Byte Sized Biographies…

For two decades, Alan Bates, an obscure sub-postmaster, successfully fought to expose the UK Post Office scandal, the worst miscarriage of justice in British history.

For two decades, Alan Bates, an obscure sub-postmaster, successfully fought to expose the UK Post Office scandal, the worst miscarriage of justice in British history.

According to the Library of Congress, the Wizard of Oz is the most viewed film in the history of motion pictures.

According to the Library of Congress, the Wizard of Oz is the most viewed film in the history of motion pictures.

Malcolm X’s legacy is one of personal growth and transformation, unacceptable to some of his formerly devoted followers.

Malcolm X's legacy is one of personal growth and transformation, unfortunately unacceptable to some of his formerly dedicated followers

In June, 1965, recent UCLA film school graduate Jim Morrison, jobless and homeless, was residing on a Venice Beach rooftop.  Within two years, the Doors song “Light My Fire,” was the #1 song in the US. Four years later, Morrison was found dead in a Paris bathtub, aged 27.

In June, 1965, recent UCLA film school graduate Jim Morrison, jobless and homeless, was residing on a Venice Beach rooftop.  Within two years, the Doors song "Light My Fire," was the #1 song in the US. Four years later, Morrison was found dead in a Paris bathtub, aged 27.

The treatment of former NFL player and Army Ranger Pat Tillman's friendly fire death is among the most shameful incidents in the history of the US military and government.

The treatment of former NFL player and Army Ranger Pat Tillman's friendly fire death is among the most shameful incidents in the history of the US military and government.

Warning: This episode contains descriptions of graphic violence. After almost fifty years of litigation, the MacDonald murders remain one of America's most controversial murder cases.

Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence.  For close to fifty years, the Macdonald murders have remained one of America's most controversial cases.

When ten incarcerated Irish Republicans starved themselves to death in a British prison, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher became the object of one of the most audacious assassination attempts in British history.

When ten incarcerated Irish Republicans starved themselves to death in a British prison, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher became the object of one of the most audacious assassination attempts in British history.

During his remarkable escape from the Nazis, through some of the most inhospitable parts of Norway, Jan Baalsrud proved that some human beings can just refuse to die.

During his remarkable escape from the Nazis, through some of the most inhospitable parts of Norway, Jan Baalsrud proved that some human beings can just refuse to die.

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Tragic Brilliance

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Tragic Brilliance

A literary sensation in his twenties, when he suddenly died of a heart attack in 1940, F. Scott Fitzgerald's last royalty check was $13.13.

A literary sensation in his twenties, when he suddenly died of a heart attack in 1940, F. Scott Fitzgerald's last royalty check was $13.13.

The incredible story of the Marines who raised the American flag over Iwo Jima and the iconic photo that changed their lives forever. Ira Hayes Rene Gagnon Joe Rosenthal on Suribachi Bill Genaust, left, on Iwo Jima Wreckage on Iwo Jima, Suribachi in the background First flag raising Second flag raising The Gung Ho photo

The incredible story of the Marines who raised the American flag over Iwo Jima and the iconic photo that changed their lives forever. Marine Harlon Block, his mother always knew. Navy Medic John Bradley, on the 7th Bond Tour, still on crutches Flag raiser Franklin Sousley, misidentified for seventy years Harold Schultz, flag raiser who never went public. Harold Keller, flag raiser, he also kept quiet for the rest of his life Grave of Ira Hayes, Arlington National Cemetery Rene Gagnon grave, Arlington National Cemetery

In thirteen months, John Dillinger transformed himself from inconsequential ex-con to the most famous criminal celebrity in US history and the first Public Enemy Number One. John Dillinger, at the height of his fame Homer Van Meter Tommy Carroll Billy Frechette, wanted poster Dillinger arrest location, Tucson, Arizona Biograph Theater, early morning July 23, 1934 Chicago alley where Dillinger was shot Dillinger family plot, Crown Hill Cemetery One of several Dillinger death masks

In thirteen months, John Dillinger transformed himself from inconsequential ex-con to the most famous criminal celebrity in US history and the first Public Enemy Number One. Lester Gillis aka Baby Face Nelson Eddie Green, St. Paul criminal Melvin Purvis Front entrance, The Little Bohemia Lodge, Manitowish Falls, Wisconsin Anna Sage

On July 19, 1969 an auto accident, involving Senator Edward M. Kennedy and the death of a young woman, changed the course of American political history forever. Senator Edward M. Kennedy, 1968 Edward Kennedy, campaigning in 1962 John Farrar examining the Kennedy automobile as it is being removed from the water near Dike Bridge Ted Kennedy during nationwide speech following the Chappaquiddick accident District Attorney Edmund Dinis Edgartown Police Chief Dominick "Jim" Arena, later in life

On July 19, 1969 an auto accident, involving Senator Edward M. Kennedy and the death of a young woman, changed the course of American political history forever. Senator Edward Kennedy and his wife Joan in the mid-sixties Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. and Joe Gargan's sister Ann, Joe Kennedy's longtime caretaker. Joe Gargan, late in life. Kopechne family gravestone

Brought to Russia as fourteen-year-old Princess Sophia from a tiny German principality, she became Catherine the Great, the most powerful woman in Europe. Peter III, Catherine's husband Catherine's mother, Princess Johanna The Empress Elizabeth Frederick the Great Grigori Orlov Poniatowski Catherine on the the balcony of the Winter Palace after she seized the throne from Peter III Catherine, in the uniform of the Imperial Guard

Brought to Russia as fourteen-year-old Princess Sophia from a tiny German principality, she became Catherine the Great, the most powerful woman in Europe. Catherine's coronation painting, wearing her remarkable crown Pugachev, harassing captive nobles before their execution Paul I, Catherine's son and heir Grigori Potemkin Peterhof Palace The Winter Palace and Hermitage Museum The Bronze Horseman statue of Peter the Great

Listen to this February 5, 2020 flashback episode about Bob Marley, homeless at age 20 in one of the poorest cities of the Third World, he became a popular music phenomenon and 20th century icon. Bob Marley performing in July of 1980 Bob Marley's mother's home, Trench Town, Kingston, Jamaica Bunny Wailer, one of Marley's earliest collaborators Peter Tosh, another Marley associate, performing in 1978 The I Threes, performing with Marley, Rita, his wife, center

Listen to this February 5, 2020 flashback episode about Bob Marley, homeless at age 20 in one of the poorest cities of the Third World, he became a popular music phenomenon and 20th century icon. Marley, performing last outdoor show, Dublin, Ireland, July 6, 1980 Marley, publicity photo Marley's son, Ziggy Bob Marley, mausoleum complex entrance, Nine Mile, Jamaica

This special flashback episode, from March 16, 2018, discusses D. B. Cooper and the most infamous unsolved hijacking in US history. Some of the crew members from the plane Cooper hijacked Initial crude wanted poster circulated by the FBI Richard McCoy, wanted poster circulated after he escaped from a federal penitentiary Another potential D. B. Cooper, Robert Rackstraw.

This special flashback episode, from March 16, 2018, discusses D. B. Cooper and the most infamous unsolved hijacking in US history. Northwest Orient Plane similar to the one DB Cooper hijacked. Money recovered on the shores of the Columbia River that was ultimately identified as part of Cooper's $200,000 Grave of Richard Mccoy, who many believe was D. B. Cooper

On April 5, 1976, when he died in a private jet,  en route to Houston, Texas, Howard Hughes was a hopeless drug addict, weighed 93 pounds and hadn’t even taken a step on his own in several years.  He was also the world’s wealthiest man, living proof that money can’t buy happiness. Howard R. Hughes Sr., standing next to a drill site Howard Hughes as a small boy Howard Hughes' boyhood home in Houston, Texas Movie poster for Hell's Angels Jane Russell, The Outlaw Hercules, aka The Spruce Goose, taxiing in Long beach Harbor

On April 5, 1976, when he died in a private jet,  en route to Houston, Texas, Howard Hughes was a hopeless drug addict, weighed 93 pounds and hadn't even taken a step on his own in several years.  He was also the world's wealthiest man, living proof that money can't buy happiness. The entrance to the Beverly Hills Hotel, Howard Hughes' home for over a decade Jean Peters The Desert Inn, circa 1968 Actress Terry Moore, one of Hughes' female companions, who claimed after his death that he married her in a boat in international waters and that she gave birth to Hughes' illegitimate ch...

