The John Batchelor Show

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S8 Ep1168: Barry Strauss introduces Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt and member of the Ptolemaic dynasty founded by one of Alexander the Great' Jul 27, 2026

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Barry Strauss introduces Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt and member of the Ptolemaic dynasty founded by one of Alexander the Great's generals. Strauss describes Alexandria as the Mediterranean's greatest metropolis and a wealthy cultural hub. Cleopatra is depicted as a "tough player" who survived deadly family intrigues to rule Egypt. When she meets Antony in 41 BC at Tarsus, she dazzles him with a spectacular, perfumed arrival on a barge. Antony views Cleopatra not just as a lover, but as a vital financial resource for his Eastern ambitions. A key point of contention is Caesarion, Cleopatra's son, whom many believed was the child of Julius Caesar. Octavian's later propaganda painted the East as "effeminate" compared to Roman manliness. To demonstrate her immense wealth, Cleopatra famously dissolved a priceless pearl in vinegar during an extravagant dinner. (2)

S8 Ep1168: John Batchelor introduces Barry Strauss, author of The War That Made the Roman Empire: Antony, Cleopatra, and Octavian at Actium, Jul 27, 2026

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John Batchelor introduces Barry Strauss, author of The War That Made the Roman Empire: Antony, Cleopatra, and Octavian at Actium, to discuss the transition from the death of Julius Caesar to the rise of Augustus. Strauss identifies Plutarch and Cassius Dio as the primary historical sources, noting they had access to earlier, now-lost records. The discussion focuses on three main figures: Mark Antony, Octavian, and Cleopatra. At Caesar's death, Mark Antony was a consul and Caesar's lieutenant, hailing from the high Roman nobility. In contrast, Octavian (later Augustus) came from an equestrian family but gained status as Caesar's great-nephew and adopted heir. While Antony was a seasoned warrior, Octavian focused on political acumen. The Second Triumvirate, consisting of Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus, was formed to punish Caesar's assassins, leading to the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC, where Antony emerged as the hero while Octavian struggled. (1)

S8 Ep1167: Alan Philps profiles Alice Moats, a wealthy American socialite who reinvented herself as a war correspondent during the siege of Jul 26, 2026

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Alan Philps profiles Alice Moats, a wealthy American socialite who reinvented herself as a war correspondent during the siege of Moscow. Known for her book No Nice Girl Swears, "Mozy" was often viewed as light entertainment, yet she was a persistent and effective reporter. She famously defied the British ambassador's attempts to evacuate her, hiding in embassy annexes to remain in the city. Philps likens her to the "fool in a Shakespeare tragedy" who exposes the follies of more serious figures. Despite her socialite background, Moats connected with General Anders and was part of the early conversations regarding the Katyn Forest massacre of Polish officers. Her reporting provided a unique window into how the Soviets attempted to manipulate the very people they had oppressed, and Philps credits her for highlighting one of the great tragedies of the 20th century. (6)
1920

S8 Ep1167: Alan Philps recounts how Charlotte Haldane, a prominent British Communist and wife of scientist JBS Haldane, traveled to Moscow i Jul 26, 2026

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Alan Philps recounts how Charlotte Haldane, a prominent British Communist and wife of scientist JBS Haldane, traveled to Moscow in 1941 as a correspondent for the Daily Sketch. She arrived with high hopes for the "Soviet paradise," even clashing with Polish exiles on her journey who feared Stalin's betrayal. However, her arrival at the Metropol Hotel revealed a "down at heel" reality of faded grandeur and poor plumbing. As the German army neared Moscow in late 1941, Haldane witnessed the NKVD's temporary loss of control and the city's descent into looting and panic. She was disturbed by the "terrible silence" from the Kremlin and the lack of leadership during the crisis. Eventually, she and the other foreign correspondents were evacuated to the Volga as the capital faced imminent threat, a move that marked the beginning of her disillusionment with the Soviet system. (5)
1918

S8 Ep1167: Alan Philps tells the story of Tanya, a 28-year-old woman who used her English skills to escape a life of poverty and suspicion i Jul 26, 2026

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Alan Philps tells the story of Tanya, a 28-year-old woman who used her English skills to escape a life of poverty and suspicion in Moscow. Denied education due to her "bourgeois" background, she became a translator at the Metropol for correspondent Ronnie Matthews. Matthews, a heavy-drinking but devoted reporter, eventually begged her to marry him. The Soviets attempted to prevent her departure, but Matthews refused to leave the country without her, forcing the authorities to grant her an exit permit. In Cairo, Tanya's glamorous lifestyle and tennis matches with a British general sparked unfounded rumors that she was a Soviet "honey trap." Despite being under surveillance by both British and Soviet intelligence, she successfully built a new life in the West. Her story was later chronicled in a 1993 BBCdocumentary titled Going Back. (4)
1914

