Short History Of...
147 episodes - English - Latest episode: 20 days ago - ★★★★★ - 1.8K ratingsHistory is full of the extraordinary.
Each week, we'll transport you back in time to witness history's most incredible moments and remarkable people.
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Hosted by John Hopkins. Production: Katrina Hughes, Kate Simants, Nicole Edmunds, Jacob Booth, Dorry Macaulay, Rob Plummer, Cody Reynolds-Shaw. Compositions by Oliver Baines, Dorry Macaulay, Tom Pink.
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Episodes
Angkor
May 21, 2023 23:01 - 52 minutesBuilt by the Khmer kings centuries ago, Angkor in modern Cambodia had a footprint bigger than present-day New York. But after it fell into ruin, much of its unique architecture and intricate carvings were swallowed by the jungle. So, who raised this vast city, and why? What caused their civilisation to fall? And how were parts of it maintained, right up to the present day? This is a Short History Of Angkor. Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Michael Falser, architectural historian and aut...
The Soviet Union, Part 2 of 2
May 17, 2023 23:01 - 59 minutesDespite its troubled infancy and the hardship faced during World War 2, in the second half of the 20th century the USSR became one of the world’s two superpowers. How did it manage this turn-around? What did its rise mean for its people and the rest of the world? And how did the young nation that shaped so much of the 20th century’s geopolitics eventually come crashing down? This is the second in a special 2 part Short History of… the Soviet Union. Written by Dan Smith. With thanks to histori...
The Soviet Union, Part 1 of 2
May 14, 2023 23:01 - 56 minutesFrom its initial creation in 1922, the Soviet Union was perhaps the most ambitious political experiment in human history. But how did this superpower come about? And in its first decades, how did its founding principles of equality transform to fit a nation that became synonymous with tragedy, poverty, suppression and terror? This is the first in a special 2-part Short History of the Soviet Union. Written by Dan Smith. With thanks to historian and author Professor Sheila Fitzpatrick of the A...
Alexander the Great
May 07, 2023 23:01 - 50 minutesThough he ruled for just 13 years, Alexander the Great is as famed for his hedonistic lifestyle as his military genius. But how did he become one of the best known military leaders in history? What inspired such loyalty among his troops? And what drove this young man in his endless quest to conquer the known world? This is a Short History of Alexander the Great. Written by Linda Harrison. With thanks to author Philip Freeman, a professor of humanities at Pepperdine University, Malibu. For ad...
The Crown Jewels
April 30, 2023 23:01 - 45 minutesThe British Crown Jewels is a priceless collection of items gathered over eight turbulent centuries. Consisting of 100 objects decorated with 23,000 gemstones, it’s held at the Tower of London, protected by guards and high-tech security. But why did one thief put the crown jewels down his trousers? Which king managed to lose his own crown? And why is one diamond so controversial that it is not invited to the coronation of King Charles III? This is a Short History of the Crown Jewels. Written ...
The Blitz
April 23, 2023 23:01 - 51 minutesFrom September 1940, Germany’s Luftwaffe subjected Britain to an intense bombing campaign lasting more than eight months. Around 43,000 civilians were killed, with many more injured or made homeless. But what led to the onslaught, and why could it not be stopped? How effective was Hitler’s campaign in achieving his aims? And how did the people of Britain react to this massive disruption to their daily lives and to the ever-present threat of death? This is a Short History of the Blitz. Writte...
The Wild West
April 16, 2023 23:01 - 52 minutesThink of the Wild West, and you’ll imagine cowboys, shootouts, bank robberies and saloons. But it was also a time of massive resettlement, new technology and communications. But what the white settlers’ westward migration mean for the native people who had lived on the land for centuries? What inspired so many to move west in the first place? And if the era only lasted a few decades, what makes it so iconic to Americans and the rest of the world? This is a Short History of…The Wild West Writ...
British Castles
April 09, 2023 23:01 - 52 minutesFor over 600 years, castles played a leading role in the story of Britain. From the Norman Conquest to the English Civil War, they are woven into the tapestry of British history. But when did they start to be built, and why? How did their architecture evolve? And why did they fall out of fashion, leaving a landscape littered with crumbling ruins? This is A Short History Of… British Castles. Written by Joe Viner. With thanks to Marc Morris, historian and author of Castles: A History of the B...
