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
Jan 17, 2024 • 34min
From the Mongols to the Huns: the nomads who dominated Eurasia
Kenneth Harl, author of Empires of the Steppes, discusses how nomadic tribes like the Huns and Mongols shaped history, including trade on the Silk Road, dissemination of religion and knowledge, and their impact on sedentary civilizations.
Jan 16, 2024 • 34min
Life of the Week: Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass, a former slave who became an abolitionist, writer, and orator, is discussed in this episode. Topics include his journey to literacy, the black community in Maryland, his escape from slavery, and his influence on literature and writers of color.
Jan 15, 2024 • 30min
The hidden history of women in intelligence
Historian Helen Fry discusses the hidden history of women in intelligence during the world wars, including their roles as spies, code breakers, and network runners. Topics include Edith Cavell, knitting coded messages, and female interrogators in air intelligence.
Jan 14, 2024 • 36min
The Bloomsbury Group: everything you wanted to know
The podcast discusses the formation and members of the Bloomsbury Group, their impact on British culture, and their diverse talents. It explores their personal lives, relationships, mental illnesses, and arguments. The podcast also highlights their influence in economics, arts, and international policies, as well as their contributions to interior design and personal expression.
Jan 12, 2024 • 31min
'Madness' and the supernatural
Professor Owen Davies discusses the connection between supernatural beliefs and insanity, including the influence of psychiatrists on historians. He explores the process of sending someone to an asylum and the clash between psychiatric evidence and legal systems. The podcast also delves into the historical understanding of supernatural beliefs and their intersection with mental illness, as well as the influence of technological advancements on supernatural beliefs during the 19th century.
Jan 11, 2024 • 32min
Boston Tea Party | 5. A complex legacy
Experts discuss the significance of the Boston Tea Party in American history and its impact on American identity. They explore the complex identities of American colonists, the grievances against British authority, and the transition to protest against the King. The podcast emphasizes the high stakes and political consequences of the protest, highlighting its role in transforming colonial resistance into a revolution.
Jan 10, 2024 • 29min
Why were the Romantics obsessed with Mount Vesuvius?
John Brewer, author of Volcanic: Vesuvius in the Age of Revolutions, discusses why the Romantics were obsessed with Mount Vesuvius, the changing perceptions of the eruption, the connection between volcanoes and earth sciences, climbing Mount Vesuvius with colorful guides, and the impact of Mount Vesuvius on Romantic society.
9 snips
Jan 9, 2024 • 46min
Life of the Week: Stalin
An in-depth look at the life of Josef Stalin, charting his childhood in Georgia, his rise to power as the dictator of the Soviet Union and his impact on the post-war world. The experts explore Stalin's early life, his role in the Russian Revolution, the implementation of collectivization, the Holodomor, and the Great Terror, as well as his personal dictatorship, alliance with Nazi Germany, and the connection between Stalinism and Leninism. They also discuss his personal life, intelligence, and the devastating effects of his rule on Russia.
Jan 8, 2024 • 42min
James Longstreet: Confederate Judas
James Longstreet, Confederate general who defied the norms and supported reconstruction and black voting. Topics: Longstreet's transition from Confederate general to Republican operative, his loyalty and political transformation, controversies surrounding his actions at Gettysburg, and his attitudes and experiences towards the end of the Civil War.
Jan 7, 2024 • 53min
Medieval popes: everything you wanted to know
Historian Brett Whalen explores the role of the papacy in the Middle Ages, discussing influential popes, the existence of Antipopes, and the intriguing belief of a pope having a pet demon. The podcast also covers the origins and evolution of the papacy, chaos, scandals, and politics surrounding the medieval papacy, the causes of major splits in the Christian church, the importance of nationality in medieval popes, critiques of papal authority, and the concept of anti-popes throughout history.
