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
Jun 1, 2020 • 1h 2min
The Nazi Occupation of the Channel Islands
How one part of the United Kingdom suddenly became part of the Third Reich, prompting extreme reactions from the local Brits such as tutting and looking skywards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 25, 2020 • 1h 1min
The Miners' Strike 1984-5
The longest industrial dispute in British history, as bitter division, violence and incredible hardship divided the country, while John did his bit, by wearing a 'Coal Not Dole' sticker on his anorak. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 18, 2020 • 1h 1min
The Rise and Fall of the Council House
Explore the evolution of council housing in Britain, from its roots in Victorian slums to the ambitious garden cities. Discover the impact of the Addison Act and the post-WWII prefabs that aimed to address housing shortages. Delve into the rise of high-rise flats and the devastating Ronan Point disaster that unveiled design flaws. Unpack the consequences of Thatcher's Right to Buy policy, which drastically reduced public housing. Reflect on modern housing crises and the tragic lessons of Grenfell, emphasizing the need for reform in treating housing as a fundamental right.
May 11, 2020 • 56min
The Spanish Civil War
Explore the Spanish Civil War's dramatic backdrop as feuding factions clash in a fractured nation. Discover how Hitler and Mussolini's support fueled Franco's ambitions while Britain and France hesitated. Delve into radical changes on the Republican side, where social upheaval led to intriguing experiments. Learn about the poignant bombing of Guernica and the international volunteers who flocked to Spain, all against a backdrop of loyalties divided by ideology and religion. Reflect on the war's legacy and its long-lasting effects on Spanish society.
9 snips
May 4, 2020 • 53min
Ethelred the Unready
Discover the tumultuous reign of Æthelred the Unready, a Saxon king facing relentless Viking invasions and internal chaos. Explore how he established early forms of governance, including the jury system. Delve into the gripping stories of betrayal, like Edward the Martyr's murder, and the chilling St. Brice's Day Massacre. Learn about Æthelred's dynamic marriages, his conflicts with Sweyn Forkbeard, and ultimately, his legacy in shaping Anglo-Saxon England.
Apr 27, 2020 • 39min
The British Invasion of Iceland 1940
On the very day that the Nazis struck west against Holland, Belgium and France, Britain launched the politest invasion in the history of the warfare, waking up the Icelandic army (and his friend). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 20, 2020 • 38min
Boudica
Learn about Boudica, the fierce redhead who led a rebellion against the Roman Empire in Britain. Explore her mistreatment, ability to unite tribes, and the devastating acts during the rebellion. Delve into the portrayal of Boudica in media and history, including misogynistic descriptions by Roman historians. Discover the Battle of Watling Street and Boudica's legacy as a feminist icon.
Apr 13, 2020 • 45min
The Suez Crisis 1956
How a Conservative Prime Minister, off his head on amphetamines, attempted to assert Great Britain's proud global superpower status by invading Egypt and then changing his mind when the Americans told him to. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 6, 2020 • 45min
The Siege of Paris 1870-71
How besieged Paris went into lockdown and the French were forced to survive by eating all the animals in the zoo, then their dogs and then the rats. But all beautifully cooked. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 29, 2020 • 44min
The Opium War
Dive into the first 'war on drugs' as Victorian Britain faces Imperial China. Explore the tangled web of trade that led to opium's rise and China's desperate attempts to ban it. Learn about the passionate crackdown led by Lin Zexu and the diplomatic tensions that ignited conflict. Discover how advanced British naval power reshaped the battle and the political justifications behind the war. Reflect on how this historical clash continues to influence narratives of national humiliation in China and British historical perspectives.
