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Evergreen Podcasts

Untangling history’s greatest controversies. Every month, we take a hard look at the historical conflicts that raise difficult questions, stoke controversy, and send our moral compasses spinning.

Conflicted: A History Podcast

On December 3rd, 1971, India and Pakistan go to war on two fronts, battling for the future of Bangladesh. In the East, the Indian army races against time, hoping to capture Dacca and force a Pakistani surrender before the United Nations can demand a ceasefire. Meanwhile, Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger unleash a fusillade of diplomatic pressure to frighten a defiant Indira Gandhi into compliance. After months of imprisonment, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman learns what has happened to his country. The war ends, and a new era begins. 

SOURCES:
Bass, Gary K. The Blood Telegram: Nixon, Kissinger, and a Forgotten Genocide. 2013.
Bennet-Jones, Own. The Bhutto Dynasty. 2020.
Carney, Scott. Miklian, Jason. The Vortex: A True Story of History’s Deadliest Storm, an 
Unspeakable War, and Liberation. 2022.
Chang, Jung. Halliday, Jon. Mao: The Unknown Story. 2005.
Frank, Katherine. Indira: The Life of Indira Nehru Gandhi. 2001.
Gewen, Barry. The Inevitability of Tragedy: Henry Kissinger and his World. 2020.
Hiro, Dilip. The Longest August: The Unflinching Rivalry Between India and Pakistan. 2015.
Hitchens, Christopher. The Trial of Henry Kissinger. 2001.
Hoodbhoy, Pervez. Pakistan: Origins, Identity and Future. 2023.
Jalal, Ayesha. The Struggle for Pakistan. 2014.
James, Lawrence. Raj: The Making and Unmaking of British India. 1997.
Jayakar, Pupul. Indira Gandhi: A Biography. 1975.
Khosa, Faisal. The Making of Martyrs in India, Pakistan & Bangladesh. 2021.
K.S. Nair. December In Dacca. 2022.
Keay, John. India: A History. 2000.
Mookherjee, Nayanika. The Spectral Wound. 2015.
Raghavan, Srinath. 1971: A Global History of the Creation of Bangladesh. 2013.
Rose, Leo. Sisson, Richard. War and Secession. Pakistan, India, and the Creation of Bangladesh. 1990.
Saikia, Yasmin. Women, War, and the Making of Bangladesh. 2011.
Schanberg, Sydney.”He Tells Full Story of Arrest and Detention.” New York Times Jan 1972
Schendel, Willem van. A History of Bangladesh. 2009.
Schwartz, Thomas Alan. Henry Kissinger and American Power. 2020.
Sengupta, Nitish. Land of Two Rivers: A History of Bengal. 2011.
Siddiqi, A. R. Yahya Khan: The Rise and Fall of a Soldier. 2020. 
Tudda, Chris. A Cold War Turning Point: Nixon and China, 1969-1972. 2012.
Walsh, Declan. The Nine Lives of Pakistan. 2020.
Zakaria, Anam. 1971: A People’s History from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India. 2019.
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The 1971 Bangladesh War – Part 5: Thank God, They’ve Attacked Us

From 527 to 565 AD, Emperor Justinian I and his Empress Theodora ruled over the Byzantine Empire in Constantinople. Together, they reshaped the Mediterranean world, weathering political upheaval, wars of conquest, and an outbreak of bubonic plague. In this first installment of a multi-part series, we explore the early years of New Rome’s greatest power couple. Rising from a disreputable background in the brothels of Constantinople, the actress-turned-informant Theodora catches the eye of Prince Justinian, heir to the Byzantine throne...

SOURCES:
Bridge, Antony. Theodora: Portrait in a Byzantine Landscape.
Potter, David. Theodora: Actress, Empress, Saint. 
Parnell, David Alan. Belisarius & Antonina: Love and War in the Age of Justinian
Hughes, Bettany. Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities. 
Sarris, Peter. Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint. 
Cesaretti, Paolo. Theodora: Empress of Byzantium.
Procopius. The Secret History. 
Phillips, Robin. West, Jeff. Who in the World Was The Acrobatic Empress? 
Norwich, John Julius. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
Evans, James Allan. The Empress Theodora: Partner of Justinian. 
Holmes, Nick. Justinian’s Empire: Triumph and Tragedy
Charles Rivers Editors. Justinian the Great: The Life and Legacy of the Byzantine Emperor.
Captivating History. The Byzantine Empire. 2018
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When Justinian Met Theodora – Part 1

After being crowned Emperor and Empress of the Byzantine Empire, Justinian and Theodora face their first major test as rulers, the deadly Nika Riots of 532 AD. 

