Zack White

The Napoleonic Wars Podcast

History EN ↓ 382 episodes

Who was Napoleon Bonaparte? What was his legacy on history? And why, more than 200 years later, does the conflict which he gave his name to still matter? Join award-winning Napoleonic historians Dr Zack White, Dr Luke Reynolds, and Liam Telfer as they host Europe's leading show devoted to the American War of Independence, French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. From interviews with leading researchers, to deep dive debates on some of the big questions, this show is ideal for those who want to start building their knowledge or deepen their understanding of the period.

Author

Zack White

Category

History

Podcast website

www.thenapoleonicwars.net

Latest episode

Jul 5, 2026

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Episodes

Women at War in the Flanders Campaign 30.09.2024

Robin Thomas is the latest to be Vox popped from the War and Peace Conference, as he discusses his research into women who were embroiled in the British campaign in Flanders in the 1790s. Support out work at https://www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod

In Conversation: Waterloo with Graeme Callister 29.09.2024

To mark publication day for Graeme Callister's new book on the attack of D'Erlon's I Corps (which Zack has described as a 'genuinely important study'), Graeme sat down with Zack and Liam to discuss the battle more generally, misconceptions, counterfactuals and much more besides. Buy Graeme's book: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Waterloo-The-Attack-of-I-Corps-Hardback/p/511...

The Fencibles! 28.09.2024

Rory Butcher is in the spotlight in the latest from our War and Peace Conference reports, discussing his research into the Fencibles in Britain during the Napoleonic Wars, and why they are so important. Support our work at https://www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod

18th Century Armies matter 27.09.2024

Andrew Dorman holds court in the next of our mini-series from the War and Peace Conference, as he discusses his research into the 18th Century Irish Military Establishment. Support out work at: https://www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod

Josephine's Fraud 26.09.2024

Katherine Bayford paused during the War and Peace in the Age of Napoleon Conference to talk about how Josephine and her lover managed to defraud an entire army. Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod

Tipu Sultan: The Tiger of Mysore 25.09.2024

Josh Provan returns to the show to discuss this semi-legendary figure from Indian history, his life, impact on politics on the sub-continent, and why the British were obsessed with placing him on a pedestal after defeating him. Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod Buy Josh's book on The Mahratta & Jat campaigns at https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/...

Duchy of Warsaw Army - Part 2 11.09.2024

Dawid Gralik returns to continue our exploration of the Duchy of Warsaw's army, looking at their service record, what happens to these men post-war, and yes, Zack manages to squeeze in some crime and punishment questions. Twitter: @dawgra93 | @zwhitehistory

Peninsular War: Cintra 08.09.2024

The popular Peninsular War series returns with an instalment dedicated to the deeply controversial convention of Cintra. Josh Provan joins me to chat about why this was ridiculed at home in the UK and abroad, why it was also necessary 48 hours after Wellesley's victory at Vimeiro, and how the inquiry into its signing unfolded.

Wellington's Spies with Bob Burnham 06.09.2024

007 meets Napoleonic reality as Bob Burnham returns to talk about his new book on Wellington's Spymasters. We discuss why paper was the top of the range gadget being issued to these daring agents, and how these men proved integral in the allies winning the Peninsular War. Buy Bob's book at https://kentrotman.co.uk/newbooks/napoleonic-archive-15-wellingtons-spy-masters-the-reports-of-colone...

Catherine the Great - Part 2 04.09.2024

The second instalment of the epic run down of Catherine's life looks at the coup, and Catherine as monarch. Twitter: @zwhitehistory | @AMikaberidze

The Guerrilla War (Peninsular War saga 4) 29.08.2024

Charles Esdaile joins me to talk about the Guerilla (or little war). We discuss why the conflict is misunderstood, why not everyone guerilla was a patriot, and why Augustina of Aragon as much myth as reality. Twitter: @CharlesEsdaile | @zwhitehistory Buy the books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3ACharles+Esdaile&s=relevancerank&text=Charles+Esdaile&ref=dp_byline_s...

Simon Bolivar 27.08.2024

Josh Provan returns to talk about the life of Simon Bolivar, a remarkable individual, widely regarded as the father of a number of South American nations, who had a career that resembled a yo-yo - for reasons we explore.

