Dear Reader,
I learn so much through books, but also through podcasts. Podcasts are my portal to new worlds and armchair adventures. And they are my perfect companion for long walks and lounging around the house. If you read the Books & Victorians newsletter, you probably feel the same about armchair travelling or time travelling to other eras. So I thought I’d share some of my favourite history podcasts with you. And you should feel free to do the same in the comments.
The Bowery Boys Podcast, hosted by Tom Meyers and Greg Young, is all about the history of New York City. It’s extremely enjoyable to listen to. The hosts have talked and written about New York City’s history for many years. The hosts also offer walking tours of New York City. One of my favourite episodes is New York Calling: A History of the Telephone.
The Gilded Gentleman is a classy podcast where you time travel to America’s Gilded Age, France’s Belle Epoque and Britain’s Victorian and Edwardian years. Created and hosted by Carl Raymond, it’s probably one of the best English-language 19th-century history podcasts. Take a journey with Carl to Edith Wharton’s Paris.
Noble Blood is a podcast about the macabre side of royal history. The host, writer Dana Schwartz, features stories about royal tyrants and royal murders. Some fun and interesting episodes to try are The Curse of the Koh-I-Noor and The Princess Imprisoned in her Celle.
Not Just the Tudors is a history podcast about the Tudors and, also, as the title states, not just the Tudors. It’s hosted by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. If you want to dive into Tudor history, start with Henry VIII’s Billionaire Wardrobe.
Queens Podcast is all about the queens from history. But listen to this podcast at your discretion as there is a lot (and I mean a lot) of cursing. Every other word is a curse, which adds to the podcast's charm since the curse words are usually geared towards the men who wronged the queens. There is so much cursing that it would make a sailor blush. But I don’t mind because the podcast hosts, Katy and Nathan, are hilarious and have a great rapport with each other. They are also well-versed in the subjects they discuss.
Stuff You Missed in History Class is about the people you probably didn’t learn about in history class. For example, have you heard about Josephine Cochran? She invented the dishwasher! Listen to hosts Holly and Tracy talk about the Invention of the Dishwasher.
The Victorian Gaslamp (what a perfect podcast name) is about Victorian history. If you enjoy all things Victorian, then give this podcast a try. The Great Hunger is about the Great Famine in 19th-century Ireland. If you want something more upbeat, then listen to Where’s my Uber? All about carriages, trains and ferries. It’s hosted by Heath Aston, who is extremely well-versed in the most fascinating tidbits of the Victorian era.
You’re Dead to Me is a comedic take on history. It’s dubbed ‘The history podcast for people who don't like history... and those who do’. The podcast host, Greg Jenner, is joined by one historian and one comedian per episode. Together, they tackle a topic with gusto and humour. You will laugh! Try the episodes on Ibn Battuta or The Bayeux Tapestry. And let me know if you die laughing. (No, please don’t die.)
Do any of these podcasts sound interesting to you?
Have a wonderful weekend!
How interesting, I've never heard of any of these apart from Greg Jenner. I do love The Rest is History but I will try some others now
Thanks for recommending so many great podcasts. I should listen to more because I always enjoy them when I find the time. I love the sound of the Bowery Boys, off to add that one right now. And I must have missed the Uber episode of Victorian Gaslamp, sounds like a ‘must listen’ for me!