Unknown History with Giles Milton
132 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 158 ratingsUnknown History provides you with surprising, quirky, and remarkable tales from the past, so you can pretend you paid attention in history class. Hosted by renowned author Giles Milton.
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Episodes
How has Britain become butler to the world?
June 23, 2022 04:00 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MBThe Suez Crisis of 1956 was the nadir of Britain's twentieth century, the moment when the once-superpower was bullied into retreat. "Great Britain has lost an empire and not yet found a role," said Dean Acherson, a former US secretary of state. Acheson's line has entered into the canon of great quotations: but it was wrong. Britain had already found a role. The leaders of the world just hadn't noticed it yet. Butler to the World reveals how Britain came to assume its role as the center of t...
The untold story of Nixon and CIA Director Richard Helms
June 16, 2022 04:00 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBScorpions' Dance by intelligence expert and investigative journalist Jefferson Morley reveals the Watergate scandal in a completely new light: as the culmination of a concealed, deadly power struggle between President Richard Nixon and CIA Director Richard Helms. Enjoy this excerpt from the audiobook. Purchase Scorpions' Dance at Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org, or your favorite bookstore. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links: h...
The Iconic Speeches We Never Heard
June 09, 2022 04:00 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBFor almost every delivered speech, there exists an undelivered opposite. These "second speeches" provide alternative histories of what could have been if not for schedule changes, changes of heart, or momentous turns of events. In Undelivered, political speechwriter Jeff Nussbaum presents the most notable speeches the public never heard, from Dwight Eisenhower’s apology for a D-Day failure to Richard Nixon’s refusal to resign the presidency, and even Hillary Clinton’s acceptance for a 2016 ...
Is the mafia really that violent?
April 12, 2022 04:00 - 14 minutes - 13.8 MBThis week on Unknown History, we're introducing Curious State, a brand new podcast from Quick and Dirty Tips. Could we have domesticated a T-Rex? Is the mafia really that violent? Haven't all the possible songs been written by now? Unexpected gems of knowledge are hidden all around us. Let’s dig them up, one offbeat question at a time. A few curiosities you’ll discover in this episode: The mind games of mafia violence Why murder is bad for business The strong appeal of unions Why the I...
Bonus: The Cold War Superagent and the Ruthless Head of the CIA
December 16, 2021 20:45 - 17 minutes - 15.6 MBUnknown History is on hiatus between seasons, but in the meantime, we hope you enjoy this special excerpt from Agent Sniper: The Cold War Superagent and the Ruthless Head of the CIA by Tim Tate, brought to us by our colleagues at Macmillan Audio. You can get your copy of Agent Sniper from Amazon, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop, or wherever books or audiobooks are sold.
The Broken Constitution: Lincoln's Transformation
November 04, 2021 17:00 - 40 minutes - 36.9 MBLincoln's choices and evolution didn't just transform the meaning of the Civil War—they transformed the Consitution itself. This is the third and final installment of The Broken Constitution mini-series. Read the companion article on Quick and Dirty Tips. Follow Unknown History wherever you listen to podcasts. For more from Noah, follow Deep Background from Pushkin Industries. Purchase The Broken Constitution. Find Noah on Twitter.
The Broken Constitution: Lincoln's Choice
October 28, 2021 01:00 - 35 minutes - 32.3 MBLincoln faced an unprecedented crisis that remains unique in American history. Were the choices he made vindicated by history? Read the companion article on Quick and Dirty Tips. Follow Unknown History wherever you listen to podcasts. For more from Noah, follow Deep Background from Pushkin Industries. Pre-order The Broken Constitution. Find Noah on Twitter.
The Broken Constitution: The American Compromise
October 21, 2021 02:00 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBThe original United States Constitution was a compromise between slaveholders and non-slaveholders. It made key compromises to protect a union between the Northern and Southern states and protected the slave trade in U.S. law. Read the transcript. Follow Unknown History wherever you listen to podcasts. For more from Noah, follow Deep Background from Pushkin Industries. Pre-order The Broken Constitution. Find Noah on Twitter.
Coming Soon: The Broken Constitution
October 14, 2021 22:00 - 41 seconds - 687 KBComing soon on the Unknown History podcast: the story of Abraham Lincoln's work reshaping the United States Constitution.
The Dramatic Conclusion of the Berlin Blockade
October 06, 2021 22:00 - 8 minutes - 7.79 MBAfter 323 days of the Berlin Blockade, a weather system nearly brought the city to its knees. However, the strength of the Germans, tenacity of the Americans (and a little bit of luck), resulted in victory.
To Save a City
September 29, 2021 22:00 - 7 minutes - 7.35 MBThe Berlin Airlift of 1948 saved the city from starvation...but just barely. Unknown History delves into the astonishing ingenuity of American military alongside the hard work of German citizens that kept the city from collapse. Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the Unknown History podcast. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/ https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts https://www.quick...
