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Artwork for How to Invent a Country

How to Invent a Country

BBC Radio 4
Ottoman Empire
Taiwan
China
Hungary
Turkey
Battle Of Mohács
Istanbul
Viktor Orbán
The Ottoman Empire
Chiang Kai-Shek
Qin Shi Huang
1949 Chinese Civil War
1956 Revolution
Qing Dynasty
Constantinople
Suleiman the Magnificent
Communist Party Of China
Olympics
Taiwan Semiconductor Company
Japanese Occupation

When did countries become countries? Misha Glenny on the borders, the stories and the people of countries worldwide.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes61Founded7 years ago
Category
History

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Artwork for How to Invent a Country

Latest Episodes

Misha Glenny asks how the losers of two world wars, which drastically reshaped Hungary's borders, tried to fight off Soviet tanks on Budapest's streets. Produced by Miles Warde

Misha Glenny and Miles Warde head to a rally in Budapest where Viktor Orban compares the EU to the Habsburgs, forgetting it was tsarist Russia that crushed the revolution of 1848

McMafia author Misha Glenny and Miles Warde travel from Vienna to Budapest to find out how Hungarian hardman Viktor Orban uses history beginning with the battle of Mohacs of 1526

At the beginning of 2024 the president of the Chinese People's Republic, Xi Jinping, claimed people living on both sides of the Taiwan Straits should reunite "and share in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation". But is Taiwan really par... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host

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Recent Guests

Viktor Shebeshtien
Journalist and author of a book about Budapest
Budapest Between East And West
Episode: The Butcher And The Poet
Paul Lentváy
Author of The Hungarians A Thousand Years Of Victory And Defeat
Episode: The Butcher And The Poet
András Gerda
Renowned academic and director of the Institute of Habsburg History
Episode: The Butcher And The Poet
Rekha Kinga-Papp
Episode: The Butcher And The Poet
Tibor Fischer
Novelist, author of Under the Frog And How to Rule the World
Episode: The Butcher And The Poet
Christina Rohe
Teacher of English and Literature
Episode: The Butcher And The Poet
Veronika Ruzhova
Episode: The Butcher And The Poet
Simon Winder
Author of Danubia
Episode: The Butcher And The Poet
Frances Wood
Author of The First Emperor of China
Episode: China - to kowtow or not to kowtow

Host

Misha Glenny
Host and presenter with a focus on history and geopolitics, providing insights and engaging narratives around the development and identity of countries.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 557 ratings
  • Outstanding

    Started with the Germany series and enjoyed them all immensely. So my artificially constructed countries!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DrewzyJ
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Bonza !

    Knocks the ‘the rest is history,’ into a cocked hat ! So many more countries to explore: Spain,India and/or Australia for starters. For something contentious, topical and political , Ukraine, Israel, Greenland and/or the islands.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bigjesus888
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Hooray it’s back!

    I adore this podcast and send it to all my friends, it is expansive and fascinating.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bittern45
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Wonderful, funny, informative…

    Love this show… It’s what keeps me coming back to the BBC. These two guys have great adventures in these countries, piece together the histories in a colorful way, and are hilarious to boot. I’ve learned so much about countries that I thought I knew, this show really fills in a lot of gaps for me, its the best of both worlds, information and entertainment!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Potrero2024
    United States2 years ago
  • Incredible! Another jewel from the BBC

    I could listen to Misha Glenny all day.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    avm1406
    Singapore2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the engaging storytelling and depth of research that the host brings to historical narratives.
Many appreciate the expert guest appearances, noting that they provide enriching context and commentary.
Some reviews criticize potential biases and an anglocentric focus in the storytelling, while others indicate a desire for more coverage of non-European countries.
The podcast is often described as informative and thought-provoking, helping listeners connect past events to present issues.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#228
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#144
Philippines/History
Apple Podcasts
#191
Ireland/History
Apple Podcasts
#212
Netherlands/History
Apple Podcasts
#212
India/History
Apple Podcasts
#220
Argentina/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Turkey - Ottoman or Turk
Q: What happened during the Cyprus War that affected the Greek population in Istanbul?
Nationalist mobs threatened the Greek neighborhoods, resulting in many Greeks leaving Istanbul.
Turkey - Ottoman or Turk
Q: How does he meet his Grand Vizier Ibrahim?
He was picked up by pirates and later became the Grand Vizier due to his impressive qualities and relationship with Suleiman.
China - the first emperor
Q: How does the historical narrative around the first emperor shape modern China's governance?
Experts discussed how the first emperor's establishment of centralized rule and bureaucracy continues to influence political authority and control in contemporary China, leading to ongoing tensions, particularly regarding territories like Taiwan.
China - the first emperor
Q: Why do we call China China?
Frances explained that the name 'China' actually derives from 'Qin', the name of the first emperor, while the Chinese refer to their country as Zhongguo, or Middle Kingdom.
China - the first emperor
Q: Was it a statement of his power or his desperation to have a good afterlife?
Frances discussed that all Chinese burials included miniature figures for afterlife provisions, but the first emperor did so on an imperial scale to reflect his status.

Audience Metrics

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

Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Invent a Country

What is How to Invent a Country about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the emergence and history of nation-states, the content uncovers pivotal events, cultural narratives, and geopolitical complexities that shaped countries around the world. A key focus is on stories of identity, historical conflicts, and the influence of globalization on modern nations, with discussions ranging from Taiwan's search for recognition to the nuances of the Ottoman Empire's legacy in Turkey. With expert guests providing insights, the content often highlights the interconnections between past and present, encouraging listeners to reflect on the historical underpinnings of current global dynamics.

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Which podcasts are similar to How to Invent a Country?

These podcasts share a similar audience with How to Invent a Country:

1. In Our Time
2. Great Lives
3. Presidents, Prime Ministers, Monarchs & Dictators
4. Dan Snow's History Hit
5. The Rest Is History

How many episodes of How to Invent a Country are there?

How to Invent a Country launched 7 years ago and published 61 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 How to Invent a Country?

Recent guests on How to Invent a Country include:

1. Viktor Shebeshtien
2. Paul Lentváy
3. András Gerda
4. Rekha Kinga-Papp
5. Tibor Fischer
6. Christina Rohe
7. Veronika Ruzhova
8. Simon Winder

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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