Laura O'Brien

Laura O’Brien, Associate Professor at Northumbria University and author, shares fascinating insights on Marie Antoinette, the last Queen of France. She discusses the queen's tumultuous transition from Austrian princess to a scapegoat of royal excess amid revolutionary fervor. O’Brien addresses the role of misogyny and xenophobia in shaping Antoinette's legacy, and whether she really said, ‘Let them eat cake.’ The conversation delves into her struggles, scandals, and the complex portrayal of a woman at the heart of a revolution.

Never mind the famous battles, who was the real Napoleon and what events turned him from a young Corsican officer to one of history’s greatest figures? Greg Jenner is joined by comedian Dan Schreiber and historian Dr Laura O’Brien.Produced by Dan Morelle Script and research by Emma Nagouse Radio edit by Cornelius MendezA Muddy Knees Media production for BBC Radio 4.

Never mind the famous battles, who was the real Napoleon? Where did he come from? What events conspired to turn him from a young Corsican officer to one of history’s greatest figures? How intense was his relationship with his wife Josephine? What part of his body was recreated in plaster, and how much was somebody willing to pay for it? And just how did one man manufacture his own hype way before the days of social media? Greg Jenner is joined by comedian Dan Schreiber and historian Dr Laura O’Brien. It’s history for people who don’t like history! Produced by Dan Morelle Script and research by Emma NagouseA Muddy Knees Media production for BBC Radio 4