Almost History: The 'What If' Podcast
Almost History: The 'What If' Podcast from All About History is a speculative history show that explores alternative outcomes of key historical moments. Each episode features conversations with experts who discuss how pivotal events could have turned out differently. The podcast is based on the recurring 'What If' feature from All About History magazine, bringing those discussions directly to listeners.
Episodes
What if V-2 rockets were launched at Britain in 1942? | Almost History
In this episode of Almost History, History of War's Louis Hardiman chats with historian, author and broadcaster Guy Walters to discuss how WWII could have been altered if Nazi Germany's V2 rocket programme had been available sooner. Could this space-age weapon system have turned the war or would its cost have bled Germany dry?Guy offers his expertise on these incredible weapons, what their
What if Britain had said no to Hitler's Sudetenland demands? | Almost History
In this episode of Almost History, History of War Staff Writer Louis Hardiman sits down with renowned author, historian and podcaster James Holland. They dissect the Allied policy of Appeasement and, specifically, what would have happened if Britain had challenged Hitler's claim to the Sudetenland. Could standing up to Hitler a little earlier have unbalanced the German Führer?James digs into h
What if Elizabeth I had married? | Almost History
In this episode of Almost History, All About History Editor Jonathan Gordon discusses the suitors and love interests of Elizabeth I with Sophie Shorland, author of All the Queen's Men: The Competition to Marry Elizabeth I. Who were the most likely candidates and what would it have meant for the Virgin Queen to pick a husband?Sophie reveals why Ivan the Terrible thought marrying Elizabeth I was
What if Tutankhamun's tomb had not been discovered? | Almost History
In this episode of Almost History, the 'What If' podcast, All About History Staff Writer Emily Staniforth speaks with Christina Riggs, Professor (History of Visual Culture) in the Department of History at Durham University, and author of Treasured: How Tutankhamun Shaped a Century. Prof. Riggs discusses how the discovery of the young pharaoh's tomb in 1922 impacted the field of Egyptol
What if Spartacus defeated Rome? | Almost History
In this episode of Almost History, kicking off Season 2 of the 'What If' podcast, All About History Features Editor Callum McKelvie speaks with Dr Emma Southon, author of Servus: How Slavery Made the Roman Empire. She's an ancient Roman history expert with several books on life both at the top and bottom of Roman society.Dr Southon offers her expertise in unpicking the Spartacus revolt, why Roman
Bonus episode: The Odyssey | Almost History
In this special bonus episode of Almost History, All About History team members Jonathan Gordon, Emily Staniforth and Callum McKelvie critique the historical accuracy of The Odyssey (2026), directed by Christopher Nolan. In a change to the usual format of the show, the Almost History panel analyse this adaptation of Homer's epic poem, what the film gets wrong, what it gets right and its historical
What if the Bolshevik Revolution failed? | Almost History
In this episode of Almost History, All About History Editor Jon Gordon spoke with Professor Jonathan Daly of University of Illinois, Chicago. He specialises in Russian, European, and world history, and is the author of several books including Seven Myths of the Russian Revolution (Hackett Publishing Company, 2023) which he co-authored with his former Ph.D. student, Leonid Trofimov. Prof. Daly disc
What if the U.S. dropped the atomic bomb in Korea? | Almost History
In this episode of Almost History, History of War Staff Writer Louis Hardiman spoke with Alex Wellerstein, professor at the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey, and visiting researcher at the Nuclear Knowledges program at the Center for International Studies at Sciences Po in Paris, France.They discuss the potentially catastrophic fallout if the U.S. military had decided to use
What if America lost the Revolutionary War? | Almost History
In this episode of Almost History, All About History Features Editor Callum McKelvie spoke with Professor Alan Taylor, Thomas Jefferson Foundation Chair, Emeritus at the University of Virginia.Professor Taylor discusses the causes and critical stages of the Revolutionary War, how Washington's almost faced defeat, and how a British victory may have changed the course of history. Almost History, th
What if Carthage won the Punic Wars? | Almost History
In this episode of Almost History, All About History Staff Writer Emily Staniforth spoke with Dr Eve MacDonald, an archaeologist and Senior Lecturer in Ancient History at Cardiff University.They discuss the Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage, the power and politics in the ancient Mediterranean, and the possibly outcomes if Carthage had emerged victorious from its struggle with the Roman Republic
What if D-Day had failed? | Almost History
In this episode of Almost History, Jon Trigg spoke with All About History Features Editor Callum McKelvie about what might have happened if Nazi Germany had successfully stopped the Allied landings on 6 June, 1944. He discusses the points in the battle that almost saw Allied defeat, and the potential fallout for the rest of the Second World War. Almost History, the 'What If' podcast from All About
What if Henry VIII had died young? | Almost History
In this episode of Almost History, Elizabeth Norton spoke with All About History Staff Writer Emily Staniforth about the possible consequences of Henry VIII's premature death before he could ascend the throne of England. They discuss the potential alternative successors to Henry VII, and the likely catastrophic return to civil war as a result of his only heir's demise.Almost History, the 'What If'
Almost History, the 'What If' podcast from All About History
Almost History, the 'What If' podcast from All About History is a speculative history show that explores the possibilities of the past, taking key moments from years gone by and turning them on their heads. Regular readers of All About History magazine will be familiar with our recurring What If feature where we discuss alternate histories with experts. We find a key moment from the past and we ch
