and technological pace make long-term strategy harder, so leaders should cultivate a lightness—flexibility and a broad perspective—rather than rigid ideology.

Thankful Taylor and the serpent within

The Quack Doctor • 0 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
💾 History Legends Medicine Folklore Research
  1. The legend of the 'bosom serpent' blurs the line between folklore and medicine, with stories of creatures living inside humans causing torment and sparking disbelief in communities.
  2. In the case of Thankful Taylor in the 1870s, a real snake was extracted from her, shedding light on an unusual medical phenomenon.
  3. The tale of internal creatures reflects the fears and beliefs of different eras and cultures, serving as a way to explain physical or emotional pain despite lacking definitive scientific explanations.

The Quack Doctor - now on Substack

The Quack Doctor • 0 implied HN points • 20 Aug 23
💾 History Medicine Victorian Era Research Health Disease
  1. The Quack Doctor newsletter on Substack explores medicine's intriguing history, delving into various themes beyond just fraudsters and marketers.
  2. Expect posts on health, disease, crime, macabre events, historical figures, and book reviews from The Quack Doctor.
  3. Readers are encouraged to subscribe for updates and support the work of The Quack Doctor.

Sunday Curiosity Links

Grist Potentia • 0 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
💾 History Events
  1. Plácido Domingo, the famous Spanish opera singer, was born on January 21, 1941.
  2. Domingo showed musical talent at a young age and studied music in Mexico.
  3. To read more articles like this, you can get a 7-day free trial on Grist Potentia.

Tuesday Curiosity Links

Grist Potentia • 0 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
💾 History Events Discoveries
  1. Jack Kilby filed the first patent for an integrated circuit in 1959, leading to the modern computer revolution.
  2. Mathematicians have proven Bach's greatness as a composer.
  3. A rare 'Bookfind of the century' sold for $2.23 million.

The French Revolution!

The False Consensus Effect • 0 implied HN points • 13 Nov 20
💾 History French cuisine Social Psychology Human behavior
  1. The French Revolution significantly impacted the restructuring of the French nation-state, outlawing centuries-old feudal ties and leading to the emergence of a new monarch
  2. Fear of mortal retribution and group paranoia fueled the extreme violence and mass murder during the Reign of Terror in the French Revolution
  3. The Revolution highlights a loss of wisdom in modern society, emphasizing the importance of love, art, and beauty in leading fulfilling lives

A vortex of suspicion: the 1927 Channel swimming hoax

The Quack Doctor • 0 implied HN points • 28 Jun 24
💾 History Medical Ethics
  1. In 1927, Dr. Dorothy Logan falsely claimed to have swum the English Channel, leading to a reveal of the hoax and repercussions.
  2. The lack of governing bodies for Channel swimming allowed for deception in claiming successful crossings, highlighting the need for regulation and verification.
  3. Dr. Logan's attempt to expose the ease of faking Channel swims backfired, resulting in legal consequences and threats to her medical career.

Expelling the enemies of nature: antimonial cups

The Quack Doctor • 0 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
💾 History Medicine Cultural Practices Health Europe
  1. Antimonial cups in the 17th century were used for purging the body of diseases, albeit violently, showcasing the notion of enduring discomfort for a perceived cure.
  2. The use of antimony in medicine goes back to ancient times, with antimonial cups being a popular method of taking antimony-infused wine despite being banned in France, showcasing how popularity can grow even when something is prohibited.
  3. John Evans, a colorful character from the 17th century, sold antimonial cups in London and faced criticism for his promotion of the cups as a cure-all medicine, despite concerns about the dangerous nature of antimony.

Wednesday Curiosity Links

Grist Potentia • 0 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
💾 History Events Biography
  1. George Joseph Stigler, an American economist, was born on January 17, 1911.
  2. Stigler was a key leader of the Chicago school of Economics.
  3. He obtained his BA from the University of Washington and his MBA from Northwestern University.

The Abandoned Leper Colony

Marlene’s Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
💾 History Medical History Natural Disasters War Disease
  1. In 1885, patients with contagious diseases like smallpox were isolated on North Brother Island to prevent the spread of illness in an overcrowded New York City. Life was tough, with food shortages and high mortality rates.
  2. Tragic events like shipwrecks, fires, and disease outbreaks shaped the history of North Brother Island, including the infamous case of Typhoid Mary who unintentionally spread typhoid fever.
  3. After serving various purposes over the years, North Brother Island was left abandoned in the 1960s. Its decayed buildings and haunting stories make it off-limits to the public, now a bird sanctuary.

My home town in Manitoba, in 1880.

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 24 Dec 22
💾 History Local history
  1. In 1880, a town in Manitoba quickly developed with essential structures like hospitals, schools, grain elevators, mills, jewelry stores, grocery stores, butcher shops, drug stores, and hotels.
  2. Within 20 years, the town experienced significant growth, indicating a rapid pace of development during that period.
  3. The establishment of various facilities and stores in a short time frame demonstrates the town's efforts to create a well-rounded community for its residents.

Sabre

Military Aviation Videos • 0 implied HN points • 24 Apr 24
💾 History Military Aviation
  1. The post is about Australia's deadliest jet fighter, the Sabre.
  2. Military Aviation Videos is a reader-supported publication.
  3. Consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to receive new posts and support their work.

The Ostrich: America’s Once and Future Bird

Bird History • 0 implied HN points • 29 Aug 23
💾 History American history Economic History Agricultural history
  1. In the late 1800s, there was a boom in ostrich farming in America due to high demand for ostrich feathers, which were a luxury accessory for women's fashion.
  2. Ostrich farming proved to be a profitable business, with each ostrich feather fetching up to $5, leading to a surge in ostrich farms and tourist attractions around them.
  3. The domestic ostrich industry saw a revival in the 1980s, but it eventually collapsed due to a speculative bubble, showing the cyclical nature of ostrich farming in America.

