History Book Club

By Oliver Webb-CarterNews Arts Books Politics History

History Book Club episodes

May 10 19. Weimar with Katja Hoyer
On the morning of 30 January 1933 Adolf Hitler was sworn in as Chancellor of Germany. There are many dates that can be used to identify the end of the Weimar Republic, but this is probably the most appropriate. The constitution that had held since 1919 was in mortal danger.
Weimar, the town which gave the Republic its name, by Hitler incidentally, is the title of a new book by Katja Hoyer, bestselling author of Blood & Iron and Beyond the Wall. We discuss the atmosphere best exemplified by the people of the pretty little town, but one that had a dark secret nearby.
Katja Hoyer Links
Weimar
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45 min
May 03 18. Special Forces in WW2 & Lawfare with Damien Lewis
Today the bestselling author Damien Lewis joins to discuss Special Forces ops in the Second World War, including the SAS, the SBS and the little known Greek version, the Sacred Squadron.
Added to that we chat the latest news on Paddy Mayne, one of the originators of the SAS and then, as you heard at the top, we discuss the ongoing lawfare, as the British government seeks to pursue army veterans in the courts, for ops carried out during the Troubles. Damien gives his view.
Damien Lewis Links
SAS Great Escapes 5
Sacred Squadron on YT
Write to your MP
Damien Lewis Events

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44 min
April 26 17. The JFK Assassination with Martin Fitzgerald
On 22 November 1963 at 1230 in the afternoon, shots fired out a President Kennedy’s motorcade in downtown Dallas, Texas. Now, we all know it was definitely Lee Harvey Oswald from the Book Depository with a rifle and a magic bullet but, what about the witnesses? There were a collection of intriguing and disparate characters in Dealey Plaza that day, and I’m speaking with the man who has written about them.
Martin Fitzgerald is a long time expert on the assassination, and he’s written a book about the interesting stories related to but not all about grassy knolls and second shooters. He joins me for a chat about one of the most talked about events of the 20th century.
Martin Fitzgerald Links
The Umbrella Man & Other Stories
The Men Who Killed Kennedy (YT)
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46 min
April 19 16. Britannia Ruled the Waves with Andrew Lambert
Have you been hearing about the shortcomings of the British military? Were you following the painful and depressing journey of seemingly the only warship in the Royal Navy, HMS Dragon? Well today I have a conversation with a naval historian and military strategist, Andrew Lambert, who has written No More Napoleons, a book on the 19th century when Britain neutralised European threats.
We discuss the figures such as Wellington and Palmerston who executed a well thought out and realistic national strategy, and we contrast that with recent failures of politicians and military leaders and the state of strategic thought today.
Andrew Lambert Links
No More Napoleons⁠
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56 min
April 12 15. The Cambridge Spy Ring with Antonia Senior
The Cambridge Spy Ring has cast a shadow over the British establishment since the exposure of Donald Maclean and Guy Burgess in 1951. Along with Kim Philby, Anthony Blunt and John Cairncross, they gave a vast amount of secrets to the Soviets, particularly during the Second World War when Stalin had allied with Hitler until 1941.
Antonia Senior, author of a new book on the Cambridge 5, Stalin’s Apostles, joins to discuss their treachery, who they really harmed, and whether there is any romantic notion to their espionage driven by ideology.
Antonia Senior Links
Stalin's Apostles
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51 min
April 05 14. Film Club: Titanic (1997)

Titanic Links
Five Titanic myths spread by films
⁠⁠⁠⁠Our Awards
Best Performance
Most Egregious Overracting
Biggest Plot Flaw
Historical Inaccuracy
What if Tarantino Made It?
Who won the film?
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1 hr 13 min
March 29 13. Nuclear Weapons with David Holloway
We are now in an age of nuclear uncertainty, as wars have broken out around the globe and great powers realign. Britain is apparently a nuclear power but relies on the United States for its deterrant, and should the worst happened, would the Prime Minister really authorise a launch of the trident missiles?
And what about the number of nukes? There are over 10,000 in the world today, but should there be?
Joining today is David Holloway, author of Nuclear Weapons: An International History, as we discuss bombs in the 20th century, and more recently, and I ask the questions that perhaps you always wanted to, such as why are there so many of the damn things?
David Holloway Links
Nuclear Weapons: An International History
Link to the Wargame discussed
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47 min
March 23 12. Themistocles with Michael Scott
Themistocles was a leading Athenian politician and general in the early 5th Century. He fought at Marathon in 490BC, and played a leading role during the Greco-Persian Wars and was the lead admiral at the Battle of Salamis in 480BC when the Persians were defeated, thus ending their chance of conquering Greece.
But it was his decision in the intervening years between Marathon and Salamis to direct the revenue gained from silver mines at Laurium that would set Athens on a course that would lead to its Empire, war with Sparta, and the Classical Age which saw Pericles’ building programme including the Parthenon.
Michael Scott joins, Professor of Ancient history at my old university Warwick, author of a new book, Themistocles: The Rise and Fall of Athens’ Naval Mastermind.
Michael Scott Links
Themistocles: The Rise and Fall of Athens’ Naval Mastermind
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48 min
March 16 11. Rasputin & Russia with Antony Beevor
The great historian Antony Beevor joins today to discuss his new book, Rasputin, so we talk the mad monk, Russia then and now and Putin’s grip on history.
Antony Beevor Links
Rasputin And the Downfall of the Romanovs
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40 min
March 09 10. Film Club: Master & Commander (2003)
This is the first movie to appear on the History Book Club pod. It's the greatest naval film of all time, the Russell Crowe flick, Master & Commander.
In this episode we discuss the lesser of two weevils, cowardly French, the better of two Maxes and much much more.
Master & Commander Links
⁠Bixby Letter⁠⁠⁠James Holland on Saving Private Ryan
⁠⁠Our Awards
Best Performance
Most Egregious Overracting
Biggest Plot Flaw
Historical Inaccuracy
What if Tarantino Made It?
Who won the film?
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1 hr 22 min

About History Book Club

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to the History Book Club - the club for all lovers of history, presented by writer and historian Oliver Webb-Carter. Oliver interviews authors of the best historical writing, to draw out the stories that you'll be interested in.