Here are some other History Podcasts I came across when making the show. Below are reviews and links…….
RTE History Show
This weekly show presented by Lecturer Diarmuid Ferriter on Ireland’s National broadcaster is always a good listen. It an hour long and varies in topics. It usually focuses on modern history. You can find it at
Talking history
Talking History is a 2 hr history show every week on Newstalk (an Irish radio station). The show has a main feature during the first half of the show which also tends to focus on modern history. The second hour of the show is smaller pieces and book reviews.
Hardcore History.
Considered by most to be the best history podcast out there. Hardcore history is a history show that chooses a different unrelated topic each show and mixes both the big picture story with human experience. Each show lasts about 60-90 minutes. The presentation is excellent. The four part “ghosts of the Ostfront” is an outstanding account of WWII on the Eastern front
www.dancarlin.com
History of Rome Podcast.
This is my favourite show. In this show Mike Duncan the presenter works his way through Roman history from when Rome was a village to…. well you know the rest. Its really interesting show if know nothing, something or a lot about roman history.http://www.thehistoryofrome.typepad.com/
In our time
This is a BBC radio show presented b y Melvyn Bragg. In the BBC words its “a show about the history of ideas”. Each episode is about a different unrelated topic. Its well researched and well presented.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/in-our-time/
12 Byzantine Rulers
I found this quite good. It was a good introduction into the Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantine Empire. That said an archaeologist mate of mine thought it was too many dates!! Anyway its worth a listen in my opinion
www.12byzantinerulers.com
Norman Centuries
Its made by the guy who made 12 byzantine rulers and is better. It’s straight forward history of the Normans. When you compare this presenter, Lars Brownworth to Dan Carlin or Mike Duncan its obvious he’s a history lecturer, his presentation is poor.
http://www.normancenturies.com/
Ancient Warfare Podcast
This is miliaria out-and-out. If your not into it I wouldn’t bother. It’s presented in a badly edited discussion format than can have very poor sound quality as the participants are often in different continents.
http://www.ancient-warfare.com/cms/
BBC Magazine Podcast
This podcast is well worth a listen, it takes the form of interviews with authors and historians who have contributed to the BBC’s history magazine.
http://www.historyextra.com/podcast-page
Europe from its Origins
Joseph Hogarty takes on perhaps one of the most difficult challenges in history by attempting to understand the history of Europe in one framework. Hogarty makes a good effort at this. His research is impressive in its scope but his analysis is influenced by what I imagine is a conservative catholic view of European history. Regardless of your own opinions this is still worth listening to.
http://www.ahistoryofeurope.eu/A_History_of_Europe/A_History_of_Europe.html
New Books in History
The host of this interview style podcast speaks to an author of you guessed it a bew book in history. The range and scope of the books is superb as his the authors questioning however the sound can range from meddiocre to appalling.
http://newbooksinhistory.com/
World War II Podcast
If you are fascinated by World War II this podcast is a dream come true! Ray Harris takes a blow by blow acccount of the conflict (France only falls to the Nazis in episode 36!) This is a well presented well researched show and definately worth listening to.
http://itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/a-history-of-wwii-podcast/id467055470
Things now seriously decline…….
Military history podcast
It’s beyond me how this gets the rave reviews it does. As far as I can tell a lot of the episodes are researched on wikipedia no matter what the presenter claims. If you know anything about the subject his understanding can often be exposed as very limited
militaryhistorypodcast.blogspot.com
Stuff you missed in history class?
All I can say is that the presenters of this missed them too. Very well presented but that’s it.
http://www.howstuffworks.com/podcasts/stuff-you-missed-in-history-class.rss
Binge thinking
Love the British Empire? If you do then you’ll love this. If you come from anywhere that had dealings with the Empire it’ll make you’re blood boil. In short history that cheer leads the stupidity of the fighting for King and Country rubbish
http://bingethinkinghistory.libsyn.com/
I thought the info on the podcast was awesome – but the volume was SUPER LOW! I can tell you’ve got awesome information, but even with the volume cranked up, I could barely hear.
