Short History Of...

NOISER

History is full of the extraordinary. Each week, we'll transport you back in time to witness history's most incredible moments and remarkable people. New episodes Mondays, or a week early for Noiser+ subscribers. With Noiser+ you'll also get ad-free listening and exclusive content. For more information, head to noiser.com/subscriptions For advertising enquiries, email info@adelicious.fm Hosted by John Hopkins. Production: Katrina Hughes, Kate Simants, Nicole Edmunds, Jacob Booth, Dorry Macaulay, Rob Plummer, Cody Reynolds-Shaw. Compositions by Oliver Baines, Dorry Macaulay, Tom Pink. We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/shorthistory for £100 sponsored credit. read less

Our Editor's Take

The Short History Of... is a weekly history class in podcast form. The company behind podcasts like History Daily and Real Outlaws produces this show. English actors Paul McGann and John Hopkins host the program. Stories tell of some of the most incredible moments from the past. They highlight fascinating figures and the most unimaginable events.

This informative podcast series tells stories that people think they know. But the show gives many more details. The Short History Of… podcast explains the real story of Pocahontas. She's best known for her fictionalized tale of true love and romance. But who was the real girl behind the story? And how was she responsible for peace between her tribe and white colonizers? The story comes alive with sound effects and lively descriptions.

Another historical figure who is so well-known and yet hardly known at all is the Mona Lisa. This episode reveals the woman behind the painting and how it became famous. Other female figures include true crime author Agatha Christie. Cleopatra, the Egyptian queen, gets her own episode. Men discussed on the podcast include Alexander the Great and boxer Muhammad Ali.

Significant historical events get retold in an engaging and informative way. One episode shares the fascinating story of the partition of India. This tale involves millions of people fleeing their homes and a violent backlash leading to a million dead. This episode also reveals the lasting impact on the country.

Another Short History Of… episode investigates the mystery behind the famous city of Las Vegas. Famed for casinos and impressive hotels, it also has connections to organized crime. Why was it given the nickname Sin City? There's so much more to this city than first appears, as this history podcast reveals.

This podcast explains many important historical events. Listeners will discover the real Robinson Crusoe and travel on the Trans-Siberian Railway. They'll learn more about everyone, from the Spartans to the Vikings. Short History Of… is an action-packed adventure. Fans wishing they knew more about the past may enjoy this podcast.

read less

HistoryHistory

Play Trailer

Trailer: Short History Of...

Trailer: Short History Of...

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episodes

Ian Fleming’s most famous creation, James Bond, is a cultural icon. To paraphrase one critic, Bond is someone men want to be, and women want to be with. Although many attitudes expressed in the Bond books are out of kilter with modern ideas, Bond remains one of the most enduring fictional characters in history. But what is the story behind his creator - Ian Fleming? What inspired Fleming to write the ultimate spy novels? Did his success bring happiness? And how much of his own character did he lend to James Bond? This is a short history of Ian Fleming. Written by Dan Smith. With thanks to Edward Abel-Smith, author of ‘Ian Fleming’s Inspirations: The Truth Behind the Books.’ Get every episode of Short History Of a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material, and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing: The Curious History of Your Home

Introducing: The Curious History of Your Home

Noiser presents a brand new podcast: The Curious History of Your Home. In this taster episode of Noiser’s new podcast, join domestic historian Ruth Goodman as she guides you through the surprising, often epic stories behind everyday objects in your home, starting with the wallpaper. To discover more episodes, search ‘The Curious History of Your Home’ wherever you get your podcasts or follow the link https://podfollow.com/the-curious-history-of-your-home. New episodes every Tuesday. Short History Of will be back as normal next week. Get every episode of Short History Of a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material, and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Since the arrival of the Aztecs in central Mexico from the early 1300s, history has been fascinated by them. They’re widely reputed to be a savage people who left behind obsidian knives, skull racks, and disturbing remnants of human sacrifice. But in reality, the Aztecs were far more multifaceted than that. So what else has history gotten wrong about the Aztecs? Why were they so feared and reviled? How did they become so powerful? And what is the full truth about their downfall? This is a Short History Of The Aztecs. A Noiser production, written by Nicola Rayner. With thanks to Camilla Townsend, author of Fifth Sun: A New History of the Aztecs. Get every episode of Short History Of a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material, and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Battle of the Somme

