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Artwork for History's Heroes

History's Heroes

BBC Radio 4
World War II
Eleanor Of Aquitaine
Nelson Mandela
Apartheid
Madam C.J. Walker
Charles Dickens
Defiance Campaign
Sophie Blanchard
Anatomy
Andreas Vesalius
Ustasha
Harold Gillies
Henry II Of England
Nazi Germany
Gertrude Ederle
World War I
Lady Jane Grey
History
African National Congress
Human Dissection

Helena Bonham Carter shines a light on extraordinary stories from World War Two. Join her for tales of deception, resistance and courage in History's Secret Heroes Series 4.

History's Heroes: the BBC's breathtaking, high stakes, story-led history podcast feed that shines a light on extraordinary people from across history. Series include 'History's Heroes' with narration from Historian Alex von Tu... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes103Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryDocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for History's Heroes

Latest Episodes

A German Jewish prosecutor called Fritz Bauer is on a mission to bring a notorious Nazi war criminal to justice. Adolf Eichman, one of the architects of the Holocaust, has fled Germany, his whereabouts unknown. How did Bauer find him?

With historian... more

In Fascist Italy, a group of seven brothers join the resistance. The Cervis shelter fugitives on their farm and distribute anti-fascist literature. But in doing so, they make themselves targets.

With filmmaker Liviana Davi and historian Philip Cook... more

Why did a midwife risk her life to help the resistance during the Japanese occupation of Malaya? The remarkable story of how Sybil Kathigasu, with the help of her husband, secretly treated wounded soldiers and aided the guerillas.

With historian an... more

19-year-old Madeleine Riffaud is imprisoned and tortured for assassinating a German officer in broad daylight in Paris. Upon her release, she becomes one of the key players in the French Resistance. How did she do it?

With historians Rick Stroud an... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Jack Fairweather
Historian and author of a biography of Fritz Bauer
Episode: History's Secret Heroes - Series 4: Fritz Bauer: Nazi Hunter
Marit Tiefenthal
Fritz Bauer's great-niece
Episode: History's Secret Heroes - Series 4: Fritz Bauer: Nazi Hunter
Liviana Davi
Filmmaker who grew up near Casa Cervi
Episode: History's Secret Heroes - Series 4: The Brothers Who Fought Mussolini
Philip Cooke
Professor of Italian History and Culture at the University of Strathclyde
University of Strathclyde
Episode: History's Secret Heroes - Series 4: The Brothers Who Fought Mussolini
Tim Doughty
Historian and filmmaker
Episode: History's Secret Heroes - Series 4: Sybil Kathigasu and the Price of Compassion
Coco Bently
Sybil Kathigasu's granddaughter
Episode: History's Secret Heroes - Series 4: Sybil Kathigasu and the Price of Compassion
Law Siak Hong
Cultural activist and heritage conservationist
Episode: History's Secret Heroes - Series 4: Sybil Kathigasu and the Price of Compassion
Rick Stroud
Historian writing a biography of Madeleine Riffaud
Episode: History's Secret Heroes - Series 4: Madeleine Riffaud’s Defiant Resistance
Anne Sebba
Historian and author who interviewed Madeleine Riffaud
Episode: History's Secret Heroes - Series 4: Madeleine Riffaud’s Defiant Resistance

Hosts

Helena Bonham Carter
Host and narrator of History's Secret Heroes, renowned actor providing narrative voice and interviews.
Alex von Tunzelmann
Historian and host/narrator focusing on World War II-era history and biographical storytelling.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 2.2k ratings
  • Love ❤️ it

    It is a 10 out of 10 and we I think there must be more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The podcast otter
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • One caveat

    A great show that doesn’t require the brilliant albeit distracting background music, or maybe ease off the throbbing basslines a tad.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    HowlingTerror
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Good show, incorrect detail

    Love the show, but please make sure the detail is correct.

    Bolsover Castle is in Derbyshire, not Nottinghamshire.

    To ‘Joe public’ it doesn’t mean a lot but to the locals it’s a matter of pride.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    APU1972
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • Do more!!!

    I love history's secret heroes especially because Helena Bonham Carter dose it and she is my favorite person in Enola homes: )

    Please do more!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mrs giraffe
    United Kingdom10 months ago
  • Cannot listen to current host

    I loved all of the previous iterations of this show, but can’t handle the narrator of History’s Toughest Heroes. I didn’t unsubscribe because I hope this series will end soon and the next host will have a pleasant voice and enunciate well, so I’m just deleting the current episodes as soon as they drop.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Snow Biscuit
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests and hosts are generally seen as authoritative, with some criticism aimed at voice and pacing in some episodes.
Background music is a common production concern, with listeners asking for lower levels for better narration clarity.
Narration is praised for bringing stories to life and strong production quality is frequently highlighted.
The show is viewed as a go-to for immersive WWII storytelling and diverse perspectives on historical events.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#235
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#63
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#133
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#90
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#180
Italy/History
Apple Podcasts
#78
New Zealand/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

History's Secret Heroes - Series 4: Fritz Bauer: Nazi Hunter
Q: Why did Bauer push for a trial rather than an assassination?
He wanted a public prosecution that would reveal the workings of the Holocaust and the broader involvement of Germans, rather than simply eliminate Eichmann.
History's Secret Heroes - Series 4: Fritz Bauer: Nazi Hunter
Q: How did Bauer find Eichman?
Bauer followed a lead from Lothar Herrmann, whose daughter had met Eichmann's son, and later received a photograph and address that confirmed Eichmann's location in Argentina. He used the evidence to persuade Mossad to capture him.
BONUS: The Sisters Who Took On A Dictator, Part 2
Q: How did you first hear about the death of the Mirabal Sisters? Was that talked about in New York?
Alvarez recounts learning about their death from a Time magazine report, and how her family reacted with shock and sadness, which piqued her curiosity; she later became passionate about their story.
BONUS: The Sisters Who Took On A Dictator, Part 2
Q: Can you tell me a bit about your memories of the Dominican Republic as a child?
Alvarez reflects on having a happy childhood despite the oppressive dictatorship, describing how everything was spoken in code and how her family had to be cautious.
BONUS: Gertrude Ederle Ruling The Waves Part 2
Q: What was Jenny Landreth's approach to writing about Ederle?
Landreth wrote a book to highlight women's experiences in swimming history, showcasing Ederle's achievement as pivotal.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About History's Heroes

What is History's Heroes about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This series showcases true, human-centered World War II stories told with cinematic narration and archival texture. Episodes weave intimate portraits of spies, resistance operatives, pilots, and ordinary people who altered the course of history through courage, deception, and resilience. Across installments, the format blends testimony, historical context, and expert commentary to illuminate how small acts of risk and cunning contributed to larger democratic outcomes. A standout aspect is the breadth of subjects—from female trailblazers in law and aviation to double agents and wartime social upheaval—delivered by a roster of acclaimed hosts and expert guests, which gives viewers a sense of historical nuance and personal stakes. The narrativ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to History's Heroes?

These podcasts share a similar audience with History's Heroes:

1. You're Dead to Me
2. Here for the History
3. The History Podcast
4. Witness History
5. Dan Snow's History Hit

How many episodes of History's Heroes are there?

History's Heroes launched 3 years ago and published 103 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on History's Heroes?

Recent guests on History's Heroes include:

1. Jack Fairweather
2. Marit Tiefenthal
3. Liviana Davi
4. Philip Cooke
5. Tim Doughty
6. Coco Bently
7. Law Siak Hong
8. Rick Stroud

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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