History Extra podcast

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The History Extra podcast brings you gripping stories from the past and fascinating historical conversations with the world's leading historical experts.

Produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine, History Extra is a free history podcast, with episodes released six times a week. Subscribe now for the real stories behind your favourite films, TV shows and period dramas, as well as compelling insights into lesser-known aspects of the past.

We delve into global history stories spanning the ancient world right up to the modern day. You’ll hear deep dives into the lives of famous historical figures like Cleopatra, Anne Boleyn and Winston Churchill, and explorations of intriguing events from the past, such as the Salem witch trials, the battle of Waterloo and D-Day.

Expect fresh takes on history, helping you get to grips with the latest research, as we explore everything from ancient Roman archaeology and Viking mythology to Renaissance royals and Tudor kings and queens.

Our episodes touch on a wide range of historical eras – from the Normans and Saxons to the Stuarts, Victorians and the Regency period. We cover the most popular historical subjects, from the medieval world to the Second World War, but you’ll also hear conversations on lesser-known parts of our past, including black history and women’s history.

Looking at the history behind today’s headlines, we consider the forces that have shaped today’s world, from the imposing empires that dominated continents, to the revolutions that brought them crashing down. We also examine the impact of conflict across the centuries, from the crusades of the Middle Ages and the battles of the ancient Egyptians to World War One, World War Two and the Cold War.

Plus, we uncover the real history behind myths, legends and conspiracy theories, from the medieval murder mystery of the Princes in the Tower, to the assassination of JFK.

Featuring interviews with notable historians including Mary Beard, Tracy Borman, James Holland and Dan Jones, we cover a range of social, political and military history, with the aim to start conversations about some of the most fascinating areas of the past.
Unlock full access to HistoryExtra.com for 6 months for just 99p https://www.historyextra.com/join/

Recent Episodes

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Recent Reviews

NappyDresser

If you love history?

Interesting high quality content. Thank you BBC
Super Awesome swag dude

Hugely informative AND entertaining!

I can always count on BBC History Extra for great stories from the people in the know, expert historians and authors who have done their due diligence. Stories I never would see otherwise and makes me hungry for more about the subject at hand. In a world of never ending crisis-driven news, its a welcome reprieve to look into the past and have something else riveting, rather than depressing, to listen to.
Pen4321

Great podcast!

Always interesting!
trillionshelper

BYRON EPISODE

Why was the guest on the Byron show laughing all through it? I wish you explained why every aspect of Byron’s life and work was worthy of giggles .
booklovertoo

A History Lover’s Feast

This is one of the best history podcasts around. There’s a variety of topics so there’s something for everyone. I really look forward to this every week.
The most reader

Wonderful podcast

This is a well informed podcast and very easy to listen to.
LindaB23

Always interesting topics

I look forward to each episode. Just the right length. Give this podcast a try!
Listener48205

Helps me sleep!

I say this as a high compliment! I struggle to fall asleep, and there’s something about these well-told and well-timed stories that helps me relax and fall asleep.
EdmondsKat

So good

Keep up the great work!
Norahbee

Fascinating

Love this podcast. It's great to learn so many new things about topics I often wouldn't seek out myself, but I find fascinating.
HAK III

architect

Love this podcast. Start everyday with it.
Oldbutspecial

Charles Dickens

Ms Kelley was very annoying in her critique and delivery. Couldn’t get thru the podcast
Sanera

A Daily Staple

I’ve listened to a lot of history podcasts and this is the only one that gives everything. This is the best commute history that usually revolves around the subject of a book and it’s cool to hear the voice of the authors of familiar books. All in all, just the best and I’m thankful for the quantity of content. Would love to hear a podcast of welsh mythology!
AshandArlo

Conspiracy series waste of time

Seems ridiculous to not have this in a format that allows for disagreements. Would love for this to have been 2 scholars of differing opinions instead of 1 agreeing with himself. Not gonna bother with the rest of this series.
Mags Magee

The ads are brutal

Lovely soft music, cultured British accents, interesting topics discussed by knowledgeable historians BUT THOSE ADS! I’ve been a listener for years, but I m afraid I cant take the new screaming ads. They destroy the dreaminess of the show. I can afford the 3 bucks or whatever but I hate these dinky charges on the cc that will be impossible to get rid of later. Sorry, but, bye-bye.
yoga.aha

Sherlock

To mention Sherlock Holmes without mentioning Jeremy Brett is an affront to God.
Anita - R

Correction - The Gilded Age

Consuelo was the daughter of William and Alva Vanderbilt. Not Cornelius. She was the great granddaughter of the founder of the family fortune: Cornelius. Some might credit Mark Twain for coining the term the Gilded Age, co- author of a novel titled as such
Ann.rn