Muhammad Ali
April 02, 2023 23:01 - 54 minutesFrom the day he burst onto the scene, Muhammad Ali changed boxing history. But he also influenced the American civil rights movement, the perception of Islam, the view of the war in Vietnam, and the self-branding of athletes themselves. So how did his beliefs affect his career? What drove him to keep fighting for so long – even when boxing itself was taking away the gifts that made him famous? And was he really the greatest of all time? This is a Short History of Muhammad Ali. Written by Kate...
Introducing: Detectives Don’t Sleep - Murder in Paradise (Part 1 of 2)
March 27, 2023 23:01 - 47 minutesFrom Noiser, comes the brand-new podcast Detectives Don’t Sleep. The show takes you beyond the police tape to shadow the real detectives who worked history’s most intriguing cases. In this taster episode, we’re in the Bahamas in 1943. One of the wealthiest men in the islands, Sir Harry Oakes, has been murdered - bludgeoned and burned in his mansion. The prime suspect is Oakes’ son-in-law, Count Alfred de Marigny. But Oakes’ daughter Nancy refuses to believe in her husband’s guilt and hires Ne...
The Dinosaur Rush
March 26, 2023 23:01 - 51 minutesWhen Edward Cope and OC Marsh began their race to identify and name new species of dinosaur in the 1870s, palaeontology was still a new discipline. Before these two wealthy men entered the field, just eight species had been identified in North America. In two decades, between them they added 136 more. But how did they manage to produce such a vast body of research? And why was their earlier friendship replaced by a bitter professional feud? This is a Short History of the Dinosaur Rush. Writt...
Frida Kahlo
March 20, 2023 00:01 - 55 minutesFrida Kahlo is as much a modern icon for her personal flair as she is for her paintings. But how did her style develop, and what did she intend it to communicate? What was so subversive about her work, and the subjects she chose to portray? And why is she such an enduring figurehead for feminists, women with fertility issues, the queer community, and those living with disabilities and chronic pain? This is a Short History of Frida Kahlo. Written by Lindsay Galvin. With thanks to Circe Henestr...
St Patrick
March 13, 2023 00:01 - 51 minutesThough St Patrick is honoured by millions of revellers worldwide every year, few know more about him than the popular myths concerning shamrocks and snakes. The real story of St Patrick reads like an adventure story, involving kidnapping, enslavement, and daring escapes. But how did his commitment to spreading the word of God lead him to become the embodiment of all things Irish? This is A Short History of… St Patrick. Written by Dan Smith. With thanks to Philip Freeman, Professor of History ...
The Trans-Siberian Railway
March 06, 2023 00:01 - 50 minutesThe Trans-Siberian railway is the longest train line in the world, spanning 5700 miles, seven time zones, and straddling two continents. Though today’s passengers on the week-long journey can enjoy relative luxury, the route has a dark past. Who were the labourers who built it, enduring horrific conditions? How did the railroad provoke a war? And what part did the train line play in the bloody conflicts of the twentieth century? This is a Short History of the Trans Siberian Railway. Written ...
The Bayeux Tapestry
February 27, 2023 00:01 - 50 minutesSince it was created 900 years ago, the Bayeux Tapestry has survived war, revolution and the ravages of time. This fragile piece of linen, almost seventy metres long, depicts the events leading up to the Norman invasion of England. But who created it, and why? What do its graphic scenes of battle and cruelty reveal about life, death and warfare in the middle ages? This is a Short History of the Bayeux Tapestry. Written by Kate Harrison. With thanks to Michael Lewis, Head of Portable Antiquiti...
The Real Robinson Crusoe
February 20, 2023 00:01 - 47 minutesDaniel Defoe’s 1719 novel Robinson Crusoe is one of the most widely published books in history. This story of a man stranded alone on an island is said to be second only to the Bible in its number of translations. But who was Defoe’s inspiration for creating one of the best-known protagonists in literature? And what led to this real-life sailor spending years of his life cut off from human contact? This is a Short History of the Real Robinson Crusoe. Written by David Jackson. With thanks Dr R...
