History Hack

In part one of a two part podcast, we welcome Al Jazeera English's Senior Correspondent in Islamabad, Kamal Hyder, one of the preeminent journalists in the region. He recounts the events of the Afghan-Soviet War and their consequences and tells a personal tale of Afghanistan's history from the 1960s to 1998. 

Historian Emma Butcher talks to us about how the Bronte siblings used the Napoleonic Wars, as well other recent history, to inspire them as writers and create imaginary worlds, and how all of this youthful activity impacted the classic literature that they are known for today. 

Archaeologist and historian Sophie Hay joins us to answer all of your questions on Pompeii. We talk social distancing with your pot plants, earthquakes, eruptions, art, architecture and herewith the only podcast that dedicates ten erudite, academic minutes to the Roman penis.

We go back to the 1945 and the Pacific today with James Scott. He joins us to talk about his book Rampage: MacArthur, Yamashita and the Battle of Manila, and the plight of the Philippines in the Second World War.

Horatio Hornblower himself, Ioan Gruffudd and Jamie Bamber, the faithful Archie, join us with naval historian Kate Jamieson for a fun, lengthy look back at the series that set their careers fully in motion. We talk fireships, mullets, Robert Lindsay and David Warner, runaway pigs and prostitutes, learn why bicorn hats are rubbish, talk about a possible return of the series and decide who really did push Captain Sawyer; as the chaps diligently work their way through your questions. Be ready to utilise #WhatWouldHoratioDo and #RebootHornblower! 

All you need is love. History goddess Bettany Hughes joins us to talk about Venus & Aphrodite, life under lockdown and her new TV series about The Odyssey. 

For Anzac Day, Australian Historian Mat McLachlan joins us to discuss the First World, Gallipoli and Australian National Identity. 

Author Clare Mulley, Peter Johnston of the National Army Museum, Dave Hartley of the National Museum of the Royal Navy and First World War Historian Bethany Moore join fans of the show to debate The Most Iconic British Battle in History. Judges Holmes and O'Connell preside. 

Chris Skidmore, MP and former Minister for Universities, puts his history hat on to discuss his biography of Richard III. We take a look at the three phases of his life: Brother, Protector, King and examine the historiography that has led to him being one of Britain's most maligned monarchs. 

Alina tries her best to get away from WW2 and fails, but the result is a deeply interesting look at music, dance and culture in Poland in the inter-war period with Juliette Bretan, who tells us how a generation of music was cut short by the Nazis.