Sensitivity readers; fake history; favourite authors and actors, all are discussed in this bonus episode to coincide with the upcoming Buckingham History Festival. Jane Thynne, Paul Lay and Miranda Malins join to talk how best to write about the past. Episode Links Buckingham History Festival Jane Thynne: Midnight in Vienna Paul Lay: Providence Lost Miranda Malins: The Rebel Daughter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

80 years ago on the 25th August 1944, the great city of Paris was liberated as the German garrison surrendered and Allied troops arrived along the Champs Elysée. The Nazi grip on France may have been broken, but things were not all as they seem. The allied leadership was reluctant to divert precious resources, and the soldiers who arrived first were mostly Spanish. Patrick Bishop joins to discuss his new book and we discuss the initial surrender in 1940, the occupation, the impact on France...

On the 1st September 1922 the Turkish Parliament in the new capital of Ankara formally abolished the Sultanate, so ending more than 600 years of Ottoman Rule. The Ottoman Empire had ended, but in its place came the Republic of Turkey, under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Pasha also known as Ataturk. Today we discuss the fall of the Ottoman Empire and the rise of Turkey with historian Murat Siviloglu and journalist and author Alec Marsh. Alec’s new book, After the Flood, is a thriller set in...

On the 9th February 1933 the Oxford Union held a debate with the motion “That this House will under no circumstances fight for its King and country." The motion passed and in a time when such debates were big news, the result sent shockwaves through Europe. This was during the rise of the Nazis, the Soviet grip on Russia and throughout the decade there was an increase in the number of spies, and traitors, in England. Joining me is Alex Gerlis, author of Every Spy a Traitor as we delve into...

Armand D'Angour joins to discuss his new pod, but then we go into a really interesting conversation about Socrates and whether he really is the origin of Western Thought? Is there in fact a woman we should be talking about, the beguiling Aspasia. Armand D'Angour Links It's All Greek (& Latin) to Me on Spotify It's All Greek (& Latin) to Me on Apple Socrates in Love Ancient Greek Music on YouTube Armand on X Aspects of History Links Aspects of History on X Ollie on X Aspects of History...

The French Revolution, the rise of Napoleon, the Industrial Revolution and the collapse of Poland, all these major events were witnessed by Izabela Czartoryska, a Polish aristocrat who was self-taught and is the subject of Adam Zamoyski's latest book. This episode is a sweeping discussion covering many facets of Europe in the 18th century. Adam Zamoyski is the author of 1812: Napoleon's Fatal March on Moscow and Napoleon: The Man Behind the Myth. Adam Zamoyski Links Izabela the Valiant: The...

This week three writers join to talk summer reading recommendations from the world of history and historical fiction. Books Paris '44, Patrick Bishop The King's Mother, Annie Garthwaite Izabela the Valiant, Adam Zamoyski Endgame 1944, Jonathan Dimbleby Sky Warriors, Saul David The Muse of History, Oswyn Murray Bonjour, Sophie, Elizabeth Buchan Iran, Ali Ansari Spy Masters, Various The CIA, Hugh Wilford The Eastern Front, Nick Lloyd The Sleeping Beauties, Lucy Ashe Guests Ollie on X Aspects of...

When war in Europe ended on the 8th May 1945, much of continent was in ruins. Cities were destroyed and civilians were at the mercy of occupying powers, partisans, bandits and criminals. There were no police forces, no judicial system and food was scarce. Keith Lowe joins to discuss the chaos from France to Poland and Greece to Germany. Keith Lowe Links Savage Continent: Europe in the Aftermath of World War II Keith on X Aspects of History Links Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to...

On the 20th July 1944 Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg attended a meeting at the Wolf's Lair at which Adolf Hitler was present. He placed a briefcase containing high explosives under the conference table and then departed. A few minutes later the bomb exploded killing four, but crucially not Hitler. This month's film club is Valkyrie starring Tom Cruise, the 2008 depiction of the July Plot. Joining is Roger Moorhouse, author of Killing Hitler, and film maker Tim Hewitt. Links Valkyrie on...

On the 20th July 1944, a bomb hidden in a briefcase exploded under a large table over which Adolf Hitler was examining maps of  the Eastern Front. The man who had planted the device, Claus von Stauffenberg, had left just before the explosion to initiate the operation that he hoped would lead to the overthrow of the Nazi regime. The plan failed, and Hitler would survive for another 9 months before his suicide on 30th April 1945. Was this the closest Hitler came to death? What about the...

The Ancient Greeks are the font of all our historical knowledge. Now that's quite a claim, but the historian who joins to discuss makes a strong argument in his book, The Muse of History. Oswyn Murray is one of the country's finest ancient historians and in this chat, beginning with the Peloponnesian War between Athens & Sparta, many subjects are addressed including colonialism, slavery, the wonder of the ancient world, ancient historians fighting in WW1 and WW2 and why we should all...

The Emperor Vespasian began construction of the Colosseum and it was completed by his son, Titus. Vespasian is played by Anthony Hopkins in the new show, Those About to Die, and Justin Pollard, historical consultant, joins to discuss gladiators, charioteers and the Circus Maximus under the Flavian Dynasty. Those About to Die hits Prime on the 19th July. Justin Pollard Links Charge! The Interesting Bits of Military History Justin on X Aspects of History Aspects of History Magazine...

