Dictators explained

The Black Death is remembered as one of the most devastating catastrophes in human history – a pandemic that swept across continents and killed millions. But where did it come from? How did it travel so quickly through towns and countryside? And did people at the time understand ...  Show more

Did you know that George Orwell only found national acclaim as an author in the final years of his life, as his health was worsening? Or that, with the growing prospect of death looming increasingly large, he sought refuge on a remote Scottish island? Historian Robert Colls tells ...  Show more

We have EVEN MORE ways of making you talk. In this bonus episode James gets to explore the inner workings of a World War 2 tank. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 

Is liberal democracy facing an existential crisis? A 2023 poll conducted by the Open Society Barometer found that faith in democracy among young people is waning. But what does this mean? Why might young people become more 'strongman-curious'?

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This weeks listener question about the history of seersucker leads us to a surprising discussion of etymology. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/dressed-the-history-of-fashion/donations Learn ...  Show more

In a riveting new memoir, former senior CIA officer Doug London celebrates a career in espionage, but in a lengthy conversation with host Jeff Stein, he offer candid, even brutal observations on how 20 years of counterterrorism warped the agency’s priorities and managers. Support ...  Show more