The AskHistorians Podcast is a project that highlights the users and answers that have helped make r/AskHistorians one of the largest history discussion forums on the internet. You can subscribe to us via iTunes, Stitcher, or RSS, and now on YouTube and Google Play. You can also catch the latest episodes on SoundCloud and Pandora. If there is another index you'd like the cast listed on, let me know!
This Episode: Today we are joined by /u/EnclavedMicrostate, who is a flaired user on AskHistorians on the Opium Wars and the Taiping Rebellion. Together with guest host /u/Bernardito, we talk about a conflict with many misconceptions: The Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864). We explore the myths, the realities and the actual history behind the rebellion to explore this critical moment in 19th century Chinese history. Is it true that over 20 million people were killed in this conflict? Who truly was the leader of the Taiping? This, and much more, in this fascinating episode.
Book give-away
I didn't manage to include it in the episode itself, but the lucky winner of this months' book give-away will get to choose between the two non-fiction books, Steven R. Platt's Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War (as recommended in the podcast!) and Miranda Kaufmann's Black Tudors: The Untold Story (find out about people of African ancestry in 16th century England!), as well as the the historical fiction book, Burma Boy by Biyi Bandele (a novel about a Nigerian youth fighting in the Imperial British Army against the Japanese during WWII).
The winner will be announced at a later day and will receive an e-mail from the podcast team.
Questions? Comments?
If you want more specific recommendations for sources or have any follow-up questions, feel free to ask them here! Also feel free to leave any feedback on the format and so on.
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Thanks all!
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Glad to have been involved, and thanks for having me on!
Feel free to AMA, just expect a slightly slow response because I'm in a different timezone.
Good episode. I had been missing the longform interviews!
/u/EnclavedMicrostate, I was wondering if you have read or know about Stephen Platt's latest book? I immediately thought of it when it was said that you might be back to discuss the opium wars. Seems like a happy coincidence that it just came out.