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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

Orwell’s War: Frozen In Time (1942-43)

19 April 2026

00:00 / 01:04

Today’s episode in our series about how George Orwell tried – and failed – to make sense of WW2 looks at his response to the vast lurches of fortune from 1942-43 as Hitler’s plans for world domination started to fall apart. Why was Orwell convinced that the summer of 1942 was the last chance for revolution? What persuaded him that Stafford Cripps was the man of the hour? How did his hopes fall apart in 1943? And where did the ideas for 1984 first come from?

Out tomorrow on PPF+: the final episode in this series exploring how Orwell tried to make sense of the end of the war, from a Labour election victory he didn’t see coming to a new ‘cold war’ that he anticipated before anyone else. To get this and all our bonus episodes plus ad-free listening sign up to PPF+ now https://www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus

You can find out everything you need to know about this podcast – who we are, what we do, plus merch, events and full lists of all episodes and PPF+ bonus episodes on our website https://www.ppfideas.com

Next time – PPF+: Some Of What You’ve Been Missing (Taster 3)

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More episodes

Orwell’s War: False Dawn (1940-41)

15 April 2026

00:00 / 01:04

Orwell’s War: The Nightmare (1938-39)

12 April 2026

00:00 / 01:04

Live Film Special: Metropolitan w/James Marriott

8 April 2026

00:00 / 01:04

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