What if your neighbor, your diplomat, or your local scholar wasn’t who they claimed to be? What if they were living a double—or triple—life as a covert operative? In this episode of History Crossroads, we unravel the incredible story of Iosif Grigulevich, a Soviet spy whose life was a masterclass in reinvention.

From his early days as a young Marxist in Buenos Aires to his role in the Spanish Civil War, Grigulevich honed his skills as an infiltrator and assassin. He helped orchestrate the assassination of Leon Trotsky in Mexico, disrupted anti-Soviet networks in Europe, and even posed as Costa Rica’s ambassador to Italy and Yugoslavia. At the height of the Cold War, he was tasked with one of the Soviet Union’s boldest missions: the assassination of Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito.

But what happens when a spy walks away from the shadows? In his later years, Grigulevich transformed himself once again—this time into a respected scholar of Latin American history, leaving behind a legacy as enigmatic as the man himself.

Join us as we explore the suspenseful and morally complex life of one of the Cold War’s most fascinating figures—a man whose many hats concealed more than just his head. If you love hidden stories from history, this episode is for you.

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Step into the shadowy world of espionage, deception, and double-crossing with this thrilling episode of History Crossroads. We uncover the extraordinary life of Eddie Chapman—an audacious safe-cracker turned wartime double agent. From his beginnings as a notorious criminal in London’s underworld to his daring exploits as "Agent Zigzag," Chapman walked the razor’s edge between heroism and infamy.

Discover how Chapman tricked both the Germans and the British during World War II, pulled off one of history’s most convincing sabotages, and even earned Nazi Germany’s Iron Cross—while secretly working for MI5. Along the way, we explore his tangled personal life, his post-war fame, and the moral ambiguities that define his legacy.

Was Eddie Chapman a patriot, a pragmatist, or simply a man playing both sides for survival? Join us for a story where loyalties blur, secrets are currency, and survival is the ultimate goal.

Subscribe to History Crossroads for more captivating tales of the figures who stood at the crossroads of history, shaping the world in ways you’d never expect.

In this episode of History Crossroads, we take you into the gritty, shadowed streets of early 20th-century Brooklyn, where a young immigrant named Frankie Yale built an empire through cunning, brutality, and charm. Known as “Brooklyn’s Original Gangster,” Yale was a kingpin who ruled with a steady hand, navigating rivalries, betrayal, and the dark opportunities that Prohibition brought to America’s underworld.

More than just a mob boss, Yale was a mentor to Al Capone, shaping one of history’s most infamous figures and setting the stage for the violent, organized empire that would later come to define American crime. Join us as we explore Frankie’s rise to power, his dangerous alliances, and the chilling events that led to his violent, unforgettable end. Through rich storytelling and vivid descriptions, we bring you the life of a man who stood at the crossroads of loyalty, ambition, and consequence—a life that echoes through the legacy of the American mob.