From 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.

Written by David Jackson. With thanks to Joshua Levine, historian and author of several books including The Secret History of the Blitz.

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Think 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

Written by Emma Christie. With thanks to Chris Wimmer, host and creator of the Legends of the Old West podcast.

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For 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 Buildings that Shaped Medieval Britain.

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From 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 Harrison. With thanks to Jonathan Eig, writer of award-winning biography, Ali: A Life.

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From 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 New York-based PI Ray Schindler to clear de Marigny’s name. Ray flies to the paradise island of New Providence and gets straight down to work - interviewing witnesses, following up clues, and piecing together the circumstances of Oakes’ death. Before long, he finds himself drawn into a complex mystery straight from the pages of a classic whodunnit.

If you enjoy this taster episode, search ‘Detectives Don’t Sleep’ in your podcast app and hit follow to get new episodes every Tuesday.

Part 2 of Murder in Paradise is live now on the Detectives Don’t Sleep podcast.

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When 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.

Written by Dan Smith. With thanks to Lucas Riepell, historian of science at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.

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Frida 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 Henestrosa, co-author of Frida Khalo: Making herself up and curator of a Frida Kahlo exhibition at London’s V&A museum.

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Though 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 at Pepperdine University and author of St Patrick of Ireland: A Biography.

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The 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 by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Christian Wolmar, author of To The Edge of the World, The Story of the Trans Siberian Railway.

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Since 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 Antiquities & Treasure at the British Museum.

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Daniel 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 Rebecca Simon, historian and the author of Why We Love Pirates.

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Leonardo 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 History of the World’s Most Famous Painting.

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In 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 to Nisid Hajiri, author of Midnight’s Furies: The Deadly Legacy of India’s Partition, and Aanchal Malhotra, author of Remnants of Partition.

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At 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, author of the book D.B. Cooper and Flight 305 and Darren Schaeffer, host of The Cooper Vortex podcast.

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Retaining 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 that saw the whole country turn amateur detective?

This is a Short History Of Agatha Christie.

Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to best-selling crime writer Sophie Hannah.

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Between 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 betrayal and exploitation shape Ireland’s future, right down to the present day?

This is a Short History of the Irish Potato Famine.

Written by Dan Smith. With thanks to Kristina Kinealy, Director of Ireland's Great Hunger Institute at Quinnipiac University, Connecticut.

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Best 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. With thanks to Dr Michael Green, associate professor of history at the University of Nevada and Las Vegas.

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No 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 Jo Furniss. With thanks to Dr Anjna Chouhan, Senior Lecturer in Shakespeare Studies at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

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It’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 Richards, Head of Documents and Sound and the Imperial War Museum, and author of The True Story of the Christmas Truce: British and German Eyewitness Accounts from World War I, and Catriona Pennell, Professor of Modern History and Memory Studies at the University of Exeter. 

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Pocahontas 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 Short History of Pocahontas.

Written by Lindsay Galvin. With thanks to Camilla Townsend, professor of history at Rutgers University, and author of Pocahontas and the Powhatan Dilemma. 

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Abraham 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 Reynolds, Distinguished Professor at the City University of New York, and author of Abe: Abraham Lincoln in His Times.

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In 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 secrets did it reveal?

This is a Short History of the Rosetta Stone.

Written by Kate Harrison. With thanks to Richard Bruce Parkinson, Professor of Egyptology at the University of Oxford.

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The 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 to Bridget Clifford, Curator Emerita at the Royal Armouries and retired Keeper of the Tower Armouries. For more information about the Royal Armouries, head to their website www.royalarmouries.org

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First 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. Jo Anne Van Tilburg is an American archaeologist and the Director of the Easter Island Statue Project. She’s spent three decades working on Rapa Nui.

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Vincent 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 Steven Naifeh, Pulitzer Prize-winning co-author of Van Gogh: The Life and Jackson Pollock: An American Saga.

