

Single Malt History with Gareth Russell
Gareth Russell
Historian Gareth Russell's weekly podcast with demented and delightful stories from the past
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 4, 2025 • 50min
A Civil War Queen
Matilda of Boulogne was a powerhouse in medieval politics, almost universally admired in a time of treachery, anarchy, and civil war.

Oct 30, 2025 • 34min
Scotland's Summer Queen
In the sixteenth century, a Scottish king called James braved sea and storm to bring home Scotland's new queen.

Oct 23, 2025 • 52min
The North Berwick witch hunts
Discover the brutal story of the witch-hunts that consumed Scotland, one hundred years before Salem.

Feb 27, 2025 • 1h 8min
Queen James: An Exclusive First Extract
In a Single Malt History exclusive, the first chapter of my book "Queen James" - narrated by me - is shared here on UK publication date.

Feb 17, 2025 • 60min
History's Lost Causes
From the dreams of a religious pharaoh and the ambitions of Cleopatra, to Britain's first anti-technology movement, Single Malt History takes a look at three of History's lost causes.

Dec 22, 2024 • 1h 10min
Ireland's Most Infamous Unsolved Murder
In 1922, a murder happened in Belfast that was so horrific that everyone - from Winston Churchill to Michael Collins - condemned its savagery. Yet, the killers were never brought to justice. A century later, I’m joined by historian Dr. Edward Burke, author of the new book “Ghosts of a Family,” who set out to solve the mystery of Ireland’s greatest unsolved cold case.

Dec 2, 2024 • 37min
The Molly Houses of Georgian London
Author AJ West visits Single Malt History to discuss his new Sunday Times best-selling novel “The Betrayal of Thomas True,” and the world, hidden in plain sight in Georgian London, that inspired his book.
CONTENT WARNING: This episode of Single Malt History contains discussions of sexual behaviour. Listener discretion is advised.

Nov 23, 2024 • 33min
Murder at Sea: The Inventor, the Emperor, and John D. Rockefeller
New York Times bestselling author Doug Brunt joins Single Malt History to discuss his hit new book "The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel: Genius, Power, and Deception on the Eve of World War One."

Oct 3, 2024 • 25min
Elizabeth II's all-night ball
In 1953, Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret attended a glamorous all-night ball. To celebrate the US and Canadian paperback release of my book "The Palace," I'm taking you into the night when Elizabeth II partied at Hampton Court.

Sep 23, 2024 • 35min
Pantries, Police, and Prayer in 19th-century Ulster
From working in a Victorian mansion, to a murder that rocked a working-class community, and a society that enriched another, join me for these tales from 19th-century Ulster.


