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Francis I of France is inevitably compared to Henry VIII. Both kings had big personalities, big love affairs, and big scandals that rocked the face of Europe. But there’s a lot more to Francis than just the similarities to the Tudor counterpart. From his unlikely ascension to the throne to his brutal defeats and torturous later years, Francis did not languish in his neighbor's shadow.

Meg Ryan has been a Hollywood fixture for the better part of four decades. Best known for rom-com romps such as Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail, the actress’s off-screen life has been equally romance and comedy-filled....

A gentleman to some and a menace to others, John Dillinger put America in a frenzy with a spree that led to the formation of the FBI itself—until his luck ran out.

Imagine a world where burly Norse warriors discover a new continent—and then just... walk away. Wild, right? Get ready for a story into why the Vikings pulled the ultimate “not interested” move on North America. But first, an introduction.

The House of Tudor had more than its fair share of scandalous figures, from Henry VIII’s many marriages to the intrigue and plots of the court of Elizabeth I. But few remember the twisted tale of Mary Tudor—the English princess who briefly became Queen of France. From her secret marriage to her bitter rivalry with Anne Boleyn, Mary packed a lot into her short life.

Field Marshal Bernard Law “Monty” Montgomery was instrumental in defeating the Axis forces during WWII. His strategic brilliance, however, was second only to his massive ego and total lack of tact. More people need to know about Bernard “Monty” Montgomery, the man who Winston Churchill himself described as, “In defeat, unbeatable; in victory, unbearable”.

Rasputin rose from an illiterate Russian peasant to one of the most powerful men in the Romanov Empire, and he did it by means that still stump historians today. Loved by an ardent, powerful few and hated by the masses, dark rumors always swirled around the “Mad Monk” who had the Tsarina in his thrall…including the details of his mysterious end. The trouble is, some of those rumors are true.

Known as one of the most skilled and ruthless commanders in history, Julius Caesar spent his life taking what he wanted with few people willing or able to stop him. After getting a taste of power and glory at a young age, he knew his destiny was to rule in one way or another. However, he made countless enemies, especially among those closest to him, so although he believed he was untouchable—others greatly disagreed.

Move over James Bond. Step aside, Ethan Hunt. There’s a new super spy in town. Virginia Hall was the real-world spy whose daring adventures behind enemy lines during WWII helped guarantee an Allied victory. She gathered valuable information, rescued downed airmen, and staged daring prison escapes. And on top of that? She did it all with only one good leg.

Marlene Dietrich, David Bowie, and Prince all played fast and loose when it came to what was the norm of dress and behavior for their gender. Let’s go back an astonishing 400 years and meet one of the original gender-fluid celebs. This was a Queen way off in Sweden and right from her birth, people had confused reactions to the child. Was it a girl? Was it a boy? Queen Christina didn’t really care what people thought. She just wanted to live life to the fullest—and she most certainly did.

Best known today as the creator of Frankenstein and its unforgettable monster, Mary Shelley’s private tragedies rivaled anything in her Gothic fiction. From her teenage rebellion to her tormented marriage and all the way up to the final, dark twist of her life, Shelley’s story has a dark magnetism you can’t look away from…even when you want to.

William Wallace may be the most famous Scottish freedom fighter in modern day, but another who outlived and even fought alongside him at one point was Robert the Bruce. Becoming an enemy of England and the law itself, he fought for Scotland’s independence and to claim his right to the Scottish throne. Facing impossible odds, Robert’s efforts would earn him the legacy of a national hero—even if he was a fugitive at the time.