Launching the Airlift
September 22, 2021 22:00 - 8 minutes - 8.12 MBThe Berlin Airlift saved the city from starvation during the Russian blockade of 1948. But supplying over two million people for over a year via airplane was a Herculean feat that almost didn't happen. Unknown History delves deeper into the American solution. Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the Unknown History podcast. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/ https://www.quickanddirtytips....
The Siege: Could the Berlin Airlift Save Berlin?
September 15, 2021 22:00 - 9 minutes - 9.15 MBWhen the Soviets cut off all supply routes to western Berlin in 1948, they didn't anticipate the ingenuity and tactical planning skills of Army Brigadier General Frank Howley. Could the Berlin Airlift really keep the entire city alive during the siege? Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the Unknown History podcast. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/ https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/pod...
The Strangling of Berlin
September 08, 2021 22:00 - 7 minutes - 6.91 MBThe Soviets' siege of Berlin did not begin with a bang, but rather a series of smaller infractions, starting with stopping trains to check passengers' papers to cutting off routes for trucks that delivered milk. Giles Milton dives into another moment of Unknown History. Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the Unknown History podcast. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/ https://www.quicka...
A Battle of Wits in Post-War Berlin
September 01, 2021 22:00 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MBWestern allies in post-war Berlin had never encountered the likes of General Alexander Kotikov, a staunch communist with a velvet touch. Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the Unknown History podcast. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/ https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribe https://www.facebook.com/quickdirtytips https://twitter.com/qui...
Churchill's Iron Curtain
August 25, 2021 22:00 - 10 minutes - 9.67 MBWinston Churchill's seminal 1946 speech in Westminster College gave not only a name to growing Soviet influence in Central and Eastern Europe, it also foresaw the future of the Iron Curtain. Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the Unknown History podcast. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/ https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribe https://www.fa...
The Great Berlin Power Struggle
August 18, 2021 22:00 - 10 minutes - 9.52 MBThe opening shots of an ensuing power struggle were fired in the Allied Kommandatura, the four-power body established to run Berlin convened in July 1945. But mistrust and manipulation among the key players threatened the outcome over the most pressing issues: food, looting, shootings, and the arrest of Nazis. Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the QDT newsletter for regular updates. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links: https...
Russia's Secret Revolutionaries
August 11, 2021 22:00 - 9 minutes - 8.57 MBWhen Frank Howley first arrived in Berlin in July 1945, he had no idea that the Russians had spent the last ten years training a small but dedicated group of German revolutionary communists. Their role was to wrest control of all the key institutions in Berlin, setting the stage for a violent struggle between East and West. Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the QDT newsletter for regular updates. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter....
Sleeping with the Enemy
August 05, 2021 00:00 - 9 minutes - 8.55 MBWithin four months of arriving in Berlin, U.S. soldiers had sent home eleven million dollars from black-market trading. It was exciting, profitable, and extremely dangerous. Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the QDT newsletter for regular updates. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/history/sleeping-with-the-enemy https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts https://www.quickanddirt...
The Americans Arrive in Berlin
July 28, 2021 22:00 - 10 minutes - 9.5 MBNine weeks after the Red Army captured Berlin, American colonel Frank "Howlin' Mad" Howley and his troops stormed in to take the ruined city. Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the QDT newsletter for regular updates. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/history/americans-arrive-berlin https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribe https://www....
Berlin Turns Red
July 22, 2021 00:00 - 8 minutes - 7.86 MBBy 10:40 p.m. on Monday, April 30, 1945, the Soviet flag was flying over the Reichstag, sending a powerful message that the Soviets, and they alone, had captured Berlin. If the Americans and British were going to enter the city, it would be on terms set by Joseph Stalin. Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the QDT newsletter for regular updates. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/h...
The Colonel Who Went to War
July 15, 2021 01:00 - 10 minutes - 9.46 MBAn unlikely bond forged between a brash American colonel and a British brigadier played a vital role in a devious game of cat and mouse against Joseph Stalin during World War II. Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the QDT newsletter for regular updates. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/history/the-colonel-who-went-to-war https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts https://www.qui...
Coming Soon: Unknown History Season 4
July 08, 2021 04:00 - 2 minutes - 1.97 MBOn the new season of Unknown History, Giles Milton tells the tales of post-war Europe and the brave men who kept the west from tumbling into chaos - but also sowed the seeds of the Cold War. Tune in weekly on Thursdays starting the 15th of July for the whole thrilling story.
The True Story of A Band of Female Resistance Fighters in WWII
May 20, 2021 04:00 - 19 minutes - 17.8 MBWhile we put the finishing touches on the next season of Unknown History, here's one more special bonus episode for you from our friends at Macmillan Audio. This week, you'll hear a special excerpt from the audiobook The Nine by Gwen Strauss. The Nine follows the true story of the author’s great-aunt Hélène Podliasky, who led a band of nine female resistance fighters as they escaped a German forced labor camp and made a ten-day journey across the front lines of WWII from Germany back to Pari...
