

Legacy
Original Legacy Productions
Afua Hirsch and Peter Frankopan tell the wild stories of some of the most extraordinary men and women ever to have lived – and ask whether they have the rep they deserve. Should Nina Simone’s role in the civil rights movement be more celebrated than it is? When you find out what Picasso got up to in his studio, can you still admire his art? Was Napoleon a hero or a tyrant - or both? (And, while we’re at it, was he even short?) Legacy is the show that looks at big lives from the perspective of now – and doesn’t always like what it sees. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 7, 2024 • 39min
Gorbachev | The Boy from Stavropol | 1
Shaped by the brutality of the Stalin regime, Gorbachev’s childhood was one of poverty and hardship. But the communist system also works to his strengths, and allows him to reach the very top. All along, he remains a true believer but knows change must happen. Stay connected with LegacyFollow us for clips, behind-the-scenes stories, and new episode drops: Instagram: @originallegacypodcast | BlueSky: @legacy-productions.bsky.social | TikTok: @legacy_productionsExplore more from Peter and Afua — essays, sources, and ideas: Substack: peterfrankopan.substack.com | afuahirsch.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 31, 2024 • 41min
Picasso | Drawing Lessons | 4
A bombshell memoir by a former lover annoys and embarrasses Picasso in his final years. But it is only half a century after his death that his misogyny is seen as truly problematic. And leaves many now grappling with how to separate the art from the artist.Artwork:The Woman in a Chair, Pablo Picasso (1948)Seated Woman in Green, Pablo Picasso (1953)Self Portrait Facing Death, Pablo Picasso (1972) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 24, 2024 • 35min
Picasso | The Weeping Woman | 3
Death is ever more present in Picasso’s work, as horrific events in his home country inspire him to create one of the defining paintings of the 20th century. Meanwhile his own mortality weighs on him as he approaches old age.Artwork:Guernica, Pablo Picasso (1937)The Weeping Woman, Pablo Picasso (1937) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 17, 2024 • 46min
Picasso | The Muse | 2
Picasso finds inspiration in an unlikely setting and changes art forever. He also finds his first muse, then his second... and then his third - leaving a trail of suffering behind him.Artwork:Family of Acrobats with Monkey, Pablo Picasso (1905)Portrait of Gertrude Stein, Pablo Picasso (1905-6)The Young Ladies of Avignon, Pablo Picasso (1906)Olga in an Armchair, Pablo Picasso (1917)The Dream, Pablo Picasso (1932) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 10, 2024 • 43min
Picasso | Bullfights, Brothels & Bohemia | 1
Delve into the vibrant early life of Pablo Picasso as he rebels against his father's dreams and joins the bohemian culture of Barcelona. Discover the tragedy that shaped his art, including the heart-wrenching story of his sister Conchita. Explore his transition to Paris, where poverty and avant-garde influences sparked the transformative Blue Period. The podcast also examines Picasso's rise as a cultural icon, his relationships with muses like Fernande Olivier, and how fame reshaped his legacy.

Jan 3, 2024 • 35min
Cecil Rhodes | Must Rhodes Fall? | 4
More than a century after Rhodes' death students in South Africa and Britain thrust his name back into the spotlight. Should statues of colonialists like him be torn down? And, in Africa, how is Rhodes' legacy felt today? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 27, 2023 • 33min
Cecil Rhodes | A Brooding Spirit | 3
Rhodes deals with the fallout from the Jameson Raid as questions about his conduct reach the British parliament. He finds a new cause to further his ambition but years of ill-health are starting to catch up with him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 20, 2023 • 41min
Cecil Rhodes | The Rise of Rhodesia | 2
Rhodes dashes back to Kimberley to be with his dying friend. He then redoubles his colonial efforts, using ruthless tactics to trick the indigenous population out of their land. But an ill-fated scheme to take on the Boers is about to hurt him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 13, 2023 • 44min
Cecil Rhodes | Eureka! | 1
Explore the tumultuous life of Cecil Rhodes, from his ambition for fortune during the diamond rush in Africa to his desire for imperial expansion. Discover the brutal realities of Kimberley mining and Rhodes' innovative strategies using technology and finance to dominate the industry. Delve into the complexities of his personal life, including his close but mysterious relationships and how his experiences shaped his political ambitions in the Cape. This journey reveals the intertwining of personal and imperial pursuits in a fascinating historical narrative.

5 snips
Dec 6, 2023 • 34min
Napoleon | The Emperor & The Duke | 4
In this intriguing discussion, Napoleon, the iconic Emperor of the French, faces off with the Duke of Wellington, a British military titan renowned for his role at Waterloo. They delve into Napoleon's dramatic return to power and the tense atmosphere leading to the fateful battle. The hosts explore the profound impact of Waterloo on Napoleon's legacy, revealing contrasting perceptions from British and French perspectives. They also ponder the complexities of history, examining themes of memory, recognition, and the dual nature of Napoleon as both a hero and a tyrant.