Deleting now

We can’t even celebrate Thanksgiving without be scolded with uneducated idiocy surrounding the first feast.
Geoplanter

Weimar Germany

Professor McDonough neglected to discuss the watershed moment which was the elevation of the German-Jewish industrialist, Walter Rathenau to Foreign Minister, and his subsequent assassination by a far-right group. Rathenau’s story was symbolic of the rise and prosperity of the German Jews, from the Enlightenment, to the ultimate tragedy of the 20th Century. Instead of making a quick passing reference to the prejudices against “Eastern Jews” residing in Germany at that period, he should have been more accurate and detailed as to the success and assimilation of the German Jews…especially since they were so central to Weimar culture in Berlin and elsewhere.
Salud G

Such a strong show

I’m so pleased with the breadth and depth of this podcast. A must for history buffs.
SamMahony

Was so good

I’m an American and this chick stinks. Please for love of God get rid of her, it’s not the American it’s the woke inclination, it makes the podcast lose credibility. She’s awful, the fake laughing is the worst
Jules5168

Franco episode glitch

Why does the recent Franco episode interrupt itself and restart around 26:00?!
FSUSoccer

Podcast 1688

Herbert Hoover
cornhuskbaby

My go to podcast

I love this podcast. Always featuring well-informed and passionate guest. The long form series’ are my favorite. Estelle from the Catherine Parr episode of 6 wives is a particular stand out for me. She has an infectious enthusiasm.
Hortensia15

Authors talk ridiculously fast - giving up on podcast

Why can’t the host, produced before or during the recording tell the guest to slow their speech. Heather Jones was particularly horrible - it was as if the recording has been sped up. It would be comical we’re it not so frustrating. Does anyone involved with producing this podcast listen to it? Also, the questions asked by the host add to the impression that no one is listening to the guest. Preprepared, read aloud questions that are out of context, not at all integrated with whatever subject the speed talker is saying. Increasingly amateurish pod.
HistoryMama86

Always learn something

I’ve been listening to this podcast for a little over a year now and I always feel like I learn something new. Love the storytelling, poignant questions, and femme focused storylines. I would say that they need to learn how to pronounce “Medici” correctly, as well as other words that aren’t of English origin.
ALittleChaotic

WOW! 5⭐️

The Wager story, great host, great guest
Luciannaus

Favorite Podcast! But so many unavailable.

I love this podcast so much, but it seems that at least half of the episodes are "temporarily unavailable." It seems to always be the ones that look super interesting. Can this be fixed?
imfeelingsublime

Informative and interesting

This is an excellent podcast. The episodes are always engaging and I like the choice in topics. I listen to several history podcasts and this is one of my favorites. Also, I saw a particular recent review (and more with the same sentiment) complaining about how it would be oh so nice “if for once it wasn’t brought up about how white men were oppressing others” & things of that nature. It’s an unfortunate reality that oppression is a commonality throughout history. It’s deeply entrenched in all of world history. To me, that was just such a strange thing to complain about. Whether someone likes it or not, white men in positions of power have historically been oppressive to people of color and women. You’re going to hear about this in many historical podcasts. I think it’s extremely disingenuous, and glossing over history, to leave that out of a history podcast.
scottD125

Ads with a little history in between

I don’t listen as much as I used to because of all the advertising.
Buggsy07

Why ruin such a good thing

Used to love this podcast, it was entertaining and insightful lessons from our past. However, sadly, they now inject modern politics into every episode. If I wanted to hear a pundit’s opinion I would listen to the usual suspects on the left or right. What was once an oasis away from the madness has now become infected by it. Today is the day I unsubscribe after 4+ years of loyal listening and become a history hit member. It’s not what this show was but at least they keep their politics out of the content.
iNgledang

Similar themes in almost every show

I’m not an ultra-conservative, misogynistic anti-woke person by any means, but more and more this show focuses on the same old tired themes over and over again about how mistreated women and non-white peoples have been throughout history. It is a well-known fact that women throughout history have indeed been overshadowed, patronized, and otherwise mistreated in many cultures. It is also well-known that white European settlers brutally conquered land and peoples throughout the world. But it sure would be nice to turn on an episode every once in a while that deals with a topic that wasn’t hand-picked to illustrate how evil white males have oppressed and burned and pillaged their way throughout world history. It seems that no matter the topic, it somehow always steers toward the fact that we need to raise awareness about this sad fact of history, and apparently several times per week as this podcast is released. There is a whole lot of history that has happened in this world. Must this show always focus on the culture war stuff that is so prevalent in the news and social media? To me, this is just lazy content creation. History should teach us lessons, but I don’t need to learn the same one over and over several times per week. I also look to great stories from history as an escape, and I just can’t get that from this show, which always seems to preach at me about the lessons I should be learning. Most people are good people who know right from wrong, and we don’t need a history podcast to teach us very basic life lessons over and over again.
littleredmon