S8 Ep1167: Alan Philps tells of Nadia, a translator at the Metropol Hotel who became a "secret dissident" after losing faith in Stalinism du Jul 26, 2026

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Alan Philps tells of Nadia, a translator at the Metropol Hotel who became a "secret dissident" after losing faith in Stalinism during the purges. She trusted Australian journalist Godfrey Blunden, believing him to be more reliable than "snobbish" British or career-driven American reporters. She shared her true, dangerous views with him and even took him to visit private Soviet homes, which was strictly forbidden. However, Blunden betrayed her by publishing a novel that thinly disguised her identity and the locations she had shown him. This led to Nadia's arrest in 1948 and an eight-year sentence in the Gulag, where she faced starvation. Her husband and daughter were also broken by the system. Nadia eventually survived, moving to Israel in the 1970s. Philps notes that her grandson is now a professor in Jerusalem, offering a rare "happy ending" amidst the broader tragedy of Soviet brutality. (3)
1906

S8 Ep1167: Alan Philps examines Ralph Parker, a mysterious correspondent for The Times and The New York Times, and his secretary-turned-wife Jul 26, 2026

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Alan Philps examines Ralph Parker, a mysterious correspondent for The Times and The New York Times, and his secretary-turned-wife, Valentina. A central event involves a chaotic press conference regarding the Katyn Forestmassacre, where reporter Harold King tried to physically block Valentina, suspecting she was an NKVD colonel. In the ensuing scuffle, Valentina was thrown through a glass door but stoically recovered to attend the conference. Philps explores whether Parker was a spy for Britain, the Soviets, or both, noting his later career representing Soviet artists. Despite the suspicions that she was a high-ranking agent, Valentina died blind and in extreme poverty in a dilapidated apartment. In a poignant display of Russian generosity, she once gave away her wedding ring to a visitor's daughter because "good gold" was scarce, highlighting her dire circumstances at the end of her life. (2)

S8 Ep1167: Alan Philps profiles A.T. Cholerton, the "grand old man" of Moscow correspondents, who lived in a shambolic apartment and possess Jul 26, 2026

Show notes

Alan Philps profiles A.T. Cholerton, the "grand old man" of Moscow correspondents, who lived in a shambolic apartment and possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of the Soviet experiment. Having witnessed the show trials and purges, he was eventually barred from returning to the USSR after a trip to Britain because he "knew too much" and briefed inexperienced reporters on the grim reality behind the scenes. His translator and mistress, Natalia, paid the price for their association; she was arrested and sentenced to ten years in the Gulag on fabricated espionage charges involving her husband, a factory engineer. Cholerton, fearing that any public statement would further endanger her, remained silenced for the rest of his life. Although Natalia survived her sentence, the two never spoke again to ensure her safety in post-Stalin Russia. Philps notes that under the NKVD, an arrest almost inevitably led to a conviction without a fair trial. (1)
1902

S8 Ep1166: Jeremy Zakis shares that his dog, Dallas, has expanded his "avian menagerie" by befriending two ducks that unexpectedly settled i Jul 26, 2026

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Jeremy Zakis shares that his dog, Dallas, has expanded his "avian menagerie" by befriending two ducks that unexpectedly settled in his garden. These ducks traveled miles from their typical lake habitat during winter, a period when they are normally inactive. Dallas interacts with these friends peacefully, demonstrating his unique status as a magpie whisperer. Concurrently, John Batchelor prepares for a harsh New England winter featuring heavy snow and high winds influenced by El Niño. (4)

S8 Ep1166: Jeremy Zakis reports Joe Root is the expected successor to Ben Stokes as English cricket captain. As a prolific batter and the te Jul 26, 2026

Show notes

Jeremy Zakis reports Joe Root is the expected successor to Ben Stokes as English cricket captain. As a prolific batter and the team's "only adult," Root is viewed as a strategic savior who can restore maturity to a side plagued by off-field controversies. Meanwhile, Canadian cricket faces upheaval following allegations of match-fixing linked to organized crime. Funding remains frozen while investigators probe a suspicious match against New Zealand where Canada played poorly. (3)

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