reviews

“Please continue guys, you are a rare breath of culture in a wasteland of SM.”

- S.F. UK

“I absolutely love the History Café! I’m not generally a history person but you’re making it all so interesting and delicious. Thank you!”

- N.A. UK

“I found your very thorough annotated bibliography for the Mary Tudor episodes. Many many thanks for the excellent work in your efforts to bring some CLARITY and FAIRNESS to the discussion of religion in 16th Century England.”

- R. S. USA

“I was researching my Great (x6) Aunt, Millicent Garret Fawcett. Your podcast [The Secret History of the Suffragettes] was incredibly informative. Thank you so much for being a wealth of knowledge and a GREAT LISTEN!”

- M.W. Canada

“Loving it! [Dr Livingstone, I presume?] All new to me, and so VIVIDLY described. He’s already much more sympathetic than I had ever imagined him to be!”

- @JamesAlison11. Spain

“I was put on to the podcast by another history teacher and have been SPELLBOUND by it. I am an experienced history teacher and yet you both have continued to challenge my preconceptions and what the accepted narratives of certain historical events are. I think your podcast is actually REQUIRED LISTENING for teachers and students.”

- @SPBeale. UK

“I am just reviewing our Women’s Rights Unit and this series has changed so much already.”

- @HistoryHoudini. UK

“In case anyone isn’t familiar with this podcast – it is SO good. The idea is they look at ‘well known’ stories from history but reevaluate them. I’ve just finished the Cuba Missile Crisis series and it is SUPERB.”

- @MrPattisonTeach. UK

“This is a FANTASTIC podcast, please go listen! Jon and Penelope are fantastic podcasters, and the subject matter is deeply interesting. While far more serious than we tend to be, there’s still a fantastic sense of fun and a great deal of info for your ears to love! Handbag for the ears! - goes with everything. Fast becoming one of my faves.”

– @jessicabmanor. USA

“I’ve been listening to this whilst running recently and it’s MADE ME COMPLETELY RETHINK how I teach the topic. I realised I shamefully only really knew/taught the ‘official story’… I feel a mini, evidence-based enquiry on the ‘myth’ of the Battle of Britain coming on!”

- @MissBWHistory. UK

“I enjoyed listening to it very much. I’m glad you brought out the fact that Newton scholars are still divided about this issue. I hope you continue to do SUCH GOOD WORK on other topics.”

- Professor John Henry. UK

“Really enjoying the @HistoryCafePod. It FILLS A GREAT NICHE in the history world for tackling misconceptions. I am currently devouring the Secret History of the Suffragettes series and it has transformed my understanding of the subject.

- @SPBeale. UK

“ENJOYED this series by @HistoryCafePod!
They also have a myriad of interesting topics already in their episode catalogue!”

- @KaraDiDomizio. USA

“Looking forward to listening. Your Cuban story was awesome. JUST BEEN EVANGELISING ABOUT IT to who ever will listen. As it helps in coping with our current narrative [US elections].”

- @pglydon. UK

“This is SO INTERESTING. I had never heard that interpretation of the portrayal of Richard III before [as Robert Cecil, James I’s Chief Minister in Blowing up the Gunpowder Plot.”

– P.P. UK

“If you’re passionate about history, CATCH THIS.”

- @DrJohnGeraint. UK

“FASCINATING as always. Looking forward to the next one.”

– M.R. UK

“SUPER INTERESTING. Rethinking history.”

– S.V.M. Denmark

“Another RIVETING new episode.”

– J.G. UK

“Really enjoyed this linking of disparate elements, including a lobster, to throw light on the road to war. Terrific podcasts. Presenters @PMiddelboe & Jon Rosebank have a rapport that is BRIGHT & INCLUSIVE, the material is authoritative & intriguing. A real feast for history buffs.”

- @AngelaGraham8. UK

“I’m REALLY ENJOYING THIS SERIES (actually I have enjoyed all of them so far!). My only complaint is the tenterhooks you leave me hanging on after each episode - a week is a long time to wait!”

– J.H. UK

“I highly recommend History Cafe podcasts. They are very well-informed and though the touch is light the content is substantial. A half-hour zips past in the company of Jon Rosebank and Penelope Middelboe, whose rapport is bright and inclusive.
INTRIGUING MATERIAL PRESENTED WITH PANACHE.”

– A.M.G. UK

“So many things in our collective past that who knew? Penelope and Jon are doing a MAGNIFICIENT JOB of telling us in bite sized pieces some of the stories that have never quite made sense.”

- G.B. UK

“HISTORY MADE INTERESTING. Being from the States I am enjoying learning about British history… But they do also cover events from American history… Thank you for making history an enjoyable listen.”

- D.P. USA

“UPLIFTING, FASCINATING, and meticulously well researched. So many unexpected and gloriously funny treasures unearthed. Love the voices of Jon and Penelope too, absolutely spiffing, and the confidential tone too, thank you!”

- C.D. UK

“ENGAGING STYLE. I like their voices (which is important in this medium!). Nice anecdotal based insights whilst referencing some of the detailed historical stuff and work of other historians.”

