Reviews
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“A terrific and captivating podcast - the hosts have a great dynamic in telling these complicated parts of history in a cohesive and digestible manner. Thoroughly interesting and engaging!”
alliboop via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
04/30/24
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“The conversational approach works most of the time (sometimes too many interruptions), but often descends into jokey nonsense. WORSE though is William’s constant pattern of starting comments in a normal tone, then dropping his voice to mumble explanations or sidebars. I’m always adjusting the...”Read full review »
kakbasca via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/30/24
“Love the show. Booked tour tickets.
I subscribed via apple (7 day free trial ends may 2nd) but i have had no welcome email, login details etc.
Its disappointing.
Fazile Zahir”
fazzahir via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
04/29/24
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“Whoa, so bad on so many levels. It comes across as a “my truth” analysis versus an objective assessment of the facts. I tried listening to two episodes and I don’t think the hosts talked about history for more than 5 minutes. I had to turn it off when they started sharing their personal...”Read full review »
Norman1995Pit via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/27/24
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“I’m only about halfway through the pod; our hosts’ chemistry and curiosity drive my engagement with the subject matter. A weekly must-listen!”
CharlieTooooo via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/26/24
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“Informative, entertaining, excellent
Thank you!”
Koroosh Bozorg via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/25/24
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“This is one of my favorite podcasts. The hosts are fantastic. Just purchased four of William’s books. Can’t wait to get started.”
History podcast fan via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/22/24
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“There’s really interesting content here and some wonderful storytelling. But the annoying dynamic between WD and AA often gets in the way.
WD giggles inanely a lot. There are a lot of in jokes and teasing which is clearly between the two of them and I feel I’m not really in on the joke.
When...”Read full review »
tott stu via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
04/21/24
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“I love the show but much too often I cringe at too much laughter
Calm down; it is not - nor should it be - a comedy show”
buniculudidi via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/19/24
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“When you’ve got reviews calling you woke, you’re probably doing something right.”
Begown via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/16/24
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“Jolly hockey sticks and self important.”
sheerhulk via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
04/14/24
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“Dalrymple and Anand have a great double act. Why are history podcasts so male-dominated? Anita Anand is a breath of fresh air. William Dalrymple is a font of information and has a personal anecdote to add to a conversation about almost anywhere.”
JModrall via Apple Podcasts ·
Belgium ·
04/04/24
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“I chanced upon this and was absolutely floored by the effortless style and unique perspectives with a evenly layered chemistry that could be a podcast in itself. However, then you are served historical events with the level of detail and nuances that in very many ways is like when my great...”Read full review »
Chips S via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
04/04/24
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“The hosts are delightful, their banter and their guests are always an added bonus. I learn so much from each podcast and tend to listen to each episode more than once in case I missed anything. My library has also expanded as I end up ordering books they suggest or those written by either of the...”Read full review »
JasminSK via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/03/24
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“Dalrymple love of India and history shines through. Entertaining, informative and fun. Reading the anarchy by Dalrymple and loving it.
Rare to find someone able to pain such a vivid history of the past in such and engaging way.”
AdamzT via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
04/02/24
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“William is simply brilliant Keep it up”
haiderhaj via Apple Podcasts ·
Germany ·
04/02/24
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“So educational - I learnt so much and was so entertained at the same time. Anita and William are very complementary in style, with Anita’s grounded was puncturing any pomposity. And the guest experts are all brilliant”
Ecosystem man via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
04/01/24
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“An enjoyable podcast.
Always happy when there is a new episode. Excellent chemistry… it is fun to be learning history from a couple of good friends, bouncing ideas, sharing knowledge, and enjoying each other.
Thank You”
houserecords via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/01/24
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“What a fabulous all star cast of hosts and guests, dedicated to weaving together the many fascinating threads of history into a living tapestry.
Thank you for the richly colourful portraits of leaders and traitors, the deep dives into seminal events and interesting intersections like 1979 for...”Read full review »
Nicola Liberatti via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
03/30/24
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“The volume level varies wildly between hosts and sometimes within a host. The male host has a tendency to trail off his sentences at a reduced volume and it’s incredibly irritating. Can we please tell everyone to speak at an even volume throughout so I don’t have to turn up my car stereo way up...”Read full review »
ilianna via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/25/24
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“Anita is intolerable. Any historical detail that would run counter to their narrative they simple yada yada it and dismiss giving a extremely distorted and disengnious telling of history. When discussing James Cook, they mention the noble savage myth but quickly move on bc that would conflict...”Read full review »
SpongeBobbyHil589 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/22/24
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“Specifically writing this review to say the criticism of Anita is totally unwarranted. They're both delightful hosts. Generous and engaging. Really enjoying this. Thank you!”Read full review »
allthe namesaretaken4827 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/20/24
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“Terrific series - very knowledgeable double act - engaging and entertaining dynamic between presenters- highly recommend”
Enthusiastic podcaster via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
03/20/24
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“I am enjoying this podcast so much, thank you! It’s inspiring lots of reading for me too!”
Thisdoesntwork666 via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
03/18/24
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“Empire is my favorite podcast and as a lifelong history buff, each episode is a tantalizing treat. William and Anita are engaging storytellers and leave no atone untold. Please keep going and enthralling the make believe historians like me!”
