Talking History Archives - The MrT Podcast Studio

Season 2025 – Talk 02 – Gladstone In ‘Gladstone’ Jo Huddleston tells us about the career of the man who was Liberal Prime Minister four times. His talk suggests that he feels Gladstone was far better than our recent Prime Ministers and also his great opponent, Disraeli. Early life:  Born in 1809, in Liverpool, to … Continue reading "TH2025 02 Gladstone" The post...

Season 2025 – Talk 01 – Post Napoleonic France In ‘Post Napoleonic France’ Peter Duffy tells us about the political difficulties in France in the 19th Century. He draws on Les Miserables by Victor Hugo and the Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas to show the parallels between the fact and fiction. Scope: The … Continue reading "TH2025 01 Post Napoleonic France" Th...

Season 2024 – Talk 14 – The Romanovs In ‘The Romanovs’ Alan Freeland tells us about the dynasty that ruled Russia from 1613 until 1917. One family: One family dominates Russian life for three centuries,  the Romanoffs. In Alan’s view possibly the most successful Imperial Royal Family in Europe, and yet people don’t usually give … Continue reading "TH...

Season 2024 – Talk 13 – Edward I In ‘Edward I’ Peter Duffy tells us about the King who ruled from 1272 to 1307. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. History repeating itself? Imagine another England long ago, but one that you recognise. A time with many parallels … Continue reading "TH2024 Ep13 Edward I" The post TH2024 Ep13 Edw...

Season 2024 – Talk 12 – The Wonders of Electricity In ‘The Wonders of Electricity’ Andrew Cole looks at the history of electricity from it’s earliest days and the effect it has had on life. Introduction: We take electricity for granted. You can’t see it, you can’t smell it and you can’t hear it, but … Continue reading "TH2024 12 Electricity" Th...

Season 2024 – Talk 10 – The Olympics – Champions, Curiosities and Controversies In ‘The Olympics – Champions, Curiosities and Controversies’ Jo Watson takes us through a humorous  history of the summer games. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. Jo’s background: Her career was with BBC Sport as a … Co...

Season 2024 – Talk 08 – A History of India before the British In ‘A History of India before the British‘ Alan Freeland tells us  that  in the next few of years India’s likely to become the world’s third largest economy.  To benefit from this we’ll need to understand India a lot more than we … Continue reading "TH2024 Ep08 India befo...

Season 2024 – Talk 07 – 1832 Reform Bill – – did it avoid a revolution? In the ‘1832 Reform Bill – did it avoid a revolution‘ Robert Sykes tells us  that whilst the parliamentary system in Britain is genuinely old, real democracy is arguably under a hundred years old. The 1832 Reform Bill: The … Continue reading "TH2024 Ep07 1832 Reform Bill" T...

Season 2024 – Talk 05 – 17th Century Dissenters In ‘17th Century Dissenters and the World Turned Upside Down‘ Judith Edge tells us about dissent in the 17th Century and compares the situation with today. Religion: It is clear what a dissenter is. In the 17th century, it is to do with religion. Baptists, Quakers … Continue reading "TH2024 Ep05 17th Century Dissenters"...

Season 2024 – Talk 04 – Mike Hawthorn – The Farnham Flyer In ‘Mike Hawthorn‘ Simon Barber tells us about one of his heroes, Britain’s first Formula 1 World Champion. Early years: Mike Hawthorn is born in Mexborough to Leslie and Winifred Hawthorn in 1929. His father moves to Farnham and buys the Tourist Trophy … Continue reading "TH2024 04 Mike Hawthorn" T...

Season 2024 – Talk 03 – How Science is helping people our past In ‘How Science is helping people our past‘ Pam Taylor tells us that we don’t often have talks about archaeology. She also says it’s not all about grubbing around in the dirt. After the grubbing around in the dirt: Pam’s interest began … Continue reading "TH2024 Ep03 How Science is helpin...

Season 2024 – Talk 02.3 – Mother Teresa In ‘Mother Teresa’ Graham Meade tells us the history of Saint Teresa of Calcutta. The Burning House Debate: This is the third in a series of short talks given to the members of the Farnham u3a World History group. There are a number of famous people from … Continue reading "TH2024 Ep02 3 Mother Theresa" The post TH2024 Ep02 3 Mo...

