History's Heroes

Ray Winstone tells stories of adventurers, rebels and survivors who lived life on the edge. Ten tales of fearsome heroes from across history including arctic explorers, medieval knights and Hollywood stuntwomen.

A nineteenth century circus performer and her acrobatic partner defy convention to become icons of the ring, as well as artistic muses. Stories of bold voices, with brave ideas and the courage to stand alone. Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on remarkable people from across history. A BBC Studios production. Producer: Lorna Reader Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann Executive...

How did Madam C.J. Walker transform the beauty industry with her haircare empire? And how have the politics of beauty changed since her time? Alex talks to Alka Menon, assistant professor of sociology at Yale University. Stories of bold voices, with brave ideas and the courage to stand alone. Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on remarkable people from across history. A BBC Studios produ...

A young reporter sets out to be admitted to a notorious New York asylum. Her aim is to expose its horrors. Stories of bold voices, with brave ideas and the courage to stand alone. Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on remarkable people from across history. A BBC Studios production. Producer: Elaina Boateng Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann Executive Producer: Paul Smith Commis...

When Sarah Breedlove begins to lose her hair, she starts a business that will make her one of the wealthiest African American Women of her time. Stories of bold voices, with brave ideas and the courage to stand alone. Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on remarkable people from across history. A BBC Studios production. Producer: Elaina Boateng Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann...

In the industrial revolution, a worker takes on the factory system and demands an end to brutal conditions. Stories of bold voices, with brave ideas and the courage to stand alone. Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on remarkable people from across history. A BBC Studios Audio production. Producer: Lorna Reader Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann Executive Producer: Paul Smith C...

An aristocrat rebels against her family to become a civil rights activist. Stories of bold voices, with brave ideas and the courage to stand alone. Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on remarkable people from across history. A BBC Studios production. Producer: Lorna Reader Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann Executive Producer: Paul Smith Commissioning editor for Radio 4: Rhian...

A seventh century monk sets out on a perilous journey from China to India and back to find lost knowledge. In the process, he becomes a folk hero. This story would also later inspire the popular game Black Myth: Wukong. Stories of bold voices, with brave ideas and the courage to stand alone. Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on remarkable people from across history. A BBC Studios Audio...

A young man sets out to find his place in the world by writing a story with an unusual hero at its heart. Stories of bold voices, with brave ideas and the courage to stand alone. Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on remarkable people from across history. A BBC Studios production. Producer: Lorna Reader Written and presented by: Alex von Tunzelmann Executive Producer: Paul Smith Commissi...

A conversation with the author Jenny Landreth, on how Gertrude Ederle transformed swimming for women. Stories of bold voices, with brave ideas and the courage to stand alone. Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on remarkable people from across history. A BBC Studios Audio production. Producer: Lorna Reader Series producer: Suniti Somaiya Presented: Alex von Tunzelmann Executive Producer:...

A nineteen-year-old American woman sets out on an extraordinary feat of endurance. Will Gertrude Ederle become the first woman to swim the English Channel? Stories of bold voices, with brave ideas and the courage to stand alone. Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on remarkable people from across history. A BBC Studios Audio production. Producer: Lorna Reader Series producer: Suniti Somai...

When Eglantyne Jebb is arrested for distributing leaflets in Trafalgar Square in 1919, she finds herself at the centre of a storm that will change the lives of children around the world. Stories of bold voices, with brave ideas and the courage to stand alone. Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on remarkable people from across history. A BBC Studios Audio production. Series producer: Suni...

In the Philippines, an archbishop takes to the airwaves and calls for his people to rise up against a dictatorship. Stories of bold voices, with brave ideas and the courage to stand alone. Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on remarkable people from across history. A BBC Studios Audio production. Producer: Lorna Reader Series producer: Suniti Somaiya Written and presented by Alex von Tun...

How did Harold Gillies transform plastic surgery? An interview with the actor Daniel Gillies and his father Doctor John Gillies, on their ancestor’s complicated legacy. Stories of bold voices, with brave ideas and the courage to stand alone. Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on remarkable people from across history. A BBC Studios Audio production. Producer: Suniti Somaiya Presenter: Ale...

In 1949, a new musical production debuts on Broadway, holding up a mirror to the racial prejudices of American society. Stories of bold voices, with brave ideas and the courage to stand alone. Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on remarkable people from across history. A BBC Studios Audio production. Producer: Lorna Reader Series producer: Suniti Somaiya Written and presented by Alex von...

How did the actor Katharine Hepburn challenge the conventions of Hollywood’s studio system? Stories of bold voices, with brave ideas and the courage to stand alone. Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on remarkable people from across history. Archive courtesy of The G.Robert Vincent Voice Library in Michigan State University. A BBC Studios Audio production. Producer: Lorna Reader Series p...

A young doctor, with a seemingly impossible task: rebuild the shattered faces of World War One soldiers. Stories of bold voices, with brave ideas and the courage to stand alone. Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on remarkable people from across history. A BBC Studios Audio production. Producer: Suniti Somaiya Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann Executive Producer: Paul Smith Co...

Historian Alex von Tunzelmann shines a light on remarkable people from across history. Join her for stories of bold voices, with brave ideas and the courage to stand alone.

After twelve weeks of nightly bombings, tensions are running high in London’s air raid shelters. Can warden Ita Ekpenyon stop a riot from breaking out? Helena Bonham Carter shines a light on extraordinary stories from World War Two. Join her for incredible tales of deception, acts of resistance and courage. Contact: historys.heroes@bbc.com A BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sou...

A resistance fighter prepares to parachute into Nazi-occupied Poland. If her mission is successful, she could save the lives of thousands of women. Helena Bonham Carter shines a light on extraordinary stories from World War Two. Join her for incredible tales of deception, acts of resistance and courage. A BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. Producers: Emma Weatherill and S...

In Cairo, an eccentric British army officer draws on magic tricks learned from his grandfather in order to fool the Nazis. Will the enemy fall for his illusions? Helena Bonham Carter shines a light on extraordinary stories from World War Two. Join her for incredible tales of deception, acts of resistance and courage. A BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. Producers: Emma We...

A Norwegian sailor carries out more than fifty missions via a secret shipping route between Scotland and occupied Norway. Will the Nazis uncover it? Helena Bonham Carter shines a light on extraordinary stories from World War Two. Join her for incredible tales of deception, acts of resistance and courage. A BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. Producer: Lorna Reader Executiv...

After the outbreak of World War Two, best friends Polina Gelman and Galya Dokutovich are recruited to fly bombers for the Soviet Union. Can they outsmart the Nazis? Helena Bonham Carter shines a light on extraordinary stories from World War Two. Join her for incredible tales of deception, acts of resistance and courage. A BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. Producer: Lorna...

In Prague, two men set out to assassinate one of Hitler’s most high-ranking officers. Helena Bonham Carter shines a light on extraordinary stories from World War Two. Join her for incredible tales of deception, acts of resistance and courage. A BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. Producer: James Shield Assistant Producer: Rachel Oakes Executive Producer: Paul Smith Written...

Two apprentice seamstresses find an ingenious hiding place for their Jewish colleagues in wartime Sarajevo. Helena Bonham Carter shines a light on extraordinary stories from World War Two. Join her for incredible tales of deception, acts of resistance and courage. A BBC Studios Audio production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. Producer: Lorna Reader Development Producer: Suniti Somaiya Executive Pr...