Empire

Benoit cesbron - 11/29/2025
Just finished listening to Orwell 4th episode, and I am quite surprised at the adulation towards Ms Funder book, which seems to be a classic case of using 21st century standards to judge the past. Also most of her claims are clearly flimsy and not truly substantiated: Orwell was gay or most probably gay but he never came out, he hated women, he pretended to loathe homosexuality, he abused women, his wife wrote half of his books, etc... on that basis you can just about vilify anybody you want! Very unlike the usually high standard of the series, based on proper research and evidence rather than fictionalised biography...

Llaf - 11/26/2024
'Empire' is sustained by William Dalrymple's deep knowledge of, and fascination with the East. But Anita Anand's shrill wokism grates after a while. I don't know if it has improved. I gave up listening after about 30 episodes.

Michel Didier - 01/23/2024
Please tell Mr Dalrymple that Zeeland is not an island in Denmark, but one of the two coastal provinces of the Dutch Republic in the 17th Century, the other being Holland. The Zeelanders, although few in number, were avid seafarers, especially in South America and the Pacific. New Zealand, Australia, Tasmania, and Eeaster Island are among the best known of their discoveries. Nieuw Zeeland was originally named Stateneiland by Tasman, because he thought it was connected to Stateneiland in South America ( Isla de los Estados); it was rebaptised in 1643 and named after Zeeland. 'Captain Cook' called it New Zealand a century later. The Danish island is called Seeland.

alex hartill - 10/04/2023
loving the lively way history is explored and the guests add to the experience, but is there a reading list to go with the episodes to explore further?

nik a hafiz - 08/10/2023
hi, i'm from malaysia & i have been listening/following to this podcast series for few months too. i have even promoted the podcast to my friends & relatives as we are quite avid readers of history especially that's related to the british colonial era. may i request that an episode is also made about the indians that have been sent to malaysia / singapore / hong kong (the 3 countries that i have resided in too) as there is a good, long, history of them too.' tks & kind regards, -nik

Anna - 07/11/2023
Like a time machine with a fun touch. It takes you on a joyride through history, exploring the rise and fall of great empires. It's like being in a history masterclass, just without the boring bits.

Mica - 07/05/2023
A brilliant journey through time. Each season has got me hooked. Excellent and much-needed perspective on slavery through times. Thanks, William and Anita, for putting out this pod! Absolutely recommend this listening!

Noah - 06/03/2023
As a history junkie, Empire is like a time machine ride I can't resist. It’s like a grand tour of history’s greatest hits! Empires rising, falling, all the juicy details! Anand and Dalrymple? Total history rockstars!

Kate - 05/29/2023
Dalrymple and Anand bring history to life in an entertaining and educational way. A true journey through history. Please keep bringing this great content!