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From 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 to Professor Matthew Restall, Director of Latin American Studies at Penn State University and author of Seven Myths of the Spanish Conquest and When Montezuma met Cortez.

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Albert 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 Albert Einstein. Written by Dan Smith. With thanks to David Bodanis, author of Einstein’s Greatest Mistake, and E=mc2: A Biography of the World’s Most Famous Equation.

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The 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 Rose. 

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The 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. With thanks to Joyce Tyldesley, archaeologist and author of Cleopatra: Last Queen of Egypt.

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Standing 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 author of Everest, 1922.

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In 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 Timothy May of the University of North Georgia.

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Featuring Scotland Yard Confidential, the podcast that enters the minds of some of the greatest detectives in history - real-life sleuths who would give Sherlock Holmes a run for his money. In this taster episode, follow the story of the Hatton Garden Heist - one of the most daring diamond heists in British History. With potentially 40 million pounds worth of jewels missing, Scotland Yard's elite robbery and organized crime unit, the Flying Squad - was put on the case...

Scotland Yard Confidential is a Spotify Original and available exclusively on Spotify.

Short History Of continues next Monday wherever you get your podcasts. 

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Between 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 and violence?

This is a Short History of The Real Peaky Blinders.

Written by Luke Kuhns. With thanks to Professor Carl Chinn, social historian and author of Peaky Blinders: The Real Story

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To 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 production, written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Dr Tracy Norman, author of Crown and Sceptre; and Dr Tessa Dunlop, author of Army Girls

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To 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 fit a changing world, while managing a family so often overshadowed by scandal?

A Noiser production, written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Dr Tracy Norman, author of Crown and Sceptre; and Dr Tessa Dunlop, author of Army Girls.

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After 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 Wars of the Roses; and Lauren Johnson, historian and author of The Shadow King – The Life and Death of Henry VI, and an upcoming book on Tudor matriarch Margaret Beaufort.

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With 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 Marshall. With thanks to Michael Hicks, historian and author of The Wars of the Roses; and Lauren Johnson, historian and author of The Shadow King – The Life and Death of Henry VI, and an upcoming book on Tudor matriarch Margaret Beaufort.

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Almost 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 thanks to Michael Hicks, historian and author of The Wars of the Roses; and Lauren Johnson, historian and author of The Shadow King – The Life and Death of Henry VI, and an upcoming book on Tudor matriarch Margaret Beaufort.

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Noiser 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.

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The 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 Short History of the Spanish Armada.

Written by David Jackson. With thanks to Geoffrey Parker, Professor of History at Ohio State University, and co-author of Armada: The Spanish Enterprise and England’s Deliverance in 1588.

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Today 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.

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Older 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 official Stonehenge guidebook.

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As 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 a Short History of Amelia Earhart.

Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Susan Butler, author of East to the Dawn, the Life of Amelia Earhart.

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In 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.

Written by Chris McDonald. With thanks to Denis Belliveau: author and Emmy-nominated filmmaker of In The Footsteps of Marco Polo.

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In 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 machines?

This is a Short History of the Spartans.

Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Dr Andrew Bayliss, Associate Professor of Greek History at the University of Birmingham, UK, and author of The Spartans: A Very Short Introduction.

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Covering 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.

Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Javier Puente, associate professor of Latin American studies at Smith College in Massachusetts.

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In September 1666, the Great Fire of London consumed hundreds of acres of houses, shops, churches, and government buildings. But what effect did politics and memories of a recent civil war have on the spread of the fire, and the hunt for someone to blame? And once the flames had died down, how did the people of the city rebuild what they’d lost?

This a Short History of the Great Fire of London.

Written by Danny Marshall. With thanks to Rebecca Rideal, historian and author of 1666: Plague, War, and Hellfire.

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From Noiser, Real Outlaws is the new podcast that travels back in time to when rouges and bandits followed a code all of their own. In this taster episode, we're on the trail of Ned Kelly - The Australian legend without equal. But what's the truth behind the myth?

