HISTORY A TO Z (6) - Concluding our two parter on subjects beginning with the letter D, we discuss the Roman Emperor Diocletian, the Domesday Book, Sir Francis Drake and D-Day.

Why don't we talk more about the histories of countries not on the mainstream when they are so relevantly intertwined in the history of the world and have interesting stories to tell? Is it right for an English podcaster to attempt to speak with respect of the tonality of the nations of the east?

968 - 1407 - Much of modern Vietnamese culture stemmed from the Red River valley, where a polity emerged called Đại Việt, that would have to survive on the southern fringes of the power of China to its north.

What a challenge this episode was! We don't necessarily know how much of the information about Srivijaya is strictly true. Let's dip into the material and methods used to construct this week's episode.

671 - 1200 - There were times when the land based Silk Road was not an easy path and the sea route was favoured. In order to get to China, one would have to navigate through the islands of South East Asia, which offered the opportunity for someone there to obtain some fortunate wealth. Let me introduce you to Srivijaya.…

HISTORY A TO Z (5) - The first of two episodes exploring people and events that begin with the letter D. In this broadcast we feature both Darius I and Darius III of Achaemenid Persia, the great Greek orator, Demosthenes and the poignant death of Socrates.

The dangers of becoming ever dependent on AI for direction and the continuing value of books in an ever modernising society are up for discussion is this debrief episode.

849 - 1297 - The Burmese Chronicles provide us with sources of material which describes the fortunes of Pagan, which expanded from a small city-state to an imperial force comparable to the Khmer Empire. Their kings come to life with their characters and their magnificent Buddhist temples are their legacy.…

The construction of the episode about Petaluma was a new and interesting challenge for somebody who has never been to California, let alone Sonoma County. We also look ahead at what to expect from the next set of Volume Four episodes.

A must listen for our American listeners and beyond. The story of the city of Petaluma, Sonoma County, California is the fascinating and unique story of a northern California settlement that was the home of indigenous Miwok peoples, New Spanish Californios, and American migrants. Petaluma's contribution to the world includes eggs and wrist wrestlin…

In this special debrief episode, we celebrate the sixth anniversary of the History of the World podcast by talking a bit about the podcast and a bit about you, the podcast listeners. Plus, our usual review of the episode just published.

146 BCE - 1204 CE - This is the story of the Balkan Peninsula from its post Classical Greek and Hellenistic period when it was conquered by the Roman Republic, through to the defeat of the Byzantine Empire by the Latins of the Fourth Crusade.

HISTORY A TO Z (4) - In this episode it is the letter C. So we talk about Caesar, Cleopatra, Caligula, Claudius, Charlemagne and crusading!

What do you think happened to the Ninth Spanish Legion? We take a look at the source material used for this episode and a look ahead at our next episode on Roman Greece.

Our regular look at the books and websites that helped to construct the episode. Also a reflection on this year's Podcast Show in London and the legacy of the late Nick Barksdale on the History of the World podcast itself.

1044 - 1880 - Gunpowder changed the world and how warfare was conducted, but it didn't have the immediate impact that one might assume. So let's explore its emergence and development in this dedicated episode of the History of the World podcast.

HISTORY A TO Z (3) - In this episode we continue to focus on events and characters beginning with the letter B. The Battle of Marathon, the Buddha, Burebista, Boudicca and Basil the Bulgar Slayer.

HISTORY A TO Z (2) - In this episode we focus on events and characters beginning with the letter B. The Building of the Great Pyramid, the Bronze Age Collapse, the Babylonian Captivity and Belshazzar.

As we near the end of our medieval Far East episodes, we look at what remains for Volume 4 and there's a brief reminder about the Podcast Show 2024 in Islington, London this week.

1279 - 1644 - We track the downfall of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty of China before reviewing the rise of the Ming Dynasty and how they changed China in a world where long distance trade links were becoming more vital.

A look back at the sources used for this particular episode, and then an update on the redecoration of HQ, a look forward to this month's Podcast Show in London, and a question for you, the listener, about Volume Five.

1259 - 1324 - The story behind the book called The Travels of Marco Polo, including who the Polos were and why they traveled to China, and then what was the legacy of this adventure in history.

HISTORY A TO Z (1) - Let's start with the As. Aristotle, Alexander the Great, Archimedes, Augustus, Attila the Hun and Alfred the Great.

Broadcasting alone and in a cold, bare walled studio, here is our usual review of the source material used in the construction of the latest episode.

1260 - The Mongol expansion had reached the Middle East, and their power enabled them to crush the established states up to the Holy Land. The Holy Land was being claimed by an Egyptian Dynasty with Turkic origins, and as such, would also have mastery of horsemanship and archery. Would the Mongols meet their match?…