History Hack

Historian and journalist Michael Schuman joins Alex and Alina. Based on his new book Superpower, Interrupted: The Chinese History of the World, he picks out significant aspects in which China has influenced world history, looks at some key figures, talks about the future of Chinese relations with the west, and tells the girls what lockdown life is like in Beijing.

Historian, author and journalist Clare Mulley joins us to talk about female SOE agents and in particular, the outstanding Krystyna Skarbek, AKA Christine Granville. Find out just what a woman had to go to as a secret agent, and why Clare would make an absolutely rubbish spy herself...

Catharine Edwards discusses women of power in Ancient Rome. From family betrayal, scheming and back-stabbing to people getting beaten over the head with oars; it's not for those of a delicate disposition. 

Publisher and Historian Iain MacGregor joins Alex and Alina to discuss his book, Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin Wall and the results of his research tying together witnesses to every stage of its conception and existence. Find out how the people of Berlin lived in its shadow and why Lockdown workouts are not for the faint hearted. 

Major Sharpe himself, Sean Bean and Jason Salkey, Rifleman Harris, join Alex and Alina for Sharpe's Reunion. We discuss the highs and lows of filming, whilst the chaps reveal a unique insight into making the much loved series. Enjoy tales of toy soldiers, looting the set, lockdown in the Crimea and character sketches of fellow cast members including the late, much loved, Pete Postlethwaite; whilst your questions about the history that inspired it are put to Historian Zack White. 

TV super-historian Dan joins Alex and Alina to talk everything from covid-19 to climate change. Find out what he loves about his own research speciality, why History Hit is the answer to the lockdown blues, what book he'd love to write and why the Holland brothers make him look silly at cricket. 

It's back down to The Mary Rose for another virtual pub debate. This week Alex and Alina are joined by Lindsay Powell, Emma Sothon and Tony Keen, with enthusiasts, to argue their case for the greatest warlord of the ancient world. Posted with apologies to all fifteen year old boys, marketing managers and Sun Tzu.

Queen of intrigue and 16th century skulduggery, Catherine Fletcher, joins Alex and Alina to discuss her new book and rewriting the renaissance. Get ready for war, famine, disease, frightening innovations as well as ninja turtles and plans for a post-coved-19 road trip. 

Historian and academic Włodzimierz Borodziej joins Alex and Alina for a discussion on the tragic, heroic events of the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. 

Alex and Alina are joined by US historian Carolyn Day to discuss, well, lunacy. In a world where everyone is hiding to stay healthy, we talk about mad Georgians and early Victorians who went out of their way to look like they were dying of disease and why.