Episodes
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Between 1763 and 1767 two British surveyors, Charles Mason and Nathaniel Dixon, established the dividing line between the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware. For the two hundred years since, the Mason Dixon Line became known as the cultural divide between North and South, Union and Confederate. But is that correct?
Jonn Elledge joins to discuss this and other boundaries including Ireland, India & Pakistan, Israel & Palestine, and most controversial of all, Middlesex.
Jonn Elledge Links
A History of the World in 47 Borders
Jonn on Substack
Jonn on X
Aspects of History
Mason & Dixon, by Thomas Pynchon
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Ollie on X
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On the 25th October 1415, the English under Henry V met with the French on the field of Agincourt. The resulting victory, and it was a total victory, has gone down in history alongside Blenheim and Waterloo as the finest by an English or British army.
Gordon Corrigan joins to discuss the build up, the internal strife in England and France, the battle itself and the aftermath.
Part One: Crécy
Part Two: Poitiers
Gordon Corrigan Links
A Great and Glorious Adventure – A History of the Hundred Years War
Agincourt
Finest Hours: Crecy, Poitiers, Agincourt
Aspects of History Links
Ollie discusses Agincourt with Jacob Rees Mogg on GB News (50mins in)
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Ollie on X
Aspects of History on Instagram
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When France fell in June 1940, the country agreed an armistice with Nazi Germany, and a period of collaboration began, both in occupied France, and with the Vichy government.
Pirate Irwin joins to discuss deportation of the Jews, score-settling, the personalities involved and the murky moral compromises that were made.
Pirate Irwin Links
The Tortured Detective
Pirate on X
Aspects of History Links
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Ollie on X
Aspects of History on Instagram
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On a cold and dark night in February 1942, a company of paratroopers dropped on snow covered occupied France - their target: the Würzburg radar.
Max Hastings joins to discuss the thrilling raid, the personalities involved and its impact on the British bombing effort.
Max Hastings Links
Operation Biting: The 1942 Parachute Assault to Capture Hitler’s Radar
Aspects of History Links
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Ollie on X
Aspects of History on Instagram
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Concluding our 80th Anniversary D-Day celebrations, Tim Hewitt joins Ollie to discuss the 1962 classic starring John Wayne, Mel Ferrer, Robert Wagner, Richard Burton, Robert Mitchum, Robert Ryan, Henry Fonda, Richard Todd, Kenneth More, Sean Connery, Curd Jurgens and a host of other Hollywood stars.
But is it any good? And should Cornelius Ryan have been allowed to write the screenplay? And, what about the CGI?
All these questions, and more, are answered in this month's Film Club.
Links
The Longest Day on Wikipedia
The Longest Day on IMDB
Why John Wayne’s Role in the Longest Day Was Hated by Everyone
Ollie on X
Tim on X
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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
Get in touch: [email protected]
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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
Get in touch: [email protected]
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
Get in touch: [email protected]
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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A bonus episode sees the historical consultant of the new Disney series Shardlake join to discuss disability and the Dissolution of the Monasteries, and the history behind the new show. Based on the novels written by C.J.Sansom who died on Saturday 27th April.
Shardlake Links
Shardlake on Disney
Dissolution by CJ Sansom
Antonia Senior tribute to CJ Sansom
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Iran & Britain are old friends, they've had ups and downs, and it's probably fair to say we're going through a difficult patch right now, but who better than Ali Ansari to talk about the historical relationship through much of the 20th century. Ali is a child of Iranians, but lives and was brought up here in Britain, where he is Professor of Modern History at St. Andrew's University in Scotland. We talk the Constitutional Revolution of 1906, the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, Mossadegh and the Coup of 1953, and the Shah of Iran who was overthrown in 1979.
Those of Iranian descent, and of course any others, please do get in touch: [email protected]
Ali Ansari Links
Ali's Book: Iran
Ali 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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On the 19th April 1600, after nearly two years at sea, William Adams, one of only nine surviving crew members, made land at modern day Usuki, on the east coast of Japan. He was starving, scurvy ridden and close to death. So began an extraordinary story as Adams rose up the ranks to become a revered figure in Japan even today. So much so that a new Disney TV series, Shogun has been making waves starring Cosmo Jarvis as Adams and Giles Milton joins to tell his story.
Giles Milton Links
Samurai William
Shogun
Giles on X
Aspects of History Links
Episode on the Japan of Shogun
Ollie on X
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The release of The Passion of the Christ in 2004 caused outrage, fury and accusations of antisemitism and sadomasochism. With Easter recently celebrated, we thought it time to re-examine Mel Gibson's passion project (sorry), as director Tim Hewitt joins to talk Jim Caviezel, controversy and even a QAnon.
Links
The Passion of the Christ on Wikipedia
The Passion of the Christ on IMDB
Interview with Mel Gibson
Christopher Hitchens on Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ
Ollie on X
Tim on X
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The Berlin Wall stood for 28 years, but up until the very end, on the 9th November 1989, the whole world thought it was permanent. It's now 35 years since the Wall fell, but how did it get built, what was its impact, and how did it fall?
Iain MacGregor, author of Checkpoint Charlie, joins as we go back the dark days of the Cold War through to its end.
Iain MacGregor Links
Checkpoint Charlie: The Cold War, the Berlin Wall and the Most Dangerous Place on Earth
Iain on X
Aspects of History Links
Berlin Wall - OIlie at the Wall
Ollie on X
Get in touch: [email protected]
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