Aspects of History

By Oliver Webb-Carter

The editor of Aspects of History, Ollie Webb-Carter, interviews historians and authors on the past - from the ancient world right up to the modern day. In each episode, Ollie seeks to get to the botto... more

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FAQs about Aspects of History:

How many episodes does Aspects of History have?

The podcast currently has 252 episodes available.

Aspects of History episodes:

February 22, 2025 The Causes of the Wars of the Roses: Part One, Henry VI
On 31 August 1422 Henry V, England’s finest king, died aged 35. His successor, Henry VI was only 9 months old and so his uncle, and Henry V’s brother, John, Duke of Talbot, became regent and continued the war in France. The young Henry was a gentle child, and most worrying for England he lacked a monarch as mentor, and so little understanding of how to handle the politics of kingship in the 15th century. The consequences would be severe as the Wars of the Roses would erupt in 1455 for a number of reasons, chief among them Henry VI.
Joining to discuss the causes is historian and author Derek Birks, whose new book A Guide to the Wars of the Roses is out, and David Pilling, also a historian and author and his latest novel is Kingbreaker, set during the Wars of the Roses. So we look into why it broke out, a clash so catastrophic it chewed up four kings as well as countless nobles and peasants. In part one we discuss Henry VI. Part two, out on Wednesday, examines the factions involved.
Links
A Guide to the Wars of the Roses, by Derek Birks
Kingbreaker: Rebel and Traitor, by David Pilling
Aspects of History Links
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34min
February 15, 2025 The Nazi Mind with Laurence Rees
During Nazi rule it is estimated that 8 million Germans were members of the party, that’s around 10% of the population. The ideology they believed in was responsible for the deaths of 6 million jews, as well as gypsies, homosexuals and the infirm. Millions more were murdered via slave labour and in the invasions east and west.
So what about the mindset of the people who carried out these crimes against humanity? Were they brainwashed by Hitler? Were they mentally ill, or were they simply all psychopaths? Joining the podcast today is author and broadcaster Laurence Rees to discuss his new book, The Nazi Mind. Laurence is responsible for the hugely powerful TV documentary Nazis: A Warning from History and his insight into the psychology of Nazis is illuminating.
Laurence Rees Links
The Nazi Mind
Aspects of History Links
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53min
February 08, 2025 The Nazis & the German Royal Family with Stephan Malinowski
On 9th November 1918 Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated the German crown and retired to Holland where he learnt Dutch and began a passion for archaeology. But during the rise of the Nazis hope was raised that he could once more stride the imperial stage arm in arm with Adolf Hitler. These hopes were taken on by his son the Crown Prince but these too were dashed, and then began an attempt to cleanse the Hohezollern name, a name that evoked names such as The Great Elector, Frederick William and Frederick the Great.
Joining today is the acclaimed historian Stephan Malinowski, the author of The Hohenzollerns and the Nazis and we discuss the German Royal Family’s opportunities, and opportunistic attempts, during the rise of the Third Reich, their involvement, or lack of, in the resistance, life after the war and what the Hohenzollern name means in Germany today.
Stephan Malinowski Links
The Hohenzollerns and the Nazis
Nazis and Nobles: The History of a Misalliance
Aspects of History Links
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49min
February 05, 2025 Athens, Sparta and Honour with Paul A. Rahe
In a continuation of Saturday’s discussion with Paul Rahe, we delve into the Peloponnesian War after the Sicilian Expedition, as the Spartans take Persian gold to subdue their democratic rivals Athens. The war continues for a further nine years as the Athenians rise again after their Sicilian disaster, before ending in crushing defeat in 404BC. Paul then goes on to talk about current events and the importance of honour to states today, and of history to the health of society.
Paul A. Rahe Links
Sparta's Sicilian Proxy War
Sparta's Third Attic War: The Grand Strategy of Classical Sparta, 413-404 BC
First part
Aspects of History Links
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37min
February 01, 2025 Athens, Sparta and the Sicilian Expedition with Paul A. Rahe
In 415BC, the Athenian Empire, during a lull in the Peloponnesian War against the Spartans, voted to embark on a massive campaign to capture Syracuse. So began the Sicilian Expedition, which soon became a proxy war between Sparta and Athens, as the Spartans despatched just one man, the great general Gylippus, to assist the Syracusans. The war had been underway since 431 BC and would last until 404BC and end in total defeat for Athens with the loss of its empire.
Joining today is Paul A. Rahe, a highly distinguished ancient historian the first in a two part discussion with him. Coming up next on Wednesday he discusses contemporary events, and how his understanding of the Peloponnesian war seeks to help policy makers in the United States as its supremacy is challenged by China.
Paul A. Rahe Links
Sparta's Sicilian Proxy War
Sparta's Third Attic War: The Grand Strategy of Classical Sparta, 413-404 BC
Book on Alcibiades discussed: Nemesis: Alcibiades and the Fall of Athens, by David Stuttard
Aspects of History Links
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32min
January 29, 2025 The Mafia & the Kennedys with Louis Ferrante Part 2
On the 22nd November 1963 President John F Kennedy was assassinated…..by Lee Harvey Oswald right? Well wrong, because today’s guest has a suspect, the boss of the New Orleans mafia, Carlos Marcello who, along with other family bosses Sam Giancana and Santo Traficante, conspired to have the President whacked.
Louis Ferrante joins in this second part of our discussion on the mafia and the Kennedys as we talk about the assassination, motives, evidence and those involved. If you haven’t listened to part one that’s the previous episode.
Louis Ferrante Links
Part One
Borgata Vol II: Clash of Titans: A History of the American Mafia
Borgata Vol I: Rise of Empire: A History of the American Mafia
Episode from 2024 with Louis Ferrante
Aspects of History Links
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37min
January 25, 2025 The Mafia & the Kennedys with Louis Ferrante Part 1
In early 1957, the Robert F Kennedy and his brother Jack were part of the US Senate Rackets Committee and they both attacked the notorious Jimmy Hoffa, the leader of the Teamsters union and a man with numerous connections to the mob. But as Hoffa probably knew at the time, the two of them were themselves involved with the mafia. Joining today is former member of the Gambino crime family and friend of the show Louis Ferrante, the author of three volumes on the history of the mafia in American and today we discuss the second, Borgata Vol 2, Clash of Titans. This is a two part special, with the second episode following on Wednesday.
Louis Ferrante Links
Borgata Vol II: Clash of Titans: A History of the American Mafia
Borgata Vol I: Rise of Empire: A History of the American Mafia
Episode from 2024 with Louis Ferrante
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: [email protected]

