History Extra podcast

The History Extra podcast brings you gripping stories from the past and fascinating historical conversations with the world's leading historical experts.


Produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine, History Extra 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/

History
1601
The rise of Hitler
Historian Frank McDonough discusses the first volume in his new two-part history of Nazi Germany, covering the period from the start of the Third Reich to the early months of World War Two. Historyextra.com/podcast
23 min
1602
Michael Wood on the Peterloo photograph
Michael Wood talks to us about a photograph that links his family to the Peterloo massacre of 1819. Historyextra.com/podcast
22 min
1603
The bombing of Dresden
On the 75th anniversary of the Dresden raid, Sinclair McKay explores one of the most controversial Allied actions of the Second World War. Historyextra.com/podcast
64 min
1604
Secrets of war leadership
Andrew Roberts reflects on some of the greatest and most nefarious war leaders of the past and considers what traits they shared. Historyextra.com/podcast
36 min
1605
Confronting evils
Philosopher Susan Neiman considers how Germany and the United States have sought to come to terms with histories of racism and violence, exploring the legacies of the Holocaust and slavery. Historyextra.com/podcast
34 min
1606
Marie Antoinette
Historian John Hardman discusses his new biography of the 18th-century French queen. Historyextra.com/podcast
28 min
1607
Mary Beard on the nude in western art
Mary Beard and Janina Ramirez discuss some of the thorny issues surrounding the nude in western art over the centuries. Historyextra.com/podcast
40 min
1608
The woman who gave birth to rabbits
Karen Harvey explores the unusual case of Mary Toft who caused a sensation in 1726 by apparently giving birth to rabbits. Historyextra.com/podcast
36 min
1609
Indians in the trenches
George Morton-Jack reflects on the contributions made by the Indian soldiers who fought for Britain in the First World War. Historyextra.com/podcast
36 min
1610
Fighting for the vote
Clare Wright reveals how Australian women battled for political equality in the early 20th century and inspired suffrage movements around the world. Historyextra.com/podcast
45 min
1611
The Holocaust orphans
Rebecca Clifford tells the stories of child survivors of the Holocaust who made their way to Britain after the war. Historyextra.com/podcast
43 min
1612
Simon de Montfort’s medieval revolution
Sophie Ambler chronicles the dramatic life of Simon de Montfort, the 13th-century rebel who battled Henry III for mastery in England. Historyextra.com/podcast
40 min
1613
The Windrush generation
Colin Grant discusses tells the stories of postwar immigrants to Britain from the Caribbean. Historyextra.com/podcast
41 min
1614
Puritans and the Mayflower
Author and journalist Stephen Tomkins discusses the rise of Puritanism in England and explains how state persecution led some Puritans to embark on the Mayflower voyage to North America in 1620. Historyextra.com/podcast
37 min
1615
The Auschwitz volunteer
Jack Fairweather tells the story of the Witold Pilecki who allowed himself to be arrested by the Nazis in order to gather intelligence from Auschwitz. Historyextra.com/podcast
35 min
1616
Medieval myths
Hannah Skoda tackles some common misconceptions about the middle ages, from irrational peasants to mindless violence. Historyextra.com/podcast
38 min
1617
Confronting a dark past
Chris Bowlby explains how Germany has sought to come to terms with the legacy of Nazism. Historyextra.com/podcast
30 min
1618
From Allies to enemies
Serhii Plokhy describes a World War Two joint operation between the US and USSR that hinted at the Cold War tensions that were to come. Historyextra.com/podcast
39 min
1619
The long history of Brexit
Professor David Reynolds explores how several centuries of British history have fed into the recent Brexit debate. Historyextra.com/podcast
37 min
1620
The filthy Middle Ages?
Does the Medieval era deserve its reputation for poor hygiene and bad odours? Dr Katherine Harvey examines the evidence. Historyextra.com/podcast
24 min
1621
A curious history of Christmas
Historians Sam Willis and James Daybell, creators of the Histories of the Unexpected podcast and books, offer a distinctive take on festive traditions, which takes in violent Christmas cards and obscene snowmen. Historyextra.com/podcast
24 min
1622
2019 Christmas history quiz
Join the BBC History Magazine team for the return of our annual Christmas history quiz with questions set by QI writer Justin Pollard. Historyextra.com/podcast
20 min
1623
The birth of the modern world
Charles Emmerson reflects on 1917-24, which witnessed the conclusion of the First World War, the collapse of empires, and new ideologies and conflicts emerging. Historyextra.com/podcast
33 min
1624
Politics, Roman style
Asa Bennett explores the lessons that 21st-century politicians could learn from their Roman forebears. Historyextra.com/podcast
35 min
1625
Eleanor of Aquitaine: myth and reality
Sara Cockerill and Dan Jones explore the life story of the remarkable medieval queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. Historyextra.com/podcast
62 min