We Are History
Angela Barnes and John O'Farrell
The less-than-serious history podcast with stand up comedian Angela Barnes (The News Quiz, Mock The Week and Live at The Apollo) and writer John O'Farrell (An Utterly Impartial History of Britain, Things Can Only Get Better, Spitting Image). In each podcast our two history nerds discuss, explain and laugh at interesting and quirky episodes from the olden days, such as East German Nudism, Spy Pigeons or Vlad the Impaler. Angela and John’s in-depth knowledge of world history has been described as ‘laughable’ - and now they read the history books so that you don't have to. The We Are History podcast - not as world-changing as the Black Death, but slightly funnier.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 14, 2022 • 52min
Richard III and the Princes in the Tower
Who murdered the young Princes in the Tower in 1483? We apply modern analysis and scientific rigour to question whether it really was Richard III (and conclude that he's obviously guilty - just look at the hump). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 5, 2022 • 1h 13min
Maud West, the unlikely private investigator
Maud West was a master of disguise and legendary private detective in 1930s London and many of her adventures sound unbelievable today. (Although that might be because she made a lot of them up). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 28, 2022 • 53min
Victorian Anti-vaxxers
How Victorian governments made the cow-pox vaccination compulsory, and faced a huge backlash from people who didn't trust the authorities or worried they might grow horns and udders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 21, 2022 • 1h 9min
The Great Exhibition 1851
How the confident Victorians organised massive showcase of their greatest achievements, tactfully leaving out all the rampant exploitation, the new urban poverty and the brutal wars of conquest.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 14, 2022 • 49min
The Scottish Witch Panic
Why was the persecution of witches in the 17th century so much more severe than in other parts of the British Isles? How did the accusations and trials play out? How was it used to suppress so-called 'difficult' or 'argumentative' women. And would Angela have been burned as a witch? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 13, 2021 • 1h 29min
Bill Clinton & Monica Lewinsky
How an American President was impeached for perjury but remained in office, while his young intern was publicly shamed for telling the truth. A complex political and moral narrative (with blow jobs). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 6, 2021 • 49min
The American Indian Occupation of Alcatraz, 1969-71
How a group of American Indian activists occupied the former prison island in San Francisco Bay, and then sarcastically offered to buy it from the American government for a handful of beads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 29, 2021 • 51min
MI9 - the secret agency helping British POWs
In the Second World War, one branch of the security services was established to help British Prisoners escape from German camps and make their way back home. Inventing secret hidden gadgets, they were the inspiration for 'Q' in the James Bond stories. (This podcast comes with a hidden map and compass.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 22, 2021 • 36min
Christopher Columbus, the man who didn't discover America
The world-changing voyage of Columbus that opened up a whole new continent, even though he could never accept that. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 15, 2021 • 55min
The Rise of Fall of Robert Maxwell
The incredible life story of Robert Maxwell - megalomaniac bully, fraudster and sociopath (but apart from that he was a lovely chap). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