The Legacy of the West Point Class of 1966
May 06, 2021 04:00 - 21 minutes - 19.5 MBUnknown History's next season is still in the works, but this week, we're sharing another bonus clip. This episode is a special excerpt from the audiobook The Long Gray Line by Rick Atkinson. It tells the 25-year saga of three graduates of the West Point class of 1966. You'll follow them from their boisterous cadet years to the fires of Vietnam to the hard peace and internal struggles that followed the war. Get your copy today here or wherever books are sold.
Daniel Boone and the Fight for America's First Frontier
April 20, 2021 04:00 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBIn today's exclusive bonus episode, hear a special excerpt from the audiobook Blood and Treasure by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin. Blood and Treasure tells the explosive true saga of the legendary figure Daniel Boone and the bloody struggle for America's frontier. Authored by two bestselling authors at the height of their writing power, Bob Drury and Tom Clavin, it's a thrilling true historical account you won't want to miss. Get your copy today here or wherever books are sold.
91- A User's Guide to U.S. Supreme Court Cases that Shaped History
September 27, 2020 23:00 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBHow did flag burning become a protected act of free speech? Did the United States v. Nixon determine that the President can't, basically, act like a king through executive privilege? Are corporations people? Let's take a look at some U.S. Supreme Court cases that changed America in profound ways. Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the QDT newsletter for regular updates. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links: https://www.quick...
90 - A User's Guide to the Branches of U.S. Government
September 20, 2020 23:00 - 20 minutes - 18.4 MBThe three branches of the U.S. federal government—executive, legislative, and judicial—keep each other in line through a system of "checks and balances." What roles do each play? And who puts the brakes on the POTUS? Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the QDT newsletter for regular updates. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/history/users-guide-branches-government https://www....
89 - A User's Guide to Getting Involved in Democracy—Petitions and Protest
September 14, 2020 00:00 - 13 minutes - 12 MBHow do you get involved in U.S. Democracy? Here's a crash course on next-level civic participation. Yep, we're talking about putting your money or your giant poster board sign where your mask-covered mouth is. Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the QDT newsletter for regular updates. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/history/users-guide-petition-protest https://www.quickandd...
88 - A User's Guide to U.S. Elections
September 06, 2020 22:00 - 18 minutes - 17.3 MBWho's responsible for the Electoral College? (Hint: There's a wildly popular Broadway musical about him.) We'll dish on that and everything you need to know about the U.S. election process in the inaugural episode of our Unknown History miniseries, A User's Guide to Democracy. Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to the QDT newsletter for regular updates. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/ed...
23 S2 - How an Outsider Became President of the United States
August 31, 2020 22:30 - 5 minutes - 4.96 MBNewspapers mocked his candidacy. Opponents underestimated him. And yet, he came to occupy the Oval Office as a U.S. President. Who is he? Not who you think! Read the transcript. Check out all the Quick and Dirty Tips shows. Subscribe to QDT's newsletters for regular updates. Links: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/history/how-an-outsider-became-president-of-the-united-states https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/podcasts https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/subscribe
BONUS: Introducing The History of England
May 30, 2019 09:15 - 35 minutes - 32.5 MBToday we have a special guest post for Unknown History listeners. David Crowther hosts the History of England podcast, where he delves into England's history from the end of Roman Britain to present day. This episode focuses on Queen Mary, Lady Elizabeth, and their strained relationship in 1500's England. Listen to learn about the queen's attempt to "remove a thorn" from her rule. Learn more about the History of England Podcast at: https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk/
87 S3 -- D-DAY: When the Tides Turned on Omaha Beach
April 24, 2019 21:30 - 14 minutes - 9.95 MBIn the last episode from Season 3 of Unknown History, we learn how the American Troops finally won the beach from German defenders at Omaha Beach. This episode was supported by MagellanTV. For an exclusive two-month free trial of all MagellanTV has to offer, visit magellantv.com/unknownhistory
87 S3 - D-DAY: When the Tides Turned on Omaha Beach
April 24, 2019 21:30 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBIn the last episode from Season 3 of Unknown History, we learn how the American Troops finally won the beach from German defenders at Omaha Beach. This episode was supported by MagellanTV. For an exclusive two-month free trial of all MagellanTV has to offer, visit magellantv.com/unknownhistory
86 S3 - D-DAY: The German Opposition
April 17, 2019 23:00 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBToday, we hear from the other side of D-Day—the German colonel tasked with driving the Allied forces off the beaches. Could the panzer tank division and its colorful leader turn the tide on June 6, 1944? This episode was supported by MagellanTV. For an exclusive two-month free trial of all MagellanTV has to offer, visit http://magellantv.com/unknownhistory.
