History Book Club

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 the Second World War.

Peter Tonkin Links

The Wine Dark Sea Trilogy

Peter on Twitter @petertonkin50

Aspects of History Links

The podcast is now on Patreon where you'll get plenty of extra content for a small amount.

Ollie on Twitter @olliewcq

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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

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This week's guest is Peter Stothard who joins me to talk about the Caesars of the 1st century AD. From the stability of Augustus through Caligula, Claudius and Nero and up to the year of the 4 emperors in 68AD.We talk slavery, sex, food, glutton and how to get ahead in ancient Rome. Peter is a former editor of The Times and the Times Literary Supplement and is the author of a number of books on Rome.

Peter Stothard Links

Palatine: An Alternative History of the Caesars

Peter on Twitter

Cassius Parmensis, Caesar, Boris and Saddam - Aspects of History

Ollie Links

Luxury & Power: Persia to Greece at the British Museum - Aspects of History

Ollie on Twitter

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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

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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 Links

Revolutionary Spring: Fighting for a New World 1848-1849

Youtube talk on 1848

Aspects of History Links

Our Substack, where you can get free articles sent to your inbox

Ollie on Twitter

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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 Confidential

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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 Links

Berlin: Story of a City

The Story of Berlin - Aspects of History

Ollie Links

Ollie on Twitter

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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 Tuesday is Margin Call, starring Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Demi Moore, Stanley Tucci and Kevin Spacey.

Links

Ollie on Twitter

Tim on Twitter

Films discussedT

oo Big to Fail

Killing Them Softly

99 Homes

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It's the Tudors this week and my guest Steven Veerapen gives his Top 10 Greatest Tudor Myths. Among them Mary Queen of Scots and marmalade, Warrior Queen Elizabeth I, Anne Boleyn's physical deformity and plenty more.Steven is a historian and author and his novels feature Anthony Blanke, the son of Henry's black trumpeter, John Blanke.

Don't forget to listen on Tuesday for the Film Club which continues with the 2008 Financial Crash movie The Big Short.

Steven Veerapen Links

Article on Myths

Of Blood Descended

Of Judgement Descended

Aspects of History Links

Ollie on Twitter

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In this Easter Bonus Episode, Adam Zamoyski returns to chat about Russia and how its history shapes what we see in Ukraine today.I recommend listening to Saturday's episode on Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812.

Adam Zamoyski Links

1812: Napoleon's Fatal March on Moscow

YouTube Debate with Jeremy Paxman and Andrew Roberts on Napoleon

No Fool Like an Old Fool: Kissinger on Ukraine - Aspects of History

Ollie Links

Ollie on Twitter

Aspects of History's Substack

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