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Biography & Personal Stories

A collection of 198 issues

Black Agnes: The Countess Who Mocked an English Siege and Became a Legend

In 1338, during the Second War of Scottish Independence, Countess Agnes of Dunbar led the five-month defense of Dunbar Castle against a superior English army. Her psychological warfare and a chillingly defiant retort when her captured brother's life was threatened cemented her status as a folk hero.

History Wars, Conflict & Heroes Biography & Personal Stories

Dyn-O-Mite Discovery: Janet Jackson's Forgotten Dramatic Role on 'Good Times'

Long before she was a global music icon, Janet Jackson was a child actor. At just 11 years old, she played Penny Gordon on the hit sitcom 'Good Times,' tackling a serious and groundbreaking storyline about child abuse that many viewers still remember vividly today.

Entertainment & Media Biography & Personal Stories Music

From Diplomacy to Dribbling: The Bizarre Story of Henry Kissinger, Honorary Harlem Globetrotter

In a bizarre 1970s intersection of politics and pop culture, controversial diplomat Henry Kissinger was named an honorary Harlem Globetrotter. This strange alliance reflects the Cold War era's use of 'soft power' and remains a perplexing piece of trivia today.

History Sports & Games Biography & Personal Stories

Don't Make Me Over: The Song Born from Dionne Warwick's Righteous Anger

Furious that her promised debut song was given to another artist, Dionne Warwick angrily told songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David, 'Don't make me over!' The phrase inspired them to write a new song, which became the first hit for the legendary trio and launched her career.

Music Biography & Personal Stories History

The Unsung King of Discogs: Why a Mastering Engineer is More Collected Than The Beatles

On Discogs, the world's biggest music database, the most collected person isn't a rock star. It's mastering engineer Bob Ludwig, whose iconic "RL" signature on vinyl records like Led Zeppelin II is a holy grail for audiophiles and collectors seeking the ultimate sound quality.

Music Biography & Personal Stories Art, Culture & Design

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz: The Self-Taught Nun Who Challenged an Empire for Her Right to Think

Meet Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, the 17th-century Mexican nun, poet, and scholar known as 'The Tenth Muse.' A self-taught genius in a man's world, she built a massive library and fiercely defended a woman's right to an intellectual life, leaving a legacy that still inspires today.

Biography & Personal Stories History Literature & Books

The 9th-Century Scholar Who Defined Mental Health and Pioneered Psychotherapy

Centuries before modern psychiatry, Persian polymath Abu Zayd al-Balkhi rejected supernatural causes for mental illness. He argued for a mind-body connection, classified disorders like depression and anxiety, and developed cognitive and behavioral therapies that rival modern techniques.

Medicine, Psychology & Health History Biography & Personal Stories

"That's Us, F*ckhead": The Day Steven Tyler Forgot He Was in Aerosmith

In 1984, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler heard a song on the radio and eagerly suggested the band cover it. Guitarist Joe Perry had to remind him, "That's us, f*ckhead." Tyler, in a haze of rock and roll excess, had completely forgotten their own 1975 ballad, "You See Me Crying."

Music Biography & Personal Stories History

Meet Margery Kempe: The Medieval Mystic Who Wrote the First Autobiography and Wept Her Way Through Europe

Margery Kempe, a 15th-century English mystic, defied convention by writing the first autobiography in English. A mother of 14, she was famous for her loud, public weeping, unauthorized preaching, and repeatedly facing down heresy charges during her extensive pilgrimages across Europe.

Biography & Personal Stories History Religion & Philosophy

The Polish Spy Who Became a Nazi General: The Unbelievable Story of Kazimierz Leski

Kazimierz Leski, a Polish intelligence officer, adopted the disguise of a Wehrmacht general to travel across Nazi-occupied Europe. He completed over 25 missions, stealing vital military secrets and funneling intelligence to the Allies, all while never being caught by the Germans.

Wars, Conflict & Heroes History Biography & Personal Stories

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