The Native New World

Logos and Liberty • 0 implied HN points • 23 Nov 23
💾 History Indigenous Peoples Colonization
  1. The concept of the Native New World contrasts the typical European perspective of colonization, showing a distinct and vibrant indigenous world that emerged in response to Euro-American expansion.
  2. The Anishinaabeg, part of the Algonquian-speaking Native peoples of the northeastern woodlands, were central to this Native New World, facing pressures from European settlements and forming alliances with the French in the fur trade.
  3. The complex interactions and alliances between Native groups, European powers, and traders in North America shaped the region's history, presenting a rich tapestry of relationships and power struggles.

Book summary - India after Gandhi - part 2

Rahul’s Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
💾 History India Independence Politics Economy Conflict
  1. Lal Bahadur Shastri continued Nehru's policies and urged people to give up a meal to save resources during food shortage.
  2. Indira Gandhi relied on an inner circle of bureaucrats, pivoted to socialist and nationalist ideologies, and played a key role in the independence of Bangladesh.
  3. India faced major challenges including the 1991 economic crisis, nuclear tests, and conflicts with Pakistan, leading to reforms and progress.

Exploring the Benefits of a Tax-Free Community in the 1880s

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 22 Dec 22
💾 History Taxation Economy Society Government Financial Stability
  1. Living in a tax-free community in the 1880s provided financial stability for families, allowing them to save more and invest in land, businesses, and homes without the burden of taxation.
  2. In a tax-free community during the 1880s, businesses could expand faster and create jobs more quickly since they didn't have to worry about taxes on profits or investments, enabling greater economic growth.
  3. Citizens in a tax-free community had more control over their money, allowing them to directly support causes they cared about instead of having funds allocated by the government, providing greater autonomy.

👺🪘Festival Gungu

De Nada Nights • 0 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
💾 History
  1. The Gungu festival in Congo celebrates culture with music, dance, masks, and decorations.
  2. The history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo includes colonization, independence, corruption under leaders like Mobutu, and conflicts like the Second Congo War.
  3. Popular Congolese foods include fufu, mpiodi (Horse Mackerel), and fried plantain, while movie recommendations include 'Lumumba' and 'When We Were Kings'.

Marcus Aurelius — The Beloved Emperor of Rome

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 11 Dec 22
💾 History Leadership Military Philosophy
  1. Marcus Aurelius was a beloved Roman Emperor known for his stoic philosophy and commitment to justice, which formed the basis of his rule.
  2. His leadership style was marked by accessibility, as he regularly interacted with the people, listened to advice, and consulted oracles for important decisions, making him popular among the citizens of Rome.
  3. Marcus Aurelius' military success in defending Rome against Germanic tribes, combined with his philosophical writings on Stoicism and virtue, further enhanced his favor as a leader among both the general populace and high society.

Five... Things About the History of London's Bowling Alleys

Londonist: Time Machine • 0 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
💾 History London Sports
  1. London has a rich history of bowling alleys, with unique stories and connections to different communities and events.
  2. The arrival of ten-pin bowling in north London brought anticipation of it becoming as iconic as Wimbledon is to tennis or Lords is to cricket.
  3. To explore more about London's bowling alley history, a subscription to Londonist: Time Machine offers access to detailed posts and archives.

Saturday Curiosity Links

Grist Potentia • 0 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
💾 History Events
  1. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a renowned composer, was born on January 27, 1756 and greatly influenced classical music.
  2. Explore revolutionary science in 'The Flux Capacitor - Time, Funds, and Peers for Revolutionary Science.'
  3. Discover a unique revelation about the universe from something in a 2-year-old's bedroom.

Keeping Company with the Alligators

Marlene’s Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 23 Jan 26
💾 History Crime Forensics Law enforcement
  1. Many bodies were found along Alligator Alley and in the surrounding Everglades, often reduced to bones or badly burned. Some victims were identified later, but many remained unnamed and missing.
  2. Jurisdictional confusion and the remote, swampy terrain repeatedly slowed investigations and evidence recovery, which helped keep many cases cold and unsolved.
  3. Forensic advances like dental records and modern DNA have identified a few victims decades later, but most murders remain unresolved and some suspects are already deceased.

Happy Centennial, Arizona!

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 21 Feb 12
💾 History U.S. History Civil War Political Development
  1. Arizona's territory was created during the Civil War due to fears of rebellion and competition with the South. This influenced how its borders were drawn.
  2. The process of creating new states is shaped by local interests and politics in Washington. Different groups fight over boundaries based on their goals.
  3. The political decisions made in the 19th century still affect how states function and interact in the U.S. today.

Strange Discoveries in Minnesota

Marlene’s Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 09 Aug 25
💾 History Archaeology Ancient Civilizations Anthropology Cultural heritage
  1. In 1890, a boy named George Bacon discovered a woman's body in a cave while hunting for a wildcat. This shocking find was mostly dismissed by the townspeople.
  2. In 1931, another important discovery was made in Minnesota: the remains of a teenage girl, which helped prove that humans lived there much earlier than previously thought.
  3. A mummy bought in Egypt by a Minnesotan family was found to be much younger than expected, dating back to a time when Egypt was under Roman rule.

CTExplored/Inbox PREMIUM

CTExplored/Inbox • 0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
💾 History Newsletter
  1. This is a bi-weekly newsletter from Connecticut Explored with stories, podcasts, and more.
  2. The Winter issue is available on CTExplored.org with a specific password for all access.
  3. Paid subscribers have exclusive access and can start a 7-day free trial to read more.