The Historic Present

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History podcast run by two GCSE history fanatics. Join Jonah and Charlie for chilled chats around the GCSE course, delving deeper into some fascinating stories. Appearing as guests, several renowned and intriguing expert historians help us explore further

Jonah Howe and Charlie Gordon


    • Jun 1, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 45m AVG DURATION
    • 16 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Historic Present

    Episode 13: Drone warfare

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2022 24:01


    In this episode, Charlie talks to James Rogers about the history and future of Drone Warfare. Unfortunately Jonah was too ill to join the recording, but will be back for the next episode.

    Chalke Valley History Festival - Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2021 35:53


    Over the summer, we were invited to represent the podcast at the Chalke Valley History Festival down in Wiltshire. The festival is one of the largest history festivals in the country, and even though it was welcoming reduced numbers of guests due to some pandemic going around, it still attracted the masses in their thousands. Over three days we spoke to several professional history fanatics - authors, historians, comedians and actors alike. In todays episode, we take a look at the first part of these conversations and interviews. We didn't stop speaking for days - so we've got lots more content for you! Those featured in this episode include Sir Vince Cable, Harry Enfield, Catherine Fletcher, Charlie Higson and Sir Anthony Seldon (not in order of appearance)

    Episode 12: Dunkirk - A Historical Blockbuster | with Joshua Levine

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2021 33:33


    In Episode 12 of the podcast, we chat to Joshua Levine, former lawyer and forever history-lover, who worked behind the scenes of Christopher Nolan's hit movie Dunkirk, tasked with ensuring events in the movie were historically accurate (well, accurate enough for a pulse raising, thrilling drama). Joshua also gives us a deeper understanding into the events prior to Dunkirk which led to thousands of allied troops stranded on the beach, surrounded by the ever-approaching Nazi war machine.

    Episode 11: The Daughters of Yalta | with Catherine Katz

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2021 30:00


    In the return of the Historic Present podcast, Jonah Howe and Charlie Gordon are joined by historian and author Catherine Katz to discuss her book 'The Daughters of Yalta'. The three talk about the important roles of Sarah Churchill, Anna Roosevelt and Svetlana Alliluyeva (daughter of Stalin) when accompanying their fathers at the peace conference of Yalta in 1945, and the hidden lives of the three young women that have previously been hidden from the public for many decades. To buy Catherine's book, click/tap on the link below: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Daughters-Yalta-Churchills-Roosevelts-Harrimans-ebook/dp/B085BGWSRY/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=daughters+of+yalta&qid=1623262648&sr=8-1 For any enquiries to join the pod head over to our Instagram, Anchor page or via email: historicpresentpod@gmail.com

    Episode 10: The Units Protecting Britain | with Andrew Chatterton

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2021 29:53


    In episode 10 of the Historic Present pod, (well, 10th in the series, could be 11th, think we're all a bit unsure at the moment) Charlie Gordon and Jonah Howe are joined by historian Andrew Chatterton, who specialises in the the study of the British Auxiliary Units of the Second World War. This huge, secret group of men, who were tasked with protecting our nation should Great Britain ever be invaded by Hitler's war machine, deserve their stories to be broadcasted to the world: their silent work went largely unnoticed by the public for several years following the end of the war, as their sworn act of secrecy took so many memories to the graves of the honourable men. Get in touch here: jonahethanhowe@icloud.com Follow @the_historic_present_pod on insta! Sub to The Historic Present on YouTube!

    IWD: Helle Patterson, The Tales of an Occupied Childhood

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2021 57:23


    To celebrate International Women's Day 2021, we are delighted to be joined by Helle Patterson, one of the most interesting and fascinating person we have ever spoke to. Her stories of living under both Stalin's and Hitler's rule in her homeland of Estonia are thrillingly gripping, amplifying her sense of good will and strong character through moments of humour throughout. Any description would serve as an injustice to the true meaning and heart of her memories , so sit back, relax and listen to the captivating tales of Helle's childhood. Enjoy!

