The guests make the show. Diarmaid Ferriter is excellent on the Ireland’s Fight For Freedom trilogy as is Colm Tobín on the famine and Fintan O’Toole on modern Ireland with censorship and the pervasive control of the Catholic Church.

Boring podcast

I’ve subscribed and unsubscribed from this podcast twice. I keep wanting to like it because the topics to be covered are so interesting, but the host’s way of covering the topics is so frustrating. The constant talking over guests and interrupting with unimportant and unnecessary quips, the juvenile commentary on important historical plights…it’s not a comedy podcast, right? Well that’s what I thought too. There are much better History podcasts out there. This one needs work.

I’m a long time listener, and I’m speaking directly of this series focused on the Troubles. I’ve read the book, ‘Say Nothing’. It is compelling. I’ve not seen the program, nor will. Michael McConville has said he believes the Disney show to be “horrendous” and “cruel” yet the promoting of the book and show seems insensitive at best. There is a lack of understanding from all of you. Disappointing. There is a program people should watch called “Once upon a time in Northern Ireland” it’s not a drama, it’s people who lived through it.

I absolutely LOVE this show!! I have always been a fan of Willie and now I’m a big fan of Anita too!! Every show is extremely well researched and told in an easy to understand manner. This podcast is a Must listen For fans of history and those who are just curious about history.

So I listened to the first season about India and I’m fascinated by the looting and the pillaging and gas lighting by the Brits and then I came across more episodes about different empires and at some point it’s hard to track what I want to listen to. Is there a way to section empires and topics vs. using the sort features from iTunes. I’m starting to develop analysis paralysis.

The content is extremely good, very thorough, with spicing of interesting stories. However, I feel like that the amusement and hilarity expressed by The podcast hosts are inappropriate and flippant and do not do respect to the incredibly solemn and humble and seriousness of the history of India.

Would be five stars but the for the fact these guys think Shakespeare wrote “ Tamerlane the Great” instead of Marlowe. Myopic. Both Holland brothers podcasts (We Have Ways of Making You Talk and Tge Rest Is History) are much better.

Lighting-quick speed on the outside leaves defenders baffled. Could look to shoot more often but world-class deliveries into the box for guests lead to goal after goal.

Overall very entertaining and revealing- I especially appreciate this comprehensive version of the story of the “Indosphere”. Anand & “Drimple”excel by highlighting the empires of the mind and spirit - algebra, astronomy, Buddhism, Jain, Islam, Hindu, poetry, art…. An exceedingly easy listen, Empire unfortunately does frequently slip back into the tiresome recitation of political intrigue and military power, colored by that sometimes stifling British style, and Anand’s lapses into blood lust. I’m not sure I can stomach any of the other Empires they’ve tackled (If I did I’m sure they’d benefit from more Chinese, American, Indigenous, African…. perspectives.

Words are not enough to describe this fabulous package that divers fascinating content and uncovers history’s mysteries. Williams’s and Anita’s scholarship connecting the dots across the globe through the history is pure joy to listen to. Through their enjoyable storytelling, they build biographies of historical figures as never done before. Through their witty and intellectual exchange, they take us in a time machine like no other history teacher could ever do. I am hooked. I’m buying the membership and can’t wait to attend an event in person.

I listen to to a number of high quality history podcasts and this tops them all in its unique mix of irreverence, thoroughness and star cast.

This podcast is a consistent standout- entertaining, informative and illuminating. The two hosts are superb historians and storytellers.

The podcasters show good knowledge at times and then complete ignorance at other times. Sometimes they are pedantic, other times they are orientalist, it’s hard to define them. For example, they use orientalist standards of beauty in the first two seasons. They leave out key details like Gandhi’s racism in South Africa or how Ibn Saud received a monthly retainer from the British or met with US president on his ship while wondering how we have a world that we do.

I look forward to each episode.

Thank you for the maps provided in the Empire Club Message. A timeline would also be helpful!

This is exactly the kind of show that would have made history an enthralling subject in our youth. Boring teachers, learning by rote and writing soulless lengthy answers to square exams would have all evaporated if Anita and William had only started this 30 years ago!

I have loved every episode of this show! SO clever! Funny. I always learn so much. Absolute delight! I thoroughly enjoyed the three episodes that covered the 3 Wise Men+Frankincense….mind blowing! Tremendous. Love love love-keep up the great work!

