Subject to Change

The story of the Opium War is one of history's most consequential yet widely misunderstood conflicts. Professor Stephen Platt joined me to unravel the fascinating web of events that led Britain and China into a collision that would reshape Asia and the global balance of power for centuries to come.Far from being a simple tale of drug dealers backed by imperial force, Stephen reveals cultural misunderstandings, diplomatic failures, and economic pressures eventually converging with devastating consequences. We talked about the Canton trading system where all Western trade was restricted to a tiny compound "smaller than the footprint of one of the pyramids in Egypt," and how Britain's insatiable appetite for tea created a massive trade imbalance that would eventually be filled by opium.The conversation takes us through extraordinary attempts at cross-cultural communication, from James Flint (the only Englishman alive who could speak Chinese in 1759) to the disastrous McCartney Embassy where diplomatic relations collapsed over the kowtow ritual. Stephen explained how a panicking British captain effectively made Queen Victoria "the largest holder of opium in the world" by buying merchants' illegal drugs on the government's behalf - a fateful decision that created the legal pretext for war.Perhaps most surprising is how fiercely contested this war was within Britain itself, with Parliament nearly voting to end the conflict by a margin of just five votes. The Times of London coined the term "Opium War" specifically to shame the government for fighting on behalf of drug dealers.Join us for this exploration of a pivotal moment when two civilizations, each convinced of their own superiority, failed to understand one another with consequences that continue to echo in our time.Stephen's book Imperial Twilight concentrates on the causes of the war more than the war itself. And in particular the people at the heart of it all. Utterly brilliant stuff.If you click here you can text me with feedback. Or email russellhogg@proton.me if you want a response

In this discussion, Christopher de Bellaigue, a writer and historian, dives into the captivating life of Suleiman the Magnificent. He explores the Ottoman court's power dynamics, revealing how Christian slaves could reach high ranks and the crucial roles eunuchs played. The podcast also uncovers surprising political alliances amid rivalries between major European powers, emphasizing how strategic interests transcended religious lines. Additionally, de Bellaigue details the fierce naval battles and unique relationships during this turbulent era, creating a vivid picture of a remarkable time.

Anton Howes writes the brilliant Age of Invention substack. We were supposed to talk about the history of salt and its powerful impact on people and states. We certainly did talk about that but also a lot more!- history's efflorescences- Henry VIII's ruthless tax grabs- The feebleness of England (until suddenly . . .)- Rebel space colonies- The Spanish and English Armadas- Lot's wicked daughters- The Roman (non) Industrial RevolutionAnd amidst all our digressions I mentioned the film with more digressions than even we could manage, The Saragossa Manuscript. Highly recommended. And also the documentary about salt production in My Name is Salt which is just wonderful.If you click here you can text me with feedback. Or email russellhogg@proton.me if you want a response

In this episode Professor Ed Watts and I look at the brilliant career and sad life of the Emperor Tiberius. We try to understand how this most capable and intelligent man came to be seen by history as one of the most monstrous of the Roman emperors.In researching for the podcast I came across a really stirring defence of Tiberius in the shape of a monograph by Norman Douglas. On looking into who Norman Douglas was I discovered that he was a great literary figure of the first half of the 20th century. He was also an open paedophile and quite possibly child rapist. In short some of the crimes Tiberius himself was accused of. Here is an article about the man by Rachel Hope Cleves which I found interesting and unsettling in equal measure. Regardless, I think Ed makes a good case for considering Tiberius to have been a good emperor but broken by age, family tragedy and an impossibly demanding stepfather.If you click here you can text me with feedback. Or email russellhogg@proton.me if you want a response

This is part 2 of my podcast with Jonathan Clements on Japan's Christian century. In this episode we get on to the rebellion itself. Sensitive listeners may want to brace themselves!If you click here you can text me with feedback. Or email russellhogg@proton.me if you want a response

A two part podcast on Japan's Christian century. Jonathan Clements wrote a brilliant book called Christ's Samurai about the Shimabara rebellion of 1638. We cover the story in two parts - this is part 1 and tells of the early successes and later disasters of the efforts to bring christianity to Japan. Part 2 will cover the story of the rebellion itself.If you click here you can text me with feedback. Or email russellhogg@proton.me if you want a response

Hampton Sides loves to tell stories of people fighting against impossible odds.The story of the Jeannette's voyage is right in that vein. His book is called In the Kingdom of Ice and the subtitle sums it up - the Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette.Look forward to hearing about US naval officer George de Long's polar expedition of 1879, including:a rich and eccentric newspaper ownera syphilitic navigatora mentally unbalanced German cartographera wonderful love storyand courage and endurance beyond all belief.If you click here you can text me with feedback. Or email russellhogg@proton.me if you want a response

Spring Heeled Jack was an uncatchable villain from Victorian times. His speciality was attacking young women, raking their faces and clothes with metal claws and sometimes breathing fire in their faces. We have good evidence for his existence with newspaper reports and police and courts involved. But the more historian Mike Dash peels away the layers the harder it becomes to be sure of anything. A proper historical investigation into a proper mystery!If you click here you can text me with feedback. Or email russellhogg@proton.me if you want a response

The 'spice wars' between the Dutch and the English in the 1600's were quite something. Giles Milton told the story in his remarkable book Nathaniel's Nutmeg. What I hadn't realised until reading this was how feeble and disorganised the English were compared to their competitors. And the Dutch in particular were as ruthless as they were capable.Visits to the court of Ivan the Terrible, a knight of the realm imprisoned in a cupboard under the stairs, horrific torture, courage and persistence beyond belief - and much much more. Giles, as ever, tells the story just brilliantly.If you click here you can text me with feedback. Or email russellhogg@proton.me if you want a response

We are back with Jonathan Clements for part 2 of our podcast on the history of Taiwan. In this episode we start with the remarkable story of Taiwan's 50 years as a colony of Japan. And Jonathan then takes the story through the White Terror up to the current day.And to remind you:Rebel IslandJonathan's blogIf you click here you can text me with feedback. Or email russellhogg@proton.me if you want a response