The Battle of the Somme

The Battle of the Somme was supposed to be the joint British-French offensive that would win the First World War. A string of battles spread over five months, it involved everything from cavalry charges, poison gas, and the debut of the tank. But the Somme was anything but victorious….on the first day alone, over 19,000 British soldiers were killed and more than 57,000 wounded, making it the single bloodiest day in British military history. So what was the Allied war plan, and how did it fail so spectacularly? What was its significance to the future progress of the war? And at what cost? This is a Short History Of the Battle of the Somme. Written by Dan Smith. With thanks to Alex Churchill, historian, director of the Great War Group, and author of the forthcoming ‘Ring of Fire: A New People’s History of the World at War, 1914’. Get every episode of Short History Of a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material, and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Founding Fathers of the US

The Founding Fathers of the US

The founding of the United States on July 4th, 1776, changed the world, and inspired other colonies to control their own destinies. The men responsible for writing and signing the Declaration of Independence - the Founding Fathers - have gone down in history as legends, with an almost ‘God-like status’. But nearly 250 years on, their legacy is challenged and debated. So who were the founding fathers? How did their talents, ideas and flaws shape their nation? And how do the choices they made in the 18th century still affect the world today? This is a Short History Of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. Written by Kate Harrison. With thanks to Dr Lindsay M Chervinsky, a presidential historian, and author of The Cabinet: George Washingon and the Creation of an American Institution. Get every episode of Short History Of a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material, and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt was a woman who redefined the role of the First Lady of the United States. By refusing to be merely a passive companion and wife, and choosing instead to pursue a life of activism, she was seen as an equal to her powerful husband. But what made Eleanor Roosevelt - a woman who was born an aristocrat - fight so hard for the underdog? How did she balance her commitment to social justice with family life? And what was the truth about her unconventional marriage to one of America’s most renowned presidents? This is a Short History Of Eleanor Roosevelt. Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Allida Black, founder of the Eleanor Roosevelt Papers Project, and a distinguished fellow at the Rothermere American Institute at the University of Oxford. Get every episode of Short History Of a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material, and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

St Patrick (Repeat)

St Patrick (Repeat)

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. A Noiser production, written by Dan Smith. With thanks to Philip Freeman, Professor of History at Pepperdine University and author of St Patrick of Ireland: A Biography. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Real Pirates of the Caribbean

The Real Pirates of the Caribbean

Throughout the late 17th and early 18th Century, the waters of the Caribbean were crawling with pirates. Stories about swash-buckling buccaneers, and insatiable treasure-seekers haunted the tropical islands, as navies tried in vain to put a stop to their reign of terror. But who were some of the world’s most notorious pirates? How much of what we think we know about them is real, and how much is legend? What was life like on board a pirate ship? And how were these fearsome bandits caught and brought to justice? This is a Short History Of the Real Pirates of the Caribbean. Written by Nicole Edmunds. With thanks to Ian Jay Dolin, the best-selling author of the pirate book, ‘Black Flags, Blue Waters’, as well as many other popular books on maritime history, including ‘Rebels at Sea’. Get every episode of Short History Of a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material, and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The French Revolution, Part 2 of 2

The French Revolution, Part 2 of 2

It’s simple enough to pinpoint the beginnings of the French Revolution in 1789, but far more difficult to mark its end. Following the initial outbreak of revolution, France was plunged into years of political, social and economic instability, as various new governments sought to replace the ancient monarchy. But how did the relationship between the king and his people deteriorate so badly? Who were the figures that ruled after him? And what was the lasting impact of those dark years at the end of the 18th century known as the Reign of Terror? This is Part 2 of a special two-part Short History Of the French Revolution. Written by Nicola Rayner. With thanks to Professor Marisa Linton, historian and author of ‘Choosing Terror; Virtue, Friendship, and Authenticity in the French Revolution’. Get every episode of Short History Of a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material, and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The French Revolution, Part 1 of 2

