The future of History is right here! Historians Patrick O'Shaughnessy (@historychappy), Conal Smith (@prohistoricman) and Elliott L. Watson (@DrElliottWatson) are dedicated to making history happen, while showcasing the architecture of historical argumentation and historiography. Please visit www.versushistory.com, tweet us at @versushistory or tag us #VersusHistory.
…
continue reading
1
Episode 185: The Exile by Patrick Worrall
27:12
27:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:12
Inspired by the outbreak of war in Ukraine, Patrick was fascinated by the stories he saw on the news. In particular, he was stuck by the vulnerability of the young women travelling alone and the dangers that they might face when they arrive at their next destination. Patrick saw unique parallels between the war today and France of the Fourth Republ…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 184: National Service! Rishi Sunak calls!
21:33
21:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:33
In this episode of the Versus History Podcast, the editors discuss the UK's forthcoming General Election, announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for 4 July 2024. Sunak quickly announced that 'National Service' will be introduced for young people if the Conservative Party is returned to government by the British public. The last time this was part …
…
continue reading
1
Episode 183: 'Freeman's Challenge: The Murder That Shook America’s Original Prison for Profit' by Harvard Professor Robin Bernstein
27:10
27:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:10
In 1821 Afro-Native William Freeman found himself convicted of horse theft he vehemently denied and sentenced to five years of hard labor in Auburn State Prison (New York) — without pay and in total silence. It was the first prison built for solitary confinement, and it was in this oppressive environment that Freeman dared to challenge the system. …
…
continue reading
1
Episode 182: Free Ports (Teeside), Singapore-on-Thames and Entrepots ...
19:05
19:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:05
In this episode of the Versus History Podcast, the Editors tackle the subject of free trade, Brexit and the Teeside 'Free Port' initiative, making (sometimes errant!) comparisons and contrasts to the British acquisitions of yesteryear, including Singapore in 1819 and Hong Kong / Shanghai in 1842. For terms of use, please visit www.versushistory.com…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 181: History Teaching, Versus History & Scholarship ... Elliott tells all!
22:42
22:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:42
In this unique episode of the Versus History Podcast, we take something of a detour from the usual substantive history fest to indulge in some history teaching tales ...Co-Editior Elliott recounts tips, tales and home truths from over twenty years of teaching history worldwide. For terms of use, please visit www.versushistory.com…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 180: Box Office Bombs - Flunking Films!
27:11
27:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:11
In this episode of the Versus History Editors discuss a range of films that have flunked at the Box Office through time. Which films have flunked and why? From Heaven's Gate to Mario to Mr Nanny and many more besides... Find out in this episode! For terms of use, please visit www.versushistory.com
…
continue reading
1
Episode 179: Has banning stuff worked through history?
21:04
21:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:04
In this exciting episode, the Versus History team discuss the recent proposed smoking ban for UK citizens born after 2008 as well as the prohibition of alcohol in America in the early twentieth century and much, much more besides. For terms of use, please visit www.versushistory.com Please give us a good review if you enjoyed the podcast!…
…
continue reading
In this episode of the Versus History Podcast, we discuss a serious miscarriage of justice which, between 1999 and 2015, saw over 900 subpostmasters prosecuted for theft, false accounting, and fraud for shortfalls at their branches when these shortfalls were in fact due to errors of the Post Office's Horizon accounting software. The recent ITV dram…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 177: Resistance: The Underground War in Europe, 1939-1945 with Halik Kochanski
24:49
24:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:49
In this episode of the Versus History Podcast, we were delighted to interview Halik Kochanski, the winner of the Wolfson History Prize for 2023. Resistance: 'The Underground War in Europe, 1939-1945′ Across the whole of Nazi-ruled Europe the experience of occupation was sharply varied. Some countries – such as Denmark – were allowed to run themselv…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 176: “Empathy in history is a noble but ultimately unobtainable endeavour.” With #VHEssayPrize Winner Anoushka Sood
25:47
25:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:47
