This month's film club is Dunkirk, the Christopher Nolan epic starring Kenneth Branagh, Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, Jack Lowden, Ffion Whitehead, Barry Keoghan and Harry Styles. I discuss the film with acclaimed director Tim Hewitt, including our categories of Best Scene, Best Performance, Most Unlikely Scene and Legacy. Dunkirk Links IMDB Dunkirk, by Hugh Sebag Montefiore Aspects of History Links Instagram Twitter ..read more

This week's guest is James Holland, who bows to no man when it comes to World War Two, the subject of today's chat. Since it's May we focus on the build-up to Dunkirk, the consequences of the evacuation for Germany, and we indulge in a 'What if?' We also look at the moral question of the allied bombing campaign which killed so many civilians - but was there an alternative?James' new book features wonderful illustrations and is a great addition to the many thousands of books out there.You can join our Patreon and get access to many benefits. More to be found here:Aspects of History PatreonJames ..read more

Author Peter Tonkin joins the pod to talk about the epic struggle between Greece and Troy. A conflict that has fascinated for thousands of years, Peter explains the causes and the build-up to the war, as well as the conflict itself. He talks about the heroes and women involved in the story. Homer is our main source, but Peter also talks about others that influence our understanding of the story.All the heroes feature, and Peter highlights how the Trojan War has impacted the Tudors and the modern day, with Agamemnon playing the part of a modern-day Putin.Coming up next week, James Holland on th ..read more

PLEASE NOTE THIS EPISODE WAS FIRST PUBLISHED MARCH 25TH 2023 This week's guest is Paul Strathern discussing the Renaissance. Or to be exact, the OTHER Renaissance. Paul has written a new book focussing not on the Italian and Renaissance, but on that which took place further north, in the Holy Roman Empire, the Low Countries, France and England. So we talk about Martin Luther and Protestantism, Capernicus and the orbit of the sun, and Gutenberg and the printing press.Paul's Book: The Other Renaissance: From Capernicus to Shakespeare ..read more

Tessa Dunlop, old friend of the show joins to discuss the Monarchy as it is now, and as it was in 1953, the last time we had a coronation. We talk the Commonwealth, the media's role in the Harry & Meghan Wars, the Coronation, the Crown's wealth and I put a royal quiz question to Tessa. Tessa Dunlop Links Elizabeth & Philip Paperback Cover story in latest issue of Aspects of History Aspects of History Links New Substack ..read more

This week's guest is the esteemed Cambridge Don Sir Christopher Clark, talking revolution in Europe in 1848. Think you know your history? Clark reveals how important that year was, how it shaped today's world, and whether we're on the precipice of revolution today.Christopher Clark LinksRevolutionary Spring: Fighting for a New World 1848-1849Youtube talk on 1848Aspects of History LinksOur Substack, where you can get free articles sent to your inboxOllie on Twitter ..read more

In the second of our film club episodes on the 2008 Financial Crisis, Director Tim Hewitt and our Editor talk Margin Call, J.C.Chandor's directorial debut from 2011. Rather overlooked at the time, it's since gained cult status. With a low budget, it has an all star cast including Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Demi Moore, Stanley Tucci and Kevin Spacey. Categories discussed including the AoH Best Performance, Most Unlikely Scene and Legacy. Coming up in May, Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk. Links Ollie on Twitter Tim on Twitter Films discussed Margin Call All Is Lost Spotlight Conspiracy Big Night LA ..read more

This year its' the 750th birthday of Berlin, and to commemorate it historian Barney White-Spunner, author of a book on the city, joins to discuss its foundation, history throughout that period, which is tied up with German history, and wider European history. He discusses Berlin's suffering during the 30 Years War, the Napoleonic occupation, the Nazis and the Cold War.Coming up on Tuesday, our Film Club continues with Margin Call, the 2011 movie that deals with the Financial Crisis of 2008.Barney White-Spunner LinksBerlin: Story of a CityThe Story of Berlin - Aspects of HistoryOllie LinksOllie ..read more

Our Film Club moves on to mark the 15th anniversary of the 2008 Financial Crash, with The Big Short, directed by Adam McKay and starring Brad Pitt, Ryan Gosling, Christian Bale and Steve Carrell.This is a comedy, but with a clear moral undercurrent. It's a smart script, great performances, and a great ensemble cast. The crash had massive, global ramifications, but it's great to see this film address such a subject, and make it easy to understand - obviously down to the great book by Michael Lewis.As ever, we'll look at our categories: Best Performance, Least Likely Scene, Legacy.Next up on Tue ..read more