86 S3 -- D-DAY: The German Opposition
April 17, 2019 23:00 - 14 minutes - 10.2 MBToday, we hear from the other side of D-Day—the German colonel tasked with driving the Allied forces off the beaches. Could the panzer tank division and its colorful leader turn the tide on June 6, 1944? This episode was supported by MagellanTV. For an exclusive two-month free trial of all MagellanTV has to offer, visit http://magellantv.com/unknownhistory.
85 S3 -- D-DAY: Bagpipes and Snipers
April 10, 2019 15:00 - 14 minutes - 10.3 MBUpon landing at Sword Beach the morning of June 6, 1944, one group of eite British commandos were accompanied by a Highland bagpiper, who emphasized the greatness of their victory. This episode was supported by MagellanTV. For an exclusive two-month free trial of all MagellanTV has to offer, visit http://magellantv.com/unknownhistory
85 S3 - D-DAY: Bagpipes and Snipers
April 10, 2019 15:00 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MBUpon landing at Sword Beach the morning of June 6, 1944, one group of eite British commandos were accompanied by a Highland bagpiper, who emphasized the greatness of their victory. This episode was supported by MagellanTV. For an exclusive two-month free trial of all MagellanTV has to offer, visit http://magellantv.com/unknownhistory
84 S3 -- D-DAY: American Rangers Who Terrified the Germans
April 03, 2019 16:30 - 14 minutes - 10 MBA group of American Rangers, led by the bold James Rudder, were some of the strongest and bravest soldiers in D-Day battles. Learn how they sabotaged a giant stockpile of German weapons aimed at Normandy beaches.
84 S3 - D-DAY: American Rangers Who Terrified the Germans
April 03, 2019 16:30 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBA group of American Rangers, led by the bold James Rudder, were some of the strongest and bravest soldiers in D-Day battles. Learn how they sabotaged a giant stockpile of German weapons aimed at Normandy beaches.
83 S3 -- D-Day: The Tale of Two Brothers
March 27, 2019 17:00 - 14 minutes - 9.98 MBTwo brothers, Charles and Elliot Dalton, fought side-by-side on the morning of June 6, 1944, leading the Juno Beach landings.
83 S3 - D-Day: The Tale of Two Brothers
March 27, 2019 17:00 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBTwo brothers, Charles and Elliot Dalton, fought side-by-side on the morning of June 6, 1944, leading the Juno Beach landings.
82 S3 - D-DAY: D-Day: The Men in the 'Suicide Wave'
March 20, 2019 20:00 - 15 minutes - 13.8 MBIf you've seen 'Saving Private Ryan,' you know too well the images of the first flight of men invading and dying on the beach on D-Day—today, we learn the true story of that fateful mission.
82 S3 -- D-DAY: D-Day: The Men in the 'Suicide Wave'
March 20, 2019 20:00 - 15 minutes - 11 MBIf you've seen 'Saving Private Ryan,' you know too well the images of the first flight of men invading and dying on the beach on D-Day—today, we learn the true story of that fateful mission.
81 S3 -- D-DAY: The Utah Beach Landings
March 13, 2019 20:15 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MBAs dawn broke on June 6, 1944, Allied forces were conducting their first wave of landings on Utah Beach—and quickly realized that a part of their plan had gone very, very wrong.
81 S3 - D-DAY: The Utah Beach Landings
March 13, 2019 20:15 - 14 minutes - 13.2 MBAs dawn broke on June 6, 1944, Allied forces were conducting their first wave of landings on Utah Beach—and quickly realized that a part of their plan had gone very, very wrong.
80 S3 -- D-DAY: The Battle for Merville
March 06, 2019 17:00 - 15 minutes - 10.4 MBA few hours before the beach landings at Normandy, Allied troops invaded the Merville Battery—a giant gun encampment—with instructions to destroy it. However, they had hundreds less soldiers than necessary to complete the mission.
80 S3 - D-DAY: The Battle for Merville
March 06, 2019 17:00 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBA few hours before the beach landings at Normandy, Allied troops invaded the Merville Battery—a giant gun encampment—with instructions to destroy it. However, they had hundreds less soldiers than necessary to complete the mission.
79 S3 -- D-DAY: One of the Most Dangerous Missions of D-Day
February 27, 2019 16:30 - 14 minutes - 10.2 MBAs we lead up to the climax of D-Day, we learn about the early hours of June 6, 1944, and the soldiers who executed a mission so dangerous, they expected death.
79 S3 - D-DAY: One of the Most Dangerous Missions of D-Day
February 27, 2019 16:30 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBAs we lead up to the climax of D-Day, we learn about the early hours of June 6, 1944, and the soldiers who executed a mission so dangerous, they expected death.