On the 14th October 1066 two armies faced each other on the south coast of England. One, under Harold Godwinson was tired after marching from the north but had the high ground. The other was a foreign force led by Duke William of Normandy. The result of this battle, not far from Hastings, would have major ramifications for European and world history. Joining me are two writers to discuss the events leading up to Hastings, the claims on the English throne, the battles beforehand and the characters involved. Adam Staten and Paul Bernardi are the authors of series set during the Norman invasion ..read more

It's time for this year’s Books of the Year podcast. We talk histories of the Middle East, medieval kings, nautical novels and naval epics plus much more. Roger Moorhouse, Antonia Senior and Richard Foreman join for an informal chat. Books of the Year - Links Arnhem: Black Tuesday  Time of the Child The Eagle and the Hart The Price of Victory Naples 1944 The Wide Wide Sea Henry V The House of War Izabela the Valiant The Peacock and the Sparrow Military Matters Gabriel's Moon The Siege Podcast Links Spy Masters podcasts - Aspects of History The Siege Episode - Aspects of History Naples 194 ..read more

Blair Paddy Mayne was one of the most decorated soldiers of the Second World War, and one of the original members of the SAS. After David Stirling was captured he commanded the regiment and carried out incredible acts of heroism, but controversially was never awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry. He also battled demons as his war experiences, including discovering concentration camps, had a big effect on his mental health. Joining to discuss Paddy Mayne is Damien Lewis, author of SAS Daggers Drawn as we look at the psychological impact on Mayne and his comrades during th ..read more

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 the new state of Turkey in the 1930s and Murat is a historian of the period. Alec Marsh Links After the ..read more

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 the atmosphere of the 1930s. Alex Gerlis Links Every Spy a Traitor Aspects of History Links Latest Issue ..read more

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 Gurkha Welfare Trust Kohima Educational Trust Hari Budha Magar Aspects of History Links Ollie on X Aspects ..read more

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 Warriors: : British Airborne Forces in the Second World War Map of the operation Saul at the Chalke Histo ..read more

This month’s film club is the presidential thriller All the President's Men, directed by Alan J. Pakula, starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman Links The Vote for next Film Club Episode All the President's Men on IMDB All the President's Men on Wikipedia Ollie on X Tim on X Roger on X Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99 Aspects of History on Instagram Get in touch: history@aspectsofhistory.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices ..read more

Charlie Higson joins, he's a comedy legend, actor, author of the young Bond novels and presenter of a successful podcast Willy Willy Harry Stee, which covers all the monarchs over several series so do check it out. Episode Links Willy Willy Harry Stee Aspects of History Links Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99 Ollie on X Aspects of History on Instagram Get in touch: history@aspectsofhistory.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices ..read more

As we all now are aware, Donald Trump will be the next American president. This episode looks into the intelligence and foreign policy implications, taking into account the US and UK’s shared history. As we’ve seen in the past few weeks, historians are the ones to listen to, not so called political experts, and so Michael Smith, author of The Real Special Relationship joins to discuss the new Trump appointments, Trump’s plans for the Middle East and Ukraine, and what may happen vis a vis China and Taiwan.  Michael is a long standing journalist, former intelligence operative and historian ..read more