“Empathy in history is a noble but ultimately unobtainable endeavour.” How far do you agree with this statement? This is the very question answered by one of the joint winners of the inaugural Versus History Essay Prize (#VHEssayPrize). In this episode of the Versus History Podcast, we enjoy an audio-long read from joint prize winner Anoushka Sood …
…
continue reading
1
Episode 175: Cold Spell: A Human History of Ice with Max Leonard
22:00
22:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:00
In this episode, we interview author Max Leonard about his new book. A Cold Spell: A Human History of Ice by Max Leonard This book is the story of humanity through the lens of ice – our interactions with ice, our need for it, and what it means for us that it is rapidly disappearing from our planet. Max takes us from the beginning of our story to th…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 174: History Degrees: worth it? With #VHEssayPrize Winner Neave Rees
25:27
25:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:27
'A History degree isn't worth the paper it is printed on.' To what extent is this statement valid? This is the very question that provided the response for one of the joint winners of the inaugural Versus History Essay Prize (#VHEssayPrize). In this episode of the Versus History Podcast, we enjoy an audio-long read from joint prize winner Neave Ree…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 173: The Children of Athena: Greek Intellectuals in the Age of Rome with Charles Freeman
20:30
20:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:30
This week on the @Versus History Podcast, we welcome back historian Charles Freeman to discuss his new book 'Children of Athena'. Charles Freeman presents a compelling and fascinating portrait of the continuing intellectual tradition of Greek writers and thinkers in the Age of Rome. In 146 BC, Greece yielded to the military might of the Roman Repub…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 172: Rebellion: Eagles of the Empire with Simon Scarrow
22:51
22:51
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:51
AD.60 and Brittania is in chaos. Boudica has had a taste of victory against the formidable veterans in Camulodunum and she won’t stop now. How will Roman heroes Macro and Cato fare against the notorious Queen of the Britons? A quick response to the rapidly advancing rebel forces, Governor Suetonius takes command leading his army to the besieged Lon…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 171: Empires of the Steppe: The Nomadic Tribes Who Shaped Civilization
28:28
28:28
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:28
In this episode of the Versus History Podcast, we interview Historian Kenneth W. Harl, author of the brand new book Empires of the Steppes: The Nomadic Tribes Who Shaped Civilization. This book is an epic and enthralling narrative history of how Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan and the so-called 'barbarians of the steppes' shaped the modern world. The …
…
continue reading
1
Episode 170: The Catholic Church in the Age of Revolution & Democracy
25:09
25:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:09
In this episode of the Versus History Podcast, we interview Dr. Ambrogio A. Caiani about his new book. Losing a Kingdom, Gaining the World is the untold story of the fascinating and complex history of the Roman Catholic Church in the modern age. In the first book of its kind, Dr. Ambrogio A. Caiani unravels the enthralling and horrifying history of…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 169: Drag: A British History by Jacob Bloomfield
21:35
21:35
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:35
In this episode of the podcast, we interview historian and author Jacob Bloomfield. His new book Drag: A British History is a groundbreaking study of the sustained popularity and changing forms of male drag performance in modern Britain. With this book, Jacob Bloomfield provides fresh perspectives on drag and recovers previously neglected episodes …
…
continue reading
1
Episode 168: Walking Hadrian's Wall with Elliott!
13:08
13:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
13:08
Our Co-Editor Elliott is currently walking Hadrain's Wall, from the west coast of England to the east! In this episode of the podcast, we catch up with him as he finds a spot with mobile signal to fill us in on his adventures thus far! #VersusHistory
…
continue reading
1
Episode 167: The Eagle and the Lion: Rome, Persia and an Unwinnable Conflict with Adrian Goldsworthy
25:31
25:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:31
The epic story of the imperial rivalry between two of the greatest empires of the ancient world – Parthian and Persian – and how they rose and eventually fell. The Roman empire shaped the culture of the western world against which all other great powers are compared. Stretching from the north of Britain to the Sahara, and from the Atlantic coast to…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 166: History of Modern Terrorism with Dr James Crossland.
