HistoryExtra podcast
The HistoryExtra podcast brings you gripping stories from the past and fascinating historical conversations with the world's leading historical experts.
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2026
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
2027
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
2028
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
2029
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
2030
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
2031
Marie Antoinette
Historian John Hardman discusses his new biography of the 18th-century French queen. Historyextra.com/podcast
28 min
2032
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
2033
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
2034
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
2035
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
2036
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
2037
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
2038
The Windrush generation
Colin Grant discusses tells the stories of postwar immigrants to Britain from the Caribbean. Historyextra.com/podcast
41 min
2039
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
2040
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
2041
Medieval myths
Hannah Skoda tackles some common misconceptions about the middle ages, from irrational peasants to mindless violence. Historyextra.com/podcast
38 min
2042
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
2043
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
2044
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
2045
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
2046
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
2047
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
2048
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
2049
Politics, Roman style
Asa Bennett explores the lessons that 21st-century politicians could learn from their Roman forebears. Historyextra.com/podcast
35 min
2050
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