Subject to Change

It is hard to describe Peter Henderson's adventures without lapsing into cliche. Hair raising, eye popping and so on. A news cameraman and reporter (and latterly an entrepreneur) in some of the world's most notorious hotspots of the last few decades he has found himself in appalling danger again and again. The stories are great fun to listen to but for many of them I am glad it was him and not me.If you enjoy the podcast I really recommend you buy Peter's book Bigger Than Me.  Apart from the amazing stories 100% of the proceeds go to the Rory Peck Trust. The Trust provides practical and financial support to freelance journalists and their families worldwide, assisting in times of crisis and helping them to work more safely. I think once you have listened to the podcast you will understand just how difficult and how dangerous the work can be so it is a really good cause.You can send a message to the show/feedback by clicking here. The system doesn't let me reply so if you need one please include your email.

Thony Christie has a blog called the Renaissance Mathematicus. It covers the history of science and is one of the wonders of the blogging world. I asked him to talk to me about the history of astronomy and he delivered a masterclass.You can send a message to the show/feedback by clicking here. The system doesn't let me reply so if you need one please include your email.

David Rooney is the author of About Time: A History of Civilisation in Twelve Clocks. He talks about clocks (in the widest sense of the word - sundials, waterclocks, orbiting satellites and more) and about how time is used to demonstrate and exert power. He is quite simply a delightful speaker who knows his subject inside and out and knows how to get you to share his enthusiasm. Such a pleasure!You can send a message to the show/feedback by clicking here. The system doesn't let me reply so if you need one please include your email.

Freddie, Abe and I talk about movies. Three blokes talking about feminism in movies. Well of course. But much more besides. Films discussed include Mad Max Fury Road, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, that Ghostbusters remake . . .I asked everyone to recommend one hidden gem. Freddie delivered his one, Abe crammed in three and I cheated and came up with five:FreddieS.F. W.AbeThe Man Who Wasn't ThereAdvise & ConsentTalk RadioRussellRed Rock WestRipley's GameA Stranger of MineOne Cut of the DeadHeadhuntersYou can send a message to the show/feedback by clicking here. The system doesn't let me reply so if you need one please include your email.

Julian Sancton is a wonderful guide to the Belgian expedition to Antartica in 1898.  The crew of the Belgica included Roald Amundsen and Frederick Cook who went on to become among the most famous explorers of their time. Julian's book is a classic of the genre. Check out on Amazon in the UK and in the US.You can send a message to the show/feedback by clicking here. The system doesn't let me reply so if you need one please include your email.

Kenji Tierney is a wonderfully engaging speaker. Starting with memories of being introduced by his grandmother to sumo by way of watching TV with her he gives a wonderfully learned and fascinating talk on sumo and its development. The story of how the Japanese tried to impress Commodore Perry with a sumo wrestling exhibition and he responded by putting on a minstrel show is just one of many fascinating stories. If sumo has always left you a bit baffled this is a thoroughly entertaining 'deep dive'.You can send a message to the show/feedback by clicking here. The system doesn't let me reply so if you need one please include your email.

Robin Gaster's book Behemoth, Amazon Rising: Power and Seduction in the Age of Amazon is available to buy on, naturally, Amazon. If you want to understand where Amazon came from, why it is so successful and why it needs to be tamed this is a great place to go. I spoke to Robin on my podcast. I still can't make up my mind. It seems I buy half my stuff from Amazon - but Robin makes a good case for why that is the problem . . .You can send a message to the show/feedback by clicking here. The system doesn't let me reply so if you need one please include your email.

Emiko Ohnuki-Tierney is a professor of anthropology at the University of Wisconsin. Here she recalls her life as a young girl in Kobe during World War II and we talk also about the kamikaze pilots of that period. Her books Kamikaze Diaries and Kamikaze, Cherry Blossoms and Nationalisms have been highly influential in explaining how the highly educated young men were led to their fate.You can send a message to the show/feedback by clicking here. The system doesn't let me reply so if you need one please include your email.

Roger Crowley tells the story of how Portugal built its empire in the Indian ocean from 1498. The Portuguese were there to trade but also as zealots and crusaders. The story is one of discovery, courage, violence and often unspeakable cruelty. It is astonishing to learn how one of Europe's smallest and poorest countries could undertake such a project.Roger's book Conquerors: How Portugal Forged the First Global Empire was hugely popular with critics and with lovers of deeply researched but highly readable narrative history.You can send a message to the show/feedback by clicking here. The system doesn't let me reply so if you need one please include your email.

Mike Dash wrote the definitive book about the Batavia and its wreck near the coast of Australia in 1629. We talked about the events leading up to the wreck and the bloody reign of terror and murders that followed. Mike's blog A Blast from the Past is also an absolute goldmine for people interested in history.I'd also highly recommend Gareth Harney's Twitter thread about the events and one of the treasures from the ancient world that the Batavia was carrying. Absolutely fascinating and some beautiful images (one of which I used for this episode's artwork).You can send a message to the show/feedback by clicking here. The system doesn't let me reply so if you need one please include your email.