History
Masters of the Air
Paul Bingley, historian of the Eighth Air Force, delves into the making of the Apple TV series and the brave airmen who fought in the bombing campaign.
Just over seven years ago, I wrote a letter to Tom Hanks. I’d recently finished reading Donald L. Miller’s seminal Eighth Air Force book, Masters of the Air. In it, Miller used excerpts from another book I was familiar with – The Mighty Men of the 381st: Heroes All,...
Historical Heroes: Nell Gwyn
The embodiment of Restoration England, and Charles II’s mistress described by Pepys as “pretty, witty Nell”.
If a hero is a person who is greatly admired for their courage, outstanding achievements or noble qualities, then the phrase “folk hero” has a slightly different emphasis. A folk hero is someone who is popular with and respected particularly by the ordinary people....
AoH Book Club: Gavin Mortimer on The Phoney Major
We spoke to Gavin Mortimer about the creation, and reception, of our Book Club pick The Phoney Major.
AoH Book Club: Gavin Mortimer on The Phoney Major Gavin, The Phoney Major changed the conversation when it comes to the founding of the SAS in 1941. How was the book received? I believe it wasn’t very well received in some quarters; not because what I...
The Spice Race
The hunt for spices saw the beginnings of globalisation as the Portuguese, Spanish and later the Dutch ventured to the Spice Islands.
On 10 August 1519, five ships set sail from Seville to a burst of cannon fire. They slipped down the Guadalquivir – the great river of Southern Spain – and headed out into the Atlantic Ocean. They were commanded by a Portuguese adventurer, Fernão de Magalhães, who had...
Episode 173
Forgotten Armour, by Jack Bowsher
This excellent book is an accessible study of the Burma campaign as a whole.
Jack Bowsher has set out in this book – his first – to reprise the role of armour in the Burma campaign. He has achieved much more, however, as this excellent book is an accessible study of the campaign as a whole. It has much to recommend it. The fruit of lots of...
Episode 172
Secrets of the Anglo-Saxons: Richard Foreman interviews Cat Jarman
Author and publisher Richard Foreman met medieval historian Cat Jarman to discuss The Bone Chests.
Cat Jarman, Can you first tell us about the genesis of The Bone Chests? What prompted you to write the book? I first learnt about these chests more than decade ago and have been intrigued by them ever since. The chests are completely unique: there’s nowhere else in...
Fairfax Of Virginia
Sir Thomas Fairfax's descendants were intertwined with American history.
The Fairfax family occupies a unique and largely forgotten place in the story of America, as the only members of the House of Lords - the Peerage - to have been long-time residents of the United States for over 150 years. First as colonialists and then as citizens of...