The History Podcast

4.5 (58)
HISTORY
SERIES

NEW In The History Podcast - Two Nottingham Lads: How two British men from Nottingham end up on opposite sides of the war in Ukraine.

EPISODE 1

The Arrest: Trailer

When Augusto Pinochet visits London for minor surgery, a small team of lawyers races to seize an unlikely chance to catch the Chilean dictator and, perhaps, bring him to justice.

3 min
EPISODE 1

The Arrest: 1. The Lawyer

As Augusto Pinochet recovers from minor surgery in London in October 1998, a lawyer for his victims races to seize an unlikely opportunity to bring the Chilean dictator to justice. The general, who seized power in a military coup in 1973, is thought to be responsible for orchestrating the execution of more than 3,000 political opponents, and the torture, kidnapping and disappearance of 40,000 more. Until this point he has been untouchable - safe from prosecution in Chile, and protected by diplomatic immunity abroad. Two Spanish lawyers have spent the last few years building a case against him, and the authorities in London might now be able to help, but to succeed they’ll need to act fast, pull in some favours, and cut a few corners. The Arrest is presented by Philippe Sands The series producer is Simon Tulett. Sound design and mixing is by Tom Brignell. The production co-ordinators are Helena Warwick-Cross and Tammy Snow The editor is Matt Willis. Philippe Sands is the author of '38 Londres Street: On Impunity, Pinochet in England and a Nazi in Patagonia'.

15 min
EPISODE 2

The Arrest: 2. The Disappeared

When diplomat Carmelo Soria doesn't come home from work in July 1976 his wife, Laura, fears the worst. Augusto Pinochet has been in power in Chile for almost three years and the disappearances of his political opponents have become hard to ignore. The Spaniard's body is found, floating in a Santiago canal, two days later. The police say he'd had a car accident, but his widow is convinced he'd been kidnapped, tortured, and murdered. When, 20 years later, she meets a Spanish lawyer building a complaint against Pinochet, the legal case against the former dictator finds a powerful weapon. The Arrest is presented by Philippe Sands. The series producer is Simon Tulett. Sound design and mixing is by Tom Brignell. The production co-ordinators are Helena Warwick-Cross and Tammy Snow. The editor is Matt Willis. Philippe Sands is the author of '38 Londres Street: On Impunity, Pinochet in England and a Nazi in Patagonia'.

15 min
EPISODE 3

The Arrest: 3. The Judge

Augusto Pinochet won't be in London for much longer, so the lawyer leading the case against the dictator needs to act fast if he is to secure the help of the UK authorities. But the Spanish judge in charge of the investigation is moving too slowly. Meanwhile, there are powerful figures in the Spanish legal establishment trying to block the case, and the former Chilean dictator himself - now aware of the moves being made against him - has been applying pressure to shut it down. So the lawyer takes a professional risk and looks to a different judge for help - one with a reputation for fearlessness and ruffling feathers. The Arrest is presented by Philippe Sands. The series producer is Simon Tulett. Sound design and mixing is by Tom Brignell. The production co-ordinators are Helena Warwick-Cross and Tammy Snow. The editor is Matt Willis. Philippe Sands is the author of '38 Londres Street: On Impunity, Pinochet in England and a Nazi in Patagonia'.

15 min
EPISODE 4

The Arrest: 4. The Warrant

When the Spanish judge pursuing Augusto Pinochet learns the dictator is about to leave London - for the safety of Chile - much sooner than expected, he makes a snap decision that will have enormous international consequences. He needs Spain's legal machinery to act, but there's one big problem - it's a Friday afternoon, and almost everyone at Madrid's National Court has gone home for the weekend. The Arrest is presented by Philippe Sands The series producer is Simon Tulett The editor is Matt Willis

14 min
EPISODE 5

The Arrest: 5. The Arrest

Augusto Pinochet is woken by his nurse around midnight and a few minutes later finds a handful of British police officers at the foot of his bed, with an international warrant for his arrest. The dictator is furious, as are his supporters, but among his victims and their families there is joy and relief. His arrest is unprecedented and is hailed by human rights campaigners as a landmark moment - a "wake-up call to tyrants around the world" - but will the general actually face justice? The Arrest is presented by Philippe Sands. The series producer is Simon Tulett. Sound design and mixing is by Tom Brignell. The production co-ordinators are Helena Warwick-Cross and Tammy Snow. The editor is Matt Willis. Philippe Sands is the author of '38 Londres Street: On Impunity, Pinochet in England and a Nazi in Patagonia'.

15 min

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The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

4.3 (6763)

DAILY NEWS
Global investigations from the BBC. Uncovering gripping stories from around the world and telling them episode by episode. Delve into a World of Secrets. Latest season: The Child Cancer Scam. Your child is critically ill. It’s the worst news you can get. But to make the situation even more awful, you struggle to afford the care they need. So when someone tells you a foreign sponsor can help raise the money, you’ll do anything. You make a video: your child begs for help from strangers online. But it comes to nothing. You wait and wait for the cash that was donated. It never comes, and all the while your child is fighting for their life. Previously on World of Secrets: Death in Dubai. A woman falls from a tower block and her name starts trending. But behind the online rumours lies an even darker reality. The Abercrombie Guys. Investigating sexual exploitation claims against the former CEO of fashion giant Abercrombie & Fitch. And Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods. Women accuse Mohamed Al Fayed of rape.

