Secrets of Statecraft is a bimonthly podcast hosted by Distinguished Visiting Fellow Andrew Roberts that explores the effect that the study of history has had on the careers and decision making of public figures. The podcast also features leading historians discussing the influence that the study of history had on their biographical subjects. The title is taken from Winston Churchill’s reply on Coronation Day 1953 to a young American who had asked him for life advice, to whom he said, “Study history, study history, for therein lie all the secrets of statecraft.”
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
Andrew Roberts on Churchill, Napoleon, and the Men Who Change History | Hoover Institution
In this special, crossover edition of Secrets of Statecraft and Uncommon Knowledge with Peter Robinson, Andrew Roberts is the guest and is interviewed by Peter Robinson.
Sep 8 1 h 04 min
Can Palantir and AI Transform the UK For The Better? | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Palantir UK chief Louis Mosley joins Secrets of Statecraft to discuss how the company’s technology is transforming warfare, healthcare, and policing—from supporting Ukrai
Aug 25 35 min
The Secrets of Churchill’s Diplomats with Lord Peter Ricketts | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
How did Britain’s diplomats help win World War II—and shape the world that followed? Lord Peter Ricketts, former head of Britain’s Diplomatic Service and its first Nation
Aug 12 58 min
The Rise and Fall of Empires with Conrad Black | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Historian and author Lord Conrad Black joins Secrets of Statecraft _to discuss the third volume of his monumental _Political and Strategic History of the World, covering
Jul 27 1 h 04 min
Secrets of Spin with Media Maestro David Yelland | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Andrew Roberts speaks with David Yelland, former editor of The Sun and co-host of BBC Radio 4’s popular podcast “When It Hits the Fan,” about the hidden machinery of mode
Jul 7 56 min
This Is Not America: A British Conversation On Race with Tomiwa Owolade | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Author and columnist Tomiwa Owolade joins Secrets of Statecraft to discuss his bestselling book This Is Not America and why Britain’s conversation about race has become i
Jun 16 43 min
Monarchy as Statecraft: Lessons from Elizabeth II with Hugo Vickers | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Royal biographer Hugo Vickers, author of over 20 books, joins Secrets of Statecraft for a fascinating conversation about Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III, and the hid
Jun 3 49 min
France’s Original Culture War: The Dreyfus Affair | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Catherine Ostler joins Andrew Roberts to discuss her new book The Renoir Girls, which unravels the extraordinary true story behind Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s famous portrait
May 19 42 min
Dan Hannan and The Case for Capitalism | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Daniel Hannan joins Secrets of Statecraft and starts with a major announcement: his appointment as the new director of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), the pionee
May 8 58 min
Anduril’s Chris Brose on Fighting The Next War | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Christian Brose is the president and chief strategy officer at Anduril Industries (the American defense technology company that builds advanced military systems using art
Apr 21 1 h 06 min
Is Iran at the Tipping Point? with Shay Khatiri | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Shay Khatiri returns to Secrets of Statecraft to examine the internal dynamics of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the current context of war, protest, and long-term polit
Apr 7 52 min
Nigel Biggar, The Professor They Tried To Cancel | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Andrew Roberts sits down with Oxford theologian and historian Nigel Biggar to explore the personal and intellectual firestorm surrounding his work on empire, colonialism,
Mar 31 48 min
Dan Wang: Is China Already Winning the 21st Century? | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Andrew Roberts is joined by Dan Wang, Hoover research fellow and the author of Breakneck to explore the shifting balance of global power between China, the United States,
Mar 17 58 min
Munira Mirza’s Mission: Get Better Politicians | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Munira Mirza is a former British political advisor who served as Director of the Number 10 Policy Unit under Prime Minister Boris Johnson from 2019 through 2022. She is c
Mar 3 48 min
The Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust with Richard Hurowitz | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
What makes an ordinary person risk everything to save a stranger?
Author and historian Richard Hurowitz joins the show to discuss his book, In the Garden of the Righteou
Jan 12 50 min
The Statecraft of Franklin D. Roosevelt with Historian David Kennedy | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Historian David Kennedy looks at Franklin D. Roosevelt’s leadership by exploring how he guided the United States through the twin upheavals of the Great Depression and Wo
Dec 9 2025 56 min
The Secret Life of Dictators with Frank Dikötter | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Historian Frank Dikötter, author of How to Be a Dictator: The Cult of Personality in the Twentieth Century, discusses the dark psychology behind absolute power. From Hitl
Oct 31 2025 49 min
Jews vs. Rome: Barry Strauss on Two Centuries of Jewish Revolt | Andrew Roberts | Hoover Institution
Why did the Jews keep fighting Rome for over 200 years — long after the Great Revolt ended in disaster? Hoover Senior Fellow Barry Strauss discusses the epic story of Jud
Sep 26 2025 26 min
American Institutions, Higher Education, Talk Shows, and Nougies with Ben Sasse
Former US Senator and university president Ben Sasse joins Andrew Roberts on Secrets of Statecraft for a candid and very wide-ranging conversation about the state of Amer
Aug 28 2025 48 min
Around The World With Condoleezza Rice | Secrets of Statecraft
Historian Andrew Roberts is joined by former U.S. Secretary of State and current Director of the Hoover Institution Condoleezza Rice for a dive deep into today’s internat
Aug 8 2025 37 min
Chart positions
Where The Secrets of Statecraft ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 9, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
Andrew Roberts is one of the greatest historians and authors of the English-speaking world. What a treat and privilege to hear him speak with statesmen,generals and authors on myriad topics and questions. His talks are always lucid and full of original analysis and bon mots. You should make time for this show; I do. I listen via my phone wherever I am or via Spotify..I save all the shows on Spotify so I can listen to them again or copy references to new books,articles or authors.
AULD MUNRO · Mar 2023
I recently discovered Andrew Robert’s through his latest book “The Last King of America: The Misunderstood Reign of King George III” and I’m absolutely loving it. Since then I’ve watched lectures and talks he’s done that have been posted online, as well as bought several other books of his and I can say he’s become one of my very favorite historian/political commentators. I was so happy to see he had a podcast where he was interviewing some of great minds of our time. Throughly enjoying listening to this podcast so far! Keep up the great work
A.Teters · Mar 2022
This podcast series is both substantive and entertaining. Andrew makes it fun.
taco casa 1979 · Feb 2025
I’ve listen to all of Mr. Robert’s interviews and ALL are interesting and incredibly fascinating. Of course, I’ve read many of his books and looking forward to his biography on Disraeli. The counter factuals, the books people have read or are reading and their interest in history. All fascinating. I appreciate everything he’s done. Keep up the good works. It’s continues to be fascinating. Every interview is interesting. Keep up the good work. Robert’s interviews are the best. He interviews very interesting people. People we all would like to meet but never will. It’s as close as we mortals will ever get to hearing the great minds of the day. And how history influenced them. Roberts is rekindling a fascination with history. I think he will be successful.
The last two interviews with Pottinger and Gross were really timely and interesting.
It really shows why one should have educated people as diplomats and not political hacks in foreign affairs
Tom Sofos · Feb 2024
We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.
Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of The Secrets of Statecraft, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
