As America tested the first hydrogen bomb - capable of flattening entire cities - the Cold War entered a new and deadly phase, with the Soviets, America and Britain racing to build weapons of mass destruction (including secret tests of deadly nerve agents) - and the Doomsday Clock set to two minutes to midnight for the first time. Guy Walters talks to author Roger Hermiston about why 1953 could have spelt the end of the human race.

As America tested the first hydrogen bomb - capable of flattening entire cities - the Cold War entered a new and deadly phase, with the Soviets, America and Britain racing to build weapons of mass destruction (including secret tests of deadly nerve agents) - and the Doomsday Clock set to two minutes to midnight for the first time. Guy Walters talks to author Roger Hermiston about why 1953 could have spelt the end of the human race.

Author and historian Guy Walters presents a Mail+ history podcast talking to top experts on stories from the past which still have an impact on our lives today

Author and historian Guy Walters presents a Mail+ history podcast talking to top experts on stories from the past which still have an impact on our lives today

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Two minutes to midnight: How the human race came close to the brink in 1953

Even today, there are pubs and a horse race named after John of Gaunt, a 14th century prince and warrior who rose to become one of the most powerful men in England, and whose son would return from exile to claim the throne, and found the House of Lancaster. Author and historian Guy Walters talks to Helen Carr, author of The Red Prince, on how John of Gaunt schemed his way through a real-world game of thrones, becoming the forefather of all English kings and queens.

Even today, there are pubs and a horse race named after John of Gaunt, a 14th century prince and warrior who rose to become one of the most powerful men in England, and whose son would return from exile to claim the throne, and found the House of Lancaster. Author and historian Guy Walters talks to Helen Carr, author of The Red Prince, on how John of Gaunt schemed his way through a real-world game of thrones, becoming the forefather of all English kings and queens.

The real Game of Thrones: The true story of John of Gaunt

From half a billion buried in a Polish palace to submarines full of glittering loot, ‘lost Nazi gold’ is an urban myth which refuses to die - but there IS one place where there genuinely is a huge amount of Nazi treasure still waiting to be discovered. Author and historian Guy Walters talks to World War 2 expert James Holland on why most hoards of Nazi treasure are never found - and where the thugs of the Third Reich REALLY hid their loot (so safely that it’s still there today).

From half a billion buried in a Polish palace to submarines full of glittering loot, &lsquo;lost Nazi gold&rsquo; is an urban myth which refuses to die - but there IS one place where there genuinely is a huge amount of Nazi treasure still waiting to be discovered. Author and historian Guy Walters talks to World War 2 expert James Holland on why most hoards of Nazi treasure are never found - and where the thugs of the Third Reich REALLY hid their loot (so safely that it&rsquo;s still there today).

Hitler's hoard: The real place where looted Nazi treasures still lie hidden

Alan Turing was the oddball genius who single-handledly broke the Enigma code, ended World War II, and was hounded to death by the ungrateful authorities over his homosexuality… right? Wrong, says his nephew Dermot Turing, who tells author and historian Guy Walters that his uncle’s story has been seriously distorted to fit in with modern-day obsessions - and that the story told in films such as The Imitation Game risks masking many of Alan Turing’s real achievements in the field of computer science. 

Alan Turing was the oddball genius who single-handledly broke the Enigma code, ended World War II, and was hounded to death by the ungrateful authorities over his homosexuality&hellip; right? Wrong, says his nephew Dermot Turing, who tells author and historian Guy Walters that his uncle&rsquo;s story has been seriously distorted to fit in with modern-day obsessions - and that the story told in films such as The Imitation Game risks masking many of Alan Turing&rsquo;s real achievements in the field of computer science.&nbsp;

Two minutes to midnight: How the human race came close to the brink in 1953

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