057 – Hadrian and Frederick's troubles in Rome

We take a look at the life and struggle of Sicilian communist party leader Pio La Torre, who spent his whole life trying to oppose Cosa Nostra for the good of the opressed, even when it meant going ag...

3 Mai 202219min

As we finish celebrating the 77th anniversary of our liberation from the Fascist government and Nazi occupiers, I talk to author Brandon Gauthier about his new book, which explores the early lives of ...

26 Apr 202243min

We continue catching up with the house of Savoy picking up in 1255 and, after some zig-zagging succession, see the "colourful" green count Amedeo VI and then try to discover what really happened to hi...

12 Apr 202220min

We have reached the 200th upload ( regular episodes plus extras) and have moved to a new platform. To celebrate this as well as my 45th birthday we are unveiling the new "A History of Italy" logo

5 Apr 20228min

We catch the region of piedmont up to the 13th century and then start to take a look at the rise of the house of Savoy, beginning with its founder Umberto Biancamano, he of the white hand (for some re...

22 Mar 202219min

The second part of our chat on the occupation of Fiume where we look at the occupation itself and the life of D'Annunzio after the endeavor

15 Mar 202227min

We draw a profile of the Italian poet and activist Gabriele D'Annunzio up to the time in which he takes command of an expedition to take the city of Fiume, the current day Croatian city of Rijeka. We ...

8 Mar 202221min

In honour of the Ukrainian people, I look back at my fond memories of Ukraine in the "Italian" city of Odessa.

1 Mar 202228min