An ice axe, a bloody study in Mexico City, and a betrayal years in the making.
In this episode, we uncover the true story behind the brutal assassination of Leon Trotsky. At its centre is Ramón Mercader, a Soviet-trained agent who infiltrated Trotsky’s inner circle and killed him. But this was more than a simple murder - it was the result of Stalin’s ruthless drive to eliminate all rivals and consolidate power.
With us is Josh Ireland, author of "The Death of Trotsky: The True Story of the Plot to Kill Stalin's Greatest Enemy". He explains the shadowy politics of Stalin's Kremlin, and how manipulation and conviction put Mercader on a path to Mexico City...
Up Next in Dan Snow's History Hit Video Podcasts
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The Final Violent Battle That Ended T...
For the third episode in our mini-series on the Crusades, we dive into the 1291 Siege of Acre - the desperate, violent last stand that ended two centuries of crusading in the Holy Land. We hear how, outnumbered, divided and desperate, the Christian defenders fought to the bitter end against the M...
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The Crusades: Assassins vs Templars |...
For the second episode in our mini-series on the Crusades, we explore the legendary rivalry between two extraordinary medieval orders: the Assassins and the Templars. Separating myth from history, we uncover their beliefs, covert operations and lasting legacy, revealing how truth and legend becam...
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A Complete Guide To The Crusades | Da...
To launch our mini series on the Crusades, we've put together your complete guide to almost two centuries of holy war - from start to finish. We untangle faith, politics and myth, and reveal how the Crusades reshaped Europe, the Middle East and relations between Islam and Christianity forever.
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