Battle of the Marshals 4: Bernadotte, Murat, Suchet, Victor 25.08.2024

In the fourth heat of this epic contest of the Marshals, Bernadotte, Murat, Suchet and Victor all go into a bar, but not all of them come out alive... Alex Mikaberidze champions 'the winner of the Napoleonic Game of Thrones' Bernadotte, John Viscardo makes the case for 'all balls and no brains' Murat, Antoni Gumbau valiantly defends Suchet and Chris Kimbell makes the case for Victo...

State of the Union: The Vendee 23.08.2024

The Four Horsemen of the Podcalypse ride for the first time, as we unveil the new team of Luke Reynolds, Liam Telfer and Josh Redden who will be desperately seeking to keep that reprobate Zack in check. We explain the new perks, the rationale behind it, and ask the important questions that tax the minds of Napoleonic experts like 'What supercars would figures from Napoleonic history have drive...

Peninsular War Saga 2: The Battles of Rolica & Vimeiro 21.08.2024

To mark the publication of 'So Just and Glorious a Cause', on the anniversary of the Battles of Rolica and Vimeiro, author Rob Griffith joins me to talk about some of the most famous events of the early phase of the Peninsular War, and the individuals responsible, and the way in which these British victories reverberated across Europe. To enjoy 15% off 'So Just and Glorious a Cause&#39...

Catherine the Great - Part 1 15.08.2024

Alex Mikaberidze returns for another instalment of the series exploring the role of Russia in the Napoleonic era. In this episode we begin a multi-episode break down of the life of Catherine the Great, a much maligned, but also hugely influential figure in Russian history. We discuss why Nicholas Holt's depiction of Tsar Peter III might not be entirely accurate, and what Catherine's early life was...

Duchy of Warsaw Army - Part 1 13.08.2024

In the first of two instalments, Dawid Gralik joins me to talk about the complex history of Poland, how it influenced the politics of the Napoleonic Wars, and the make up of the Duchy of Warsaw Army. Twitter: @dawgra93 | @zwhitehistory

Battle of the Marshals 3 - Massena, Lannes, MacDonald 11.08.2024

Who was the best out of Massena, Cannes and MacDonald? The Battle of the Marshals returns, with Charles McKay making the case for Massena, Graeme Callister championing Lannes and Clemens Bemman arguing for MacDonald. Expert analysis (sort of) is provided by Josh Provan and Sam Jolley. Have your say on twitter (search for @zwhitehistory and @NapWarsPod), and you can vote below.

Battle of the Berezina 08.08.2024

Alexander Mikaberidze kicks off the first instalment of a new series on Russia during the Napoleonic era by talking about one of the most significant battles of the entire war: The Battle of the Berezina Twitter: @AMikaberidze | @zwhitehistory Buy the book: ⁠https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Battle-of-the-Berezina-Paperback/p/18032⁠

The Peninsular War: Origins 06.08.2024

In a brand new 'History of the Peninsular War' feature, Josh Provan and I sit down for an impassioned and entertaining back and forth where we discuss the origins of the Napoleon's Spanish Ulcer, the initial lack of British willingness to get involved, how Murat just made everything worse, and why the Battle of Bailen was a dream by every conceivable measure.

Worst Politician of the Napoleonic Era 04.08.2024

Who was the worst politician of the Napoleonic era? Jacqueline Reiter, Beatrice de Graaf, and Luke Reynolds discuss a range of contenders, as well as dishonourable mentions.

The Battle of the Nile: Nelson's 'Balls of Steel' moment 01.08.2024

Deadly shoals, exploding ships, and debilitating disease are the topic of the day as naval historian Kate Jamieson returns to explain what happened at the Battle of the Nile, which took place on the day this episode airs. Elsewhere, Zack lowers the tone by describing Nelson's battle plan as his 'balls of steel' moment'.

Waterloo Live - From the NRWGC 18.06.2024

Donate at www.nrwgc.com/donate Hear how the Battle of Waterloo unfolded in real time, with this minute by minute run through the events of the day, produced and recorded in 2023 in support of the Napoleonic & Revolutionary War Graves Charity. Hosted by Zack White, Luke Reynolds and Liam Telfer

Waterloo Orders of Battle 16.06.2024

Who fought at Waterloo? Heard the Orders of Battle for the French, Prussian and Allied forces who fought in the Waterloo campaign

Waterloo by Air: The Gathering Storm 15.06.2024

The first instalment of the documentary drops, looking at the build up of the Waterloo campaign. Support the creation of more of this content at www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod

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