Search ‘Real Outlaws’ wherever you get your podcasts and hit follow to never miss an episode.

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As the Queen’s family life becomes more complex, the relationship between palace and press intensifies. But balancing the need for security and privacy against her very public responsibilities is never simple. So who is the real woman beneath the crown? How does she respond to the dark years of her reign, or the grief of losing her beloved husband? And as she approaches her Platinum Jubilee, how will history remember her reign?

This is the second in a special two-part Short History of Queen Elizabeth the Second.

Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Dr. Tracy Borman, author of Crown and Sceptre; and Dr. Tessa Dunlop, author of Army Girls. 

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Spanning seventy years, Queen Elizabeth II’s reign has seen 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 is 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 modernize an ancient role to fit a changing world, while managing a family so often overshadowed by scandal? 

This is the first in a special two-part Short History of Queen Elizabeth the Second.

Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Dr. Tracy Borman, author of Crown and Sceptre; and Dr. Tessa Dunlop, author of Army Girls.

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After its initial discovery in 1974, the Terracotta Army became the unofficial eighth wonder of the world. Comprising an estimated 8,000 statue warriors buried as part of the First Emperor of China’s tomb complex, experts are still unearthing its secrets. But what was the purpose of so many clay soldiers? How were they made, and by whom? And what do we know about the Emperor considered so important that his death demanded a project on this scale?

This is a Short History of the Terracotta Army.

Written by Duncan Barrett. With thanks to Eugene Wang, Professor of Asian Art at Harvard University; and Andrew Bevan, Professor of Comparative Archaeology at University College London.

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In 1986, the Chernobyl power plant became the site of the worst nuclear disaster in history. Poisonous radiation caused over 100,000 casualties, and cost billions of dollars to clean up. Even now, the exclusion zone is one of the most polluted and heavily-patrolled regions in the world.  

But what caused the catastrophe in the first place? Why did the Soviet Union try to keep it a secret? And what is its lasting impact on the region, and the wider world? 

This is A Short History of Chernobyl. 

Written by Chris McDonald. With thanks to Professor Serhii Plokhy, author of Chernobyl: History of a Tragedy.  

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In 1509, at just seventeen years old, Henry VIII was crowned King of England. Over the next four decades, he would burn through six marriages, bankrupt his nation, and vandalise his country’s cultural heritage in his quest for supreme power. But how did England’s most eligible bachelor degenerate into a bloated despot, and one of the worst husbands in history? Was the king a psychopath, or a complex character who dragged Britain from the Dark Ages into the modern era?

This is a Short History of Henry VIII.

Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Dr Tracy Borman, historian and author of Crown and Sceptre.

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As the smoke clears after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the blame game begins. President Roosevelt knows that military and intelligence heads must roll, but questions remain about who should be held to account. So what were the longer term consequences of the attack? How did life change for Japanese-Americans, and what fates awaited the Japanese servicemen on their return? And as the memory of Pearl Harbor fades, what lessons were learned? 

This is the last episode in this special 3-part Short History of Pearl Harbor.

Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Professor Phillips O’Brien, author of How The War Was Won; Dr Takuma Melba, author of Pearl Harbor; and Steve Twomey, author of Countdown to Pearl Harbor. 

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Chaos reigns in the immediate aftermath of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. While the true extent of the damage to personnel and fleet is still uncertain, those on the ground work tirelessly to help the wounded. But what is the response of those in charge? What are the stories of servicemen who face incredible odds to save their vessels, retaliate, or flee? And who were the people who risked their lives to save others? 

This is episode 2 of a special 3-part Short History of Pearl Harbor.

Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Professor Phillips O’Brien, author of How The War Was Won; Dr Takuma Melba, author of Pearl Harbor; and Steve Twomey, author of Countdown to Pearl Harbor. 