When Alexander crossed the Hellespont to invade the Persian Empire in 334BC, he began a thirst for war that could not be sated. Territory was not his aim, nor was power for its own sake. What of Germany in 1914 and 1939? Competition with the great powers in the former case, and a demand for resources in the second were important motivations. Joining to discuss these and other examples is Richard Overy, historian of the Second World War and the author of many bestselling and award winning...

Between 1763 and 1767 two British surveyors, Charles Mason and Nathaniel Dixon, established the dividing line between the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware. For the two hundred years since, the Mason Dixon Line became known as the cultural divide between North and South, Union and Confederate. But is that correct? Jonn Elledge joins to discuss this and other boundaries including Ireland, India & Pakistan, Israel & Palestine, and most controversial of all, Middlesex. Jonn...

On the 25th October 1415, the English under Henry V met with the French on the field of Agincourt. The resulting victory, and it was a total victory, has gone down in history alongside Blenheim and Waterloo as the finest by an English or British army. Gordon Corrigan joins to discuss the build up, the internal strife in England and France, the battle itself and the aftermath. Part One: Crécy Part Two: Poitiers Gordon Corrigan Links A Great and Glorious Adventure – A History of the Hundred...

When France fell in June 1940, the country agreed an armistice with Nazi Germany, and a period of collaboration began, both in occupied France, and with the Vichy government. Pirate Irwin joins to discuss deportation of the Jews, score-settling, the personalities involved and the murky moral compromises that were made. Pirate Irwin Links The Tortured Detective Pirate on X Aspects of History Links Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99 Ollie on...

On a cold and dark night in February 1942, a company of paratroopers dropped on snow covered occupied France - their target: the Würzburg radar. Max Hastings joins to discuss the thrilling raid, the personalities involved and its impact on the British bombing effort. Max Hastings Links Operation Biting: The 1942 Parachute Assault to Capture Hitler’s Radar Aspects of History Links Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99 Ollie on X Aspects of...

Concluding our 80th Anniversary D-Day celebrations, Tim Hewitt joins Ollie to discuss the 1962 classic starring John Wayne, Mel Ferrer, Robert Wagner, Richard Burton, Robert Mitchum, Robert Ryan, Henry Fonda, Richard Todd, Kenneth More, Sean Connery, Curd Jurgens and a host of other Hollywood stars. But is it any good? And should Cornelius Ryan have been allowed to write the screenplay? And, what about the CGI? All these questions, and more, are answered in this month's Film Club. Links The...

The Gurkhas are a highly professional unit within the British Army who hail from the foothills and mountains of the Himalayas, in northern India and Nepal. They have fought in both the British and Indian armies in many wars, but today we discuss their role in the Second World War with the author of a new novel, The Jungle War, Hannah Watson. Robert Lyman, historian of the period, joins too to provide some historical insight. Gurkha and Jungle War Links The Jungle War The Gurkha Museum The...

On the 3rd April 1882, Jesse James put aside his guns and noticed a picture on the wall had acquired dust. He stood on a chair and with duster in hand began to clean. Behind him Robert Ford drew his revolver and shot James in the back of the head. This event provides the title for the film directed by Andrew Dominik and starring Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck and Sam Rockwell. Filmmaker Tim Hewitt joins to discuss the movie, the story of Jesse James, Brad, Oscars and plenty more. Links The...

On the 20th September 1519 Ferdinand Magellan set sail for the Moluccas, the collection of islands containing nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon that promised vast wealth for those who could trade. So began the race between Spain and Portugal, who would soon be joined by the Dutch and English, but the native peoples paid a terrible spice. Roger Crowley joins to discuss his new book, Spice. Roger Crowley Links Spice: The 16th-Century Contest that Shaped the Modern World Roger on X Aspects of History...

On the 6th June 1944 the Allies landed on the beaches of Normandy in the battle to free occupied Europe from the Nazi jackboot. Nearly 3 million men took part in the operation, on land, sea and in the air. Joining to discuss are two highly respected and distinguished historians, Gordon Corrigan and Philip Blood. Do get in touch if you have comments. Maps DDay Map Breakout Map Gordon Corrigan Links The Second World War: A Military History Blood, Sweat and Arrogance: The Myths of Churchill's...

In the early hours of 6th June 1944, D-Day, a small squad of SAS troopers parachuted into SE France to begin the Special Forces part of Operation Overlord, the invasion of Nazi occupied Europe. It was the most successful SF operation of the Second World War and set the template that would be followed by Delta, SEALs and other SF for years to come. Joining to discuss is Tom Petch, author of Speed, Aggression, Surprise: The Untold Secret Origins of the SAS. Tom Petch Links Speed, Aggression,...

China has eyes on Taiwan, and how can we in the West respond? Should we respond? What about our intelligence services and military capabilities? Frank Gardner, BBC Security Correspondent, joins to discuss his new thriller which envisages an invasion of the small island by its larger neighbour. This episode is thanks to the Chalke History Festival, the UK's Number 1 history festival.  Frank Gardner Links Invasion Frank at the Chalke History Festival, sponsored by Aspects of History Frank on...

Late at night on the 5th June 1944, British paratroopers set off on their flight that would land them in Normandy, with the key objective to capture and hold two bridges of vital strategic importance to the allied landings the next morning. Saul David, author of Sky Warriors, joins to discuss one of the most successful airborne operations of the Second World War. Part One of our D-Day series. Part Two continues with the Allied landings, and the German response to them. Saul David Links Sky...