ANYONE keen to sharpen their conversational skills may find plenty to talk about in The Most Interesting People You’ve Never Heard Of, the latest book from popular history podcaster Riley Knight.
Mr Knight will promote the book at Capalaba Library from 10-11am on October 21, sharing some of the unusual characters whose stories have shaped the world in unexpected ways.
After eight years producing history podcasts, Mr Knight said he had built an extensive bank of fascinating stories and wanted to bring them together in a book that was informative, amusing and accessible.
“I focused on those people whose input may not be world-changing, but they have definitely had an influence,” he said. “Over the years I have built up a bank of stories.
“The one unifying feature is that they have all made a difference.”
Among them is Charles Boycott, the English land agent whose harsh treatment of tenants sparked a campaign of social ostracism so memorable that his name entered the English language.
“The blacksmith wouldn’t shoe his horses, and the mailman wouldn’t deliver his mail,” Mr Knight said.
“He put so many noses out of joint, so everyone made a huge noise about it and eventually Mr Boycott had to move out.
“We still say that people will boycott something that they want to ostracise publicly.”
The book also explores the Viking roots of the name Bluetooth, now synonymous with wireless technology, and profiles 50 people from different countries and eras.
Mr Knight said he was particularly proud of the Australians featured, including Johnny Muller, also known as Unaarrimin, an Indigenous cricketer who played in the first Australian cricket team to tour England in the 1860s.
“He was our star player,” Mr Knight said.
“His stats stand up to today’s standards.”
A Year 3 teacher, Mr Knight studied history at university and later worked as a tour guide in Berlin, where he constantly encountered stories waiting to be told.
That experience led him to launch his podcast in 2018 as a hobby.
It quickly gained an audience, and he now produces two episodes a week.
“I may as well ride the wave while I can,” he said.
Mr Knight said producing a book was a different challenge to podcasting, requiring greater structure and providing a more permanent record of his research.
“The book has more structure and is a better record and evidence of rigorous research,” he said.
Mr Knight said he was especially pleased to launch the book at a library, describing such places as somewhere he “grew up”.
“The book is great if you want to learn more and have better intellectual conversations around the water cooler,” he said.
Published by Allen & Unwin, The Most Interesting People You’ve Never Heard Of retails for $34.95.
Mr Knight is also working on the second episode of a six-part series on the Viking Age and on a third book, continuing his aim of balancing entertainment with education.