29:43
29:43
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:43
In this epsiode, we discuss Dr James Crossland's new book 'The Rise of Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism' (Manchester University Press, 2023). We cover much ground relating to the history of terrorism, right up to the preset day and forecasts for the future. James is a Reader in International History, whose present research interests…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 165: Siege of Paris 1870 with David Lawday
32:23
32:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
32:23
A Time in Paris is the new book by historical novelist David Lawday, the author of the critically-acclaimed book 'Danton'. As a correspondent for the Economist and U.S. News and World Report, David Lawday lived in France for many years, marrying a French woman and raising his two children there. His long experience of France, in the eyes of an Econ…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 164: Bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki. 'Road to Surrender' with Evan Thomas.
22:46
22:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:46
In this episode, we interview Historian, Journalist & New York Times bestselling Author Evan Thomas about his brand new book, Road to Surrender: Three Men and the Countdown to the End of World War. Road to Surrender is a riveting, immersive account of the agonizing decision to use nuclear weapons against Japan. To bring these critical events to viv…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 163: Biden in Ireland 2023. Reflections & Review.
16:27
16:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:27
US President Biden has just finished his visit to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. What are the historical connections? Can it be termed a success? If so, for who(m)? The Editorial team discuss ... For terms of use, please visit www.versushistory.com
…
continue reading
1
Episode 162: Versus History Essay Prize 2023 #VHEssayPrize
7:04
7:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
7:04
We are delighted to announce the launch of the Versus History Essay Prize 2023 (#VHEssayPrize). Full details can found via the links below. Please spread the word to anyone and everyone who may (or may not!) be interested! The webpage link for the #VHEssayPrize is here. The questions for the #VHEssayPrize are here. To contact Versus History via Twi…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 161: 'Kisses on a Postcard' with Dominic Frisby
39:33
39:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
39:33
In this episode, we interview actor, historian, podcaster and playwright Dominic Frisby about evacuation from London during WW2. Dominic is responsible for 'Kisses on a Postcard.' To set the scene, it is 1940. Two boys from London, Terry and Jack, aged seven and eleven, are being evacuated to escape German bombing. They end up in Cornwall, where th…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 160: Britpop & Jungle. The sound of 90s Britain.
1:09:13
1:09:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:09:13
In this exciting episode of the Versus History Podcast, we have something a little different. We discuss the 1990s and the wonderfully eclectic and inventive sounds it spawned, from Britpop's Oasis, Blur and Pulp to Jungle / Drum and Bass and Shy FX, General Levy and UK Apachi. We conclude with a guest mix from Leicester's and UMC Management's very…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 159: The Dress Diary of Mrs Anne Sykes: Secrets from a Victorian Woman’s Wardrobe with Kate Strasdin
18:19
18:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
18:19
In this episode, we interview Kate Strasdin, who is a dress historian who has been fascinated by old clothes since she was a child. Her new book, 'The Dress Diary of Mrs Anne Sykes: Secrets from a Victorian Woman’s Wardrobe' is a tour de force of History! Kate is a lecturer in Cultural Studies at Falmouth University and an Instagram sensation! In 2…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 158: The long view - the news today with hindsight ...
12:30
12:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
12:30
In this episode, the editorial team meets at the Future Learning Summit to discuss the news today (25/02/23). We look at AI, Presidents, railway strikes, nationalisation and much, much more besides ... For terms of use, please visit www.versushistory.com
…
continue reading
1
Episode 157: The Long View - This week's news in History ...
