History
**Subject to Change**

I talk to the world’s best historians and let them tell the stories. And the stories are wonderful! (And occasionally I change the subject and talk about films, philosophy or whatever!).

Latest Episodes:

Italy, a ruin - part 2 of the Adventures of Belisarius and Antonina Oct 06, 2023

Show notes

David Parnell and I wrap up the story of Belisarius and Antonina. We are now on to the liberation of Italy and by the end I felt the Romans there might have preferred to have been left alone.
It is a huge subject and we couldn't do more than give an overview. If you want more David's book is terrific. We are very lucky with our sources for this period which allow us to know so much about this fascinating period of European history. David does the story full justice!

Constantinople shows its teeth - part 1 of the Adventures of Belisarius and Antonina Sep 24, 2023

Show notes

David Parnell has a wonderful new book out called Belisarius and Antonina. This is the story of a real husband and wife partnership. Belisarius was perhaps the greatest Roman general of the 6th century and his wife Antonina accompanied him and was intimately involved in his campaigns.
I really enjoyed speaking to David about the twists and turns of the story. Hearing about the Nika riots was a particular (bloody) highlight. The podcast ran long as there was so much to discuss so I have divided it into two. The first part takes us up to the attack on Vandal Africa and the second part will cover the campaigns in Italy.
The book is terrific - a really well judged mix of breathless action and scholarly insights. We only scratched the surface in the podcast and I highly recommend seeking it out.

Mao's China with Frank Dikötter Aug 27, 2023

Show notes

Frank Dikötter is the author of a series of brilliant and harrowing books about communist China. He is not only a prize winning historian of post war China but a highly engaging speaker. He talked about China from the time of the communist takeover after WWII all the way up to and beyond the death of Mao. The regime was responsible for the deaths of tens of millions and Frank does a great service in helping to keep the story of one of the greatest tragedies in history at the forefront of people's minds.

David Grann on HMS Wager: shipwreck, mutiny and murder! Jul 05, 2023

Show notes

This is the story of Anson's voyage around the world in the 1740's. In particular it is about the ship the Wager and the crew's incredible bravery, endurance and ingenuity in appalling conditions. And it is about shipwreck, murder and mutiny.
David Grann's book tells the story brilliantly. You will never want to get on a boat again!

Sharp and Sumner: 6 Japanese movies May 03, 2023

Show notes

Jasper Sharp is probably the UK's leading expert on Japanese film and he joined me on the show today with Scott Sumner. Scott has a famous economics blog that has a side line in movie reviews. The pair of them were on really good form discussing a list of six movies that Jasper came up with. I think that even people unfamiliar with Japanese film should have fun!
The films we discussed were:
Equinox Flower
The Ballad of Narayama
Hanagatami
Branded to Kill
Ghost in the Shell 2
Giants and Toys

McWhorter and Holland - On dinosaurs Apr 29, 2023

Show notes

John McWhorter and Tom Holland are a perfect pairing. They are absolutely delightful company both with a dry sense of humour. I was keen to bring them together because I learned they share a love a dinosaurs. Absolute fanatics it turns out. I got the sense they really enjoyed chatting to each other and I hope you will enjoy listening. An interest in dinosaurs helps but is not required!

Acre 1291 - the final showdown Mar 19, 2023

Show notes

Roger Crowley is one on the best (if not the best) narrative historians of the Middle Ages. Here is on great form talking about the Siege of Acre in 1291. The Crusaders have been pushed back and back with Acre the last meaningful holdout. They are up against the formidable Mamluks led by Sultan Khalil. Can they hold out? Roger's book The Accursed Tower (like all his books to be honest!) is a both rigorously researched and a fantastically exciting read. He covers the disastrous (for the Crusaders) Seventh Crusade, the rise of the remarkable Baibars and on the last significant battle of the Crusaders in the Holy Land. Roger is fantastic guest.

The Salem Witch trials with Stacy Schiff Feb 17, 2023

Show notes

Stacy Schiff is one of America's most acclaimed historians and biographers. Her book The Witches is a detailed, almost forensic, history of the Salem witch trials on 1692. She very kindly came on the podcast to talk about it and she is every bit as good a storyteller in person as you would imagine from reading the book. I found her book and our conversation really quite troubling in what it says about our ability to tell lies from fiction. In particular even the accused seemed confused about their own guilt. I hope to revisit the theme in future podcasts but for now I think this is one of the most fascinating episodes to date. I hope you enjoy it!

Suleiman the Magnificent with Christopher de Bellaigue Feb 11, 2023

Show notes

Christopher de Bellaigue's book The Lion House is a brilliant history of the first part of Suleiman the Magnificent's reign. I love history and I can't remember loving a history book more that this one. As I say in the podcast, I think it is an unabashed masterpiece and such a pleasure to read. Christopher tells the story in particular of two men at the court of Suleiman and their struggle to rise and prosper in extraordinarily difficult times. And it is the story also of Suleiman's love for his concubine (and later wife) Hurrem. Christopher is not only a great writer, he is also a superb conversationalist and I think this is an episode that everyone will enjoy.

Slavery in the Mediterranean in the Middle Ages Jan 27, 2023

Show notes

Professor David Abulafia's wonderful book The Great Sea covers so many topics. Today we talked about slavery. Until recently I hadn't been aware of the sheer scale of the enterprise. Slavers from the Barbary ports raided as far north as the coasts of England and Ireland. In the east the Mongols brought slaves to the Black Sea ports where they were taken by Italian merchants past Constantinople and on to Egypt. Or to Europe. The fates of the enslaved was incredibly varied - positions of respect and power as part of a slave army, eunuchs in the harems, working in households, in the harem, short and brutal existences in quarries or on galleys. It is a remarkable subject and fascinating despite the horror.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Subject to Change

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected