History Book Club

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 of History on Instagram

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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 Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford on Wikipedia

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford on IMDB

Interview with Brad Pitt

Ollie on X

Tim on X

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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 Links

Ollie on X

Aspects of History on Instagram

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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 War

Gordon on Substack

Philip Blood Links

Hitler's Bandit Hunters: The SS and the Nazi Occupation of Europe

Birds of Prey: Hitler's Luftwaffe, Ordinary Soldiers, and the Holocaust in Poland

Philip on Substack

Aspects of History Links

Ollie on X

Aspects of History on Instagram

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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, Surprise: The Untold Secret Origins of the SAS

Tom on X

Aspects of History Links

Ollie on X

Aspects of History on Instagram

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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 X

Aspects of History Links

Ollie on X

Aspects of History on Instagram

Get in touch: [email protected]

Latest issue: Aspects of History Issue 21

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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 History Festival

Saul on X

Aspects of History Links

Ollie on X

Aspects of History on Instagram

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Latest issue: Aspects of History Issue 21

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Secrets and lies have been part of us for as long as we've been around and are found as early as the Book of Genesis. And what of the Stasi and the archives recording how citizens informed on friends, family members and even spouses?

Andrew Gold joins to discuss his new book, The Psychology of Secrets, and he takes us on a journey that features the mad founder of a school, Scientology, Lie Detectors, the secret communities and much more.

Andrew has a hugely successful podcast and YouTube show, so do check him out.

Andrew Gold Links

The Psychology of Secrets: My Adventures with Murderers, Cults and Influencers

Heretics on YouTube

Andrew on X

Aspects of History Links

Ollie on X

Get in touch: [email protected]

Latest issue: Aspects of History Issue 21

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With the invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany, the political make up of the Second World War was turned on its head, and Churchill allied with Stalin. So began a short-lived relationship that was both tumultuous, but also warm - though fuelled by alcohol.

Giles Milton's new book looks at the US, British and Russian alliance that turned the tables for the Allies and led to the defeat of Hitler.

Giles Milton Links

The Stalin Affair

Aspects of History Links

Ollie on X

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Latest issue: Aspects of History Issue 21

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On the 25th May 1951 Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean defected to Moscow, and so the opening shots were fired in the dismantling of the Cambridge Spy Ring. Alcoholism took care of them, but what about other traitors including William Weisband, George Blake, Anthony Blunt, John Cairncross and the master spy Kim Philby. And what about Edward Snowden - is he a traitor?

Espionage author Michael Smith joins to discuss traitors from his book, The Real Special Relationship which is our Non Fiction Book Club.

Michael Smith Links

The Real Special Relationship: The True Story of How the British and US Secret Services Work

AoH Book Club: Michael Smith on the Real Special Relationship - Aspects of History

Michael on X

Aspects of History Links

Ollie on X

Get in touch: [email protected]

Latest issue: Aspects of History Issue 21

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