The China History Podcast

The China History Podcast

Author: Laszlo Montgomery Language: English Episodes: 50
For more than a decade, Laszlo Montgomery has been guiding audiences through the vast and intricate tapestry of Chinese civilization on The China History Podcast. This isn't a dry recitation of dates and dynasties, but a deeply researched exploration of the people, ideas, and events that have shaped one of the world's oldest continuous cultures. Each episode feels like a focused conversation, unpacking a specific theme, figure, or era with a clarity that makes complex history accessible. You'll find episodes delving into the philosophical foundations laid by Confucius and Laozi, the machinations of imperial courts, the transformative impact of the Silk Road, and the profound changes of the modern age. With a catalog surpassing 350 episodes, the journey spans from deepest antiquity to contemporary times, offering a comprehensive resource for both newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts. Laszlo's steady narration and careful curation build connections across centuries, revealing how the past continuously informs the present. Tuning into this podcast is an ongoing education, revealing the incredible depth and diversity of Chinese history, society, and culture, one story at a time.
Episodes
A Concise History of China-Pangu to Puyi - Part 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:04:47
I hope you’re all enjoying the series so far. We continue on in Part 3 with the Warring State of Qín under their bellicose and long-reigning King Zhaoxiang 秦昭襄王 using all the powerful tools at his disposal to overcome th…
A Concise History of China-Pangu to Puyi - Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01:29
We’re still in ancient times, picking up from last episode, where we ended with the fall of the Shang. Part 2 will cover the rise of the Ji Clan and the founding of the Zhou Dynasty. We’ll look at the Zhou up through the…
A Concise History of China-Pangu to Puyi - Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:09:55
Sorry to everyone for making you wait this long. Welcome to the inaugural episode of this series, which will offer you a concise overview of Chinese history from mythical times to the time of the last emperor of the last…
One more word from Laszlo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:06
Hi Everyone, the CHP will be returning next week. Here's a brief announcement concerning what to expect for the next several months.
A word from Laszlo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:04
Nothing to see here. Just a quick announcement on the latest from the CHP. Thanks for your patience. Lots of new stuff coming soon. The CHP Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheChinaHistoryPodcast CHP Premium: https://tea…
This Was Funnier in China | Laszlo and Jesse Appell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:40
I drove downtown not too long ago to meet with Jesse Appell to talk about his first book, "This was funnier in China" https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/This-Was-Funnier-in-China/Jesse-Appell/9781668087565 Jesse's be…
Ep. 371 | Choie Sew Hoy and the Sinking of the S.S. Ventnor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:29
I had the idea for this episode sometime during mid-summer 2025. Then I became distracted by the big project I'm working on now, then the holidays, sick cats, and the random hassles of life. This one's only 34 minutes lo…
Ep. 370 | The Looting of the Eastern Tombs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:32
This one is more entertaining than anything. Mr. Andrew Shaw mentioned this looting of the eastern Qing Tombs event when I interviewed him earlier in the year. If you recall, he wrote that book called "Spoil." This time,…
A Useful Chengyu - Hébù Shí Ròumí 何不食肉糜 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:39
This morning, in between recording sessions, I checked out what was headlining on Drudge. And right there was the leading story, "Let Them Eat Steak." You can imagine what the piece was about. This made me think, what a…
WWII Pacific Atrocities | Quin Cho and the Kwantung Army [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:17
In early 2025, I was approached by Jenny Chan at pacificatrocities.org about interviewing one of their experts in an upcoming CHP episode. I had a nice interview with Quin Cho, born in my hometown of Chicago. Those who l…