    Episode 9: Battles over Britain

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2021 66:34


    In this episode, we are joined by world renowned historian MBE Dan Snow, who takes us through the Battle of Britain and other key WW2 events. Sho joins us once again for a weekly economic round up, before 4 guests join us to pick apart some burning political questions. We are now on youtube! We will be uploading clips from the podcast weekly on our channel: The Historic Present Pod. Go subscribe - it's free and really helps us out!

    Episode 8: Sentences, Stocks and Stances

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2021 75:53


    In this episode, we are once again joined by historian Guy Walters to discuss the fall of the Nazis, and how they were dealt with after the end of the second world war. We go in depth into the Nuremberg trials, and how they shaped the future of International law. We are joined by classmate Sho for the first ever Economic section of the pod, before a huge political mash up with 5 guests. To get involved with the pod, contact our email: thehistoricpresentpod@yahoo.com .

    History Enrichment: Social inequality

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2021 33:46


    Having taken on the task of producing a special episode for our school's enrichment week, this episode is centred around two prime examples of social injustice in history, centuries apart. Revolutionary changes always come as a result of social inequalities, sooner or later, and the two examples - in France and in the US - that we discuss in today's episode perfectly reflect this. Enjoy!

    Episode 7: The Holocaust - Barbaric Blueprints

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2021 48:14


    On the International Holocaust Memorial Day 2021, we release this special episode looking deep into the anti-semitic roots of Nazi Germany, how anti-Jewish ideals were implemented during the early years of Hitler's reign, ultimately leading up to the final solution itself. We are joined by historian Martin Winstone, from the Holocaust Educational Trust who brilliantly deepens our understandings of the horrors of the Third Reich. It did not feel fitting to include a political debate section in this episode, and we're sure you understand why.

    Episode 6: Dealing with Stalin

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2021 65:06


    In this episode, we are joined by two historians: Dr James Rogers and Dr Ian Johnson, who help us discuss the significance, terms and aftermath of the Nazi-Soviet pact of 1939. We go deep into the deal that gave Hitler the go ahead to invade Poland, ultimately kickstarting the Second World War. The clash of Left and Right ideologies continues into our political section, when Charlie and Jonah go head-to-head with Natalie and Darsha-Lily to debate whether or not Socialism really does solve all the crises it seems to promise. Enjoy!

    Episode 5: "Peace in our time"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2021 69:33


    In this episode, we are joined by author and historian James Holland as we look in depth at the road to war for the second time, and discover why international peace had collapsed by 1939. We look at Neville Chamberlain, and discuss his policy of appeasement. Stay with us for our political discussion over the USA, and the recent riots there with familiar faces. Enjoy!

    Episode 4: Nazism and Narcissism

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2020 50:59


    In the final episode of 2020, we introduce the Nazi party and look at its initial rise in Weimar Germany. We look at the Munich Putsch 1923, Hitler's sentencing and his steps towards the position of Chancellor. To help us cover all of this, we are delighted to welcome historian Guy Walters onto the pod: the very first professional on the Historic Present! Stay with us for a not-so-festive Christmas debate later on...

    Episode 3: Dancing on a Volcano

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2020 40:06


    In this episode, we continue looking at the Weimar Republic and the transition from an era of chaos and struggles, to more prosperous and successful years. We assess the recovery of Streseman's Weimar, and address the fact that this recovery may only be superficial after all. We end the history section by introducing the Wall Street Crash and how it affected Germany. Hugo joins us for the political debate, as we discuss Brexit.

    Episode 2: Weimar Worries

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2020 24:12


    In this episode, we delve deep into post-war Germany and introduce the Weimar Republic. We look at the actual constitution itself, as well as the political and economic problems it faced in its early years. Unfortunately, the political guest has since changed their minds, and has asked for the debate to be removed. It was a truly cracking debate though. We hope you understand

    Episode 1: Treaties and Trouble

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2020 46:02


    In this episode, we delve into the peace treaties signed at the end of the first world war, in particular the Treaty of Versailles. We introduce three BIG politicians, and how they shaped the future of Europe. After looking at the League of Nations, we fast forward 100 years and discuss the recent US presidential election, and the UK media...

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