The Mona Lisa
February 13, 2023 00:01 - 54 minutesLeonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is the most famous painting in the world. 500 years old and just 77x53cm in size, it is kept behind bulletproof glass in the Louvre museum in Paris, where it draws 10 million visitors a year. But how did a small portrait find global fame? Who is the woman in the painting, and why is the world so intrigued by her smile? This is a Short History Of the Mona Lisa. Written by Nicola Rayner. With thanks to Donald Sassoon, historian and the author of Mona Lisa: The Hist...
The Partition of India
February 06, 2023 00:01 - 53 minutesIn 1947, the British divided up its former colony of India into two provinces. What followed was confusion, chaos, and an unprecedented wave of sectarian violence that left up to a million dead. 15 million more were forced to flee their homes. So why was the country broken up? What prompted the ferocious backlash? And how do the events of 75 years ago still haunt the region, its residents and the diaspora? This is a Short History of The Partition of India. Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks t...
D.B. Cooper
January 30, 2023 00:01 - 54 minutesAt approximately 8:13 p.m. on November 24th, 1971, a hijacker exited Northwest Airlines flight 305 at an altitude of 10,000 feet, carrying just a case, a bagful of money, and a parachute. The subsequent investigation became one of the largest and strangest in the FBI’s history. But was what the true identity of the man who called himself D.B. Cooper? And could he still out there, living among us? This is a Short History of D.B. Cooper. Written by Joe Viner. With thanks to Robert Edwards, auth...
Agatha Christie
January 23, 2023 00:01 - 59 minutesRetaining the title of the “Queen of Crime” to this day, Agatha Christie is the best-selling novelist of all time. Across 66 novels, 14 short-story collections, and 20 stage plays, she depicted the evil lurking in the hearts of ordinary people. But how did this homeschooled daughter of a privileged English family learn so much about poisons, psychopaths and murder? What in her personal life informed such a suspicious view of ordinary people? And how did she trigger a real-life mystery in 1926...
The Irish Potato Famine
January 16, 2023 00:01 - 57 minutesBetween 1845 and 1852, Ireland suffered an appalling famine after the repeated failure of the potato crop, its national staple. But though caused by a natural blight, a combination of ancient prejudices, simmering tensions and political short-termism turned a national emergency into a disaster for the ages. So why did the authorities in Westminster seem to wash their hands of Ireland during its time of need? How did the Irish people respond to their adversity? And how did this story of betray...
Las Vegas
January 09, 2023 00:01 - 54 minutesBest known for its world-class casinos and lavish hotels, the desert city of Las Vegas, Nevada has a darker side, too. For decades, connections to organised crime tarnished its reputation. Now, Las Vegas attracts tens of millions of tourists every year, many of whom come to gamble. But did games of chance really drive the transformation of this small, dusty desert town? And will it ever shed its persistent nickname of Sin City? This is a Short History Of Las Vegas. Written by Emma Christie. W...
Shakespeare
January 01, 2023 00:01 - 56 minutesNo single writer has shaped the way we speak and think more than William Shakespeare. Whether we’re being cruel to be kind, wearing our hearts on our sleeves, or spotting the green eye’d monster — it’s almost impossible to use the English language without quoting him. But who was Shakespeare? What vaulting ambition drove a young writer from a sleepy town to stardom in London? Was he born great or did he have greatness thrust upon him? This is a Short History of William Shakespeare. Written by...
The Christmas Truce of 1914 (Repeat)
December 25, 2022 00:01 - 45 minutesIt’s Christmas eve, 1914. On the Western Front, a British soldier peers out across No Man’s Land. A sound catches his attention – not artillery fire, but music. The enemy are singing Silent Night. The Christmas Truce of 1914 remains a unique historical anomaly. But how did these sworn enemies set down their weapons and meet as friends? What does the truce reveal about the First World War? This is a Short History of the Christmas Truce. Written by Duncan Barrett. With thanks to Anthony Richard...
