Good History Podcasts?

[Leoreth]

I'd like to expand and deepen my history knowledge, but I can't really find the time and impetus to start reading books. On the other hand, I'm listening to podcasts a lot along my daily activities, so I thought I could branch out into history podcasts there instead.

Can you recommend some good ones? Free would be nice, but not necessarily required if sufficiently endorsed by CFC

I'm really interested in all periods and regions, although I appreciate a focus on less prominent topics. As long as it doesn't get into details about military campaigns and the like. The format also doesn't matter as much, it can be both lecture or talk show like.

But just recommend what you like, maybe this thread can be of use for other people with different tastes as well.

 

[EgonSpengler]

The Memory Palace is infrequent, but if you use a subscription service like iTunes you can just get it whenever it posts. Episodes are usually short, and about weird little things you wouldn't hear about most places.

99% Invisible bills itself as a podcast about design and architecture, and it is, but it frequently veers into little-heard history stories (and when it doesn't, it's still interesting).


Dan Carlin's Hardcore History series "Countdown to Armageddon" (about WWI) and "Wrath of the Khans" (about the Mongol wars) are really long, featuring several chapters of 2-3 hours each. If you want to know how many train cars the Kaiser's officer corps filled, or how many tons of ammunition were expended on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, Carlin's your man.

Whistlestop is by Face the Nation host and uber-nerd of American political history John Dickerson, about the weird side-stories of U.S. Presidential campaigns, such as Grover Cleveland's love child or Tom Eagleton's 18-day tenure as George McGovern's running mate.

 

[Pangur Bán]

You must check out the BBC's In Our Time, particularly here its History podcasts (though most of the others cover historical topics too). Basically, the format consists of the presenter Melvyn Bragg getting a group of three or so specialists on whatever the topic is and exploring the topic by asking them questions.

 

[Algeroth]

You must check out the BBC's In Our Time, particularly here its History podcasts (though most of the others cover historical topics too). Basically, the format consists of the presenter Melvyn Bragg getting a group of three or so specialists on whatever the topic is and exploring the topic by asking them questions.

I second this. I do not know about any better history podcast in English than In Our Time

 

[Verbose]

I follow two; "In Our Time" and Radio France Inter's "2000 ans d'histoire", http://www.2000ans.com/.

 

[QuoVadisNation]

They're pretty obscure. But I just finished Russian Rulers History podcast. It's very good if you're interested in Russia. There's also a surprisingly good Bulgarian history podcast if you google it. Both of the narrators make their history seems fascinating.

While I didn't watch it yet, I also heard the History of England podcast and History of Rome podcast are both amazing. (I haven't started because I'm listening to another podcast atm).

 

[gay_Aleks]

They're pretty obscure. But I just finished Russian Rulers History podcast. It's very good if you're interested in Russia. There's also a surprisingly good Bulgarian history podcast if you google it. Both of the narrators make their history seems fascinating.

While I didn't watch it yet, I also heard the History of England podcast and History of Rome podcast are both amazing. (I haven't started because I'm listening to another podcast atm).

Eh? Is it in English? And how do you know it's good?

 

[Cynovolans]

This one on Egyptian history convinced me that the twelfth dynasty is the most underrated dynasty.

 

[Flying Pig]

Radio 4 does In Our Time, and you can choose only to download the historical episodes - it features often quite illustrious figures talking about various subjects. Usually the level is such that it's stimulating for somebody who doesn't know much about the subject, but I sometimes find myself less keen on episodes where I feel like I know the subject matter reasonably well. Due to the constraints of the format, they have to be very selective about what they cover, so they can take what appears to be an odd angle on a topic.

EDIT: It seems I'm far from the first to have that suggestion.

 

[Smellincoffee]

I've recently discovered A Podcast History of Our World, which -- title aside -- is really good. Audio quality is sharp, the author combines literature, science, relevant music, and the talks are short, usually under 30 minutes. I've made it to Egypt so far.

A few other favorites:
The British History Podcast (gobs and gobs and gobs of content)
Twelve Byzantine Rulers and Norman Centuries, Lars Brownsworth
The American Civil War Podcast, hosted by a married couple.

 

[wolfigor]

Dan Carlin's Hardcore History series "Countdown to Armageddon" (about WWI) and "Wrath of the Khans" (about the Mongol wars) are really long, featuring several chapters of 2-3 hours each. If you want to know how many train cars the Kaiser's officer corps filled, or how many tons of ammunition were expended on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, Carlin's your man.

I really like his podcasts: rigorous and passionate about history
the episodes are long but you don't get bored.
You find yourself to experience history

 

[mech654]

Through it may be not the exact thing you are looking for. Nevertheless, The Dollop hosted by Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds is an comedy podcast that riffs on weird and bizarre historical persons and events. They cover relatively obscure ones like Spiderman of Denver or Alfred Lawson and his nonsensical Lawsonomy.

Note, the episode length can range between 30 mins to 1 hour and 30 mins.

 

[trader/warrior]

Just started listening to The Lesser Bonapartes Podcast, seems very good for a casual, light and funny podcast while going pretty in depth with multiple 45+ minute episodes on each topic. Only listened to part of the "Gin Craze" podcast so far, very entertaining and interesting and seeing they have longer series on stuff like the Timurids, history of Ethiopia, and Xenophons Anabasis, I think I will be listening to this for a long time.

Also been listening to the more serious Revolutions Podcast and the earlier History of Rome (as mentioned by QuoVadis) podcast from the same guy.

 

[Leoreth]

I totally forgot creating this thread, and just remembered it after running into the same situation again. I think it fell into the period where CFC switched servers and I visited only where necessary?

Anyways, sorry for never really following up on my OP. The recommendations sound great, thanks for everyone's suggestions!

 

[CELTICEMPIRE]

The China History Podcast is really good. So is The History of Rome Podcast.