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HistoryExtra podcast - The women's orchestra of Auschwitz
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The women's orchestra of Auschwitz

HistoryExtra podcast

04/10/25

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35m

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Amid the horrors of Auschwitz, a group of female musicians were forced to play for their lives. Author Anne Sebba joins Lauren Good to discuss this women's orchestra, exploring how music was used as an instrument of control, how the players fought for their own survival, and what their fates were after liberation.

(Ad) Anne Sebba is the author of The Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz: A Story of Survival (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2025). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Womens-Orchestra-Auschwitz-Story-Survival/dp/1399610732/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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Previous Episode

John F Kennedy remains one of America’s most iconic presidents – his life and untimely death wrapped in both mythology and conspiracy. But how much of his legacy is based in reality, and how can his reputation be understood more than 60 years after his presidency ended? Speaking to Elinor Evans, historian Mark White unpacks JFK’s leadership, his glamorous carefully curated image, and the stark contrast between his private and political life.

(Ad) Mark White is the author of Icon, Libertine, Leader: The Life and Presidency of John F. Kennedy (Bloomsbury Academic, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Icon-Libertine-Leader-Presidency-Kennedy/dp/1350426121/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Next Episode

Emerging from crusading endeavours in the Holy Land, the Teutonic Order was one of great military orders established in the 12th century. Its influence spread far and wide, and its members negotiated with popes and emperors. Speaking to Emily Briffett, Aleks Pluskowski explores how a humble field hospital went on to establish itself as one of the most significant religious corporations of medieval Europe – and left an indelible mark on history in the process.

(Ad) Aleks Pluskowski is the author of The Teutonic Knights: Rise and Fall of a Religious Corporation (Reaktion Books, 2024). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fthe-teutonic-knights%2Faleksander-pluskowski%2F9781789148688.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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