- M.C. UK

“VERY DIGESTIBLE and INTERESTING. From someone who stopped studying History before O level that's quite good feedback. Lovely voices! They sound like nice people.”

- C.G. UK

“Listened to all 6 parts of the Battle of Britain driving down towards the Normandy beaches.
I learnt so much and found it REALLY ACCESSIBLE!”

- L.M. France

“VERY INFORMATIVE. Really enjoyed. Especially liked learning the different slant on Churchill. Looking forward to more! Thanks!”

- K.Z. USA

“FIRST CLASS. Excellent topical material, carefully developed with very good production values. It almost makes you glad to have a cell phone.”

- C.L. USA

“Very interesting and WELL PRODUCED. Will be listening to this very often.”

- T.L. USA

“SOFT and CALM VOICES, MAKES YOU LISTEN. Great premise, tell me the other side of the story.”

- S.M. Denmark

“THEY FLY BY. So interesting. Excited for the next three releases today!”

- D.L. UK

“UPLIFTING, fascinating, and meticulously well researched. So many UNEXPECTED and GLORIOUSLY FUNNY treasures unearthed. Love the voices of Jon and Penelope too, absolutely spiffing, and the confidential tone too, thank you!”

- C.D. UK

“ENGAGING STYLE. I like their voices (which is important in this medium!). Nice anecdotal based insights whilst referencing some of the detailed historical stuff and work of other historians.” 

- M.C. UK

“Very digestible and interesting. From someone who stopped studying History before O level that's quite good feedback. LOVELY VOICES! They sound like nice people.”

- C.G. UK

“I LOVED THESE SHOWS! [Who really won the Battle of Britain?] A really great blend of friendly chat and rigorous fact checking.”

– J.C.S. UK

”Listened to all 6 parts of the Battle of Britain driving down towards the Normandy beaches.
I LEARNED SO MUCH and found it really accessible!”

- L.M. France

“FASCINATING, DISTURBING, and FUN. This is so well researched and presented - and the first podcast gives EXTRAORDINARY INSIGHTS into what Churchill was really thinking and doing in 1940... Looking forward to spending many more hours in the History Cafe....”

— W.G. UK

“GREAT NEW RESOURCE FOR HISTORY TEACHERS. Accessible, laugh-out-loud, incredibly well-informed. Jon Rosebank and Penelope Middelboe fizz with ideas and excel at explaining them clearly - and at showing how they work as historians. Look through the list and you’ll find link-ups everywhere with the curriculum. Their website also has TERRIFIC, WITTY READING LISTS. I already know history departments that are planning to use History Café in lessons and for extension.”

— J.S. UK

“At once COSY and THOUGHT-PROVOKING, this lively friendly show draws you in to join them unravelling the mysteries of history and challenging received wisdom. It’s fun but not frivolous and needs an enjoyable second listen to grab all the detail. Carry on, I’m hooked.”

- J.C. UK

“Just now listened to 'Who really won the Battle of Britain' episodes 1, 2 & 3 of 6. This podcast is really a very good listen. TOP BRITISH-QUALITY PRODUCTION; like I think all BBC documentaries are too. Highly recommended.”

- B.W. Netherlands

“I thought the podcast INTELLIGENT and INSIGHTFUL, shedding light on the myth of The Battle of Britain that Churchill highlighted to his and the UK's advantage.”

- R.H. UK

“It's so well done - ENTERTAINING, INFORMATIVE, light on its feet, but clearly well researched and altogether professional. We loved your raised eyebrows and quizzical smiles.  I feel something wicked is coming about hoodwinking the British public at the time - is that what it was?”

- J.H. UK

“I found your talk on 1940 and Churchill’s public stance about a German invasion FASCINATING...I was 4 at the time!! I think there was a refusal to acknowledge America’s power... I remember we liked the Italian prisoners who wandered freely about the town (Rayners Lane near Harrow) more than we liked the American soldiers who were stationed to fight for us!!!”

- J.D. UK

“You've obviously done a BREATHTAKING amount of work on this project,
with impressively professional results.”

- T.D. UK

“Listened to all three episodes tonight. WONDERFUL. Found them really fascinating, full of interesting facts delivered with confidence and enthusiasm. Clearly lots of hard work went into each but it felt EFFORTLESS.”

- S.M. UK

“KEEP THEM COMING - they're fascinating”

- J.S. UK

“FRESH and INSIGHTFUL. Love it.”

- F.W.W. UK

“I've subscribed, given a FIVE-STAR RATING and I've written a review. I just finished download and have been listening for about five minutes. I listen to a lot of podcasts. Way too many. I can tell already that this one is good. You can tell that they're SMART and a little bit SNARKY - the way we like it. She says, ‘... and a sharp knife - to kill them if necessary.’”

- B.B. USA

“Fascinating, and LIGHT, and AMUSING and obviously METICULOUSLY RESEARCHED. Very well done! I tweeted it - people need to hear about it! And listen to it!”

- P.R. UK

“A really great blend of FRIENDLY CHAT and RIGOROUS FACT-CHECKING. It brings in mind “More or Less” or one of the R4 science shows. In fact you should be going straight to R4 or better still Channel 4 with this one!”

- J.C. UK