The French Revolution, Part 1 of 2

During the late 18th Century, a series of political, social, cultural, and economic issues reached breaking point, exploding in what is now known as the French Revolution. This unprecedented event affected not just France, but the rest of the world - reinventing centuries-old approaches to society, and introducing Europe to brand new ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity. But how did France reach the tipping point that triggered the Revolution? Is it the most important event in Western history? And how did a movement founded on such noble principles, descend into one of the bloodiest periods in history? This is Part 1 of a special two-part Short History Of the French Revolution. Written by Nicola Rayner. With thanks to Professor Marisa Linton, historian and author of ‘Choosing Terror; Virtue, Friendship, and Authenticity in the French Revolution’. Get every episode of Short History Of a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material, and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Snaking across 4,000 miles and 11 African countries, the River Nile is perhaps the most famous river on planet earth. The 80 billion gallons of water that flow through its banks each day give life to countless animals and ecosystems - from crocodiles and hippos, to rare species of fish, plants, and people. But who has tried to harness the power of this river, and why have so many failed? What cultures have grown from the Nile’s waters? And why are emperors, prophets, writers, Kings and Queens, drawn to its famous banks? This is a Short History Of the River Nile. Written by Paul Kerensa. With thanks to Robert Twigger, author of Red Nile: A Biography of the World’s Greatest River. Get every episode of Short History Of a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material, and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noisier.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Industrial Revolution

Industrial Revolution

During the years 1760 to 1830, British industry exploded. Thanks to advances in machinery, and forward-thinking inventions, the country shifted from a predominantly agricultural nation, to a modern state. This movement has become known as the Industrial Revolution. But why did these changes take place in Britain and not somewhere else? What were its impacts at the time, and how has it come to shape the modern world? And, are we indeed still living through it? This is a Short History Of the Industrial Revolution. A Noiser production, Written by Dan Smith. With thanks to Joel Mokyr, Professor of Economics and History at Northwestern University, and the Sackler Professor at the University of Tel Aviv. Get every episode of Short History Of a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material, and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Remembered in popular culture as the ultimate type of assassin, the Ninja were ancient masters of secrecy, operating for just 200 years in central Japan. Legends tell of them walking on water, controlling the weather, and even turning invisible. But what is the true story of the Ninja? How did this form of espionage originate? And how did Ninjas move from the shadows of folklore to the spotlight of modern culture? This is a Short History Of The Ninja. Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to John Man, historian and author of the book ‘Ninja: 1,000 Years of the Shadow Warrior’. Get every episode of Short History Of a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material, and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michelangelo was one of the greatest artists of his time, with works such as the Sistine Chapel and his sculpture of David, earning him an enduring place in history. Amid the complex Italian politics of his time, Michelangelo navigated powerful dynasties, religious upheavals, and professional rivalries to ensure art was always the centre of his life. But what drove him to keep producing outrageously brilliant work? How did his relationship with superstar contemporaries like da Vinci and Raphael influence him? And what was the personal cost of his dedication to art? This is a Short History Of Michelangelo. Written by Dan Smith. With thanks to Bernadine Barnes, author of three books on Michelangelo, including ‘Michelangelo and the Viewer in his Time’. Get every episode of Short History Of a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material, and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Queen Victoria was Britain's longest reigning monarch until Queen Elizabeth II - her great great granddaughter. Born fifth in line to the throne, at a time when the Royal Family’s popularity was at an all time low, Victoria went on to be one of Britain’s most beloved monarchs. Today, she’s associated with an empire on which the sun never set, an overpowering love for her husband, and her crippling grief. But who was the real Victoria? What was it like for a young woman to hold so much power in a man’s world? Can she be credited with the developments of her age, or was she merely a figurehead? And how should we remember her today? This is a Short History Of Queen Victoria. Written by Nicole Edmunds. With thanks to Tracy Borman, historian, author of ‘Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I: The Mother and Daughter Who Changed History’, and joint curator for Historic Royal Palaces. Get every episode of Short History Of a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material, and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The ancient city of Petra, in south-west Jordan, is one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites. Founded over two millennia ago, it was a key location for trade between Arabia, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. But as the centuries passed, Petra’s glory faded and it was eventually forgotten by the world. That was, until its rediscovery over 1,000 years later by a Swiss explorer. But what led to the sudden surge of interest in the city of Petra? Why was a permanent settlement built in the middle of the desert? And what lessons can modern society learn from an ancient tribe that most westerners have never heard of? This is a Short History Of Petra. Written by Emma Christie. With thanks to Jodi Magness, archaeologist, author, and distinguished professor at the University of North Carolina. Get every episode of Short History Of a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material, and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The legend of Boudica has survived for two millennia, although much of her life still remains a mystery - some historians dispute whether she existed at all. For those who do believe in her, she personifies liberty, defiance, and female power, while for others, she was a barbaric, blood-thirsty warrior. But what is her real story? How does modern archaeology support Boudica’s folklore? Can we really call her a feminist icon when she slaughtered women and children? And how did her actions alter the course of English and Roman history? This is a Short History Of Boudica. A Noiser production, written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Miranda Aldhouse-Green, a professor of archaeology at Cardiff University, and author of ‘Boudica Britannia’. Get every episode of Short History Of a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Indian Ocean Tsunami

