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 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
52
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
53
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
54
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
55
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
56
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
57
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
58
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
59
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
60
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
61
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
62
The Gunpowder Plot with Peter Tonkin
Remember, remember, the 5th of November, Gunpowder, treason and plot.
50 min
63
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
64
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
65
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
66
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
67
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
68
Christendom vs. the Caliphate with Simon Mayall
On the 11th September 1683, at the great city of Vienna, the armies of the Ottoman Empire were preparing to storm the city, but their scouts to the west noticed a vast cavalry force approaching.
57 min
69
Ovid with Fiona Forsyth
Publius Ovidius Naso was a Roman poet much of whose life coincided with the reign of Augustus.
37 min
70
Naples 1944 with Keith Lowe
Within months of the allies liberation of Naples in October of 1943 the city was plunged into the horrors of disease, starvation, prostitution and racketeering.
45 min
71
Henry V with Dan Jones
On the 25th October 1415 Henry V led the English army onto the field of Agincourt.
50 min
72
Film Club: A Bridge Too Far (1977)
Our Operation Market Garden series concludes with a chat on the 1977 classic directed by Richard Attenborough.
80 min
73
Operation Market Garden with Gordon Corrigan & ...
At 3 o’clock in the afternoon on the 20th September 1944 in Nijmegen, Holland, men of the 504th regiment, US 82nd Airborne embarked in canvas rowing boats and began an amphibious assault that was one of the most heroic in military history.
83 min
74
Operation Market Garden: Black Tuesday with Al ...
On Sunday the 17th September 1944 the 1st Airborne Division began dropping into Arnhem to begin a battle that remains iconic to this day.
48 min
75
Operation Market Garden: Arnhem with Saul David
Arnhem was one of the greatest battles fought by the British in World War Two. 10,000 men went in, but only 2,000 came out.
49 min