Pocahontas
December 19, 2022 00:01 - 56 minutesPocahontas is probably the best known Native American in history. But the true story of her life has been eclipsed by a fictionalised version, played out as a romance between an intrepid English captain and a wild native princess. So what is known about the real Pocahontas, and her life before the arrival of the white colonisers? How did she spearhead a period of truce between her tribe and the Europeans? And did she truly have a say in her own fate, and the fate of her people? This is a Sho...
Abraham Lincoln
December 12, 2022 00:01 - 1 hourAbraham Lincoln’s life reads like an American folk tale. The story of a boy born into poverty, whose drive and determination saw him become the most powerful man in the nation. But how did he navigate a path for a youthful country so deeply divided over slavery? What was his role in the devastating civil war? And how did one man attract such public adoration and murderous wrath all at the same time? This is a Short History of Abraham Lincoln. Written by Dan Smith. With thanks to David S Reyno...
The Rosetta Stone
December 05, 2022 00:01 - 58 minutesIn 1799, French soldiers in Egypt unearthed what would become one of the world’s most famous artefacts. After a desperate race to decipher its symbols, the Rosetta Stone provided the key to understanding Egyptian hieroglyphs, casting new light on the culture and history of this lost civilisation. But why was the Rosetta Stone made in the first place? How did it end up in the hands of the French occupiers, thousands of years after it was created? And when the battle to decode was over, what se...
The Tower of London
November 28, 2022 00:01 - 52 minutesThe Tower of London has been a symbol of the authority and power of the British crown for almost a thousand years. Established by William the Conqueror, the iconic building has served as a palace and a prison; a safe and an armory; a seat of leadership and a site of torture and execution. But why was it built in the first place? How did it evolve? What are the stories of its residents, willing or otherwise? This is a Short History of the Tower of London. Written by Thomas Bickley. With thanks...
Easter Island
November 21, 2022 00:01 - 54 minutesFirst inhabited by the Rapa Nui people a thousand years ago, Easter Island is best known for its hundreds of giant stone statues. But what inspired a group of ancient Polynesian explorers to settle in such a remote spot in the South Pacific? How did they almost bring their own community to the point of collapse? And as ancient traditions meet with modern tourism, what is the future for the Rapa Nui people? This is a Short History of Easter Island. Written by Emma Christie. With thanks to Dr. ...
Vincent Van Gogh
November 14, 2022 00:01 - 53 minutesVincent van Gogh was one of the most important and influential figures in the history of art. Though he created thousands of drawings and paintings, his was a life of commercial failure, instability and unhappiness. But who was Van Gogh before he discovered his passion for art? What caused him so much suffering? And who were the people who supported him right up to his tragic death at the age of just 37? This is a Short History of Vincent van Gogh. Written by David Jackson. With thanks to Ste...
The Conquistadors
November 07, 2022 00:01 - 57 minutesFrom the end of the 15th century, the Conquistadors changed the face of the Americas. Invading first the Caribbean and Mexico, they then plunged on into the rest of the continent and plundered the Pacific seaboard. So what do we know of these Europeans and their quest to expand a burgeoning empire? And who were the indigenous people that resisted invasion, negotiated with strangers, and fought off barbarians? This is a Short History of the Conquistadors. Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks ...
Albert Einstein
October 31, 2022 00:01 - 56 minutesAlbert Einstein overhauled our understanding of the universe—from the sub-atomic level to beyond the edges of the cosmos. Today his ideas are in evidence everywhere, from televisions and GPS systems, to our understanding of black holes and the Big Bang. But who was Einstein as a person? What were his theories that upended established scientific beliefs? And how did his work inadvertently contribute to some of the 20th century’s most devastating acts of warfare? This is a Short History of Alb...
The Great Train Robbery
October 23, 2022 23:01 - 51 minutesThe Great Train Robbery of 1963 saw a gang of career criminals stage a daring heist of the multi-million pound cargo of a travelling Royal Mail train. The investigation that followed spanned many years and covered the globe. But how did the idea of the crime come about? What went into the planning, and who were the key players? And did any of them truly get away? This is a Short History of The Great Train Robbery. Written by Rob Parker. With thanks to film-maker and true crime researcher, Ray...