SOURCES:
Bridge, Antony. Theodora: Portrait in a Byzantine Landscape.
Potter, David. Theodora: Actress, Empress, Saint. 
Parnell, David Alan. Belisarius & Antonina: Love and War in the Age of Justinian
Hughes, Bettany. Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities. 
Sarris, Peter. Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint. 
Cesaretti, Paolo. Theodora: Empress of Byzantium.
Procopius. The Secret History. 
Phillips, Robin. West, Jeff. Who in the World Was The Acrobatic Empress? 
Norwich, John Julius. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy
Evans, James Allan. The Empress Theodora: Partner of Justinian. 
Holmes, Nick. Justinian’s Empire: Triumph and Tragedy
Charles Rivers Editors. Justinian the Great: The Life and Legacy of the Byzantine Emperor.
Captivating History. The Byzantine Empire. 2018
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When Justinian Met Theodora – Part 2

With the Nika Riots behind them, Justinian and Theodora rebuild Constantinople and pursue a bold new agenda for the Byzantine Empire. Belisarius sails to war against the Vandal Kingdom. John the Cappadocian seeks to drive a wedge between the imperial couple. 

 

SOURCES:

Bridge, Antony. Theodora: Portrait in a Byzantine Landscape. 1978.

Potter, David. Theodora: Actress, Empress, Saint. 2015.

Parnell, David Alan. Belisarius & Antonina: Love and War in the Age of Justinian. 2023.

Hughes, Bettany. Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities. 2017.

Sarris, Peter. Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint. 2023.

Kaldellis, Anthony. The New Roman Empire: A History of Byzantium. 2023.

Cesaretti, Paolo. Theodora: Empress of Byzantium. 2003.

Procopius. The Secret History. 

Procopius. The Wars of Justinian. 

Phillips, Robin. West, Jeff. Who in the World Was The Acrobatic Empress? 2006.

Norwich, John Julius. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy. 2011.

Evans, James Allan. The Empress Theodora: Partner of Justinian. 2002. 

Holmes, Nick. Justinian’s Empire: Triumph and Tragedy. 2024. 

Charles Rivers Editors. Justinian the Great: The Life and Legacy of the Byzantine Emperor. 2014.

Captivating History. The Byzantine Empire. 2018

Captivating History. The Vandals. 2018

Dahm, Murray. Combat: Byzantine Cavalryman vs Vandal Warrior. 2023.
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When Justinian Met Theodora – Part 3

In the conclusion of the series, Justinian and Theodora face a cascade of setbacks and disasters. The Empress hatches a plan to destroy John the Cappadocian. Belisarius learns of Antonina’s serial infidelity. A deadly Plague threatens to bring the Byzantine empire to its knees. 

 

SOURCES:

Bridge, Antony. Theodora: Portrait in a Byzantine Landscape. 1978.

Potter, David. Theodora: Actress, Empress, Saint. 2015.

Parnell, David Alan. Belisarius & Antonina: Love and War in the Age of Justinian. 2023.

Hughes, Bettany. Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities. 2017.

Sarris, Peter. Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint. 2023.

Kaldellis, Anthony. The New Roman Empire: A History of Byzantium. 2023.

Cesaretti, Paolo. Theodora: Empress of Byzantium. 2003.

Procopius. The Secret History. 

Procopius. The Wars of Justinian. 

Phillips, Robin. West, Jeff. Who in the World Was The Acrobatic Empress? 2006.

Norwich, John Julius. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy. 2011.

Evans, James Allan. The Empress Theodora: Partner of Justinian. 2002. 

Holmes, Nick. Justinian’s Empire: Triumph and Tragedy. 2024. 

Charles Rivers Editors. Justinian the Great: The Life and Legacy of the Byzantine Emperor. 2014.

Captivating History. The Byzantine Empire. 2018

Captivating History. The Vandals. 2018

Dahm, Murray. Combat: Byzantine Cavalryman vs Vandal Warrior. 2023.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/01/03/gods-librarians
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When Justinian Met Theodora – Part 4

A myth-busting breakdown of history’s favorite fitness cult.

SOURCES:
Hanson, Victor Davis. A War Like No Other. 2005.
 Thucydides. History of the Peloponnesian War
Plutarch. Parallel Lives
Xenophon. Hellenica
Cartledge, Paul. “The Socratics’ Sparta and Rosseau’s”. Cambridge University. 1998
 Penades, Antonio. “Bred for Battle - Understanding Ancient Sparta’s Military Machine”. National Geographic History. Dec 2016.
 Grant, R.G. “Battle of Leuctra”. Encyclopedia Britannica. March, 2017
 Andrews, Evan. “8 Reasons It Wasn’t Easy Being Spartan”. History.com. Sept 2018 
Grant, R.G. “Battle of Leuctra”. Encyclopedia Britannica. March, 2017
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This Is Sparta?

Sea battles, tiger hunts, and a mountain of human noses. This is the Shakespearean saga that triggered centuries of bad blood between Korea and Japan.

SOURCES:
Samuel, Hawley. The Imjin War: Japan's Sixteenth-Century Invasion of Korea and Attempt to Conquer China. 2005
Turnbull, Stephen. The Samurai Invasion of Korea. 2008.
Turnbull, Stephen. War in Japan, 1467-1615. 2002
Berry, Mary Elizabeth. Hideyoshi. 1982
Kristof, Nicholas D. “Japan, Korea, and 1597: A Year That Lives in Infamy”. Sept 1997

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The Tiger and the Turtle: Samurai Invasion of Korea

The Rated-R-for-Russian story of the Red Army’s horrific campaign of vengeance against Nazi Germany.