Prof.Taraji via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/18/24
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“The journalist-historian combo works brilliantly. I’ve enjoyed learning about the human details - what did this event feel like to a slave boy, or how might the queen have felt at this moment - in the broad historical canvas. I also quite like the fallibility of the hosts, their bungling...”Read full review »
Rita Eisenhower via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/18/24
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“I prayed this would be an unbiased podcast that refrains from entertaining political flavors but sadly I was disappointed. Its still worth being listened too but one must go and fact-check. Not easy listening.”
Ruminiti via Apple Podcasts ·
Austria ·
03/16/24
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“Never have I enjoyed history lessons so much.
Anita and William could not be more engaging- I have just discovered Empires , and as someone who lives in Australia, now have a much better understanding of our own country and those colonisers - our forebears.
Love this podcast 😃”
lara badger 1 via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
03/09/24
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“I was very impressed with the series on India. Even more impressed by the series on the Ottoman Empire. I am now trying to struggle through the Russian Empire. Every now and then I pick up a new episode and I have to wade through the inane, fluff and chitchat between Anita Anand and dimple. Now,...”Read full review »
Turkish Raff via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/08/24
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“Best history podcast and amazing hosts”
MichaelLoda via Apple Podcasts ·
Poland ·
03/06/24
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“This podcast has given me so much knowledge about the Middle East and some vital awareness of the influences behind modern history. I love Anita, William and so many excellent guests”
Old Aussie girl via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
03/05/24
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“learned so much in the podcasts and enjoyed the way both the Anita and William make what can be difficult subjects understandable. Really glad I gave it a chance and would reccommend it highly”
Presidency_geek via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/05/24
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“Lovely couple of episodes on the history of British Indian food. Sorry you got a bad experience of kedgeree. Try Jocasta Innes’ recipe. You’d never guess at its Indian origins, but it’s delicious. You should have tried my mother’s curry, made with tinned pilchards and coop curry powder. That...”Read full review »
Duffy down daily via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/04/24
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“Entertains and informs. I wish Anita would tone down the jolly hockysticks though”
MartaJane via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/04/24
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“I’ve been listening to Empire since the early days and have always enjoyed this podcast as a reliable and highly entertaining source of knowledge. William and Anita are generally wonderful hosts.
However, I feel compelled to express my disappointment in the bias shown, especially on Anita’s...”Read full review »
Shaz011 via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
03/04/24
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“Fascinating entry into histories ~
Please do more on what happened between Tilsit and Napoleon's invasion into Russia and that relationship between Alexander and Napoleon. So (unfortunately) mirrors our times - - what happened then, and again now (?) Thank you for the show ~ Questions lead...”Read full review »
alex_brin via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/03/24
“There’s a lot of good knowledge and information here. The main weakness though is that it comes across too often as a British perspective when we should be hearing more from voices and ancestors directly affected. That said, Anand and Dalrymple are good company.”
Osbhutta via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/03/24
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“I thought I'd come to terms with WD's clearly involuntary way of blurting out spoilers to steal guests' thunder. He seems so desperate to show he already knows a fact that he often just blurts out a word seemingly just to claim that patch. The guests seem ok with it so I convince...”Read full review »
Simeytwin via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/03/24
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“Enthralling, Captivating…….. and I love the 2 authors and their guests.
Love their good humor. One can tell they really love their work and can express themselves to eloquently. Definitely knowledgable.
I do get a bit confused though with how my Podcast does not lay out all the Seasons/Episodes...”Read full review »
KWellsM via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/03/24
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“Recent discovery this - when current affairs depresses this looks back at the roots of many trees. I listen to this when cooking. And so many episodes to look forward to. Dalrymple is great historian - the Anarchy on East India Company thuggery. Dare I use the word ‘charming’, Particularly the...”Read full review »
elgin253 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/02/24
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“If you are interested in the subject and how India was civilized, this is your podcast.”
Visen via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/01/24
“Listening to the Ottoman Empire series where they talk about everything but the Ottoman Empire. All guests are English and it’s a missed opportunity to bring other academics in who can actually talk about the subject they purport to talking about. I’ve learned more about Byzantine than anything...”Read full review »
Izzetgirgin via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/01/24
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“Won’t be following Dalrymple and his antisemitism which had emerged on Twitter recently … Saddened and surprised that Anita Anand and Simon Sebag Montefiore can tbh”
"Simes" via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
02/29/24
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“I enjoy the show but I would listen more often if the flirty giggling was vastly reduced/eliminated. It’s really distracting.”
Blorik via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/29/24
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“Have been listening to Empire for over a year now and have found it to be incredibly interesting and entertaining. The subject matter deals with an area of history I feel is often neglected in Western teaching. Love the banter between Anita and Willie. Finally, dear Anita your voice is in no way...”Read full review »
Arbitrary rules only via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
02/28/24
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“Generally very, very good but they’ve gone into the weeds with the Iran series. Houthis? Who cares? It isn’t a current affairs podcast. Time for a new empire, please. Mayan, Aztec . . . something different.”
Mouth of rotten crockery via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
02/27/24
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“This is honestly a podcast I have enjoyed throughly after a very long time. I am hooked. I look forward to putting it on every morning before work and every evening after work. Keeps me entertained while I sit in Johannesburg traffic”
Deepz J via Apple Podcasts ·
South Africa ·
02/27/24
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“1979 Revolution in Iran was simply Iranians committing suicide and going back to dark ages. Carter and price of oil!!!!”
moghadd via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/27/24
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“I enjoyed these podcasts but am unfollowing now. My Dalrymple’s position on the Middle East is unbecoming of a serious historian”
Driveallnight2000 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
02/27/24
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