History Book Club

This week's guest is acclaimed historian Adam Zamoyski, biographer of Napoleon and the author of 1812: Napoleon's Fatal March on Moscow He chats with our editor about the build up to the invasion, Napoleon and his opponent, Alexander I of Russia. The state of the French army on the advance and retreat, and the horrors the troops on both sides went through.On Monday, in a bonus episode, Adam talks about Russia's relationship with its neighbours, and the army both now and in 1812 and in the Soviet era.

Adam Zamoyski Links

1812: Napoleon's Fatal March on Moscow

YouTube Debate with Jeremy Paxman and Andrew Roberts on Napoleon

Narodnost: Russia and Nationalism - Aspects of History

Charles Minard's Graphical Depiction

Ollie Links

Ollie on Twitter

Aspects of History's Substack

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This week's chat is the 1st of 3 on the Hundred Years War, and we start with the Battles of Sluys, and the big one, Crécy. Gordon Corrigan (The Major) and distinguished historian talks through the early years of the war, with discussion on Joan of Arc - Heretic or witch? The Black Prince, Edward III and of course, the Longbow.Gordon's book is out now, and is an amusing read that gets you up to speed on the rivalry between England and France. No mindless French bashing here, just a fun chat on the English fight for the French throne.

Gordon Corrigan Links

Crécy: Finest Hours Book 1

England Expects:The Battle of Sluys

A Great and Glorious Adventure: A Military History of the Hundred Years War

Ollie Links

Ollie on Twitter

Finest Hours: The Battle of Crécy - Aspects of History

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The second episode of the Film Club is on Argo, directed by Ben Affleck and released in 2012. Starring Affleck, as well as a host of Hollywood greats including Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Alan Arkin and Kyle Chandler, this movie is rare in that it deals with America's relationship with Iran.

Set during the Hostage Crisis of 1979/80, the Iranian Revolution has seen the US Embassy in Tehran stormed, and many hostages taken. Six Embassy staff escape and gain refuge in the Canadian Embassy, and the CIA has to get them out. Sounds serious? Well this film has plenty of humour too, and that's where Goodman and Arkin come to the fore.Ollie and distinguished director Tim Hewitt discuss the film, best performance, unlikeliest scene and legacy. We also chat Iranian cinema, disagree about Marisa Tomei, and indulge in a Kyle Chandler lovathon.

Next up in the film club: Financial Crash double bill The Big Short and Margin Call.

Links

Ollie on Twitter

Tim on Twitter

Films discussed

A Separation

The Past

The Salesman

Persepolis

Taxi Tehran

The Night

Under the Shadow

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This week's guest is James Romm, author of Demetrius: Sacker of Cities. James is an Ancient Historian and an expert in the period after the death of Alexander, when 5 families fought for control of his empire. Demetrius was one of them, and was a hugely attractive figure.

Oliver and James chat about whether Alexander was murdered, Pyrrhus of Epirus and what would the ancient world would have looked like had Alexander had survived. We'd all be speaking Greek, no doubt.

Coming up, the Film Club continues with Argo, directed by Ben Affleck. Please subscribe and rate and review if you can.

James Romm Links

Demetrius: Sacker of Cities

Ghost on the Throne: The Death of Alexander the Great and the Bloody Fight for his Empire

James on Twitter

Aspects of History Links

Alexander the Great in the Dock - Aspects of History

Ollie on Twitter

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My guest this week is the author Anthony Seldon, author of a number of bestselling books on British Prime Ministers. His latest book is a departure, though, and is an account of his walk along the Western Front Way, tracing the trenches from Switzerland to the Belgian coast.

We talk about why the Great War has that emotional pull, his inspiration in setting the walk up, and we talk about British Prime Ministers whose sons were killed in the war, or who were affected by the conflict.

This episode makes a good companion piece to my talk with Gary Sheffield on the history of the First World War, although with Anthony the discussion is more about the emotions the war prompts.

There's also short trailer at the end for another podcast from friend and author Giles Milton, so do listen to that.

Anthony Seldon Links

Path of Peace: Walking the Western Front Way

The Western Front Way

Aspects of History Links

The Great War: Was it a Waste? - Aspects of History

Ollie on Twitter

Giles Milton's New Podcast

Ministry of Secrets

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Your host is Oliver Webb-Carter and this is the Aspects of History Podcast. You'll hear what you can expect on the Pod. Legendary historians, great history, topical subjects, specials and bonus episodes including the new Film Club.

So do subscribe and join Oliver as he delves into the world of History.

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My guest this week is the legendary filmmaker John Sayles, who has just written an epic novel, Jamie MacGillivray, set during the French & Indian War. We talk about the history, Native American tribes and Scotland at the time of the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion. The French & Indian War was part of the wider Seven Years War conflict, which Winston Churchill described as the first world war.

John's films have a strong historical theme, so we discuss his career, and go on to talk about filmmaking today, and the new challenges posed by streaming services.

John Sayles Links

Jamie MacGillivray: The Renegade's Journey

Lone Star (1996)

John on Twitter

Aspects of History Links

Aspects of History's Top 10 War Films - Aspects of History

Ollie on Twitter

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My guest this week is the bestselling author of the Medieval period Ian Mortimer. We get to grips with the issues of the era, including when it starts and ends; the introduction of time; slavery, serfdom and inequality; the Black Death; the Middle Ages on film, Edward III and Richard III, and plenty more.

Ian is a fascinating historian who makes you think about a period that is often dismissed by certain historians and Tarantino crime lords as simply being about torture and brutality, but the truth is far more interesting.

Ian Mortimer's Links

Medieval Horizons: Why the Middle Ages Matter

The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England

Ollie Links

Ollie on Twitter

Latest article: Top 10 War Films

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In the first of a new series of bonus episodes, the Aspects of History Film Club discusses Lincoln, directed by Steven Spielberg with friend of the show Director Tim Hewitt. Released more than ten years ago, it won Daniel Day Lewis his third Oscar for Best Actor. With a host of acting talent including Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones, Jared Harris and Gloria Reuben, the film covers the political machinations that led to the 13th Amendment, to the Constitution of the United States to abolish slavery.

We discuss Most Unlikely Scene, Best Performance and Legacy, as well as veering off on a few tangents involving Jared Harris, other Civil War films, The West Wing and a small homage to John Sayles' Lone Star (1996).

Next film in the club: Argo (2012)

Links

IMDB Lincoln

Book on which the film is based: Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Tim Hewitt on Twitter

Ollie on Twitter

Email Ollie - [email protected]

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