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HistoryExtra podcast

History EN ↓ 2618 episodes

The HistoryExtra podcast brings you gripping stories from the past and fascinating historical conversations with the world's leading historical experts. HistoryExtra is a free history podcast, with episodes released six times a week. Subscribe now for the real stories behind your favourite films, TV shows and period dramas, as well as compelling insights into lesser-known aspects of the past. We delve into global history stories spanning the ancient world right up to the modern day. You’ll hear deep dives into the lives of famous historical figures like Cleopatra, Anne Boleyn and Winston Ch...

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Episodes

The rise of Hitler 17.02.2020 27:34

Frank McDonough discusses the first volume in his new two-part history of Nazi Germany. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Wood on the Peterloo photograph 14.02.2020 26:35

The acclaimed popular historian and broadcaster Michael Wood talks to us about a photograph he discovered that links his family to the infamous Peterloo massacre of 1819. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The bombing of Dresden 12.02.2020 1:07:46

On the 75th anniversary of the Dresden raid, historical author Sinclair McKay explores one of the most controversial Allied actions of the Second World War. He describes the devastation caused by the bombing and considers whether it constitutes a war crime. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.c...

Secrets of war leadership 10.02.2020 39:57

Historian Andrew Roberts reflects on some of the greatest and most nefarious war leaders of the past – including Napoleon, Hitler, Churchill and Eisenhower – and considers what traits they shared. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Confronting evils 07.02.2020 38:43

Susan Neiman considers how Germany and the United States have sought to come to terms with histories of racism and violence. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Marie Antoinette 05.02.2020 32:21

Historian John Hardman discusses his new biography of the 18th-century French queen, exploring her role in the politics of the revolutionary era and explaining why she met a tragic end. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mary Beard on the nude in western art 03.02.2020 44:06

Ahead of her new BBC Two series The Shock of the Nude, classicist Mary Beard discusses some of the thorny issues surrounding the naked body in western art over the centuries. Later on in the episode she is joined by art historian Janina Ramirez to share her thoughts on a few of the most intriguing pieces that appear in the programmes. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...

The woman who gave birth to rabbits 31.01.2020 40:25

Historian Karen Harvey explores the unusual case of Mary Toft who caused a sensation in 1726 by apparently giving birth to rabbits. Karen considers what the story and the reactions to it can tell us about Georgian Britain. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Indians in the trenches 29.01.2020 40:08

George Morton-Jack, historian and author of The Indian Empire at War, reflects on the contributions made by the vast number of Indian soldiers who fought for Britain in the First World War. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fighting for the vote 27.01.2020 49:41

Historian and author Clare Wright reveals how Australian women battled for political equality in the early 20th century and helped inspire suffrage movements in other parts of the world. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Holocaust orphans 24.01.2020 47:34

As we approach the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, historian Rebecca Clifford tells the stories of child survivors of the Holocaust who made their way to Britain after the war. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon de Montfort’s medieval revolution 22.01.2020 44:30

Historian Sophie Ambler chronicles the dramatic life of Simon de Montfort, the 13th-century rebel who battled Henry III for mastery in England and established a revolutionary form of government. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Windrush generation 20.01.2020 45:38

Historian, author and broadcaster Colin Grant discusses his recent book, Homecoming: Voices of the Windrush Generation, which tells the stories of postwar immigrants to Britain from the Caribbean. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Puritans and the Mayflower 17.01.2020 41:39

Stephen Tomkins discusses the rise of Puritanism in England and the origins of the Mayflower voyage to North America in 1620. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Auschwitz volunteer 15.01.2020 38:53

Jack Fairweather, author of the Costa Biography Award-winning book The Volunteer, tells the story of the Polish resistance leader Witold Pilecki who allowed himself to be arrested by the Nazis in order to gather intelligence from Auschwitz. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Medieval myths 13.01.2020 41:47

Historian Hannah Skoda tackles some common misconceptions about the middle ages, from irrational peasants and filthy towns, to powerless women and mindless violence. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Confronting a dark past 09.01.2020 34:11

As we approach the 75th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust, historical broadcaster Chris Bowlby explains how Germany has sought to come to terms with the legacy of Nazism. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From Allies to enemies 06.01.2020 43:03

Award-winning historian Serhii Plokhy talks to us about his new book Forgotten Bastards of the Eastern Front, which describes a little-known World War Two joint operation between the US and USSR. As Plokhy reveals, the military collaboration hinted at the Cold War tensions that were to come. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your...

The long history of Brexit 02.01.2020 40:54

For our first episode of 2020, Professor David Reynolds explores how several centuries of British history have fed into the recent Brexit debate. He shows how empire, national identities and ideas of British decline have all shaped the present political situation. Click here for our website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcas...

The filthy Middle Ages? 30.12.2019 28:31

Does the Medieval era deserve its reputation for poor hygiene and bad odours? Dr Katherine Harvey examines the evidence and reveals some of the unusual techniques that people used to keep clean. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A curious history of Christmas 26.12.2019 28:11

Sam Willis and James Daybell offer a distinctive take on festive traditions, which takes in violent Christmas cards and obscene snowmen. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2019 Christmas history quiz 23.12.2019 23:57

Test your history knowledge with our annual festive quiz, devised by QI writer Justin Pollard. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The birth of the modern world 19.12.2019 37:13

The writer and historian Charles Emmerson reflects on the crucial years 1917-24, which witnessed the conclusion of the First World War, the collapse of empires, and new ideologies and conflicts emerging across the globe. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Politics, Roman style 16.12.2019 39:09

Classicist and political journalist Asa Bennett discusses his new book Romanifesto, which explores the lessons that 21st-century politicians could learn from their Roman forebears. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eleanor of Aquitaine: myth and reality 12.12.2019 1:05:47

Sara Cockerill, author of a new biography of Eleanor of Aquitaine, explores the story of the remarkable medieval queen and challenge some common misconceptions about her life. She is joined in conversation by the popular historian Dan Jones. Historyextra.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices