?A historical podcast that digs deep and tells it like it is, This Guy Sucked is hosted by Claire Aubin, a self-proclaimed certified hater and Yale historian. Joined by a new scholar every episode, the podcast reexamines historical figures and their legacies through a modern lens, proving you can still have haters long after you’ve been dead.

Corrective history: Aubin believes that disliking a certain historical figure can bring people into learning more about history. With her academic insight and deep interest in history, she works toward uncovering parts of history that may not be as well known. While she rejects ignorant romanticization of popular figures, she thinks getting a more authentic look at them as humans does them more justice. She’s all about critique through scholarship and making sure her listeners get a holistic view of history.

Historians and their canonical villains: Each episode invites guests who have extensively and professionally studied and written about certain figures, knowing them well enough to point out their flaws and how their legacies might have been misconstrued. Extending from the medieval times to the 20th century, there’s no shortage of archives to put as many historical figures as possible on blast. The topics vary across well-known figures like Voltaire, Charlemagne, and Henry Ford, to lesser known ones like Cesare Lombroso and Samuel Cummings.

How Alexander the Great sucked: You can’t talk about history without mentioning Alexander the Great. In an engaging conversation with historian, writer, and podcaster Dr. Patrick Wyman, the mythology around Alexander and his great intellect and unparalleled power is shattered. Listeners learn that Alexander’s ambitions were driven by the wrong reasons. While his brutal imperial conquests are already the subject of immense criticism, Wyman stresses that the main reason he has “beef with him” is his massive ego.

A severe God complex: Wyman reveals that Alexander was deeply inspired by the Greek hero Achilles, taking Aristotle’s annotated copy of the Iliad with him on his military campaign in Asia. Alexander didn’t have grand visions to conquest, he was only after adrenaline highs. He had an irrational passion for war that went beyond territorial greed. Despite accomplishing the largest empire ever, he fixated on creating a self-obsessed legacy — to the extent that he referred to himself as the son of Zeus.

There’s more to say about Alexander the Great, just like there’s so much more to say about the baseness of many other historical figures. This Guy Sucked is just getting started, having just launched this year. The podcast is definitely one to keep on your radar if you want to delve into the dark sides of famous names.

WHERE TO LISTEN- Tune in to This Guy Sucked on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | PocketCasts | PodBean | Amazon Music.

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