Season 2024 – Talk 02.2 – Mr Punch In ‘Mr Punch’ Diana Butler tells us the history of Mr Punch who is far from being just a seaside puppet show. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. The Burning House Debate: This is the second in a series of … Continue reading "TH2024 02.2 Mr Punch" The post TH2024 02.2 Mr Punch appeared first o...

Season 2024 – Talk 02.1 – Xerxes I In ‘Xerxes I’ Michael A’Bear  tells us that, as a 21 year old, he catches a bus from Victoria Coach Station to India. On that journey Michael encounters Xerxes and Darius, his father, many times Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the … Continue reading "TH2024 02.1 Xerxes I" The post TH2024...

Season 2024 – Talk 01 – Alexander the Great In ‘Alexander the Great’ David Simpson and Alan Freeland tell us about this legend from ancient time. We hear about his life, his military genius, his political skills and also the effect that he has had on culture through the ages. Click a thumbnail below to … Continue reading "TH2024 01 Alexander the Great" The post TH2024...

Season 2023 – Talk 21 – Franco’s Spain In ‘Franco’s Spain’ Peter Duffy tells us about the Spanish dictator who controlled Spain from 1939 to 1975. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. Early career: After he passes out from Toledo, Franco is posted to Morocco where he remains … Continue reading "TH2023 Ep21 Franco&#82...

Season 2023 – Talk 20- A history of Animal Welfare Legislation in the UK In ‘A history of Animal Welfare Legislation in the UK’ Richard Thomas tells us about the tortuous path culminating in the Hunting Act of 2004. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. A long time … Continue reading "TH2023 Ep20 Animal Welfare Legislation" The post TH...

Season 2023 – Talk 19- William Cobbett and Hunting In ‘William Cobbett and Hunting’ Richard Thomas tells us about ‘field sports’ during William Cobbett’s lifetime. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. William Cobbett: A countryman learning, as a child and young man, all the skills one needs to … Continue reading "TH2...

Season 2023 – Talk 17- Deborah In ‘Deborah’ Jim Hastie tells us the story about the First World War Tank D51, Deborah. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. Jim tells us that Deborah is a very favourite lady of his. He says that this is her story in … Continue reading "TH2023 Ep17 Deborah" The post TH2023 Ep17 Deborah appeared first on...

Season 2023 – Talk 16 – When newspapers were pressed to be ‘right minded’ In ‘When newspapers were pressed to be ‘right minded” Andrew Cole tells us about the state’s efforts to control the press using taxes. A situation lasting for 140 years. We learn of the efforts to achieve today’s press freedom. The issue: … Continue reading "TH2023...

Season 2023 – Talk 14- Napoleon III and Eugenie In ‘Napoleon III and Eugenie’ Jo Watson tells us about the man who was Emperor of France from 1852 until his defeat by the Prussians in 1870 and his wife Eugenie. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. Napoleon III: … Continue reading "TH2023 Ep14 Napoleon III and Eugenie" The post TH2023...

Season 2023 – Talk 13- The History Divide In ‘The History Divide’ Margaret Denyer, Alan Freeland, Andrew Cole, David Simpson and Richard Thomas give their views on the question ‘Whilst the Treaty of Versailles of 1919 ended the Allies war with Germany, did it lead to the outbreak of World War II in 1939?’ The … Continue reading "TH2023 Ep 13 The History Divide"...

Season 2023 – Talk 12- The Earth Transformed In ‘The Earth Transformed’ Alan Freeland reviews Peter Frankopan’s book which changes our view of history by looking at the effect of climate on events. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. The Silk Roads: Alan tells us how the book … Continue reading "TH2023 Ep 12 The Earth Transform...

Season 2023 – Talk 11 04- Going to the Pictures In ‘Going to the Pictures’ Tim Davies tells us about the history of the projected image in the ‘silent era’. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. The Magic Lantern: The talk starts in the age of the Magic … Continue reading "TH2023 Ep 11.04 Going to the Pictures" The post TH2...

Season 2023 – Talk 11 03- Sarah Bernhardt In ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ Jo Watson tells us about the life of the legendary French actress. Please note: this talk was given in June 2023, the centenary year of Sarah Bernhardt’s death. Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk. Early years: Sarah … Continue reading "TH2023 Ep11 03 Sarah Bernhardt...