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On December 7th 1941, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, changed the course of the Second World War. Forcing the United States into a conflict they were reluctant to enter, the attack killed over 2,500 people. But was it an act of aggression, or desperation? How did the Japanese pull off such an audacious stealth attack? And how were the Americans so unprepared?

This is episode 1 of a special 3-part Short History of Pearl Harbor.

Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Professor Phillips O’Brien, author of How The War Was Won; Dr Takuma Melba, author of Pearl Harbor; and Steve Twomey, author of Countdown to Pearl Harbor. 

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In 1917, revolution changed Russia forever. Putting an end to 300 years of the Romanov dynasty, it made way for what ordinary Russians believed would be a fairer, more egalitarian system. But what sparked the rebellion? What was it like to witness the collapse of the autocracy? And once the smoke had cleared, what happened to the promise of a new socialist utopia? 

This is a Short History of the Russian Revolution.

Written by Kate Simants. With thanks to Dr Helen Rappaport, historian and author of Caught in the Revolution and After the Romanovs. 

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The Titanic was the largest moveable object in history: almost 900 feet long, and holding over two thousand passengers. But just four days into its maiden voyage, a collision with an iceberg was enough to send her to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. So what made the famously ‘unsinkable’ ship anything but? Who was responsible for so many deaths? And what was it like to witness the disaster first hand?

This is a Short History of The Titanic

Written by Duncan Barrett. With thanks to Susie Millar, President of the Belfast Titanic Society. 

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Viking exploration changed the course of history in the northern hemisphere. As raiders and pirates, they dominated the seas of northern Europe for centuries. Their fearless and brutal reputations struck fear into hearts from Constantinople to Canada, while their folklore and mythology continues to inspire to this day. But who were the mortal men and women behind the immortal legends of the Norsemen?

This is a Short History Of the Vikings.

Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Lars Brownworth, author of Sea Wolves, A History of the Vikings, and to William Fitzhugh, author of Vikings, The North Atlantic Saga.

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For almost two hundred years, the Knights Templar were one of the most fearsome military forces in the world. Despite their strict vows of individual poverty, the Order was a global financial powerhouse, with valuable holdings across Europe and the Middle East. Even today, the myth of the Templars endures. But who were the men who devoted themselves to the mysterious order? And how did such a powerful international organisation find itself suddenly brought down?

This is a Short History of The Knights Templar.

Written by Duncan Barrett. With thanks to Thierry Do Espirito, author of The Knights Templar for Dummies, and to Michel Carnet, voice of the French nobleman. 

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For thirteen years from 1920, the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic drinks was banned in the USA. The age of prohibition was a rowdy time: enlivened by jazz and wild parties; darkened by violence and lawlessness. But how did it come about? Who were its heroes and villains? And how did it change the face of the country it sought to purify?

This is a Short History of Prohibition.

Written by Danny Marshall. With thanks to Daniel Okrent, author of Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition.

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When five men are caught inside a Washington DC office block in June 1972, it’s noted in police records simply as a ‘burglary’. So how does this bungled break-in go on to unravel a web of corruption and conspiracy, shatter America’s trust in its leadership, and topple President Richard Nixon, the most powerful man in the world?

This is a Short History of the Watergate Scandal.

Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Michael Dobbs, author of King Richard: Nixon and Watergate, an American Tragedy.

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While British women had been requesting the right to vote for decades, in the early 1900s, the Suffragettes refused to take no for an answer. But despite their PR expertise, as their methods became more violent, theirs was a movement that divided the nation. But what radicalized them? Were they revolutionaries? Terrorists? Or simply an oppressed majority with no legitimate way to protest?

This is a Short History of the Suffragettes.

Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Helen Pankhurst, author of Deeds Not Words: The Story of Women’s Rights Then and Now, and to Dr Diane Atkinson, author of Rise Up Women: The Remarkable Lives of the Suffragettes.