I got a question then. How did Mary get knocked up sans the ole’ in-out, in-out? Surely you can find a scholar not involved in the longest of the long con. I could take 15 minutes before I had to bail. First time I couldn’t listen to a whole episode. Spare us please from the god botherers as you (brits) rightly refer to them. Here in the states we are surrounded. It’s an illness I’m retreating from and I go to you for escape. Please don’t let them darken your door.

I was really enjoying the podcast until I got to episode 105 and the host were speaking about Maurice using very homophobic language; stating he wasn’t a “suburban hairdresser “. Extremely juvenile.

As a product of American (Texas) public schools, most of what you’ve covered is completely new to me, and your presentation, filtered through your friendship, is a joy. After your 3 Kings Christmas show, I’m hungry for more books of the Bible (and other religious texts) to be deconstructed. The work placed in context as political reactions to their time’s empire is fascinating.

Simply fantastic. The presenters are well spoken and don’t pretend that one of them is interviewing the other. They are both experts in the history of colonialism — particularly British colonialism in India — and weave their combined knowledge between them seemingly effortlessly. I’ve just finished their first series of episodes about the colonial histories of Britain and India and thoroughly look forward to their takes on other empires.

I've heard William Dalrymple 1st time at Jaipur literature festival. Before that I read his book 'The last Mughal - Bahadursha Jafar. I love books writing by William, because they are well researched, with original reference documents from various archives and excellent writing style. I have heard most of The Empire episodes & recommended it to anyone interested in the history. I listen it on my way to work or home or when I’m doing my weekend chores. I love it and have learned so much about world history in last many months. Didn’t know anything about Ukraine famine, took over six million lives, famine in Bengal- I knew about it, but got better knowledge. Recent episodes on pirates is also awesome. I tried to buy William Dalrymple latest book The Golden Road in America. But, I can buy from Indian bookstore websites & send as holiday gifts to my friends in India. Awesome podcast, and fun to listen & knowledge enriching. One should know history to be better citizens of world 🙏

Loved this podcast but I’m giving up because of the near constant interruptions by the hosts. Surprised the guests don’t give up as well.

The Male host’s voice is pretty inconsistent because he’s probably leaning away from the mic at some points so it’s very hard to hear him. They also mumble and randomly throw out names without context as if the non-british world knows who they are. Like why would anyone know about some British military general from the 1800s without context?? Maybe this is aimed for a British audience so they don’t care to provide additional info.

Good hosts, great banter, solid history. Became unfocused after the ottomans. They still have some great episodes from time to time, but not sure it’s particularly empire focused.

I am so happy I chanced upon this show a couple of years ago, and then my brother who also was listening to this podcast reminded me of this. So many book recommendations from this show, all absolute gems (happily, some I had already read). If I had one quibble—and this is about production issues, not quality—you two quite often speak over each other in your honest-to-goodness passion for these topics and may I request you to employ a good audio engineer who can make each of you audible (Hint! Hint! “Willy” needs his audio bumped up). What a genuine delight! I am on 17 of 200 episodes as of this review, just a mere 183 more hours to go to catch up 😃.

I began really enjoying the stories. Both hosts are exceptionally charismatic, witty, funny, the self deprecating humor of the gentlemen, About his aristocratic family roots is endearing. However, it’s a decidedly leftist bypass. As I listened more and more it became clear that every story is everyone’s racist, everyone was white supremacist, everyone woke every morning trying to decide how to advance being white over breakfast. Human nature being what is it, every people and race and culture places themselves at the center of reality, and views others as distinctly inferior or at the very least less enlightened or moral. Injustice and conquest are at the heart of every cultures history and story. Slavery, violence, war and evil are not any one peoples sin, it’s shared by all , in every age. Every historical story doesn’t have to begin with white supremacy and unfold from that point. The lesson learned by the colonial era was not that Europeans are evil, but that strength, economic productivity, faith, family, security, self reliance, courage and the ability to defend and protect the culture are vital to sustain liberty and life, as strong cultures will always dominate weaker ones. So I’ll be ending my subscription. Just tell a good story. The characters and ironies, the flavors and personalities, just tell a good a story. Every story does not have to be an indictment of Westerb civilization, which we all know has sinned, but no more or less than any other, except in so far as it’s greatness has given exceptional opportunities to commit those evils. And it has also given great things to the Works. Just tell a good story. Good luck.

