Fake Heroes: Ten False Icons and How they Altered the Course of History

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Scott's men were dressed in Burberry weather-proof coats, provided by their sponsor, which would have been fine for a windy walk in the Fells, but which were fairly useless for Arctic conditions. The reason the Norwegians were (and still are) so good at polar travel is because it's where they live, they do it all the time, they learn to ski before they can walk. According to his blog, Scott came up with the pen name Otto English on the spot when asked to appear on a BBC programme. Exploring everything from Captain Scott's reckless hunt for glory and Andy Warhol's flagrant thievery to Coco Chanel's murky Nazi past, Otto English dives into the hidden lives of some of history's most recognisable names. It is a shame as some of the sources are excellently picked and if balanced with others would give a really good understanding of areas the reader may not know, particularly those times before the over documented 19th and 20th centuries.

The premise of this book is to explore and debunk ten great history myths which are frequently passed off as truth. Democracy in Danger The newspaper’s extensive reporting and analysis of the various threats to democracy from populism, oligarchy, dark money and online disinformation. Exploring everything from Captain Scott’s reckless hunt for glory and Andy Warhol’s flagrant thievery to Coco Chanel’s murky Nazi past, Otto English dives into the hidden lives of some of history’s most recognisable names.A little way into the chapter on Scott we are told: "In the Heroic Age, leading a grand polar expedition was a surefire path to swift promotion, medals and glory, and Scott was a hugely, hugely ambitious individual who chased after it all. So we can dispense with the notion of the romantic revolutionary hero who loved the working classes quite readily, then.

But the great missing link is getting people connected to the history that is most linked and is relatable to them.There is absolutely no reliable evidence that Scott's wife Kathleen had an affair with Nansen, I wasn't sure why this was included at all.

This is meant to push us to stay the “chosen” and “exceptional” people that many right wing politicians would portray us as.In this fascinating book, journalist and author Otto English deconstructs ten great lies from history.

Just some old, white dude's random observations, that can make you smile, cringe, roll your eyes, and occasionally, nod in agreement. Whether it's virtuous leaders in just wars, martyrs sacrificing all for a cause, or innovators changing the world for the better, down the centuries supposedly great men and women have risen to become household names, saints and heroes. Firstly, I think the author is just a little too open in using the book to display his political opinions.And while I share in the loathing of Donald Trump, I can't agree that "The Apprentice" is analogous to Hitler's Nuremberg rallies.