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On the border between the Western world and the Soviet Union, the Berlin Wall was a symbol of the Cold War. Starting out as a simple barbed wire fence, it would grow in scale and complexity to become a 27-mile concrete edifice, incorporating watchtowers, trenches, electric fences, and landmines. But what was its purpose? How did it impact the people whose city it divided? And what did it take, in the end, to bring it down?

This is a Short History of the Berlin Wall.

Written by Duncan Barrett. With thanks to Iain MacGregor, author of Checkpoint Charlie: The Cold War, The Berlin Wall, and The Most Dangerous Place on Earth.

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For over six hundred years the Ottoman Empire ruled swathes of the Middle East, North Africa, and Southern Europe. As an Islamic superpower centred on what is now Turkey, theirs is a story of surprising alliances and enemies, trade, war and progress. But who were its leaders? How did it become so powerful? And after its eventual collapse, what legacy did it leave behind?

This is a Short History of the Ottoman Empire.

Written by Danny Marshall. With thanks to Professor Marc David Baer, author of The Ottomans: Khans, Caesars, and Caliphs.

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The Underground Railroad helped up to 100,000 enslaved people to freedom. It was America’s first civil rights movement, operated by Black and white people united in their abhorrence of slavery. But how was it established? Who were its passengers, and the people risking everything to assist them? And what part did it play in America’s descent into civil war?

This is a Short History of the Underground Railroad.

Written by Kate Simants. Special thanks to historian Fergus Bordewich, author of Bound for Canaan; and to public historian and lecturer Christopher Miller of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Centre in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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April 13th, 1970. 200,000 miles from Earth, three astronauts are approaching lunar orbit when they hear a noise. Deep in the spacecraft, a tiny wiring fault has caused an entire oxygen tank to explode. Now, it’s a race against time to save the lives of the crew of Apollo 13.It could have been the worst disaster in the history of manned space exploration. So how did things go so wrong? And who truly deserves the credit for the efforts to get the three men home again?

This is a Short History of Apollo 13.

Written by Duncan Barrett. Special thanks to Ben Feist of NASA, creator of the interactive multimedia website, ApolloinRealTime.org; and historian Rob Godwin, author of Apollo 13, The NASA Mission Reports.

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Short History Of… will be back as usual on Monday, but today we are dropping an episode by our friends at We Have Ways of Making You Talk podcast. Their podcast is a deep dive into World War Two, and today’s episode is all about the incredible story of the Dambusters raid in 1943 and the man who led the Raid, Guy Gibson.

It’s co-hosted by historian James Holland and comedian Al Murray.

If you like what you hear search for “We Have Ways” wherever you get your podcasts or click here: https://podfollow.com/1457552694

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Forged by the Great Depression, Bonnie and Clyde became icons of lawlessness, thrilling and shocking America with their crime sprees and doomed romance. But what drove them to lives of such violence? And with the full might of the police against them, how did it all end? 

This is a Short History of Bonnie and Clyde.

Written by Danny Marshall, with thanks to Paul Schneider, journalist and author of Bonnie and Clyde – The Lives Behind The Legend.

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Antarctica, October 1915. 1200 miles from civilisation, Ernest Shackleton watches from the ice as his ship finally crumples. To survive, he and his 27 men must now undertake an epic, death-defying journey, amid impossibly harsh conditions. Shackleton’s expedition is one of history’s greatest tales of human endurance. But what went so badly wrong? And with no hope of rescue, how will they make it home to tell the tale?

This is a Short History of Ernest Shackleton.

Written by James Benmore. With special thanks to Dr. Stephanie Barczewski, Professor of History at Clemson University and author of Antarctic Destinies: Scott, Shackleton, and the Changing Face of Heroism.

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It’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 Richards, Head of Documents and Sound and the Imperial War Museum, and author of The True Story of the Christmas Truce: British and German Eyewitness Accounts from World War I, and Catriona Pennell, Professor of Modern History and Memory Studies at the University of Exeter.

