A History of Italy

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 202242min

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 202219min

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" logoMenti...

5 Apr 20227min

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 202218min

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 endeavorMentioned in this episode:Listen Vivacefollow @VivaceMediaNet...

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 202220min

In honour of the Ukrainian people, I look back at my fond memories of Ukraine in the "Italian" city of Odessa.Mentioned in this episode:Listen Vivacefollow @VivaceMediaNetwork A life well lived is nev...

1 Mar 202227min

and 15th century Genoa to catch up on all their wars with Venice and the Aragonese as well as all the internal infighting between the various Doria, Spinola, Fieschi, Grimaldi and Campofregaso for whi...

22 Feb 202219min