Explaining History

Nick Shepley
  • 4.6 (43)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • MONTHLY
Explaining History Podcast

The Explaining History Podcast has been exploring the 20th Century in weekly chapters for the past 10 years, helping students and enthusiasts engage with the past. With the help of expert guests, your host Nick Shepley navigates competing debates around the key events and processes of the past century. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Chile: 9:11.73

    In 1973 the democratically elected socialist government of President Salvador Allende was overthrown in a violent US backed military coup led by general Augusto Pinochet. Following this seizure of power, tens of thousands of political dissidents were arrested, tortured and executed and economic shock therapy was administered to the country on a massive scale, mass privatisations, slashing of welfare programmes and carte blanche handed to multinational corporations to extract wealth from Chile. Help the podcast to continue bringing you history each week If you enjoy the Explaining History podcast and its many years of content and would like to help the show continue, please consider supporting it in the following ways: If you want to go ad-free, you can take out a membership here Or You can support the podcast via Patreon here Or you can just say some nice things about it here Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    33 min

  2. 5 SEPT

    20th Century Dictators

    Hi everyone and welcome back after the Explaining History summer recess. In this extended episode I interview LBC presenter and author Iain Dale whose new anthology of essays, Dictators launches today. In this wide ranging conversation about the nature of dictatorial leaders from ancient times to modern we examine the relationship the democratic world has with them and how democratic, open societies can slide into tyrannies. Please join us for this fascinating journey. You can grab your copy of The Dictators here Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min

  3. 8 AUG

    Men At War - Masculinity, Sexuality and Memory 1939-45

    In this fascinating conversation with writer Luke Turner, we explore the emotional and intimate lives of men who fought in the Second World War. Luke's new book, Men at War 1939-45 is an exploration of the motivations, beliefs and personal and sexual histories of British soldiers in the Second World War. Join us to hear more about the book and the ideas behind it. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    28 min

  4. 20 JUL

    The Fall of Civilisations

    In this wide ranging conversation with historian and podcaster Paul Cooper, we explore the themes in his new book The Fall of Civilisations. Paul has examined numerous ancient and medieval civilisations from the Assyrians to the peoples of Easter Island to understand the factors and tipping points that lead to the end of civilisations. We explore how empires divide, how civil conflicts begin, the role of food insecurity and other stress factors and how likely our civilisation will reach its own existential crisis. Note: There were a couple of audio issues in this podcast, but stick with it, it's well worth it. You can hear Paul's podcast here, and Paul's book Fall of Civilisations is available here Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min

  5. 7 JUL

    Westlessness: The changing power of the west in the 21st Century

    The western world fought for its survival in the 20th Century and won the three great historical challenges it faced, the first and second world wars and the long ideological struggle of the Cold War. Now in the 21st Century, during a time of rapid global transitions of power the future of the western power is less certain in an increasingly multipolar world. In this episode of the Explaining History Podcast, I speak with Dr Samir Puri, author of a new book Westlessness, which explores the past and the future of the west and its competitors. Note: There were a couple of audio issues in this podcast, but stick with it, it's an absorbing conversation. You can pre-order the book here Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min

  6. 28 JUN

    SAS warfare, survival and resistance 1942-44

    In this episode of the Explaining History podcast we hear from Gerald Hough, whose new book Desert Raids with the SAS recounts the story of his father, Anthony, and his experience of war, captivity and escape. Part of the SAS in North Africa during the long desert campaigns between the 8th Army and the Afrika Korps, Anthony Hough was captured by the Italians and sent to a prison camp near Pescara in Italy. When Italy surrendered and Germany occupied the northern half of the country, he found himself trapped behind enemy lines and facing potential deportation to Germany. With two other soldiers he hid and then escaped as the camp was being emptied and found the most extraordinary support and help from Italian anti fascists in the nearby villages. Reduced eventually to living in a cave, Anthony Hough crossed mountainous terrain in winter and desperately ill managed to make it back across allied lines. Hear about this incredible story of survival and resistance. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min

  7. 21 JUN

    French Counter Insurgency in Algeria

    In today's episode of the Explaining History podcast, we hear from Terence Peterson author of Revolutionary Warfare: How the Algerian War Made Modern Counterinsurgency. In this fascinating discussion, we explore the brutal realities of the Algerian war of Independence and France's struggle to comprehend and counter a nationalist movement that threatened to dismantle its empire. France's loss in Vietnam had been a shattering blow to French pride and self confidence, along with the national humiliation and trauma of the Second World War. The French war against the nationalist movement in Algeria whilst unsuccessful created the framework for the bloody suppression of third world nationalist movements for the next half century. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min

  8. 16 JUN

    William Freeman and America's first profit driven prisons

    In the first half of the 19th Century profit driven prisons were established in America's northern states, using extreme brutality and conditions that amount to torture to extract free labour from inmates. In this week's edition of the Explaining History Podcast, we hear from Professor Robin Bernstein, whose new book Freeman's Challenge: The Murder that Shook America's Original Prison for Profit tells the story of William Freeman. Freeman was wrongfully convicted of stealing a horse and sent the profit driven prison in his home town of Auburn NY, and who endured terrible physical and mental punishment during the five years of his incarceration. Freeman, a half black, half native American was forced to perform free labour and rebelled against the prison's rules, particularly the imposition of total silence 24 hours a day. When released he demanded restitution for the loss of wages and finally committed a terrible murder. What happened next shaped the racist lie perpetuated in America until the present day of an alleged link between African Americans and violent crime. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    36 min
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4.6
out of 5
43 Ratings

About

The Explaining History Podcast has been exploring the 20th Century in weekly chapters for the past 10 years, helping students and enthusiasts engage with the past. With the help of expert guests, your host Nick Shepley navigates competing debates around the key events and processes of the past century. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/explaininghistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Nick Shepley
  • Years Active
    2012 - 2024
  • Episodes
    636
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Nick Shepley
  • Show Website
    Explaining History

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