12:59
12:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
12:59
Join us for this episode where we check out the big news stories of the week and investigate the historical connections and correlations. For terms of use, please visit www.versushistory.com
…
continue reading
1
Episode 156: The War Pianist with Mandy Robotham
17:38
17:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
17:38
In this episode of the Versus History Podcast, we are joined by Mandy Robotham. She is a Globe and Mail, USA Today, and UK, Canadian, US and Australian Kindle Top 100 bestseller. She has been an aspiring author from the age of nine, but was waylaid by journalism and later enticed by birth. She’s now a former midwife who writes about birth, death, l…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 155: Oh to be a Jungle MC! With the legendary MC Co-Gee from Kool LDN
41:30
41:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
41:30
Jungle. Drum & Bass. Its impressively long history goes back to the very early 1990s, synthesising elements of rave, house and techno, but also reggae and Soundsystem culture. MC Co-Gee is a musician and artist who needs no introduction to fans of Jungle, Drum & Bass and Reggae. He was the very first Jungle MC on London's premier Jungle Radio Stati…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 154: Chat GPT & tech change in history!
31:19
31:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:19
Chat GPT has been causing quite a stir on social media and in the news. But how revolutionary is it? Does all technological change have this much impact? What other changes have caused consternation through history? Find out in this episode, where the entire editorial team of Versus History gather round to discuss! For terms of use, please visit ww…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 153: 'SAS Brothers in Arms' with Damien Lewis
22:29
22:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:29
In this episode of the Versus History Podcast, we welcome back Historian Damien Lewis to discuss his new book 'SAS Brothers in Arms'. Damien Lewis' new bestseller tells the action-packed, riveting story of the band of mavericks and visionaries who made the SAS. Using hitherto untold stories and new archival sources, Damien Lewis follows one close-k…
…
continue reading
Natalie Haynes is a writer and broadcaster. She is the author of The Amber Fury, The Children of Jocasta, and A Thousand Ships, which was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction in 2020. Her non-fiction book about women in Greek Myth, Pandora’s Jar, was a New York Times Bestseller in 2022. She has written and performed eight series of her BBC…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 151: Versus History Editors Talk History!
16:28
16:28
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:28
In this episode, the editorial team got together to talk about a small slice of the history that they encountered during their summer travels and also to announce the winner of the amazing Wolfson History Prize 2022 book bonanza!
…
continue reading
1
Episode 150: The resistance fighter who survived three concentration camps
14:19
14:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
14:19
In the 150th episode of the Versus History Podcast, we interview author Eva Taylor about her new book, 'Sabine's War'. The book notes are below: Sabine’s War is the previously untold story of a remarkable resistance fighter and her incredible story of survival against the odds. When Germany invaded Holland in May 1940, Sabine Zuur joined the resist…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 149: Devil-Land: England Under Siege, 1588-1688 with Clare Jackson
26:57
26:57
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
26:57
An interview with Dr Clare Jackson, the winner of Wolfson History Prize 2022 about her book, ‘Devil-Land: England Under Siege, 1588-1688′. Clare is the Senior tutor of Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge. The description for the book: Among foreign observers, seventeenth-century England was known as ‘Devil-Land’: a diabolical country of fallen an…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 148: ‘God: An Anatomy’ with Francesca Stavrakopoulou
14:30
14:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
14:30
This is a Wolfson History Prize 2022 Special! In this special interview we chat with Professor Frances Stavrakopoulou (@ProfFrancesca) about her new book 'God: An Anatomy'. This was a nominee for the 2022 Wolfson History Prize. The description of the book is here: Three thousand years ago, in the Southwest Asian lands we now call Israel and Palesti…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 147: Japanese Print Art - A Short History!
