THE BEARDY HISTORIAN – Tony McMahon – as seen on TV!
Contact: tonymcmahon@rostraconsulting.org
Join me on YouTube: @tonymcmahon_historybear
Historian, author, and former journalist. My background as a print, TV and online reporter and producer means I approach history from an investigative angle. Looking into the past to uncover the truth about mysteries that are seemingly unsolvable. My job is to distinguish fact from fiction, history from mystery.
I’m a former BBC news producer, print journalist and award short-listed author with a wide range of interests across history and science.
Topics of interest:
- The Knights Templar – the mystery and the history of this enigmatic order of monastic warriors
- Post-war politics including Watergate, Vietnam, McCarthyism, Thatcher, trades unions, etc
- Terrorism and violent extremism – worked for years as a consultant to the UK and US government on communications around preventing extremism and wrote a book on Islamist ideology
- History of Horror – huge interest in vampires, werewolves, and mythology plus the origin of children’s fairy stories
Accurate and entertaining
My background in journalism – TV, print and online – means I appreciate the need for thorough research, accuracy but at the same time, the ability to entertain and relay information in an engaging manner.
I occupy the middle ground between serious academia and the completely bonkers fringe conspiracy theorists. Making complex stuff easy to understand and fun to learn about. As one documentary producer said to me – remember the viewer has had a tough day at the office and just wants to be transported to some incredible place.
The darker side of history
For several years, I worked as a consultant in counter-terrorism and counter-extremism around the world for government clients. This played to my obsessions with politics, religion and history – and the violent way in which they mix. In 2016, I co-authored a well received book on non-violent Islamist extremism reviewed on several global news outlets.
I’m fascinated by the dark side of history. The plots, conspiracies, wars and revolutions that have convulsed the world for millennia. I’m often asked to talk about the Nazis and the Second World War but also the Cold War and Soviet Union. Going back further, I’m always happy to delve into murderous intrigues, death cults and assassinations. Crime and history are always a compelling combination.
Developing documentary ideas
Apart from appearing on screen, I’m also increasingly developing ideas for documentaries with partner companies and financiers.
I’m also a writing machine generating blogs, social media content, books, all forms of copy at an industrial rate. Never happier than when my fingers are dancing across the keyboard!
The Templar Knight – https://thetemplarknight.com/ For over ten years I have been running The Templar Knight blog, which has led to many TV documentary appearances talking about the history and mystery of the Templars as well as the many conspiracy theories.
Beardy History – https://beardyhistory.com/ This blog ranges over thousands of years of history from ancient Egypt to unsolved Victorian murders. It covers politics, history, and culture from new and compelling angles.
The 70s 80s 90s Blog – https://the70s80s90s.com/ This blog is about post-Second World War history with a strong focus on the last three decades of the 20th century. It charts the rise of President Ronald Reagan and the UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Financial scandals, rock and pop music trends, weird cults, and lifestyle issues.
History Bear on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@tonymcmahon_historybear On YouTube – I run the History Bear channel with playlists on the Knights Templar, the history of Horror from witches to werewolves; and films on all the top mysteries from the Bermuda Triangle to the Crystal Skulls.
History’s Terrorists – https://historysterrorists.com/ For over a decade I worked for the UK, US and other governments as a consultant on counter-terrorism and counter-extremism programs all over the world. This has given me an unparalleled network of experts in this field as well as my own personal knowledge of the subject area. Whether it’s jihadism or the extreme Right.