4.6 (951)

DOCUMENTARY
Spanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from BBC Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Melvyn Bragg and expert guests explore the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world. History fans can learn about pivotal wars and societal upheavals, such as the rise and fall of Napoleon, the Sack of Rome in 1527, and the political intrigue of the Russian Revolution. Those fascinated by the lives of kings and queens can journey to Versailles to meet Marie Antoinette and Louis XIV the Sun King, or to Ancient Egypt to meet Cleopatra and Nerfertiti. Or perhaps you’re looking to explore the history of religion, from Buddhism’s early teachings to the Protestant Reformation. If you’re interested in the stories behind iconic works of art, music and literature, dive in to discussions on the artistic genius of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and Van Gogh’s famous Sunflowers. From Gothic architecture to the works of Shakespeare, each episode of In Our Time offers new insight into humanity’s cultural achievements. Those looking to enrich their scientific knowledge can hear episodes on black holes, the Periodic Table, and classical theories of gravity, motion, evolution and relativity. Learn how the discovery of penicillin revolutionised medicine, and how the death of stars can lead to the formation of new planets. Lovers of philosophy will find episodes on the big issues that define existence, from free will and ethics, to liberty and justice. In what ways did celebrated philosophers such as Mary Wollstonecraft and Karl Marx push forward radical new ideas? How has the concept of karma evolved from the ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism to today? What was Plato’s concept of an ideal republic, and how did he explore this through the legend of the lost city of Atlantis? In Our Time celebrates the pursuit of knowledge and the enduring power of ideas.

4.6 (5081)

HISTORY
The comedy podcast that takes history seriously. In each episode of You’re Dead to Me from BBC Radio 4, Greg Jenner is joined by a comedian and an expert historian to learn and laugh about the past. History isn’t just about dates and textbooks – it’s about extraordinary characters, amazing stories, and some very questionable fashion choices. How long did it take to build an Egyptian pyramid? What does the Bayeux Tapestry reveal about medieval life? Why did it take nearly half a millennium for Joan of Arc to become a saint? And was Catherine the Great really all that great? Whether you want to explore ancient landmarks like Stonehenge and Machu Picchu, dance through the history of Broadway and Bollywood, or find out how the Tudors rose to power, Greg and his guests promise to teach you something new that you won’t have heard in history lessons. Previous episodes of You’re Dead To Me have covered everything from royals to revolutionaries, actors to activists and divas to dictators. Take a stroll through the history of high-heeled shoes or get the scoop on the history of ice cream. Maybe you’d like to paint like the cave artists of the Palaeolithic era, work out like a Victorian bodybuilder, or fight like a Spartan? We’ve even hosted a special, live episode with the BBC Concert Orchestra to explore the dramatic life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Whatever your historical interests, Greg and his guests make even the trickiest topics easy to follow. Join them for a history lesson that’s as entertaining as it is enlightening - with no homework required.

4.7 (2923)

HISTORY
Interviews, news and analysis of the day’s global events.

4.2 (933)

DAILY NEWS
How the nuclear bomb shaped world history. The scientists who raced to build weapons, the spies who stole the technology and the superpowers who grappled with deployment. In Season 3, nuclear war is terrifyingly close. Can the superpowers of the Soviet Union and the USA prevent apocalypse? Nina Khrushcheva and Max Kennedy, relatives of Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev and US President John F Kennedy, tell the story of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Season 2 is about Klaus Fuchs, the brilliant young physicist from a pacifist German family whose spying for Russia changed history. Season 1 tells the story of Leo Szilard, and the scientist’s discovery of the lethal potential for nuclear weapons in the race to beat Nazi Germany.

4.3 (981)

HISTORY

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Kavita Puri

Host
Charlie Northcott

Host
Joe Dunthorne

Host
David Dimbleby

Host
Alex von Tunzelmann

Host
Glenn Patterson

Host
Carlo Gébler

Host
Gordon Corera

Host

4.5

out of 5

58 Ratings

Season 7 is 5*

Sep 23

Shipstobase

An extraordinary story that unfolds through original testimony in a compelling and gripping tale. A massive commendation for the soundtrack for this season in particular - the music is absolutely beautiful. I listened to the whole season twice, back to back, because the music is just beguiling and absolutely enchanting.
Truth and lies

Dec 1

Busy guide is big brother

I have work with South Africans. They are a good people and I welcome all of them to come to America. BBC I say to you now get it right this genocide is going on and don’t lie to us. If they come here to America, they will easily assimilate they bring skill and many other things to offer to America prosperity and America first I praise my King King for giving me a chance to say something here in heaven I praise him and I praise a servant of the most high, my brother, my spiritual brother president Trump for doing what he’s doing here on this matter
Season 7 is a life-changing gem.

Jun 16

ps.potter

Season 7 is amazing. So thoughtfully done. It helps you confront your own prejudices and rehumanizes both sides of the story, so that you can understand why history unfolded as it did, and why we need to remember and learn from the past. But it teaches from the heart, not from any particular political bent, which in this day and age is nigh impossible. Well done and thank you!
Excellent

May 17

Al&frank

Takes a story about a man born in the 1800’s and makes it very relevant to today. Fascinating history