I was just looking at your reviews and noticed your one for the History of Rome Podcast I agree it’s brilliant but the website is wrong it is http://www.thehistoryofrome.typepad.com/
Hey Fin,
What are your thoughts on the Napoleon podcast on the Podcast Network? It is obviously biased though a good introduction to the subject given that the Irish history cirriculum only starts at around 1840…
Keep up the shows, really enjoying them.
Darren
I remembering listening to one and finding it hard to get into, so I cant really comment. I must give it another shot. What did you make of it?
Once you get over the American guys accent it is pretty good. I think there are over 70 episodes, usually an hour or so long, though the main bulk of the story is finished after 40ish. Well worth another goo.
Just started listening to the podcasts of Irish History.
Love it.
Hi Finn, just listened to your first 4 podcasts. Really enjoying them so far. Im very interested in ancient and medieval Irish history, so your podcasts are going down a treat. Hope you have a Norman Conquest of Ireland podcast in the works. BTW, I hope you dont use Gerald of Wales’s Topography of Ireland as a reference for that period
Glad your liking the show Conor. There is a bit to go before we reach the Normans. I guess it’ll be another three shows? I am going to move a bit slower as I feel I cant do things justice by covering a century in a podcast. Episode 5 is going to revolve around a major Battle fought in 908 – Bealach na Mugna – where the O Neills delivered a fatal blow to the Eoganacht kingdom. Not well known but its after effects were enormous, far more important than the battle of clontarf!
I actually think Cambrensis is useful in some ways as he gives us some Idea of how the Normans viewed the conquest themselves – the superior attitude they held etc etc. As a historical source it is rubbish or humorous but its still has use as a contemporary document.
Thanks Fin, sounds fascinating. Never heard of that Battle and really looking forward to hearing about it.
You’re totally right about Cambrensis’s account and its significance. It was touched on in the second episode of the excellent BBC series ‘The Normans’ that was on recently. Early propaganda at its best!
Also, great to hear that you’re slowing things down.
regards
Conor
Fin,
I really like your podcasts. They contain lots of information and appear very well done (as far as I can tell, I am not an expert in Irish history). I have to agree with one of the other comments that your volume is very low. Still, you cover lots of extra information that addresses many of the questions I would have about the topics and events that you cover. Please keep up the good work.
I’m burning through the first 5 podcasts, excellent stuff! This is the most eniertaining and informative podcast I have found in a long time. Can’t wait for more.
Loving the podcasts so far, just started yesterday and nearly finnished. Is there anymore coming?
Thanks
Hey Fin.
This is a fantastic podcast. Well done. Glad to finally hear a concise, balanced and insightful Irish history podcast. Great work.
Excellent resource Fin. Very interesting podcasts, really enjoy your visualisation of the external pressures and thoughts on people of the time and how it shaped their actions. Looking forward to the next installments!
Enjoying your show! Love the “attitude”. Learning a lot. I never knew the extent of Viking presence. Keep it up. Ray Harris-WWII Podcast
Loving the Podcast Fin
Excellently researched and I have all my American friends over here listening to it, I really appreciate the time and effort it tokk to put this together.
Nicely done.
Mick
HI Fin,
Just discovered your podcasts, they’re exactly what I was looking for.. An easily understood straight to the point presentation. I love the way you try and gives us a more personal look at peoples lives long ago.
Thanks for all the work. I’m going to recommend this to friends..
Cheers,
Jason (Ennis)
Hi Fin,
I found your podcast while I was looking for an irish podcast to improve my english (’cause I want to get rid of my german accent) and to learn a something about irish history. I really like your podcast but the mp3 files are of low volume so I have to enhance every mp3 file before I move it to my mp3 player.
cheers,
Thorsten