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March 15th, 44BC. Despite ill omens, Julius Caesar approaches the Theatre of Pompey. But the men inside have sworn an oath. To save the Republic from the hands of this self-styled ‘perpetual dictator', Caesar must die. But where did the Republic start? How did it transform Rome from a small town into a superpower? And what made its government, so determinedly against autocracy, pass the tipping point into a dictatorship?

This is a Short History of the Roman Republic.

Written by Kate Simants. With thanks to Dr. David Gwynn, Professor of Roman History at Royal Holloway University.

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It’s November 28th, 1809. The Imperial fleet in Tung Chung Bay is aflame. But the crew of Zheng I Sao’s ship watch on and cheer. This is the greatest victory of the Pirate Queen, scourge of the South China Sea. At its peak, her fleet was more than twice the size of the Spanish Armada. But who was Zheng I Sao? How did she become one of the most successful pirates of all time? And why did she go under the radar for so long?

This is a Short History of The Pirate Queen.

Written by Joel Duddell. With thanks to Dian Murray, historian, and author of Pirates of the South China Coast.

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Sakkara, Egypt, 2,630BC. A man stands atop a structure of dizzying height as the final block grinds into place. For Imhotep, it is the culmination of his life’s work: a mountain made by man. He checks the joint while his workers wait in silence. Then, he gives a barely perceptible nod. It is done.

Imhotep’s pyramid is the first, but more will come. Bigger pyramids, more beautiful pyramids, tombs filled with treasure, chambers inscribed with complex, sacred writings.

But what motivated these ancient people to toil for decades over their vast monuments? What purpose did the structures serve? And what mysteries might still remain inside?

This is a Short History of Pyramids.

Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Salima Ikram, Professor of Egyptology at the American University of Cairo.

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New Noiser Release. Starting today, unpack the epic dramas of history’s most infamous buccaneers. Real Pirates takes you right into the heart of the action with immersive storytelling and pulse-racing tales, charting the lives of the legendary men and women who roamed the oceans. Who really were they? What was life really like? Listen to an exclusive clip from the first episode right here, then search and follow Real Pirates for new episodes every Monday!

Real Pirates is co-produced with Spotify and is exclusive - but free - on Spotify.

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Despised by the English, mistrusted by the Scottish nobles, and revered by his countrymen: William Wallace is synonymous with the battle for Scottish freedom. But scratch away at the legend, and even the most basic details are disputed. Where he was born, who he married, and what he did after his famous battle at Stirling Bridge. Thanks to the brutal nature of his death, he doesn’t even have a grave. What can we really know about the man immortalised by the poets? Was he anything like the warrior depicted in ‘Braveheart’? And what does his legacy tell us about the people of Scotland who idolize him to this day?

This is a Short History of William Wallace.

Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Graeme Morton, Professor of Modern History and Director of the Centre for Scottish Culture at the University of Dundee, and author of William Wallace: Man and Myth.

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After a bloody battle on September 22nd, 1877, Saigo Takamori and his loyal warriors pause on a hillside overlooking Kagoshima. They’ll never surrender, but they’re wounded, exhausted, and massively outnumbered, and Saigo already knows how this will end. Because his noble Samurai army aren’t just fighting the Emperor’s gun-wielding forces. They’re fighting progress itself. And that’s a battle they cannot win. But were the Samurai really a class of elite martial artists, driven by unbreakable codes of chivalry and loyalty? Or, behind the propaganda, just a self-important militia of romanticised thugs?

This is a Short History of the Samurai. 

Written by Joe Viner. With thanks to Jonathan Clements, historian, and author of A Brief History of the Samurai.

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Introducing History Daily, the new show from Noiser, co-produced with Airship.

Host Lindsay Graham (American Scandal, American History Tellers) takes you back in time to explore a momentous moment that happened ‘on this day’ in history.

Find and follow 'History Daily' wherever you get your podcasts to get your daily dose of history.

