“A Merry Christmas to us all; God bless us, everyone!” A Christmas Carol is a huge success and Dickens is an international celebrity. There’s lots of money coming in – Bleak House, Hard Times, David Copperfield all do well - but he has a big family and a lavish lifestyle to fund, as well as his Home for Homeless Women. Plus, there’s trouble in his marriage when Dickens’ eye is caught by the turn of a pretty ankle.

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Dickens’ star is on the rise. Sketches by Boz is a success and he publishes The Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist and more. Plus, he is a hit on both sides of the Atlantic with ‘Dickensmania’ sweeping the United States. But there is tragedy at home. And when his new novel doesn’t do as well as he’d hoped, he needs a new idea. Something to do with Christmas maybe?

Listen to Legacy on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/legacy now.

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A young Charles is filled with imagination and ambition, but his childhood

with humiliation and uncertainty. His father is in and out of debtors’ prison and he is forced to sacrifice his education for a string of menial jobs to make ends meet. But he discovers he has a skill. He can paint pictures with words like no one else can. Could this be his destiny?

Listen to Legacy on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/legacy now.

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The war is won but the nation seems far from grateful as the election of 1945 sweeps Labour into power. But the Churchill phenomenon doesn’t stop and he’s back in Number 10 in 1951 as the new Queen Elizabeth’s first prime minister. Upon his death he receives a state funeral, but there were – and still are – many who question whether he truly was a national hero.

Listen to Legacy on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/legacy now.

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It’s 1939 and Churchill has been proved right in his fervent opposition to appeasement of Hitler. German tanks have crossed the Polish border and Churchill is brought straight back into government. Now he is tasked with guiding the country through one of the biggest crises it has ever faced. How can the seemingly overwhelming Nazi threat be beaten into submission? If there was ever a time for self-belief, this is it.

Listen to Legacy on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/legacy now.

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The First World War sees Churchill as confident as ever in his role as First Lord of the Admiralty. But rash judgements – especially around the disastrous campaign in Gallipoli - cost thousands of lives. The UK press describes him as ‘a danger to the country’, he’s left out of Lloyd George’s cabinet and, at home, tragedy strikes. All the while he can see trouble brewing in Europe, but no one is listening to him...

Listen to Legacy on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/legacy now.

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One of the most famous leaders of the twentieth century, Winston Churchill is far more than just WWII. The ‘pretty baby’, who as a boisterous boy fought for the attention of his aristocratic parents eventually emerged into adulthood as a soldier and war journalist. Soon he finds himself travelling through the Middle East and Africa - and risking his life. But will anyone back home notice?

Listen to Legacy on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/legacy now.

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Arguably the most famous political assassination of the 20th century, the shooting of John F. Kennedy has ignited scores of conspiracy theories. Was Oswald really acting alone? Could the Soviets have been involved? The CIA?

And how does his infamous death affect how we view his legacy? Should he be remembered as charismatic proponent of civil rights who prevented nuclear world war? Or a womaniser who mishandled foreign affairs and was too slow to support the plight of African-Americans?

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For the White House and the Kremlin, the question of nuclear war is not if, but when. Newly-elected President John F. Kennedy is launched into proving his skills in international diplomacy. He faces a crisis in Cuba with the Bay of Pigs fiasco and must win over Krushchev in a crucial summit. Will his charm prevail now that he’s in the top job?

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As the Kennedys face tragedy after tragedy, JFK becomes aware that time may not be on his side. But soon things move fast for him: after winning a seat in Congress - and marrying Jackie in a wedding fit for a royal couple, he is propelled to the presidential candidacy. But there are two obstacles in his way: his Catholicism, and Richard Nixon.

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