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David Runciman

The History of Ideas Podcast
with David Runciman

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A bi-weekly podcast exploring the history of ideas from politics to philosophy, science to fiction.

Latest episode

Politics on Trial: Easter Rising 1916 w/Fintan O’Toole

28 August 2025

00:00 / 01:04

Today it’s the first of two episodes with journalist and historian Fintan O’Toole about the trials that followed the 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland. What did the leaders of the rising hope to achieve, with or without German help? How and why did the British get it so wrong by court martialling the supposed ring leaders in secret? Were those trials anything more than kangaroo courts? And why are fourteen martyrs more potent than thousands of victims?

Available from Saturday on PPF+: Part 2 of David’s conversation with Fintan O’Toole, where they explore the treason trial of Sir Roger Casement and the question of what makes a traitor. Plus, what part was played by George Bernard Shaw? To get this and all our bonus episodes plus ad-free listening sign up now to PPF+ https://www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus

Tickets are still available for the first screening in our autumn film season at the Regent Street Cinema in London on 5th September: Alfred Hitchcock’s Rope followed by a live recording of PPF with special guests Nicci Gerrard and Sean French, aka the best-selling husband-and-wife crime-writing duo Nicci French. Get your tickets here https://bit.ly/4fOp2xx

Next Up: Hitler vs Weimar

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More episodes

PPF+: A Taste of What You've Been Missing!

24 August 2025

00:00 / 01:04

Politics on Trial 100th Anniversary Special: Franz Kafka’s The Trial

21 August 2025

00:00 / 01:04

Politics on Trial: Dreyfus vs the Conspiracy Theory

17 August 2025

00:00 / 01:04

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