History's Heroes

By BBC Radio 4

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Image by BBC Radio 4

Category: History

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Subscribers: 548
Reviews: 1
Episodes: 24


 Jul 19, 2023

Description

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 Youngest Heroes' with narration from Nicola Coughlan and 'History's Secret Heroes' with narration from Helena Bonham Carter.

In History's Youngest Heroes, actress Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton, Derry Girls) tells twelve true stories of rebellion, risk and the radical power of youth. Before she became a Hollywood star, how did the young Audrey Hepburn take on the Nazis during World War Two? As a young activist, how did Nelson Mandela attempt to overthrow the South African government to end apartheid? Did Queen of England, Lady Jane Grey give up her faith or face the executioner's axe? Why did Terry Fox, a young man with a prosthetic leg, set out to run the length of Canada? Join Nicola to hear inspiring tales of young heroes both famous and forgotten, whose bravery demonstrates how young people can change history.

In History's Secret Heroes, Helena Bonham Carter recounts untold stories of heroes from World War Two whose acts of resistance, deception and courage helped defeat fascism. In each episode, Helena shines a light on the spies, Royal Air Force pilots, army officers, prisoners of war and double agents who risked their lives to save others. Learn all about forgotten stories of survival, bravery and espionage - from the opera singers who helped dozens of Jewish people escape Nazi Germany, to the woman that Winston Churchill would go on to call his favourite spy. Previous episodes have looked at the story of the American actor George Takei (Star Trek), who was imprisoned without trial along with 12,000 other Japanese Americans, and Bela Hazan, a young Jewish woman who went undercover at the Gestapo headquarters to fight against the Nazis. From secret missions behind enemy lines in occupied Europe, to underground resistance movements across Germany, France, Poland, Great Britain and beyond, History's Secret Heroes reveals how ordinary people can make an extraordinary impact.

Join Nicola and Helena for tales of deception, rebellion, risk and courage.


Episode Date
History's Youngest Heroes: 1. Nelson Mandela and the Defiance Campaign
Dec 09, 2024
Introducing History's Youngest Heroes
Dec 02, 2024
20. Manfred Gans and X Troop
Jun 03, 2024
19. The Enigmatic Emily Anderson
May 27, 2024
18. Andrée De Jongh and the Comet Line
May 20, 2024
17. Charles Drew and the Blood Bank
May 13, 2024
16. Raymond Gurême: Escape Artist
May 06, 2024
15. Josefina Guerrero: The Maid of Manila
Apr 29, 2024
14. The Unbreakable Navajo Code
Apr 22, 2024
13. Christine Granville: The Spy Who Skied In from the Cold
Apr 15, 2024
12. Flying High with Johnny Smythe
Apr 08, 2024
11. The Extraordinary Cook Sisters
Apr 01, 2024
Introducing History's Secret Heroes Series 2
Mar 25, 2024
10. Arslan Rezniqi and the Besa Code
Aug 02, 2023
9. Jack King and the Fifth Column
Jul 26, 2023
8. Skiing Commandos
Jul 19, 2023
7. Bela Hazan and the Jewish Resistance
Jul 12, 2023
6. The Mystery of Garbo
Jul 05, 2023
5. George Takei and the American Internment Camps
Jun 28, 2023
4. Claude, Marcel and the Soldier with No Name
Jun 21, 2023
3. Ghost Army
Jun 14, 2023
2. Charity Adams and the 6888
Jun 07, 2023
1. Virginia Hall’s Great Escape
May 31, 2023
Welcome to History’s Secret Heroes
May 24, 2023