In 2013, while working as a contractor at the National Security Agency, Edward Snowden leaked an extensive collection of top secret documents, an act of defiance that, today, still reverberates throughout US intelligence and international relations. National Security Agency Headquarters, Fort Meade, MD Edward Snowden Glenn Greenwald, publicity photo Laura Poitras General Keith Alexander

In 2013, while working as a contractor at the National Security Agency, Edward Snowden leaked an extensive collection of top secret documents, an act of defiance that, today, still reverberates throughout US intelligence and international relations. Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport Edward Snowden in his Hong Kong hotel room Glen Greenwald and Ewan Mckaskill, in Hong Kong Academy Award onstage presentation to Laura Poitras, Glenn Greenwald and Lindsay Mills, second from right Keith Alexander 2014 retirement party, with Chuck Hagel and James Clapper

J. D. Salinger, photo used on book jacket, The Catcher in the Rye Original book jacket cover, The Catcher in the Rye Cornish-Windsor Bridge, near Salinger's home The Catcher in the Rye, paperback book edition cover, designed by Salinger Jean Miller, 2013 J.D. Salinger: The Reclusive Genius Behind "The Catcher in the Rye" Discover the untold story of J.D. Salinger, the enigmatic author who captivated a generation with "The Catcher in the Rye." This bite-sized biography delves into Salinger's early life, his traumatic experiences in World War II, and the creative process behind his iconic novel. Learn how Salinger's...

J. D. Salinger, Time Magazine, 1961 Original dust jacket of The Catcher in the Rye, Salinger eventually demanded that his photo be removed. J. D. Salinger, on the streets of Windsor, Vermont, later in life. Joyce Maynard, later in life. J.D. Salinger: The Reclusive Genius Behind "The Catcher in the Rye" Discover the untold story of J.D. Salinger, the enigmatic author who captivated a generation with "The Catcher in the Rye." This bite-sized biography delves into Salinger's early life, his traumatic experiences in World War II, and the creative process behind his iconic novel. Learn how Salinger's masterpiece transformed...

Admiral Gunther Lutjens Hitler on naval inspection tour of the "Deutschland," in 1934. Crew of Bismarck on deck, its 15 inch guns visible Spitfire reconnaissance photo near Bergen, Norway. Bismarck during the Battle of the Denmark Strait Gunther Lutjens: The Admiral Behind the Bismarck's Fateful Voyage Discover the untold story of Admiral Gunther Lutjens and the nine-day voyage of Nazi Germany's most powerful battleship, the Bismarck. This bite-sized biography delves into the naval strategies, political tensions, and dramatic sea battles that led to one of World War II's most epic maritime confrontations. From Hitler's rearmament plans to the sinking of the HMS...

Captain Ernst Lindemann HMS Prince of Wales Admiral John Tovey on the deck of the George V Swordfish Torpedo dive bomber Swordfish returning to the Ark Royal after attacking the Bismarck Ark Royal and Renown from HMS Sheffield Bismarck survivors being rescued by the Dorsetshire Hitler and Raeder, 1943 Gunther Lutjens: The Admiral Behind the Bismarck’s Fateful Voyage Discover the untold story of Admiral Gunther Lutjens and the nine-day voyage of Nazi Germany’s most powerful battleship, the Bismarck. This bite-sized biography delves into the naval strategies, political tensions, and dramatic sea battles that led to one of World War II’s...