 SOURCES:
Beevor, Antony. The Fall of Berlin 1945. 2003.
Huggler, Justin. “Fall of Berlin: ‘Of course I was afraid. I was 17 years old.’”. The Telegraph UK. May 2015
Johnson, Daniel. “Red Army troops raped even Russian women as they freed them from camps”. The Guardian. Jan 2002.
Ash, Lucy. “The Rape of Berlin”. BBC News. May 2015.
Fitzgerald, Nora. “Berliners recall Red Army atrocities”. Chicago Tribune. September 2002.
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They Saw Red

African berserkers, graceful samurai, and deadly Soviet fighter pilots. A three-part, globe-trotting tour of remarkable female soldiers and the complicated lives that they led.

SOURCES:
Vinogradova, Lyuba. Defending the Motherland. 2015
Alpern, Stanley B. Amazons of Black Sparta. 1998.
Dash, Mike. “Dahomey’s Women Warriors”. Smithsonian.com. Sept 2011
Busch, Jenna. “Meet the Dahomey Amazons, the Inspiration for the Dora Milaje”. SyFy Wire. Nov 2018.
Joubeaud, Edouard. The Women Soldiers of Dahomey. UNESCO Digital Library. 2014
“Three Months in Captivity in Dahomey”. The Sydney Morning Herald. Oct 1890
Budnik, Ruslan. “Dahomey Amazons - The Only Elite All-Female Warrior Regiments”. War History Online. Oct 2018
Okoh, Lize. “Meet the Dahomey Amazons: The All-Female Warriors of West Africa”. Culture Trip. May 2018.
Turnbull, Stephen. Samurai Women, 1184 -1877. 2012.
Hoffman, Michael. “Women Warriors of Japan”. The Japan Times. Oct 2011.
Hastings, Cristobel. “How Onna-Bugeisha, Feudal Japan's Women Samurai, Were Erased From History”. VICE. Sept 2018.
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Wonder Women

How a single week in 1967 changed the Middle East, and the world, forever. This is the action-packed, heartbreaking origin story of Israel and the Six-Day War. 

SOURCES:
Oren, Michael B. Six Days Of War. 2002.
Pressfield, Steven. The Lion’s Gate. 2014.
Churchill, Randolph S. The Six Day War. 1967
Dana, Seif. “The 1967 Naksa: The Making of the New Middle East”. Al Jazeera. June 2016.
Samuel, Sigal. “How the Six Day War Transformed Religion”. The Atlantic. Jun 5 2017
Land, Graham. “Was the Great Jewish Revolt Against Rome a Preventable Tragedy?” HistoryHit. July 2018
Josephus. The Works of Josephus. The Wars of the Jews, Book 7
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Six Days: The 1967 Six Day War

As a plot to assassinate Mohandas Gandhi unfolds, the Mahatma goes to existential lengths to reconcile India’s Hindu, Sikh and Muslim communities. Meanwhile, a shadow war erupts between India and Pakistan over the picturesque kingdom of Kashmir, threatening the future of both nations. Jawaharlal Nehru bids farewell to friends, a lover, and the innocence of the nation he must now lead. A dying Muhammed Ali Jinnah reflects on his choices. 

Sources:
Akbar, M.J. Tinderbox: The Past and Future of Pakistan. 2011.
Tharoor, Shashi. Nehru: The Invention of India. 2003.
Tharoor, Shashi. Inglorious Empire: What The British Did To India. 2017.
Khan, Yasmin. The Great Partition: The Making of India and Pakistan. 2007.
Guha, Ramachandra. Gandhi: The Years That Changed The World. 2018.
Collins, Larry; Lapierre, Dominique. Freedom at Midnight. 1975. 
Sarila, Narendra Singh. The Shadow of the Great Game. 2005.
Charles Rivers Editors. The Punjab. 2018.
Charles Rivers Editors. British India. 2017.
Puri, Kavita. Partition Voices: Untold British Stories. 2019.
Malhotra, Aanchal. Remnants of Partition: 21 Objects From A Continent Divided. 2017.
Von Tunzelmann, Alex. Indian Summer. 2007.
Zakaria, Anam. The Footprints of Partition. 2015.
Ahmed Akbar. Jinnah, Pakistan and Islamic Identity. 1997.
Urvashi, Butalia. The Other Side of Silence: Voices from the Partition of India. 1998.
White-Spunner, Barney. Partition. 2017.
Lawrence, James. Raj: The Making and Unmaking of British India. 1997.
Hamdani, Yasser Latif. Jinnah: A Life. 2020.
Fischer, Louis. Gandhi. 1950. 
Kidwai, Anis. In Freedom’s Shade. 2011. 
Saxena, Chandni. “ON RELIGION AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON WOMEN DURING PARTITION OF INDIA.” 2014. 
“India: A People Partitioned” Broadcast on the BBC World Service, 1997. Compiled and presented by Andrew Whitehead, producer Zina Rohan
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The Partition of India – Part 6: The Spent Bullet

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