History Book Club

Women have been part of the espionage world since intelligence agencies were established in the early 1900s, so it's no great surprise that they became key assets during the First and Second World Wars, but what does that mean?

Historian Helen Fry talks with our editor about Mata Hari, Edith Cavell and other less known stories from the Cambridge Spies to the Special Operations Executive.

Helen is the author of Women in Intelligence: The Hidden History of Two World Wars

Helen Fry Links

Women in Intelligence: The Hidden History of Two World Wars

Helen on X

Ollie Links

Ollie on X

[email protected]

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On the 15th October 1962, President John F Kennedy was presented with photographs showing Soviet nuclear missiles on the island of Cuba, just 90 miles off the Florida coast. So began the Cuban Missile Crisis, depicted in the political thriller Thirteen Days, Directed by Roger Donaldson and starring Kevin Costner.

Join our editor Ollie and Director Tim Hewitt as they discuss the film including best scene, best performance, most inaccurate scene and legacy rating.

Links

Thirteen Days

Abyss: World on the Brink, The Cuban Missile Crisis 1962, by Max Hastings

Command: The Politics of Military Operations from Korea to Ukraine, by Lawrence Freedman

Ollie on X

Tim Hewitt on X

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Who is our greatest monarch, and who is our most interesting? Where should we start - 1066 or 886? Should we include Louis, Matilda, Lady Jane Grey and of course the Cromwells? Which Prime Minister and ruler would make the greatest combination?

Iain Dale joins the editor, along with friends of the show Miranda Malins and Steven Veerapen to discuss these questions and more.

Iain Dale

Kings and Queens: 1200 Years of English and British Monarchs

The Prime Ministers: 55 Leaders, 55 Authors, 300 Years of History

The Wisest Fool: The Lavish Life of James VI and I, Steven Veerapen

The Rebel Daughter, Miranda Malins

Ollie Links

Ollie on X

Still plugging the GB News appearance (50mins in)

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Remember, remember,

The Fifth of November,

Gunpowder treason and plot;

For I see no reason

Why Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot.

The plan was that on the 5th November 1605, James I would attend the opening of Parliament, and so allow the Gunpowder plotters to blow him and his government, and many of his family, sky hight. What would have happened next? And what of the Stuarts themselves? An extraordinary dynasty; from Mary Queen of Scots, James I, Charles I, Charles II and James II; and the editor runs through them with acclaimed historian Leanda de Lisle, author of Henrietta Maria.

Leanda de Lisle Links

Henrietta Maria: Conspirator, Warrior, Phoenix Queen - ONLY 99P ON KINDLE

The White King: Charles I, Traitor, Murderer, Martyr

Leanda on X

The Gunpowder Plot and Fake History - Aspects of History

Ollie Links

Ollie on X

email [email protected]

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After the horrific terrorist attacks of 7th October our editor discussed the long running Israel Palestine conflict with historian and author Roberto Mazza. Covering the growing Zionist movement in the early 20th century, to the Balfour Declaration through to the British Mandate for Palestine, the 1948 war and the Six Day War in 1967 Roberto discusses how we got to where we are today and whether there is any prospect for peace.

Roberto is also a host on the New Books Network, where he hosts history podcasts so check that out here:

New Books Network Podcast

As well as that, Roberto hosts the Jerusalem Unplugged Podcast.

Map showing Palestinian territories

Jerusalem: From the Ottomans to the British by Roberto Mazza

Roberto on X

Jerusalem: The Biography by Simon Sebag Montefiore

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The Vikings are a people so disconnected from us, through time and their paganism, that it's difficult to really know them. Theodore Brun joins Ollie to discuss them, their travels and what we can really know of them.

Theo's the author of the Wanderer Chronicles, the latest of which is A Savage Moon.

Theodore Brun Links

A Savage Moon

The Children of Ash and Elm: A History of the Vikings ,by Neil Price

Sycamore Tree

Ollie Links

GB News Interview - Go to 50 Mins In

Ollie on X

[email protected]

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On the 28th April 1789, the crew of HMS Bounty, under the command of Lt. William Bligh, mutinied. Led by Fletcher Christian, Bligh and some of his crew were placed in a rowing boat, whilst the mutineers took the Bounty to the South Pacific.The film, starring Anthony Hopkins and Mel Gibson, depicts these events in a film that is eminently quotable.

Director Tim Hewitt joins our editor to chat about the film, including the usual categories, and the true story behind it.

Links

The Bounty (1984)

Mutiny on the Bounty

Tim Hewitt on X/Twitter

Ollie on X/Twitter

Email: [email protected]

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When Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the world entered a new and dangerous phase. The fightback by the Ukrainians is now a pivotal struggle between right and wrong. Added to the recent terrorist attacks in southern Israel, now is an ideal time to hear from General David Petraeus and Lord Andrew Roberts about what the future of conflict looks like, and what the past can tell us.

They are the joint authors of Conflict: A Military History of the Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine

General Petraeus & Lord Roberts Links

Conflict: A Military History of the Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine

Chat at Cliveden between the two

Ollie Links

Ollie on X/Twitter

Email - [email protected]

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Are humans designed for long distance running? When was the first running meet? And what about those famous runners in history, from Pheidippides through to the dirtiest race in history. All this and more as writer and runner Duncan Larkin joins the pod to chat history of running.

Duncan Larkin Links

The 30-Minute Runner: Smart Training for Busy Beginners

Run Simple: A Minimalist Approach to Fitness and Well-Being

One Minute at 11,000 Feet

Born to Run, Christopher McDougall

Running with the Kenyans, Adharanand Finn

Once a Runner: A Novel

Lore of Running, Tim Noakes

Park Run Locations

Ollie Links

Ollie on X/Twitter

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NO SPOILERS IN THIS POD

The Osage Nation, 1920s, Oklahoma, and a string of unsolved murders take place. In this month's Film Club, myself and Director Tim Hewitt discuss Martin Scorcese's latest, starring Leonardo Di Caprio, Robert De Niro and Lily Gladstone.

In the second half, I chat with Chief Standing Bear, leader of the Osage Nation about the film and his people today.

Killers of the Flower Moon Links

Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

Killers of the Flower Moon: Oil, Money, Murder and the Birth of the FBI, by David Grann

The Audition

Aspects of History Links

Tim Hewitt on X/Twitter

Ollie on X/Twitter

email us [email protected]

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