Indian Ocean Tsunami

On the morning of December 26th, 2004, a massive earthquake struck the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, triggering an enormous tsunami that hit Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and more. Killing at least 275,000 people, and impacting 20 countries, it remains the deadliest natural disaster of the 21st Century. But what exactly caused the earthquake and subsequent tsunami? How did it hit with no warning? And has enough been done to limit the effects of such an event if it happens again? This is a Short History Of the Indian Ocean Tsunami. A Noiser production, written by Lindsay Galvin. With thanks to Jose Borrero - a coastal and environmental scientist, and Tsunami Hazards specialist. Get every episode of Short History Of a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Whiskey Rebellion

The Whiskey Rebellion

Just a few years after the Declaration of Independence, an uprising against a levy on liquor became the first great test for the government of the nascent United States of America. But what drove ordinary people to take up arms against the federal government? And why did founding fathers Washington and Hamilton march an army against their own people? This is the story of a new nation trying to define its own limits and philosophy. From Noiser, this is a Short History Of the Whiskey Rebellion. Written by Dan Smith. This is a bonus episode previously available exclusively for Noiser+ subscribers. If you enjoy this episode, you can unlock more bonus episodes like this one by subscribing to Noiser+. As well as bonus episodes, Noiser+ subscribers will get ad-free listening and week early access to new episodes. For more information or to get started with a 30-day free trial, follow the link in the episode description or head to www.noiser.com/subscriptions. Short History Of continues to be available for free wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing: Herod the Great Part 1: Ruler of Galilee

Introducing: Herod the Great Part 1: Ruler of Galilee

Noiser presents Real Dictators: The Story of Herod the Great. You may well know the name from the Nativity story. The cruel king who learns of a prophecy proclaiming a Messiah and orders the slaughter of innocent children in response. He’s become synonymous with almost pantomime villainy. At the same time, Herod changed the face of the Middle East in the 1st century BC. His reign featured dazzling architectural ventures and significant legal changes… as well as social division, political intrigue and murderous family drama. So, all in all, who really was this iconic figure of the immediate pre-Christian era? A Noiser production, written by Kate Harrison. This is Part 1 of 2. If you enjoyed this episode, you can listen to part two right away over on the Real Dictators podcast. Search Real Dictators wherever you get your podcasts and hit follow to never miss an episode. Short History Of will be back in the new year with brand new episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices