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.
51
The Nazi Mind with Laurence Rees
During Nazi rule it is estimated that 8 million Germans were members of the party, that’s around 10% of the population.
50 min
52
The Nazis & the German Royal Family with Stepha...
On 9th November 1918 Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated the German crown and retired to Holland where he learnt Dutch and began a passion for archaeology. But during the rise of the Nazis hope was raised that he could once more stride the imperial stage arm in arm with Adolf Hitler.
46 min
53
Athens, Sparta and Honour with Paul A. Rahe
In a continuation of Saturday’s discussion with Paul Rahe, we delve into the Peloponnesian War after the Sicilian Expedition, as the Spartans take Persian gold to subdue their democratic rivals Athens.
33 min
54
Athens, Sparta and the Sicilian Expedition with...
In 415BC, the Athenian Empire, during a lull in the Peloponnesian War against the Spartans, voted to embark on a massive campaign to capture Syracuse.
29 min
55
The Mafia & the Kennedys with Louis Ferrante Pa...
On the 22nd November 1963 President John F Kennedy was assassinated…..by Lee Harvey Oswald right?
33 min
56
The Mafia & the Kennedys with Louis Ferrante Pa...
In early 1957, the Robert F Kennedy and his brother Jack were part of the US Senate Rackets Committee and they both attacked the notorious Jimmy Hoffa, the leader of the Teamsters union and a man with numerous connections to the mob.
31 min
57
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
58
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
59
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
60
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
61
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
62
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
63
Film Club: Apocalypse Now (1979)
This month’s film club is Apocalypse Now, Francis Ford Coppola’s 1979 masterpiece.
54 min
64
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
65
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
66
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
67
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
68
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
69
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
70
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
71
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
72
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
73
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
74
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
75
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