HistoryExtra podcast
Immediate
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 Churchill, and explorations of intriguing events from the past, such as the Salem witch trials, the battle of Waterloo and D-Day.
Expect fresh takes on history, helping you get to grips with the latest research, as we explore everything from ancient Roman archaeology and Viking mythology to Renaissance royals and Tudor kings and queens.
Our episodes touch on a wide range of historical eras – from the Normans and Saxons to the Stuarts, Victorians and the Regency period. We cover the most popular historical subjects, from the medieval world to the Second World War, but you’ll also hear conversations on lesser-known parts of our past, including black history and women’s history.
Looking at the history behind today’s headlines, we consider the forces that have shaped today’s world, from the imposing empires that dominated continents, to the revolutions that brought them crashing down. We also examine the impact of conflict across the centuries, from the crusades of the Middle Ages and the battles of the ancient Egyptians to World War One, World War Two and the Cold War.
Plus, we uncover the real history behind myths, legends and conspiracy theories, from the medieval murder mystery of the Princes in the Tower, to the assassination of JFK.
Featuring interviews with notable historians including Mary Beard, Tracy Borman, James Holland and Dan Jones, we cover a range of social, political and military history, with the aim to start conversations about some of the most fascinating areas of the past.
Unlock full access to HistoryExtra.com for 6 months for just 99p https://www.historyextra.com/join/
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 Churchill, and explorations of intriguing events from the past, such as the Salem witch trials, the battle of Waterloo and D-Day.
Expect fresh takes on history, helping you get to grips with the latest research, as we explore everything from ancient Roman archaeology and Viking mythology to Renaissance royals and Tudor kings and queens.
Our episodes touch on a wide range of historical eras – from the Normans and Saxons to the Stuarts, Victorians and the Regency period. We cover the most popular historical subjects, from the medieval world to the Second World War, but you’ll also hear conversations on lesser-known parts of our past, including black history and women’s history.
Looking at the history behind today’s headlines, we consider the forces that have shaped today’s world, from the imposing empires that dominated continents, to the revolutions that brought them crashing down. We also examine the impact of conflict across the centuries, from the crusades of the Middle Ages and the battles of the ancient Egyptians to World War One, World War Two and the Cold War.
Plus, we uncover the real history behind myths, legends and conspiracy theories, from the medieval murder mystery of the Princes in the Tower, to the assassination of JFK.
Featuring interviews with notable historians including Mary Beard, Tracy Borman, James Holland and Dan Jones, we cover a range of social, political and military history, with the aim to start conversations about some of the most fascinating areas of the past.
Unlock full access to HistoryExtra.com for 6 months for just 99p https://www.historyextra.com/join/
Episodes
Mentioned books
12 snips
Jan 27, 2026 • 46min
Francisco Franco: life of the week
Giles Tremlett, journalist and biographer based in Madrid, unpacks Francisco Franco’s rise from naval roots to Europe’s youngest general. He traces family influences, Morocco campaigns, the 1936 coup, brutal repression and Francoism’s control. The conversation also covers Spain’s Cold War pivot, the Valley of the Fallen and the ongoing debates over historical memory.
7 snips
Jan 26, 2026 • 37min
How grim was life on Hitler's U-boats?
Roger Moorhouse, historian and author of Wolfpack, offers archival insight into life aboard Hitler’s U-boats. He describes cramped, filthy conditions, scurvy and sleep deprivation. He recounts terrifying combat stress, high casualty odds, moments of comradeship and surprising acts of kindness amid brutality.
Jan 25, 2026 • 39min
How ancient Pompeii was rediscovered
Dr Jess Venner, historian of the Roman world and Pompeii expert. She traces how news and refugees reached Rome, Titus’s relief measures and why resettlement failed. Learn about salvage tunnelling, looting and Bourbon showmanship that shaped early digs. Modern archaeology, unexcavated districts and hopes for gardens and vineyards round out the story.
9 snips
Jan 23, 2026 • 29min
Why Belgian agents risked their lives spying for Britain
Helen Fry, a historian specializing in British intelligence during the world wars, shares the riveting story of the White Lady network. This courageous group of Belgian civilians operated behind enemy lines, gathering vital intelligence that shifted the war's tide. Fry reveals the deadly risks these agents faced, including brutal German reprisals and intricate smuggling methods, like using potatoes to transport secret messages. Their resilience and ingenuity highlight democracy's fragility and the sacrifices made for freedom in times of peril.
10 snips
Jan 21, 2026 • 43min
How tanks redefined warfare
In this discussion, journalist Mark Urban, author of 'Tank', dives into the transformative history of armoured warfare. He highlights the evolution from early prototypes like Little Willie to iconic models that changed battlefields forever. Mark uncovers pivotal moments, such as the Cambrai attack and the impact of Blitzkrieg strategies. He even touches on how modern technology, like automated protection systems and the future of uncrewed vehicles, will shape the next generation of tanks. Tanks are explored not just as machines, but as powerful symbols in warfare.
Jan 20, 2026 • 42min
Robert McNamara: life of the week
William Taubman, a historian renowned for his work on 20th-century political figures, and Philip Taubman, a veteran journalist and co-author, discuss Robert McNamara's complex legacy. They explore his ascent as Defense Secretary, his role in escalating the Vietnam War, and his private doubts despite public optimism. New revelations, like Jackie Kennedy's letters, add depth to his character. The Taubmans also reflect on McNamara's moral reckoning and the lessons he learned, making for an intriguing analysis of one of America's most controversial leaders.
13 snips
Jan 19, 2026 • 32min
The road to the Holocaust
Frank McDonough, an internationally renowned historian specializing in the Third Reich, takes us on a poignant journey through his latest book on the Holocaust. He explores how Hitler's early intentions shifted from encouraging Jewish emigration to genocidal policies. McDonough delves into the bureaucratic mechanics of persecution, local reactions, and the chilling operations of extermination camps. He also reflects on the emotional toll of researching such atrocities and the vital importance of preserving this historical truth.
20 snips
Jan 18, 2026 • 46min
The final days of Pompeii
Join Dr. Jess Venner, a Roman historian and expert on Pompeii, as she shares captivating insights about the catastrophic eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79. Hear about Pliny the Elder's brave rescue mission, his tragic fate, and the pivotal letters from his nephew, Pliny the Younger. Discover how terror unfolded as pumice and pyroclastic flows devastated the towns, leading to their entombment. Venner also highlights the remarkable differences in preservation between Pompeii and Herculaneum, revealing stories of survivors and the haunting remains of a lost civilization.
28 snips
Jan 16, 2026 • 50min
Life in the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain
Dr. Victoria Taylor, an aviation historian and author, dives into the gripping realities faced by Luftwaffe pilots during the Battle of Britain. She dispels myths, detailing the harsh conditions and psychological toll of aerial combat. With insights on the operational limits, challenges of crossing the English Channel, and the impact of British radar on morale, she highlights the human endurance and pressures inflicted by Nazi ideology. Taylor also reveals the tensions between propaganda and the brutal truth of warfare, underscoring the campaign's significance in WWII history.
Jan 14, 2026 • 48min
The hidden history of US immigration detention
Brianna Nothill, an assistant professor of history at William & Mary and author of The Migrant's Jail, dives into the complex history of US immigration detention. She highlights the origins of these practices, from early 1900s jailing of Chinese migrants to the modern private prison boom. Nothill discusses the economic motives behind detention, overcrowding conditions, and the criminalization of border crossing. She also draws parallels between immigration detention and mass incarceration, emphasizing enduring themes in American policy.
