Episodes

  • Katja Hoyer on East Germany

    Katja Hoyer on East Germany
    Mar 27 2023
    In our latest episode of History Lessons, Mattias Hessérus is joined by author, historian and journalist Katja Hoyer to discuss her new book Beyond the Wall: East Germany, 1949-1990. Together, they discuss the GDR and its legacy today.

    Image: East German pioneers and musicians depicted in the porcelain frieze 'Building of the Republic' designed by German artist Max Lingner (1952–1953) on the building of the Council of Ministers of East Germany (former Reichsluftfahrtministerium), now the Detlev-Rohwedder-Haus in Berlin, Germany. Credit: Azoor Photo / Alamy Stock Photo. 
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    45 mins
  • Sarah Bakewell on Humanism

    Sarah Bakewell on Humanism
    Mar 17 2023
    In our latest episode of History Lessons, Mattias Hessérus is joined by author Sarah Bakewell to discuss her new book Humanly Possible: Seven Hundred Years of Humanist Freethinking, Enquiry and Hope. Together, they chart the history of the Humanist movement and its relevance to this secular age.

    Image: The six Tuscan poets. Credit: Giorgio Morara / Alamy Stock Photo
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    37 mins
  • Edward Chancellor on interest rates and the Price of Time

    Edward Chancellor on interest rates and the Price of Time
    Nov 4 2022
    On the latest episode of History Lessons, Mattias Hessérus is in conversation with author Edward Chancellor discussing the history of interest rates. From the Tulip Mania to the French Revolution to Quantitative Easing post-2008, interest rates are at the heart of world events.

    Image: The Bank of England during the UK's second COVID lockdown. Credit: Jeff Gilbert / Alamy Stock Photo.
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    49 mins
  • Christopher Coker explains Why War?

    Christopher Coker explains Why War?
    May 6 2022
    On the latest episode of History Lessons, Mattias Hessérus is in conversation with Christopher Coker discussing humanity's compulsion for conflict.

    https://engelsbergideas.com/podcasts/history-lessons-christopher-coker-explains-why-war-2/

    Credit: PRISMA ARCHIVO / Alamy Stock Photo
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    49 mins
  • Katja Hoyer on the rise and fall of the German Empire, 1871–1918

    Katja Hoyer on the rise and fall of the German Empire, 1871–1918
    Jan 28 2022
    On the latest episode of History Lessons, Mattias Hessérus is in conversation with Katja Hoyer on the creation of the German empire, the role of Otto von Bismarck in its creation and what this period reveals about Germany today.

    Credit: Granger Historical Picture Archive / Alamy Stock Photo
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    38 mins
  • Adrian Wooldridge on the history of meritocracy

    Adrian Wooldridge on the history of meritocracy
    Oct 29 2021
    In this week's episode of History Lessons, Mattias speaks to Adrian Wooldridge on the history and future of meritocracy, spanning Tang dynasty China to Trump's America.

    Credit: Artokoloro / Alamy Stock Photo
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    48 mins
  • Andrew Roberts on George III

    Andrew Roberts on George III
    Oct 8 2021
    On the latest edition of History Lessons, Mattias Hessérus is in conversation with historian Andrew Roberts on his mission to repair the reputation of Britain's most maligned and misunderstood monarch.

    Credit: Bettmann/Contributor
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    39 mins
  • Jonathan Dimbleby on Operation Barbarossa

    Jonathan Dimbleby on Operation Barbarossa
    Jul 2 2021
    Mattias Hessérus in conversation with Jonathan Dimbleby on the strategic decision that cost Hitler the war.

    Credit: Art Media / Print Collector / Getty Images
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    45 mins