History of the Germans - Podcast Rankings and reviews

History of the Germans is a gem. Well researched and witty, it provides both a broad overview of the history of what is now Germany from around the year 900 and a wealth of vignettes and fascinating details. The podcast author is German, but spent most of his professional life in the UK, so he provides a lot of context for the anglophone listener.

If, like me, your knowledge of European history for regions east of France and north of the Alps is a bit sketchy, History of the Germans is a revelation and, in many instances, puts the history of England, France and Italy into a more three dimensional and coherent perspective.

There is an analysis of the historiography of each period at the end of every topical season. So the show not only provides narrative history, but also how subsequent generations have reframed events over and over again. Fascinating!

With a background in law, banking and management consulting, the podcast author periodically provides solid economic history. The entire podcast is informed by attention to how and why a given political or social structure worked - or failed to work - financially.

History of the Germans is delightfully free of advertising. Membership to support the show is a very modest $3 or £2 per month. Since the podcast usually comes out weekly, this is one of the best value for money shows in the history podcast sphere.

I should end this review with a warning. History of the German’s is quite addictive and exceptionally tempting to binge listen to.

I’ve listened to some others, one very well known, and always felt like I was just getting entertainment that was barely true. Not here.

It’s refreshing to find an actual History podcast that is both informative on a subject I wanted to learn more about, and I just love the dry humor that is inserted now and then which doesn’t distract or descend to spectacle but instead moves things along quite nicely without bother. I’m 15 episodes in so far and just hooked.

Highly highly recommend.

Dirk just thanked his loyal listeners for sticking around. I’m still thrilled that this informative, structured and accessible podcast is their every week. It’s great to have the facts, motives, context and well placed interpretation laced with just enough dry and self-deprecating humor to solicit understanding with a “schmunzeln” - German word for “smirk without nastiness resulting from humor”. This podcast is never dull, perfectly in length, and intellectually engaging. Thank YOU Dirk.

Ever wondered how the German empire of Otto the Great turned in to the collection of states know as the Holy Roman Empire that per Voltaire was neither Holy, Roman, nor an Empire? Have been following this podcast since Henry the Fowler began the process and now we are at where the Hapsburg step in. Have been enjoying the roller coaster ride the Germans suffered and hoping to learn how this leads us to Bismark’s Germany. Keep driving, Dirk!