28:22
28:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:22
Mr. Barry Cooper’s educational career spans 20 years, 3 continents, and 4 prestigious schools in London, Edinburgh, Shanghai and Dubai. Most recently, he shaped the academic curriculum for the newly launched Brighton College Dubai, while also finding time to create and curate a new Arts festival. Previously he championed the IB Diploma programme fo…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 146: Alice's Book: How the Nazis Stole My Grandmother's Cookbook
15:03
15:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
15:03
In this episode, we interview Karina Urbach, a Senior Research Fellow at the University of London about her brand new book. So what happened to the books that were too valuable for the Nazis to burn? Alice Urbach had her own cooking school in Vienna, but in 1938 she was forced to flee to England, like so many others. Her younger son was imprisoned …
…
continue reading
1
Episode 145: The US President and midterm elections
27:23
27:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:23
In this podcast, Conal, Patrick, and Elliott gather around the microphone to discuss the upcoming November midterm elections in the United States and put them in historical context for the listener. Will the party of the president lose seats in Congress and what might this mean for the man in the White House? Is there historical precedent for a pre…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 144: The Flame of Resistance: Josephine Baker's Secret War
24:56
24:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:56
In this episode, we catch up with WW2 author and historian Damien Lewis, discussing his brand new book ‘The Flame of Resistance: American Beauty. French Hero. British Spy’. In December 2021 Josephine Baker, music hall and movie star, and civil rights activist, entered the French Panthéon – the nation’s highest honour. Now Damien Lewis reveals her g…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 143: Red Ball Radical - Cricket Past, Present & Future
24:45
24:45
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:45
In this episode, cricket expert and the Head of History at Felsted School, Rakesh Pathak, returns to the Versus History Podcast. Having been our guest in episode #111, Rakesh is back to discuss a range of cricketing questions and themes, including how historians should view Joe Root’s captaincy of the England team, the future of red-ball cricket, t…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 142: Is Ranil Wickremesinghe Sri Lanka’s Winston Churchill?
34:17
34:17
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:17
Sri Lanka is currently in the midst of an economic and political crisis the likes of which the island nation has not witnessed in the years since gaining independence in 1948. Under pressure from protesting Sri Lankans across the country, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse recently resigned and went into hiding. His brother the President - Gotabaya R…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 141: Former Labour MP Peter Bradley on his book 'The Last Train'
46:01
46:01
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
46:01
In this episode, we interview Peter Bradley, who was the Labour MP for The Wrekin between 1997 and 2005, about his book ‘The Last Train - A Family History of the Final Solution’. Peter has written, usually on politics, for a wide range of publications, including The Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The New Statesman and The New European, but i…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 140: Losing US Presidential Candidates through History
18:16
18:16
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
18:16
In this episode, we explore the losing US presidential candidates with Peter Shea. His book, which he co-authored with Tom Maday, entitled In the Arena profiles 34 American leaders who captured their party’s nomination for the presidency, but never reached the Oval Office. Author Peter Shea chronicles the rise, early careers, campaigns, and later a…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 139: States of Liberation with Samuel Clowes Huneke
38:22
38:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
38:22
In this episode, we talk with Samuel Clowes Huneke an assistant professor of history at George Mason University about his new book, States of Liberation. The book traces the paths of gay men in East and West Germany from the violent aftermath of the Second World War to the thundering nightclubs of present-day Berlin. Following a captivating cast of…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 138: Berlin during the Cold War - 'Capital of Spies'
28:10
28:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:10
For this episode of the Versus History Podcast, we are fortunate enough to be joined by Historian Bernd von Kostka, discussing Berlin during the Cold War and the book that he has co-authored, entitled ‘Capital of Spies: Intelligence Agencies in Berlin During the Cold War’. We cover lots of ground during the discussion, including legacies of the Col…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 137: Agatha Christie: The Christie Affair with Nina de Gramont
16:56
16:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:56
In this intriguing episode of the Versus History Podcast, we interviewed historical novelist Nina de Gramont about her truly captivating new book ‘The Christie Affair’. Agatha Christie needs little introduction as a figure of historical significance. The book itself was an Amazon Best Book of February 2022 and has been acclaimed around the world. A…
…
continue reading
1
Episode 136: The 1990s & 'Harry's Kebab House'
52:46
52:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:46
This week we were delighted to be joined by DJ Dribbler (@dribbler23), the former tour DJ for Orbital, who has written the acclaimed novel, 'Harry's Kebab House'. Harry`s Kebabs follows five people who are all inter-connected through the 90s rave scene and its peripheral subcultures. A pool hustler, a photographic memory, a beggar by choice and a p…
…
continue reading