Some podcasts become addictive, this is one. Any lover of history needs to give it a listen to hear for yourself. As someone who has enjoyed Dalrymple’s written works and lectures, this podcast with co-host Anita Anand is a pure educational entertainment. Huge Kudos!

This is an incredible show- so great to hear such learned people talking in detail on this history. It is incredibly annoying and distracting that they interrupt each other and finish each others sentences as if they want to upstage each other. Major production flaw.

Beautifully researched and well written episodes in easily digestible chunks.

Their wide circle of interesting friends and acquaintances, and their own obvious friendship, are the heart of the show. They demonstrate a fair-mindedness in their attempts at understanding these often difficult historical topics, and this gives them real credibility with the audience.

- but please work on your "podcast voices" and then use them to speak a little more slowly. Not all your fans and listeners are English, not all speak English as a first language.

Provides great learning re story and context. Please avoid overly schematics like Settlers and Indigeneity.

Fast speaking hosts who alternate between clipping pronunciation of words and talking too fast make it difficult to understand

This show has captured my heart. It is dense with facts but manages to be filled with joy! Not a review writer as a rule…. But if one loves history then this is a must!!! World is filled with mean trolls. Kind smart and charming! This show gives one knowledge and an escape to joy!!!

Absolute love the podcast. Great chemistry and knowledgeable.

Anita and William are the best! Keep it up and soon you’ll have a season discussing YOUR OWN podcast Empire! Long live the Emperor and Empress!!

The show is very popular because of its conversational banter. The listener feels as if s/he is at a cocktail party with extremely interesting and knowledgeable guests. Anita gets criticism for interruptions etc but w/o her it would be too stuffy. The conversation between them is very enjoyable . My problem with the history is that it misses important figures such as Mohammed Mosadegh of Iran. How can you tell the story of the Iranian Revolution without him?

Excellent guests. The two different approaches to inquiry - journalistic and academic historian - mean that each host has uniques insights on any given topic, and their easy chemistry makes it engaging as well as informative. At times I wish they’d get through the banter at the top of the episode more quickly, but that’s only an occasional gripe. Now I just wish I had more time to read all the book recommendations!

Great podcast. William is a great historian and Anita also seems to know her stuff. Can be verbose at times, there are some episodes where they don’t get into the meat of the topic even at 60% of the episode’s runtime. Can be a lot better if they can cut out some of the fluff and gossipy tone

Please ask Anita to not interrupt when someone is talking. Anita’s irrelevant banter is extremely annoying.

William is a real historian, while Anita is a lay person who tends to fall back on uninformed, simplistic tropes. You can hear her desire to move on when he attempts to deliver correction or insight (for instance, in an early episode in which she attempts to cast pre-British India as a somewhat idealized, unified sort of place, which prompts William to get into the many political, cultural and economic divisions it experienced). It does get in the way at times. But still a pretty good show thus far.

Got tired of the simplistic narrative.

I wanted to like this podcast. Unfortunately, it is mostly a sort of woke activism instead of objective story telling. The podcasters have a message that they want to sell, constantly leading their listeners to conclusions. Unsubscribed.

Read: Thomas Paine and the Promise of America

As a late-comer to this series thanks to a lovely friend I just want to say how brilliant and enlightening your series has been for me. Your bright personalities and deep erudition make this series one of my all-time favorites. Many many thanks to you and your team. R Frazier Merida, Yucatan

I tried my best with this podcast and probably listened to a dozen episodes, ultimately though I find Anita Anand intolerable. If they just did the history without the poor humor and the belief that they’re brilliantly funny, I’d probably love it, but no, I can’t listen any more.

I love this podcast. I listen to it on my daily morning 5 mile walks. Anita and William’s chemistry. They have incredible and educational insights into so many historical topics. I love Anita’s voice. So elegant. I also like how William says his name when they sign off. Ha! Keep up the wonderful work.

The information is excellent, then hosts are very knowledgeable. But their inane banter and incessant giggling at their own “humor” quickly makes the podcast unlistenable. Too bad, if they just get over themselves it could be a outstanding.