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
1651
Fake news in World War Two
Henry Hemming describes the adventures of a British spymaster who plotted to bring the United States into World War Two. Historyextra.com/podcast
38 min
1652
The destruction of Pompeii
Historian and author Daisy Dunn revisits the AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius and considers the Roman history that was preserved at Pompeii and Herculaneum. Historyextra.com/podcast
33 min
1653
Max Hastings on the Dambusters
Bestselling military historian Sir Max Hastings discusses his new book on the iconic World War Two Dambusters raid, describing the ingenuity and courage of the operation, as well as the terrible human cost. Historyextra.com/podcast
37 min
1654
Suzannah Lipscomb on women’s lives in Reformati...
Dr Suzannah Lipscomb talks to her fellow historian Dan Jones about her latest book, The Voices of Nîmes, which offers a fascinating window into sex and morality and the lives of women in 16th-century France. Historyextra.com/podcast
57 min
1655
Tom Holland on Christianity’s enduring legacy
Tom Holland discusses his new book Dominion, which argues that Christianity has had a transformative and enduring impact on the western mindset. Historyextra.com/podcast
37 min
1656
The Crusades, with Dan Jones
Dan Jones and Helen Castor discuss Dan’s new book Crusaders, which tells the stories of these religious conflicts through the people who were involved in them. Historyextra.com/podcast
61 min
1657
Poland, 1939: World War Two begins
Roger Moorhouse tells the story of the 1939 battle for Poland that saw the country dismembered by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. Historyextra.com/podcast
45 min
1658
Hitler’s war with Anglo-America
Brendan Simms explains how Hitler’s main preoccupation was rivalry with Britain and America, rather than the Soviet Union. Historyextra.com/podcast
37 min
1659
War trauma
Dr Emma Butcher and Dr Hannah Partis-Jennings explore the history of war trauma, from the Napoleonic Wars to the 21st century. Historyextra.com/podcast
41 min
1660
Chernobyl: the story of a tragedy
Serhii Plokhy explores the causes and consequences of the Chernobyl accident and offers his thoughts on the accuracy of the recent drama series. Historyextra.com/podcast
31 min
1661
The real Peaky Blinders
Andrew Davies discusses the Birmingham gangsters who inspired the BBC drama, and explains how late-Victorian society contributed to a rise in gang violence. Historyextra.com/podcast
45 min
1662
The corner shop revolution
BBC journalist and author Babita Sharma explores the history of the British corner shop, explaining how Asian immigrants managed to transform these local businesses in the age of the supermarket. Historyextra.com/podcast
24 min
1663
Peterloo: the story of a massacre
Ahead of the 200th anniversary of Peterloo, Robert Poole reveals why a peaceful demonstration ended in death and injury. Historyextra.com/podcast
36 min
1664
Britain's key archaeological discoveries
Mike Pitts discusses some of the British Isles' most exciting archaeological sites.
35 min
1665
Gordon Brown on Andrew Carnegie
Former prime minister Gordon Brown describes the astonishing philanthropic activities of the American businessman Andrew Carnegie, who gave away almost all of his gigantic fortune at the turn of the 20th century. Historyextra.com/podcast
12 min
1666
Prisoner dilemmas
Lawyer and historian Harry Potter explores the twists and turns in the history of the British penal system, describing how attempts at reform have met with mixed success over the years. Historyextra.com/podcast
32 min
1667
Why black hair matters
Emma Dabiri explains how the history of black hair reflects themes such as capitalism, slavery and colonialism. Historyextra.com/podcast
33 min
1668
The Zinoviev Letter conspiracy
Gill Bennett explores how a forged letter in 1924 shocked Britain and helped undermine the Labour Party. Historyextra.com/podcast
31 min
1669
Making jokes about Romans
Greg Jenner, historical consultant for Horrible Histories, talks their new film, Rotten Romans. He also explores wider questions about presenting history to the public. Historyextra.com/podcast
18 min
1670
Charlemagne: medieval empire builder
Professor Dame Janet L Nelson talks about her major new biography of Charlemagne, the 8th-century king of the Franks who became one of medieval Europe’s most important and influential rulers. Historyextra.com/podcast
21 min
1671
Stonewall and the fight for gay rights
Chris Parkes explores the background to the Stonewall riots and shows how the episode became a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history. Historyextra.com/podcast
41 min
1672
The race to the moon
Kendrick Oliver explores the space race that led to the 1969 moon landing and considers the legacy of the momentous events of July 1969. Historyextra.com/podcasts
43 min
1673
An Indian cricket team in imperial Britain
Prashant Kidambi revisits the first Indian cricket tour of Britain, which took place in the summer of 1911. Historyextra.com/podcasts
34 min
1674
The battle of Trafalgar
Sam Willis describes the 1805 British naval victory and challenges misconceptions about the importance of the battle in the war against Napoleon. Historyextra.com/podcasts
35 min
1675
King killers in America
Matthew Jenkinson tells the stories of Edward Whalley and William Goffe who fled to New England following their involvement in the execution of Charles I. Historyextra.com/podcasts
34 min