The rise and fall of empires and the events that shaped world history. William Dalrymple and Anita Anand explore the intricate stories of revolutions, imperial wars, and the people who built and lost empires. From the British Empire to the Ottomans to Ancient India, history is shaped by power struggles and territorial conquests. How does it continue to affect the world today? Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes, book discounts, our exclusive newsletter, and access to our members’ chatroom on Discord! Head to empirepoduk.com to sign up. For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com.
What this show covers
StalinAl-QaedaOsama bin LadenAlgerian RevolutionBattle of Hastings1066Norman ConquestVikings9/11DecolonizationWilliam the ConquerorWorld War IISoviet historySaudi ArabiaMyth-busting
What listeners will find here
Hastings, moment by moment: how William’s landing led to 1066’s defining battle
The Battle of Hastings takes center stage as Anita Anand, William Dalrymple, and historian Marc Morris follow the clash step by step and consider its aftermath. It promises a close look at what happened in 1066 beyond the legend preserved by the Bayeux Tapestry.
Three rivals, one throne: the road to Hastings in 1066
The episode explores William the Conqueror, Harold Godwinson, and Harald Hardrada as the struggle for England intensifies in 1066. Anita Anand and William Dalrymple, joined by historian Marc Morris, focus on the road to the Battle of Hastings and why these rivals changed English history forever.
Why the Bayeux Tapestry makes the Norman Conquest look startlingly Viking
The Bayeux Tapestry is the starting point for a look at the Norman Conquest through its Norse echoes. William Dalrymple and Eleanor Barraclough trace the chain from Viking river invasions in Western Europe to 1066, asking how much of the Normans’ past still shaped their invasion of England.
Fiona Hill on how Stalin’s shadow still shapes Putin’s Russia
Stalin’s legacy is the focus here, as Fiona Hill joins Anita Anand and William Dalrymple to connect Soviet terror to Putin’s style of power today. The episode also looks at Trump, political charm, and how World War II memory influences the war in Ukraine.
Stalingrad’s winter hell and the battle that broke Hitler’s momentum
The Battle of Stalingrad takes center stage as Antony Beevor joins William Dalrymple and Anita Anand to examine the siege’s brutal winter fighting and its place as a decisive turning point in World War II. The episode also looks at soldiers’ experiences on both sides, civilian survival, and Hitler’s fixation on the city.
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