How to Invent a Country
BBC Radio 4
When did countries become countries? Misha Glenny on the borders, the stories and the people of countries worldwide.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 9, 2018 • 28min
The Spectacular Rise and Fall of the Habsburgs #2
King of Spain, Archduke of Austria, Holy Roman Emperor - where did it all go wrong?
Jul 3, 2018 • 28min
The Spectacular Rise and Fall of the Habsburgs #1
How did a small family from Switzerland become Europe's greatest dynasty?
Jun 25, 2018 • 29min
The Netherlands - Why Belgium?
There is a faultline in Europe, from the North Sea to the Alps. Belgium sits halfway.
Jun 18, 2018 • 30min
The Netherlands - The Dutch Golden Age
How Amsterdam became one of the world's leading cities in a few short decades
Jun 8, 2018 • 28min
The Netherlands - Orange Fever
How did a few boggy provinces become one of the trading heavyweights of the world?
Jun 4, 2018 • 31min
The USA - The Melting Pot
Misha Glenny on the people came to America, and the people who were there first
Jun 4, 2018 • 33min
The USA - The Borderlands
To invent a country you have to define a country. Misha Glenny on the borders of the USA.
Jun 4, 2018 • 28min
The USA - It'll Never Work!
Misha Glenny on the invention of the most powerful country in the world
Jun 4, 2018 • 28min
Germany - Germany Unified
Bismarck, Prussia ... and just how big will Germany be?
May 29, 2018 • 29min
Germany - The Rise of Prussia
Misha Glenny on how a sandy backwater called Prussia began to change the shape and size of Germany
