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Who really built the global economy? Traditional history books tell a story dominated by men—inventors, industrialists, and financiers. But what if this narrative is missing half the picture?In this eye-opening episode, host Nick is joined by Dr. Victoria Bateman of Gresham College to discuss her hugely ambitious new book, Economica: A Global History of Women, Wealth and Power. Dr. Bateman challenges the very foundations of economic history, arguing that our understanding of wealth creation is f
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What can the Roman legions of Constantine, the Ottoman forces of Mehmet the Conqueror, and the US Army of World War II teach us about modern military power?In this timely episode of the Explaining History Podcast, I speak with former senior British officer and acclaimed military historian Barney White-Spunner about his forthcoming book Nation In Arms (out 14 August). Drawing from five pivotal armies that helped shape the European continent—the Roman, Ottoman, New Model, Prussian, and American—Wh
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Arab regimes across the Middle East have had a long history of comparative disinterest towards the Palestinian cause and apathy towards their emancipation. Israel has found willing collaborators in Egypt, Syria and the Gulf states, all of whom are happy to collaborate in the unfolding war with Iran.*****STOP PRESS*****I only ever talk about history on this podcast but I also have another life, yes, that of aspirant fantasy author and if that’s your thing you can get a copy of my debut novel The
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Hi everyone and welcome back after the Explaining History summer recess. In this extended episode I interview LBC presenter and author Iain Dale whose new anthology of essays, Dictators launches today. In this wide ranging conversation about the nature of dictatorial leaders from ancient times to modern we examine the relationship the democratic world has with them and how democratic, open societies can slide into tyrannies. Please join us for this fascinating journey.You can grab your copy of T
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In this wide ranging conversation with historian and podcaster Paul Cooper, we explore the themes in his new book The Fall of Civilisations. Paul has examined numerous ancient and medieval civilisations from the Assyrians to the peoples of Easter Island to understand the factors and tipping points that lead to the end of civilisations. We explore how empires divide, how civil conflicts begin, the role of food insecurity and other stress factors and how likely our civilisation will reach its own
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In this episode of the Explaining History podcast, we hear from Mark Aedy, whose father Ken served as a bomber pilot during the Second World War. Trained to fly in Oklahoma in 1942, Ken saw active service as a bomber pilot attacking the Ruhr, Munster, Dresden and a variety of other targets. After the war he stayed with the RAF and served in Egypt during the end of the Palestine mandate and flew Soviet escorted relief flights at the beginning of the first Berlin Crisis of 1948. Join us for this w
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A family history project into the war record of Jim Carter’s great grandfather became an exploration of the history of the Royal Navy in peacetime and war. In July 1918 Herbert Leeder joined the Royal Navy, beginning a naval career which spanned 2 World Wars and 16 ships. 100 years later, his great grandson, Jim Carter was researching the lives of the men listed on his Berkshire village’s war memorial when his mother gave him Herbert’s S459 Record of Service and Carter, with a passion for milita
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In this captivating episode of the Explaining History podcast, we sit down with David Slattery-Christy, author of “Flyte Or Fancy,” to delve into the tragic and fascinating life of aristocrat Harry Clifton. Join us as we explore the tumultuous world of Harry Clifton, a figure whose life story reads like a novel, filled with grandeur, crisis, and heartbreak. David Slattery-Christybrings to life the compelling narrative of Clifton, heir to a vast family fortune that was squandered in a lifetime. A
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The failure of Nazi Germany to seize the small British mediterranean colony of Malta was a significant strategic error. In 1941, Hitler decided not to invade the island and instead decided to put his energies into the seizure of Crete, which he believed would pose a threat to Romania’s oil fields if it remained in British hands. General Erwin Rommel (later promoted to field marshal), had a year of almost unstoppable victories against the British during the 1942, but as he raced across the desert
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When the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies drove their tanks into Prague in 1968, crushing the nascent pro democracy movement led by Alexander Dubcek, the last pretense of there being anything emancipatory about Soviet Communism disappeared. Instead, the USSR and its sattelite regimes were shorn of any ideological credibility and now faced sullen and uncooperative populations across the eastern bloc whose only interest in communism was whether it could economically deliver. The next two de