Cleopatra
October 16, 2022 23:01 - 58 minutesThe last of the Ptolemaic Pharoahs, the enduring legend of Cleopatra has captivated imaginations for centuries. Though some write her off as a manipulative femme fatale, her competence as a ruler restored her country to a world superpower. But what were the early experiences that shaped her? How did she form both political and personal alliances with two great Roman generals? And what is the true story of her dramatic death? This is a Short History of Cleopatra. Written by Lindsay Galvin. W...
The Conquest of Everest
October 09, 2022 23:01 - 52 minutesStanding over 29,000ft above sea level, the peak of Everest is the highest point on the planet. To the sherpa people of the Himalayas it is sacred, and to foreign adventurers, it is the holy grail of climbing. But what did it take to reach the summit? Was it expertise and endurance—or simply better equipment? What was sacrificed to plant a flag on top of the world? This is a Short History Of the Conquest of Everest. Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Mick Conefrey, documentary maker and au...
The Mongol Empire
October 02, 2022 23:01 - 57 minutesIn the late Middle Ages, the Mongol Empire became the largest the world had ever seen. At its peak, maybe 100 million people lived under its banner, led by the Great Khans of the Asian steppe. But what unified the first disparate, nomadic clans? Who was the real Genghis Khan, and how did his empire fair after his death? And what caused the downfall of this once seemingly unstoppable civilisation? This is a Short History of the Mongol Empire. Written by Dan Smith. With thanks to Professor Tim...
The Real Peaky Blinders
September 25, 2022 23:01 - 42 minutesBetween the 1890s and 1910s, the British city of Birmingham was in the grip of a gang: the Peaky Blinders. Their crimes – from stone-throwing and petty assault to murder – were unpredictable and senseless, and the police seemed powerless to stop it. So what’s the true story behind the legend that inspired the hit TV series? Were they really champions of the working class, their activities underpinned by codes of loyalty and morality? Or was theirs simply a reign of terror, marked by dishonour...
Queen Elizabeth the Second, Part 2 of 2 (Repeat)
September 09, 2022 23:02 - 54 minutesTo mark the passing of the Queen, Noiser brings you this episode from the archive of Short History Of… As the Queen’s family life became more complex, the relationship between palace and press intensified. But balancing the need for security and privacy against her very public responsibilities was never simple. So who was the real woman beneath the crown? How did she respond to the dark years of her reign, or the grief of losing her beloved husband? And how will history remember her? A Noiser...
Queen Elizabeth the Second, Part 1 of 2 (Repeat)
September 09, 2022 23:01 - 57 minutesTo mark the passing of the Queen, Noiser brings you this episode from the archive of Short History Of… Spanning seventy years, Queen Elizabeth II’s reign saw the world change beyond recognition. And from her earliest public appearances representing the King to her roles as sister, wife, mother and mother-in-law, she was never far from the headlines. But what was life like for the young princess, who dreamed of a baby brother to take the throne instead? How did she modernise an ancient role to...
The Wars of the Roses, Part 3 of 3
September 08, 2022 23:01 - 52 minutesAfter the death of King Edward IV, the heir to the throne, Edward V, is left under the protection of the late king’s brother Richard. But what lay in store for the 12 year old king? Will Richard honour his brother’s will? And when the Wars of the Roses finally end, how do the rival houses of Plantagenet unite once and for all? This is part three of a special three-part Short History of the Wars of the Roses. Written by Danny Marshall. With thanks to Michael Hicks, historian and author of The ...
The Wars of the Roses, Part 2 of 3
September 07, 2022 23:01 - 54 minutesWith his father Richard of York’s head now on a spike, Edward’s determination to snatch the crown from Henry VI is stronger than ever. But how will he build support for his cause and assert his rights? Can he outmanoeuvre the formidable Queen Margaret, who will stop at nothing to see her own son on the throne? And is there any way to heal England’s bitter rifts and create a lasting peace? This is part two of a special three-part Short History of the Wars of the Roses. Written by Danny Marshal...
The Wars of the Roses, Part 1 of 3
September 04, 2022 23:01 - 53 minutesAlmost 600 years ago, two rival branches of the ruling house of Plantagenet dragged England into unprecedented bloodshed in what became known as the Wars of the Roses. But what were the causes of the conflict? Who were its key players, the powerful men and women who wreaked such havoc on the country? And how did one couple unite the warring factions and bring an end to the carnage? This is part one of a special three-part Short History of the Wars of the Roses. Written by Danny Marshall. With...
Introducing: Napoleon
August 28, 2022 23:01 - 53 minutesNoiser presents Napoleon, a new podcast examining the life and times of one of history’s most intriguing figures. You’ve heard the name Napoleon Bonaparte. But who was he, really? How did he become the most powerful man on Earth? And why didn't he stop, even once he had it all? A Noiser production, written by Jeff Dawson. Search ‘Napoleon’ wherever you get your podcasts and hit follow to listen to the rest of the Napoleon story. For ad-free listening, exclusive content and early access to new...
The Spanish Armada
August 21, 2022 23:01 - 52 minutesThe defeat of the Spanish Armada by the English navy is often recounted as a ‘David and Goliath’ tale in which one tiny country overcame a huge and formidable empire. It secured the continuance of Protestant rule in England and was a defining moment in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. But why did this confrontation ever take place? Was England’s success due entirely to its naval prowess, or did other factors play a part? And could the outcome have easily been drastically different? This is a S...
Featuring: History That Doesn't Suck - The Brooklyn Bridge
August 18, 2022 23:01 - 1 hourToday we are dropping an episode by our friends at the History That Doesn't Suck podcast. HTDS with Professor Greg Jackson is a bi-weekly podcast, delivering a legit, seriously researched, hard-hitting survey of American history through entertaining stories. Learn and be entertained. You're welcome, America. If you like what you hear then go to https://www.historythatdoesntsuck.com or find HTDS where ever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stonehenge
August 14, 2022 23:01 - 59 minutesOlder than the pyramids and just as cryptic, the prehistoric British site of Stonehenge has dominated its landscape for thousands of years. But what is Stonehenge? A celestial clock? An ancient computer to predict eclipses? Was it a temple, a cemetery, or a site of execution? And who were the people who lived and died to create this Stone Age masterpiece? This is a Short History of Stonehenge. Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Julian Richards, archaeologist, broadcaster and author of the ...
Amelia Earhart
August 07, 2022 23:01 - 56 minutesAs one of the great pioneers of air travel, Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. She pushed aviation technology to its limits, broke countless records, and became world-famous for her skill, bravery and determination. But what prompted her to dare to take to the skies despite the overwhelming risks? Who was the real person behind the legend? And what happened on her final fateful flight—an enduring mystery that has spawned countless conspiracy theories? This is ...
Marco Polo
July 31, 2022 23:01 - 1 hourIn the thirteenth century, Marco Polo spent decades travelling the world. His adventures took him from his home in Venice as far east as the Yellow Sea, where he was a valued courtier of the legendary Mongol emperor Kublai Khan. Later, in prison, he wrote the world’s first travel book. But how did his name become synonymous with adventure? What compelled him to stay away for so long? And why is his story still remembered almost eight centuries later? This is a Short History of Marco Polo. Wri...
The Spartans
July 24, 2022 23:01 - 52 minutesIn 480BC, the Spartans secured their place in history when 300 of their soldiers fought to the death against the mighty Persian army at Thermopylae. Their reputation for brutal decisiveness and simple living have been admired for thousands of years. But what about the darker side of Spartan ideology, a society that culled weak babies, forced children to fight, and enslaved its neighbours? Was Sparta really a utopia? Or was Aristotle right when he said that Spartans simply made men into machin...
Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail
July 17, 2022 23:01 - 58 minutesCovering thousands of miles in the Andes, the Inca Trail was the backbone of the ancient empire, connecting the millions of people who lived under its rule. The jewel in its crown, Machu Picchu, was recently named one of the seven wonders of the modern world. But who were the Incas? What was the purpose of their complex road system? And why did they build a stone citadel on a mountain ridge, only to abandon it a century later? This is a Short History of Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail. Writt...