Interview Episodes

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 365) — Discover the behind-the-scenes story of Black Hawk Down, as historian Josh Donohue shares insights on the chaotic 1993 mission in Mogadishu. Learn what truly happened versus what Hollywood depicted. Subscribe to Josh's YouTube channel Josh has been on the podcast before to cover the historical accuracy of Thirteen Days and We Were Soldiers, and he's currently working on a new YouTube channel. Where to watch Black Hawk Down now Mentioned in this ep...

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 364) — Acclaimed historian Jon Parshall separates fact from fiction in the classic film "The Bridge on the River Kwai" and the brutal realities of the Thai-Burma Railway during World War II, also known as the Death Railway. We'll contrast the film's fictional Colonel Nicholson with his real-life counterpart Lieutenant Colonel Philip Toosey, who sabotaged bridge construction when possible rather than cooperating with the Japanese. Follow Jon's new book at 1942boo...

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 363) — In today’s Behind the True Story episode, we take a closer look at the career of award-winning director and producer Robyn Flanery. Robyn's latest project, the documentary series "Profit Over People," explores the failure of the U.S. healthcare system. She previously directed the critically acclaimed documentary "Broken Worlds: The Island" and has worked behind the scenes on historical films such as "The Butler" and "Dallas Buyers Club." Her credits also ...

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 362) — Author Rob Hilliard joins us to bring "The Pinkertons" miniseries to a close by covering episodes 15 through 22 of the TV show. From John Scobell and Kate Warne to Allan and Will Pinkerton, Rob's book takes what we know from history and fills in many of the blanks with a thrilling narrative. Grab your copy of "In Freedom's Shadow" Also mentioned in this episode Learn more about Dr. Mary Walker Transcript and more for this episode Find the rest of "The Pi...

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 361) — We're continuing a look at "The Pinkertons" by covering episodes eight to 14 of the TV show. Find part one linked here. Coming back for today's episode is "In Freedom's Shadow" author Rob Hilliard. Rob's book is a historical novel based on the incredibly true story of Pinkertons operative John Scobell. Mentioned in this episode Get your copy of Rob's book "In Freedom's Shadow" Transcript and more for this episode Find the rest of "The Pinkertons" miniseri...

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 360) — We're beginning of a three-part miniseries covering all 22 episodes of "The Pinkertons." Today, we examine the first seven episodes of the television series. Joining us for the miniseries is author Rob Hilliard, whose book "In Freedom's Shadow" is a historical novel based on the true story of Pinkerton operative John Scobell, and includes many of the characters we see in the series. Mentioned in this episode Get your copy of Rob's book "In Freedom's Shado...

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 359) — Today is the 80th anniversary (January 25, 1945) of the official end of the Battle of the Bulge campaign during World War II. On our episode today, we'll learn about the classic film from 60 years ago (1965) that has often been criticized for many of its historical inaccuracies as it depicts the battle. Where to watch Battle of the BulgeTo help us separate fact from fiction, we'll be joined by Robert B. O'Connor, author of the novel called Jeep Show: A Tr...

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 358) — In 2000's Thirteen Days, we see a lot of the behind-the-scenes discussions and decisions that took place during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October of 1962. To help us separate fact from fiction, we'll get to hear from Joshua Donohue, who is the Adjunct Professor of History at Suffolk County Community College as well as Farmingdale State College. Where to watch Thirteen Days Follow Josh's work Heroic Fight for Wake Island Check back soon for more...

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 357) — A new biopic from director Pablo Larraín tells the story of renowned opera singer Maria Callas. Unfortunately, the movie falls short in telling the true story of the real Maria Callas. Today we'll get to learn from Sophia Lambton, the author of The Callas Imprint: A Centennial Biography. Get the Maria Callas biographyEarlier this year, Sophia's biography of Maria Callas took home the 2024 ARSC Awards' Best Historical Research in Recorded Classical Music. I...

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 356) — Today we're tackling all five movies in the storied Indiana Jones franchise that needs no further introduction. To help us separate fact from fiction, we'll learn from multiple Emmy-nominated director and producer Neil Laird. Learn more about Neil's work While his name may not be as popular as Indiana Jones, if you've watched programming on Discovery, BBC, PBS, History Channel, or National Geographic, then you're likely familiar with his work. From Myst...

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 355) — Today is the 83rd anniversary of the surprise attack at Pearl Harbor that was depicted in the 1970 movie Tora! Tora! Tora! Often praised for its accuracy, Tora! Tora! Tora! has also perpetrated some myths about what really happened. Where to watch Tora! Tora! Tora! nowTo help us separate fact from fiction, we'll be joined by Jon Parshall, an award-winning author who has worked as a historical consultant on numerous TV shows, and as a frequent lecturer at ...

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 354) — Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, we're walking into Casablanca on this episode to answer: How historically accurate is the movie? Where to watch Casablanca now Helping us separate fact from fiction is Bob LeMent from Static Radio. Listen to Bob's show at StaticRadio.com Did you enjoy this episode? Unlock ad-free episodes Get the BOATS email newsletter Leave a comment Support our sponsors Note: If your podcast app doesn't support...

