Profiles in Contrast
Sophie Manners delivers her thoughts on the life and times, traits and exploits of a prominent historical figure and then contrasts that individual with a mystery modern-age figure who is similar in the arc of their life, their personal credo, and how they have been treated by history. She begins with a brief biographical sketch, followed by a tease in which she describes the modern era contrasting figure before revealing their identity. She then explains her reasoning for her choice and contrasts the pair before concluding with summary comments and a personal statement about which one she finds the more compelling figure and why.
Episodes
10 episodes
William Wallace
Sophie's selection for this episode is Scottish freedom-fighter and inspiration for the movie Braveheart, William Wallace. The parallels of his life from youth to the Battle of Stirling Bridge and his gruesome execution are partially echo...
Charlemagne
In her most intellectually serious pairing in the series so far, Sophie tackles Charlemagne - medieval emperor, king, and leader of the Carolingian Renaissance.
Cleopatra
Queen of Egypt, lover of at least two Roman emperors and sworn enemy of a third, Cleopatra's reign was marked by intrigue, seduction, and civil wars. Sophie covers it all and teases an unexpected contemporary leader who can't quite compet...
Alexander the Great and the Problem with Infinity
Sophie retraces the magnificent tales of military conquest authored by the King of Macedon. Her comparison with a modern-age conqueror of daunting technological challenges is both surprising and compelling.
Mata Hari
Archetypal femme fatale and likely scapegoat, Mata Hari tempts Sophie to identify a modern-age temptress of near-equal notoriety.
John Harrison and the Longitude of Stubbornness
Global navigation's unsung forefather is arguably the English clockmaker John Harrison. Sophie examines his life and laser-focused pursuit of a solution to the most urgent scientific challenge of the 18th century. She then turns her...
Glenn Curtiss and the Audacity of the Possible
Straying from her formal European-history focus, Sophie takes on early American aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss and contrasts him with a similarly audacious and gravity-defying innovator.
Arthur Conan Doyle
In this episode Sophie examines the life of eccentric Scottish author and creator of the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. You will be intrigued by the modern era physician to whom she compares our most interesting...