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One night in November 1605, a man is discovered underneath England’s Houses of Parliament. And he’s got enough gunpowder with him to reduce it to rubble, with the King, his sons, and the entire government inside it. The Gunpowder plot is an epic tale of adventure and murderous revenge, a detective story complete with secrets, aliases, even an anonymous letter of betrayal. But who was really behind it? What drove the conspirators to attempt such an audacious act of terrorism?

This is a Short History of the Gunpowder Plot.

Written by Kate Simants. With thanks to Jim Sharpe, historian and author of Remember Remember the Fifth of November: Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot.

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By the time she died in 2005, Rosa Parks was known around the world as an icon of activism. Her act of defiance one ordinary Thursday afternoon in Montgomery, Alabama catapulted her to the forefront of the battle for racial equality in America. But what was her story before that fateful moment in 1955? What course did her life take afterward?

This is a Short History of Rosa Parks.

Written by Kate Simants. With thanks to Dr. Danielle McGuire, historian, and author of At the Dark End of the Street, and Kim Trent, President of the Rosa Parks Foundation.

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Cloaked in secrecy, discussed by even the most hardened criminals as a place of terror, US Penitentiary Alcatraz is the most feared institution in the American penal system. From 1934 to 1963 more than 1500 prisoners pass through its gates, including Machine-Gun Kelly and Scarface himself, Alphonse Capone. But how did this island rock capture the public imagination? What was life really like inside?

This is a Short History of Alcatraz.

Written by Kate Simants. With thanks to Jolene Babyak, Alcatraz Historian and author of Breaking the Rock: The Great Escape from Alcatraz.

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In 1511, a Spanish lifeboat makes land on the Yucatán coast in modern-day Mexico. Thirteen days ago, the crew's caravel was wrecked on a reef. But their adventure is far from over. Now, they are about to become some of the first Europeans to make contact with the Maya. Custodians of an ancient civilisation, at one time tens of millions of Maya people inhabited a swathe of the Americas. But who were they and what did they do? Where did they go once their society collapsed? And how are their modern-day descendants beginning to bring the past back to life?

This is a Short History of the Maya.

Written by Dan Smith. With thanks to David Stuart, Professor of Mesoamerican Art and Writing at the University of Texas at Austin.

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After multiple coups by the Soviet Union, astronaut Alan B. Shepard has just become the first American in space. But this is only the beginning. Now, NASA have the moon in their sights, but it's still a long way off. For either the USA or the USSR to succeed, they'll need newer and better technology. The 1960s are about to become the defining decade in space exploration. Who will touch down first on Earth's nearest neighbour? This is a Short History of the Moon Landing.

Written by Luke Kuhns. With thanks to Robert Godwin, Historian, and author of multiple books on the Space Race.

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Humanity has always looked to the heavens, pondering what is really out there. But how did space travel turn from fantasy into reality? In the aftermath of World War Two, a group of scientists from Nazi Germany arrives in the United States. Their task? To kickstart America's space program. Meanwhile, in the Soviet Union a covert team of engineers begins work on a series of rockets and satellites. The starting gun has been fired. Who will make it up there first?

This is a Short History of the Space Race.

Written by Luke Kuhns. With thanks to Robert Godwin, historian, and author of multiple books on the Space Race.

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In October 1347, a ghostly fleet of trading ships docks at a port in Sicily. The crew members – dead already, or well on their way – bear bubonic plague. The ‘Great Pestilence’ will ravage the populations of three continents over the next decade. What changes to society will result from this, the most devastating pandemic in history? How will people make sense of the terrible scenes before them? Are their methods of dealing with disease really as misguided as they seem?

This is a Short History of the Black Death.

Written by Dan Smith. With thanks to Dr. Eleanor Janega, teacher of medieval history at the London School of Economics.

