1. The Battle of Britain Explained: Preparation, Pilots and Propaganda

John F. Kennedy was a man of charm, power, and contradictions. Behind the public image of the heroic president lay a figure plagued by pain, haunted by his past, and driven by desire. Dan is joined by esteemed biographer Randy Taraborelli to explore Kennedy's private life, delving into his turbulent marriage to Jackie, the domineering influence of his father, and the family secrets that shaped JFK as a president and as a man. Randy's new book is called JFK: Public, Private, Secret and reveals extraordinary insights into the most formative moments of Kennedy’s life from the people who knew him best. Produced by Mariana Des Forges, Beth Donaldson and edited by Dougal Patmore Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. We'd love to hear your feedback - you can take part in our podcast survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on. You can also email the podcast directly at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1588, Spain’s mighty armada sailed to invade England and change the balance of power in Europe. Dan explains why Philip II launched the Armada, details the high-stakes clash in the Channel, and outlines the decisive tactics, leadership and luck that helped the English prevail. Produced by James Hickmann and edited by Dougal Patmore. Sir Francis Drake Explainer (Part 1) - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/francis-drake-part-1/id1042631089?i=1000701117292 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5rfyx6O0uG68OMU8nZY3Tx?si=0VCVhre5QoWckbkMJ57aUA Sir Francis Drake Explainer (Part 2) - Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/francis-drake-part-2/id1042631089?i=1000701609499 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7o0mUByT7hoB0PCqlrjgEE?si=GipNr6rxRdmmNoMxwtOugQ Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. We'd love to hear your feedback - you can take part in our podcast survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on. You can also email the podcast directly at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide. When the Nuremberg Trials began in November 1945, Hermann Göring was the highest-ranking Nazi to face justice for the crimes of the Third Reich. Charismatic, manipulative and unrepentant, he became the central figure of the proceedings. This episode examines Göring’s performance in the courtroom and his unusual relationship with U.S. Army psychiatrist Dr Douglas Kelley, who was tasked with assessing the mental state of the Nazi defendants. For this, we're joined by Jack El-Hai, author of ‘The Nazi and the Psychiatrist'. Through their exchanges, Jack explains how Göring sought to control his legacy and what his case revealed about the psychology of power and guilt in the aftermath of war. Produced by James Hickmann and edited by Dougal Patmore. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. We'd love to hear your feedback - you can take part in our podcast survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on. You can also email the podcast directly at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could the plucked backside of a chicken really cure the plague? If that question has ever crossed your mind, then this episode is for you. Today, we’re diving into the Black Death - where it originated, how it tore across continents at terrifying speed, and the gruesome symptoms it unleashed. We're joined by Helen Carr, author of 'Sceptred Isle', a new history of the 14th century. She takes us through this tale of a deadly pandemic, bizarre cures, and a continent in crisis… Produced by Mariana Des Forges and edited by Dougal Patmore. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. We'd love to hear your feedback - you can take part in our podcast survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on. You can also email the podcast directly at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In partnership with Findmypast, Dan narrates the extraordinary story of the Western Front at its most unforgiving. Passchendaele became a byword for the futility, endurance and industrialised slaughter of the First World War. In a battle that lasted from July to November 1917, men, horses and equipment trudged through a swampy moonscape of shell holes in an attempt to crack the German line in Flanders. It became a relentless, attritional push along a low ridge east of Ypres through constant rain, gas attacks and hurricane barrages. Genealogist and specialist researcher for Findmypast, Jen Baldwin, joins Dan to share incredible details about what Passchendeale was really like for the men who were there through the records, newspaper accounts and diaries left by the men in the Findmypast archives. You too can search the incredible records in the Findmypast archive to piece together your own family’s forgotten heroes. To mark Remembrance Day, ​millions of military records are completely free to access and explore from 7th -13th November. Visit findmypast.co.uk/remembrance to start delving into your family’s war stories. Produced by Mariana Des Forges, Jen Baldwin, and edited by Dougal Patmore. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.