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34min
January 22, 2025 Film Club: Salvador (1986)
On the 2nd December 1980, four American nuns were driving from San Salvador international airport when their van was attacked and run off the road. Men from the El Salvador National Guard, the ruling government’s military, dressed in civilian clothing, raped, shot, then buried the four women. This event failed to halt US funding of the Salvadorian regime as billions of dollars were spent in propping up the fascist rulers. In 1985, before shooting Platoon, Oliver Stone began filming Salvador, starring James Woods as Richard Boyle so this is your January film club. Please do like, subscribe and follow, and if you can leave a kind rating then thank you, but it’s over to me, Roger and Tim on Salvador.
Links
Robert E White Obituary
Salvadoran Civil War
Salvador on IMDB
Salvador 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: [email protected]

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1h 2min
January 18, 2025 William Tell with Nick Hamm & Almut Seurbaum
Early in 14th century Switzerland was under the control of their far more powerful neighbour, Hapsburg Austria. In the small town of Aldorf in the canton of Uri, which is at the centre of Switzerland, near Lake Lucern and the city of Zurich there lived a brutal Austrian governor, Albrecht Gessler. Gessler hated the Swiss, a proud and rebellious people, and to remind them of their subjugation he placed his hat on a large post in the middle of the town, and demanded the Swiss bow when passing.
William Tell, an expert crossbowman and hunter, refused. Furious, Gessler set Tell a challenge. Shoot an apple off his son’s head, from 100 yards, as the wretched child was tied to the post or the boy would be executed. Tell reluctantly agreed, and with a miraculous shot he succeeded, and so began the revolt against Austria and Switzerland’s journey to independence for which it is known today, as well as dubious banking practises.
Joining the podcast is the director Nick Hamm who has made a film of William Tell, starring Claes Bang, Ben Kingsley, Jonathan Pryce, Golshifteh Farahani, Rafe Spall, Ellie Bamber and Connor Swindells. Also on the chat is the historian Almut Seurbaum.
William Tell Links
William Tell Movie on Wikipedia
William Tell Movie on IMDB
Aspects of History Links
Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99
Ollie on X
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Get in touch: [email protected]

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41min
January 15, 2025 SAS Rogue Heroes Series 2 with Gavin Mortimer
Gavin Mortimer joins me this week for a rollicking ride through the invasion of Sicily and Italy with the SAS and Paddy Mayne, Bill Stirling and his brother David. We discuss the portrayal Mayne, what the show gets right, and what it gets wrong. Rogue Heroes S2 stars Jack O'Connell and Connor Swindells.
!SPOILER ALERT!
Gavin is the author of The Phoney Major, a new book that examines both Stirling and Mayne closely, and one that has exploded the myth of David Stirling, so he's well placed to discuss the series.
Gavin Mortimer Links
The Phoney Major
The SAS in 1943: Operations in Sicily and Italy
The SAS in Italy with Gavin Mortimer
Aspects of History Links
Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99
Ollie on X
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Get in touch: [email protected]

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43min

FAQs about Aspects of History:

How many episodes does Aspects of History have?

The podcast currently has 252 episodes available.

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