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In November 1922, in Egypt's Valley of the Kings, a young water boy called Hussein Abdul Rasoul makes a remarkable discovery. A set of stone steps lies concealed beneath the desert sand - a staircase leading to a long-lost tomb. The mummified pharaoh within will capture the imagination of generations to come, becoming the very embodiment of Ancient Egypt. What do we know of this boy king and his premature end? And why the extraordinary opulence of his burial chamber?

This is a Short History of Tutankhamun.

Written by Luke Kuhns. With thanks to Dr. Chris Naughton, Egyptologist and author of King Tutankhamun Tells All!

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What happens when a volcano erupts just six miles from a bustling city? In 79 AD Mount Vesuvius is regarded as a source of bounty by those who live in its shadow. But one of history’s most infamous natural disasters soon unfolds. How did the lucky ones make their escape? And how did this Roman settlement become such an extraordinary archaeological site?

This is a Short History of Pompeii and the Vesuvius Eruption.

Written by Dan Smith. With thanks to Kevin Dicus, Professor of Classical Archeology at the University of Oregon.

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On January 24th, 1848, a carpenter from Coloma plunges a hand into the American River and pulls out gold. This discovery triggers an explosion of findings, as people flock to the region seeking fortune and reinvention. But what were the chances of striking gold? What obstacles did would-be prospectors encounter along the way? And did the rush to the American West ever really end?

This is a Short History of the California Gold Rush.

Written by Luke Kuhns. With thanks to Dr. Malcolm Rohrbough, Professor of History at the University of Iowa and author of Days of Gold: The California Gold Rush and the American Nation.

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In the early 18th century, one man makes his name as the most notorious pirate of all time. The legend of Edward Thatch has spawned television shows, novels and major motion pictures. Stories abound of his wild eyes striking fear into enemy hearts, of the six pistols strapped to his chest, and of his arrival in battle with his jet-black beard set ablaze. But how much is fact and how much fiction?

This is a Short History of Blackbeard the Pirate.

Written by Luke Kuhns. With thanks to Colin Woodard, author of The Republic of Pirates: Being the true and surprising story of the Caribbean pirates and the man who brought them down.

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On October 16th, 1962, John F. Kennedy discovers that the Soviet Union has successfully planted ballistic missiles on Cuban soil. The United States is now in Moscow's crosshairs. How will the President respond? How far will Khrushchev and Castro push him?

This is a Short History of the Cuban Missile Crisis, Part 2.

Written by Joel Duddell. With thanks to Philip Brenner, Professor Emeritus at American University School of International Service.

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In October 1962, three men – Kennedy, Khrushchev and Castro – hold the fate of the planet in their hands. A dispute over Soviet missiles in Cuba spirals out of control. Officials in the USA and the USSR prepare for a war that would end life on Earth as we know it. How exactly did it come to this? And just how close will the world come to nuclear Armageddon?

This is a Short History of the Cuban Missile Crisis, Part 1.

Written by Joel Duddell. With thanks to Philip Brenner, Professor Emeritus at American University School of International Service.

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In the first-ever episode of Short History Of… we take a trip back in time to Ancient Rome, to discover the bizarre and barbaric world of the gladiators. But who were these mysterious warriors? And how much truth lies behind the legends? Take your seat in the Roman Colosseum, the games are about to begin.

This is a Short History of the Gladiators.

Written by Addison Nugent. With thanks to Dr. Neville Morley, historian and author of The Roman Empire: Roots of Imperialism.

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Each week, Short History Of... gives you a front-row seat as history’s most extraordinary moments play out right before you.

You’ll be up close with the gladiators and the Mongols, unearthing the Terracotta Army, setting sail in Blackbeard’s pirate ship, watching on as the Cold War hots up. These are the stories beyond the headline names, stories that are amazing because they really did happen. Hit follow for weekly episodes.

For ad-free listening, exclusive content and early access to new episodes, join Noiser+. Now available for Apple and Android users. Click the Noiser+ banner on Apple or go to noiser.com/subscriptions to get started with a 7-day free trial.

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