logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2023
17m 58s

Triumph and Disaster: The Life of Rudyar...

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

On this episode of Our American Stories, the life of the youngest-ever winner of the Nobel Prize for literature, Rudyard Kipling, was filled with tragedy. He survived a difficult childhood to go on to become one of the most celebrated authors of his day, penning such classics as "The Jungle Book" and "Just So Stories.” Here’s The History Guy with the story of Rudyard Kipling.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Today
Annie Oakley: Sharpshooter, Showwoman, American Legend
On this episode of Our American Stories, Annie Oakley was still a child when she began hunting to help feed her struggling family in Ohio. Before long, her extraordinary skill with a gun was helping pay off the family mortgage, winning her shooting contests, and eventually leadin ... Show More
38m 16s
Today
When One Man’s Faith Helped Free 33 Trapped Chilean Miners
On this episode of Our American Stories, Greg Hall wasn’t looking for fame when Chile’s government asked for help rescuing 33 trapped miners. A businessman and Catholic deacon from Texas, he simply believed he could make a difference. Over 69 tense days, Hall and his team drilled ... Show More
10m 49s
Today
Weapons of WWII With Stephen Ambrose: Jeeps, Trucks, Horses, and Poison Gas
On this episode of Our American Stories, World War II is remembered for its tanks, bombers, and revolutionary weapons, but much of the fighting still depended on railroads, trucks, and even horses. Historian Stephen Ambrose explains how America's remarkable ability to move men an ... Show More
9m 29s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2025
CLASSIC: Feral Children and the True Story Behind The Jungle Book
Now, let's be honest. Rudyard Kipling was a cartoonishly problematic guy. Yet his work made a permanent impression on global literature -- and, to a surprising degree, he based a lot of his writing on real-world events. In today's Classic episode, Ben and Noel ask: What inspired ... Show More
29m 37s
Mar 2024
Rudyard Kipling: A Life of Imagination and Adventure
Step into the fascinating world of Rudyard Kipling from his childhood in India to becoming one of the most celebrated writers of the 20th century. Kipling's journey is filled with adventure, inspiration, and timeless tales such as 'The Jungle Book' and 'Kim'. Get ready for a whir ... Show More
8m 56s
Nov 2018
Feral Children and the True Story Behind The Jungle Book
What inspired Rudyard Kipling to write The Jungle Book? Join the guys as they explore the real-life, tragic stories of feral children abandoned by their human parents, adopted by animals and raised in the wild. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork. ... Show More
28m 24s
Nov 2022
The Elephant's Child
Today’s story is about a very curious young elephant, and it was imagined by the English novelist, short-story writer, poet, and journalist Rudyard Kipling. 
16m 12s
Mar 2018
Oscar Wilde
Even as a child, Oscar Wilde dreamed of becoming famous. We dive deep into the life of the now notorious playwright, artist, and celebrated author. He is celebrated for his passionate writing, sharp wit, and taste for art. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.co ... Show More
54m 43s
Jul 2023
The Coup, the Poet and the Secret to Winning Wimbledon
“If you can make one heap of all your winnings and risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss..." Those words - from Rudyard Kipling's poem "If" - were based on charismatic nineteenth century doctor, Leander Starr Jameson. In Britain, Jameson was worshipped as a plucky hero: a bastion ... Show More
35m 58s
Oct 2013
Jhumpa Lahiri
This month a chance to hear Pulitzer Prize winning Indian American writer Jhumpa Lahiri, whose new novel The Lowland has just been shortlisted for the British Man Booker Prize. With presenter Harriett Gilbert and a studio full of readers Lahiri talks about her acclaimed short sto ... Show More
52m 58s
Feb 2025
228. The Man Who Lived A Thousand Lives: Prisoner of War (Ep 2)
Gustav Hermann Krumbiegel transformed India’s landscapes but faced immense personal struggles. Despite rising to prominence as the Maharaja of Mysore’s trusted landscape architect, Krumbiegel suffered greatly during the first and second world wars, enduring hardship and isolation ... Show More
43m 17s