Thouggt provoking

This was a delightful discovery. It helps me process how we got where we are today. It’s fun and it helps ligh my imagination. It’s a great podcast for a thoughtful walk.
eugenia mosk

Medieval history

Dr Eleanor Janega is the best! Love listening to her!
Robert Henry Holtz

Great content

Really enjoy the conversations and information on this pod. Well researched and well produced! Bayeux Tapestry series was excellent!
John VerValen

So tired of woke activists being interviewed

Just got done listening to the episode on Greek marble statues and their significance. What I did learn was that the academic that they interviewed was a butt hurt feminist. I am so tired of this woke virtue signaling on this podcast. How about just giving the facts of history and leaving your brand of activism at the front door.
Mitch11234

GUESTS

This is the best overall history podcast out there (besides The Ancients!). For reviewers criticizing the guests, I don’t think that’s fair. This is one of the few podcasts with extremely knowledgeable hosts questioning contemporary historians as well as other experts in their fields asking insightful questions and getting insightful answers. To hold these academics to an entertainment standard of how well they talk or present the information is missing the point. They are all not going to be the most “entertaining” interviewees, but they are experts offering invaluable information to the public. And actually a lot of them are amazingly eloquent.
Mozam9

I love this

Please please bring the original music back!!! It helps me sleep!!!
Kailbill

Dislike subscription episodes

I enjoy the show aside from the fact that subscription episodes just sit there in the feed. It’s hard to actually see which episode are available to listen to for free. This used to be my go-to commute show but not anymore… I can’t safely drive and look to see what I can listen to. Content wise: some of the presenter biases can be hard to ignore but that’s what you get these days I suppose. If you can look past that and keep an open mind, there is a lot of really neat content once you actually get into it.
APro

Context and Detail

One of my favorite podcasts. Every topic is presented in context with often vivid details. Enormously entertaining and a great resource. I’ve bought so many of the guests’ books.
Trinchuckle

Great show

Interesting material, well researched and clearly presented. Well worth a listen!
Henripug

Love the show; miss the old song :(

Ah
Dagda9

Love this podcast

This podcast should be on every non Russian person. It has explained Russian culture, history and philosophy.
Adrienne H.13

Kudos! High quality show

Love this show. Always something new and interesting
lizmeister7

Babur

Fascinating! Thank you!
papakila

Needs improvement

The problem with the podcast is the format. It needs a 5-10 minute attempt by the hosts to summarize the historical event, THEN have the expert on to answer questions. Instead the historian is asked to jump in deep into the details, and usually backtracks to do the general summary that was wanting at the beginning. So every episode starts at the most contentious details and goes backwards towards the larger context.
nessiemoon

Great content!

I absolutely love this podcast, great engaging topics, the interviews are well thought out and engaging. I totally recommend it to anyone who enjoys history and thoughtful interviews.
5onalee

Quality varies widely

Some of the guests are truly excellent, and deserve far better than this show. Some are appalling. There’s still an extremely strong “western” (imperialist, white, male) bias in the questions, and among some of the interviewees that is embarrassing and oblivious. I have listened to hundreds of episodes, but cannot take it any longer. The desperate kowtowing to the British public’s precious racist delusions is painful. Spencer Mizen’s pathetic pleading for the sanctity of Churchill hagiography and propaganda was especially revolting. “How COULD you state verifiable facts found in countless primary historical documents?!” In Rana Mitter own book “Forgotten Ally,” he documents Churchill’s proposition to FDR for an “Anglo-Saxon alliance” to ensure permanent ironclad white domination of India, China and all nonwhite “inferior” peoples. How Mitter manages to hold his head up among this crew of unrepentant revanchists, I’m sure I don’t know, but I hope the paychecks are hefty.
rrinsb

Stuffy

Pompous and misleading. This podcast has a definite spin.
RAKGB

Kudos for'The End of Roman Britain'

Excellent work on the part of David Musgrove and the BBC History Extra team. The conclusions drawn in the final episode were particularly brilliant and I'm sorry this series is over at the same time as I look forward to the next one. What I like most about this podcast in general is the open-minded view of history as a growing and changing discipline. Great stuff!

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