Plus the Baba Yaga, medieval pilgrimages, Mao’s disaster plan and much more!
The sinking of RMS Titanic on 15 April 1912 is one of the great tragedies of the 20th century. On 1 September 1985, very nearly 40 years ago as I write this and 73 years after the ship sank, the wreckage of Titanic was discovered in the North Atlantic Ocean, about 640km from Newfoundland, Canada. Thanks to this discovery and the myriad investigations into the accident that doomed the ‘unsinkable’ ship, we have a better idea how and why this incident took place. There were flaws, in thinking, in mindset, in design, that made this tragedy possible and we wanted to break it all down in our latest cover feature.
And now you can read all about those flaws in the latest issue of All About History, available now at a newsstand near you and available to order from MagazinesDirect. Here’s a closer look at our Titanic feature and the other fascinating stories you can explore in All About History 159.
Making & Breaking Titanic
What sank Titanic? It wasn’t just that it struck an iceberg; there were a range of decisions, errors and flaws that made this fateful and tragic event take place. We welcome expert Kevin Brown as our guide through the story and how this marvel of naval innovation became a living parable for the modern world.
America’s first serial killer
Do you dare enter the ‘murder hotel’ of HH Holmes? We explore the crimes of America’s first serial killer, debunking the myths about his killings and revealing the details of how his terrifying killings came to pass. Was he everything he claimed to be?
What was the Baba Yaga?
Ever heard of the Baba Yaga? It’s a term that has been used a fair amount in popular media, but what are its origins? Well, we went to folklore expert Willow Winsham to get some answers and uncover the Slavic roots of this morally ambiguous witch, her chicken-legged cottage and her legendary exploits.
10 Royal Scandals
If absolute power corrupts absolutely then it should come as no surprise that monarchs through history have thought they could get away with anything and still keep their thrones. Well, that kind of thinking didn’t always go over well with their courts or subjects, as you’ll learn in this feature.
What if Henry VIII had died young?
Henry VIII only became heir because his older brother, Arthur, died aged 15 before he could become king. Could Prince Henry have met a similar fate and what would that mean? Besides six women living happier and less stressful lives, what would that have meant for the future of the English crown?
Plus much more
Also in this issue of All About History:
- When Mao launched his Great Leap Forward in 1958, he thought he was modernising Chinese agriculture. In reality he was dooming millions to starvation and death. We find out why.
- Discover why many medieval European Christians risked their lives and often spent their live savings to reach the many holy sites around the continent and the Middle East.
- From the ballgame in Mesoamerica to something like football in China, we take a look at the history of ancient sports, their origins and what became of those that went out of fashion.
Order now from MagazinesDirect | Find your local newsstand | Subscribe and save
Subscribe to
All About History now for amazing savings!