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 353) — During the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, the United States sent shockwaves around the world as they upset the four-time defending gold medalist Soviet Union team in a game that would go on to be called the "Miracle on Ice." That story is told in the 2004 Disney movie we'll be talking about today. Where to watch Miracle nowTo help us separate fact from fiction, we'll be talking to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame coach Lou Vairo. Most relevant...

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 347) — Travel back to the 1960s during the Vietnam War while historian Joshua Donohue unpacks the real events behind the 2002 film We Were Soldiers. From the crucial role of helicopter pilots in the heat of battle, to the heart-pounding "Broken Arrow" moment, discover what Hollywood got right and where it took creative liberties depicting the Battle of Ia Drang in We Were Soldiers. Where to watch We Were Soldiers now Where to start learning more of the true...

The Mummy (1999) is packed with supernatural powers, Hollywood magic, and...maybe some truth? After all, mummies were a real thing. We'll chat with acclaimed Egyptologist Dr. Aidan Dodson to find out how much of the movie is based in history. Where to start learning more of the true story Monarchs of the Nile Sethy I, King of Egypt: His Life and Afterlife More from Aidan's Lives and Afterlives series Nefertiti, Queen and Pharaoh of Egypt: Her Life and Afterlife The First Pharaohs: Their Lives ...

Today we'll delve into Dick Cheney’s political rise in the Nixon and Ford administrations and his role in post-9/11 policies as they were shown in the 2018 political satire comedy-drama "Vice" from director Adam McKay. Get William's book How America Works . . . and Why It Doesn’t: A Brief Guide to the US Political System: https://links.boatspodcast.com/335book Did you enjoy this episode? Join the BOATS Discord community: https://links.boatspodcast.com/discord Find the transcript and full show...

The Starz TV series Black Sails is a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson's famous novel "Treasure Island." It's a story filled with squashbuckling pirates who dare to wage war against self-described civilized nations. Are you ready to travel back to the Golden Age of Piracy? We'll be joined today by Colin Woodard, the acclaimed author of the New York Times bestseller The Republic of Pirates. Get Colin's book: The Republic of Pirates: Being the True and Surprising Story of the Caribbean Pirates a...

On this, the anniversary of the Battle of Midway, we'll bring Jon Parshall back on the podcast to provide a historical commentary on the 1976 movie. Watch the video version here: https://links.boatspodcast.com/325 Get Jon's book: Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway: https://links.boatspodcast.com/325book Did you enjoy this episode? Find the transcript and full show notes: https://links.boatspodcast.com/325 Get the BOATS email newsletter: https://links.boatspodcast.com/ne...

Roland Emmerich's 2019 movie simply called "Midway" shows a lot more than the Battle of Midway. We'll be joined today by one of the historical consultants on the movie who is also the co-author of Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway. Get Jon's book: Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway: https://links.boatspodcast.com/323book Did you enjoy this episode? Find the transcript and full show notes: https://links.boatspodcast.com/323 Get the BOATS email ne...

Historians weren't there, but that doesn't mean they don't know the true story about one of the most documented people in all of human history. Let's put Napoleon's new film to the test with Louis Sarkozy, historian and author of "Napoleon's Library." Join us as we dissect the movie's portrayal, separate fact from fiction, and uncover the real Napoleon. Get Louis' new book: Napoleon's Library: The Emperor, His Books and Their Influence on the Napoleonic Era https://links.boatspodcast.com/321bo...

Did Hollywood get it right? Join us as we delve into the iconic Western film Tombstone with a special guest: the author of the book Tombstone, New York Times bestselling author Tom Clavin! We'll separate myth from reality, analyzing the portrayal of Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, and the taming of a wild frontier town. Learn more about the true story: Tombstone: The Earp Brothers, Doc Holliday, and the Vendetta Ride from Hell https://links.boatspodcast.com/...

In the 2004 biographical drama The Aviator, Leonardo DiCaprio portrays the eccentric and brilliant Howard Hughes, a maverick filmmaker and aviation tycoon who revolutionized Hollywood and the airline industry. The film chronicles Hughes' obsessive pursuit of perfection and his struggle with mental illness, offering a captivating glimpse into the life of one of the 20th century's most fascinating and enigmatic figures. Today, we'll learn compare the true story with the movie's version along with...

In 2016's War Dogs, we learn the true story of two young men who win a $300 million contract from the Pentagon to arm America's allies in Afghanistan. Today, we'll talk to one of the real people the movie was based on, David Packouz, who is played by Miles Teller in the movie. Follow David's work Singular Sound: https://links.boatspodcast.com/307guest Instafloss: https://links.boatspodcast.com/307instafloss War Dogs Academy: https://links.boatspodcast.com/307wardogsacademy Did you enjoy this ...

Last year, we covered the early life of Winston Churchill with biographer Furman Daniel. Today, we'll bring chat with Furman again to learn more about Churchill during World War II as he was depicted in the 2017 movie Darkest Hour. Learn more about the true story Furman's book on Churchill isn't available yet, so until it is here are some of his other books. Patton: Battling with History: https://links.boatspodcast.com/299book 21st Century Patton: Strategic Insights for the Modern Era: https:...