Aspects of History
The editor of Aspects of History, Ollie Webb-Carter, interviews historians and authors on the past - from the ancient world right up to the modern day. In each episode, Ollie seeks to get to the bottom of a story or scrutinise a figure from history. There are bonus episodes too, from current events and anniversaries to the Aspects of History Film Club.
26
Film Club: Salvador (1986)
On the 2nd December 1980, four American nuns were driving from San Salvador international airport when their van was attacked and run off the road. Men from the El Salvador National Guard, the ruling government’s military, dressed in civilian clothing, raped, shot, then buried the four women.
59 min
27
William Tell with Nick Hamm & Almut Seurbaum
Early in 14th century Switzerland was under the control of their far more powerful neighbour, Hapsburg Austria.
38 min
28
SAS Rogue Heroes Series 2 with Gavin Mortimer
Gavin Mortimer joins me this week for a rollicking ride through the invasion of Sicily and Italy with the SAS and Paddy Mayne, Bill Stirling and his brother David.
39 min
29
Espionage and Duplicity with William Boyd
Today’s episode is a chat with the acclaimed and bestselling author, William Boyd. He has written countless books including a Solo a Bond novel, screenplays, operas and he even took part in a brilliant art hoax with David Bowie.
47 min
30
The Naval History of Britain: The Rise with N.A...
On the afternoon of 31st May 1916 the Royal Navy’s Grand Fleet sighted ships of the Imperial German Navy’s High Seas Fleet and so began the major significant sea battle of the First World War.
33 min
31
The Naval History of Britain: Malaise with N.A....
On the 20th October 1827 in Navarino Bay on the west coast of the Peloponnese in Greece, the Royal Navy under Admiral Edward Codrington won its greatest victory post Trafalgar.
37 min
32
Film Club: Apocalypse Now (1979)
This month’s film club is Apocalypse Now, Francis Ford Coppola’s 1979 masterpiece.
54 min
33
Richard II & Henry IV with Helen Castor
At the end of June in 1399 Henry Bolingbroke, son of John of Gaunt and cousin to King Richard II, landed at Ravenspurn with a small force intent on the overthrow of Richard.
56 min
34
The Battle of the Bulge Part 2 with Gordon Corr...
In this second and concluding episode of our special on the Battle of the Bulge, it is Christmas Eve 1944 and the German advance has run aground as US troops counter-attack, and the weather cleared to allow the resumption of allied air superiority.
38 min
35
The Battle of the Bulge Part 1 with Gordon Corr...
On the morning of 16th December 1944 , German artillery opened up a massive barrage before Tiger tanks, supported by infantry, began their attack across the front line and into Allied territory.
36 min
36
Revenge of the Middle Aged Woman with Elizabeth...
In today’s episode we hear from a wonderful writer, Elizabeth Buchan. She’s been at the top of her game for many years now, and has recently written two books that take the reader to post war France and Italy, with both countries dealing with the trauma of WW2.
38 min
37
1066 with Adam Staten and Paul Bernardi
On the 14th October 1066 two armies faced each other on the south coast of England.
52 min
38
Books of the Year with the Gang
We talk histories of the Middle East, medieval kings, nautical novels and naval epics plus much more.
60 min
39
Film Club: All the President's Men (1976)
This month’s film club is the presidential thriller All the President's Men, directed by Alan J. Pakula, starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman
61 min
40
Aachen: Stalingrad of the West with Philip Blood
The great city of Aachen was of key strategic importance during the Second World War.
52 min
41
Monarchs with Charlie Higson
Charlie Higson joins, he's a comedy legend, actor, author of the young Bond novels and presenter of a successful podcast Willy Willy Harry Stee.
36 min
42
Trump: Foreign Policy & Intelligence with Micha...
As we all now are aware, Donald Trump will be the next American president. This episode looks into the intelligence and foreign policy implications, taking into account the US and UK’s shared history.
40 min
43
Churchill's German with Helen Fry
In 1937 a seventeen year old German arrived at Liverpool St station in London, not speaking the language, but with a strong sense of freedom considering the place he had left.
33 min
44
The Iranian Embassy Siege with Ben Macintyre
On the 30th April 1980 six armed Kuzhestanis burst into the Iranian Embassy at no.16 Prince’s Gate, in the smart London neighbourhood of Kensington.
48 min
45
The Gunpowder Plot with Peter Tonkin
Remember, remember, the 5th of November, Gunpowder, treason and plot.
50 min
46
The SAS in Italy with Gavin Mortimer
Early on the 10th July 1943, advance units of elite British troops landed on the island of Sicily, and began series of raids against the Germans to allow the larger force to land on the beaches.
55 min
47
Film Club: Alexander (2004)
This month’s film club is the epic Alexander, directed by Oliver Stone, starring Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie and Val Kilmer.
82 min
48
Blair 'Paddy' Mayne with Damien Lewis
Blair Paddy Mayne was one of the most decorated soldiers of the Second World War, and one of the original members of the SAS.
48 min
49
The Battle of Trafalgar with Michael Barritt
On the 21st October 1805, 27 ships of the line of the Royal Navy, under the command of Admiral Horatio Nelson engaged the combined fleets of France and Spain.
47 min
50
Horatio Nelson with Dominic Sandbrook
On the evening of 21st October 1805 Great Britain won perhaps her finest military victory, defeating the navies of France and Spain in one of the bloodiest naval battles at Trafalgar
53 min