The Bomb
BBC World ServiceHow the nuclear bomb shaped world history. The scientists who raced to build weapons, the spies who stole the technology and the superpowers who grappled with deployment.
In Season 3, nuclear war is terrifyingly close. Can the superpowers of the Soviet Union and the USA prevent apocalypse? Nina Khrushcheva and Max Kennedy, relatives of Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev and US President John F Kenn... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 34 | Founded | 6 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | History | |||
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Latest Episodes
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If journalism is the first draft of history, what happens if that draft turns out to be flawed? The History Bureau revisits the defining stories of our times with the reporters who first covered them. What did they get right first time around? And, i... more
Can Khrushchev and Kennedy stop a spiral into nuclear devastation? Khrushchev realises he has lost control of the crisis, as an American plane is shot down over Cuba. With the Americans preparing for war, can the two leaders communicate quickly enoug... more
Soviet anti-aircraft fire takes down an American spy plane over Cuba, as the crisis spirals. The pilot is killed. With nuclear missiles almost ready for launch in Cuba, how can the two superpower leaders pull back from the brink of war? This is the p... more
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- Spelling note …
Proper nouns, such as places, persons, or things, are not subject to the vagaries of the literary practice of various countries. Pearl Harbor is not ever spelled “Pearl Harbour” unless you’re uneducated. I guess here in the US we can spell historic Gloucester as Glocester? I expect a correction before I’ll listen.
Apple Podcasts1TheJimPreston
United Statesa month ago - 2nd & 3rd Season!
This show gets better each season. Season 1 is very good except for the comments of the narrator that oversimplify the complexities of war and mis-judging the actions of people from a half century ago. But if you can get past those comments, the first season was very informative. However, seasons 2 and 3 are fantastic. Can’t recommend it enough. I thoroughly enjoyed them and was bummed when it ended.
Apple Podcasts5CrazyjamuUnited States2 months ago - Latest season is amazing
Such a great show thank you. Could not wait until each episode dropped. I hope you have something else in the works.
Apple Podcasts52280Chris
Australia2 months ago - Good but…
Over produced, could have been better without the distracting music underlying all the voices.
Apple Podcasts1EZY555Australia2 months ago - Season 3 Wow!
Thank you for pulling together this outstanding narrative! An engaging and beautiful podcast reporting of facts by descendants close to the historical events. Lessons learned!
Apple Podcasts5runwithmeUnited States2 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #237 | United States/History |
Apple Podcasts | #148 |  United Kingdom/History |
Apple Podcasts | #160 |  Canada/History |
Apple Podcasts | #112 | Australia/History |
Apple Podcasts | #56 |  Chile/History |
Apple Podcasts | #65 |  New Zealand/History |
Talking Points
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Audience Metrics
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Bomb
What is The Bomb about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A history-focused narrative that traces how nuclear weapons reshaped geopolitics, from early theoretical work to the era of superpower brinkmanship. Episodes often center on pivotal crises like the Cuban Missile Crisis, weaving together personal narratives from relatives of key leaders with expert analysis to illuminate the decisions, psychology, and diplomacy that kept global catastrophe at bay. Notable strengths include unsparing access to firsthand perspectives from historians and biographers, plus a multi-season arc that covers scientists, spies, and statesmen shaping the nuclear age. This show is likely to appeal to listeners who enjoy deep-dive Cold War history, high-stakes decision-making, and human-centered storytelling around monum... more
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How many subscribers and views does The Bomb have?
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Which podcasts are similar to The Bomb?
These podcasts share a similar audience with The Bomb:
1. The History Bureau
2. 13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II
3. Cyber Hack
4. Witness History
5. Empire: World History
How many episodes of The Bomb are there?
The Bomb launched 6 years ago and published 34 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 The Bomb?
Recent guests on The Bomb include:
1. Professor Renata Keller
2. Jim Hirschberg
3. Michael Dobbs
4. Svetlana Savranskaya
5. Evan Thomas
6. Serhii Plohy
7. Carlos Alzugaray
8. Renata Keller
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.