Shows
The History Book BuffsStorm of Steel and All Quiet on the Western Front: A WW1 classics showdownTwo masterpieces. Two utterly different visions of war. In this episode, the History Book Buffs go head-to-head over Storm of Steel by Ernst Jünger and All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque — the twin titans of German World War I literature.Which novel best captures the brutal reality of trench warfare? Was Jünger a fearless warrior-poet — or a dangerous sociopath? And why did the German far right celebrate one book and condemn the other?We explore:🔸 The raw, unflinching detail of Jünger's memoir🔸 Remarque's anti-war classic and its enduring...2025-08-0727 minThe History Book BuffsThe Siege: Terror and the SAS in the London Iranian Embassy Siege of 1980.In this episode, Roger Moorhouse and Antonia Senior delve into Ben McIntyre's gripping narrative, "The Siege," which masterfully recounts the harrowing events of the 1980 Iranian Embassy siege in London. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, McIntyre brings to life the tension and drama of those six days, exploring the complex motivations of both the hostages and their captors. His compassionate portrayal of human resilience and vulnerability under extreme pressure offers profound insights into the nature of courage and fear. Join us as we discuss how McIntyre's work not only captivates readers but also sheds light on a pivotal moment...2025-07-2429 minThe History Book BuffsWhich books shaped our lives? The HistoryBookBuffs take the 3 Book Challenge.🎙️ Top Historian Roger Moorhouse & Critic Antonia Senior Take the 3 Book Challenge! 📚In this fascinating episode of The History Book Buffs, acclaimed historian Roger Moorhouse (author of First to Fight and Devil's Alliance) and celebrated writer and critic Antonia Senior (The Tyrant's Shadow, The Winter Isles) tackle the ultimate book lover's test — the 3 Book Challenge:Which book changed your life?Which book do you wish you had written?Which book should be mentioned in your obituary?Expect powerful insights, surprising choices, and a passionate discussion about literature, legacy, and the books that...2025-07-1031 min
Aspects of HistorySummer Reads with The GangThis week three writers join to talk summer reading recommendations from the world of history and historical fiction.
Books
The Spy in the Archive
Sceptred Isle
Rain of Ruin
Test Cricket: A History
The Pretender
Korea
The CIA Book Club
Lest We Forget
1945 The Reckoning
On Democracy & Death Cults
Last Days of Budapest
The Sorrow & the Loss
These Wicked Devices
March Violets - Bernie Gunther
The Good...2025-07-091h 31Aspects of HistorySummer Reads with The GangThis week three writers join to talk summer reading recommendations from the world of history and historical fiction.
Books
The Spy in the Archive
Sceptred Isle
Rain of Ruin
Test Cricket: A History
The Pretender
Korea
The CIA Book Club
Lest We Forget
1945 The Reckoning
On Democracy & Death Cults
Last Days of Budapest
The Sorrow & the Loss
These Wicked Devices
March Violets - Bernie Gunther
The Good...2025-07-091h 31The History Book BuffsTanks, Blitzkriegs and Battlefields.🔊 EPISODE DESCRIPTION:In this episode, we dive into the powerhouse new release Tank by Mark Urban, a thrilling and thought-provoking history of the most iconic weapon of the 20th century. From the muddy trenches of World War I to the sweeping mechanized offensives of World War II and the Cold War arms race, we chart the evolution of the tank—and its central role in shaping how wars are fought.We unpack how Blitzkrieg tactics, armoured warfare, and tank design evolved across the 20th century, and what this means for the future of ground combat. Is th...2025-06-2631 minThe History Book BuffsWhy Did Millions Follow Hitler? Reading The Nazi Mind by Laurence Rees.🎧 What Made Nazism So Seductively Dangerous? | Roger Moorhouse & Antonia Senior on The Nazi MindWhy did millions of ordinary people embrace Nazism? In this compelling episode, historian Roger Moorhouse joins writer and critic Antonia Senior to explore The Nazi Mind — the latest book by bestselling author Laurence Rees.Together, they delve into the dark psychology, propaganda, and social pressures that made one of the most destructive ideologies in history seem irresistible to so many.🔍 From Hitler’s warped worldview to the machinery of manipulation, this conversation unpacks how the Nazi mindset took root — and why it s...2025-06-1234 minThe History Book BuffsIs this the bloodiest war of the Twentieth Century? Reviewing Korea, War Without End, by Richard Dannatt and Robert Lyman🇰🇷 Why the Korean War Still Matters | Forgotten Battles, Cold War Flashpoints & Raw Human Stories 🎙️Military history enthusiasts—especially those fascinated by World War II, the Cold War, and the real cost of combat—won’t want to miss this deep-dive podcast episode. The @TheHistoryBookBuffs unpack the powerful new book Korea by General Richard Dannatt and Robert Lyman, a searing and insightful look at a war too often forgotten by the West.📚 What you'll hear in this episode: - Why the Korean War was one of the bloodiest conflicts of the 20th...2025-05-2931 minThe History Book BuffsThe End of World War 2. Have we got it all wrong? Reviewing Victory '45 by Al Murray and James Hollland, and 45: The Reckoning by Phil CraigIn this episode of the book review podcast, award-winning historian Roger Moorhouse and journalist Antonia Senior reflect on VE Day and discuss two significant books. 'Victory 45' by James Holland and Al Murray, which explores the final weeks of World War II through key surrenders. 'The Reckoning' by Phil Craig, which examines the global implications of the war's end, particularly in relation to colonialism and the aftermath in various regions. The discussion highlights the complexities of historical narratives, the human experiences during the war, and the importance of understanding the broader context of empire and its consequences. The speakers...2025-05-1537 minThe History Book BuffsRAIN OF RUIN - Firebombing, nuclear weapons and the ethics of war.In this explosive episode, award-winning historian Roger Moorhouse and journalist Antonia Senior dive deep into Richard Overy’s Rain of Ruin — a powerful exploration of the American bombing campaign against Japan at the end of World War II. From the devastating firebombing of Tokyo to the moral reckoning of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, they discuss whether conventional or atomic bombings were more decisive in Japan's surrender.🔍 What’s inside:A deep dive into Rain of Ruin by Richard OveryThe role of firebombing vs. atomic bombing in ending WWIIHow the Japanese governmen...2025-05-0135 min
Aspects of HistoryBooks of the Year with the GangIt's time for this year’s Books of the Year podcast. We talk histories of the Middle East, medieval kings, nautical novels and naval epics plus much more. Roger Moorhouse, Antonia Senior and Richard Foreman join for an informal chat.Books of the Year - LinksArnhem: Black Tuesday Time of the ChildThe Eagle and the HartThe Price of VictoryNaples 1944The Wide Wide SeaHenry VThe House of WarIzabela the ValiantThe Pea...2024-11-301h 04Aspects of HistoryBooks of the Year with the GangIt's time for this year’s Books of the Year podcast. We talk histories of the Middle East, medieval kings, nautical novels and naval epics plus much more. Roger Moorhouse, Antonia Senior and Richard Foreman join for an informal chat.Books of the Year - LinksArnhem: Black Tuesday Time of the ChildThe Eagle and the HartThe Price of VictoryNaples 1944The Wide Wide SeaHenry VThe House of WarIzabela the ValiantThe Pea...2024-11-301h 04
Aspects of HistoryBooks of the Year So Far with The GangThis week three writers join to talk summer reading recommendations from the world of history and historical fiction.BooksParis '44, Patrick BishopThe King's Mother, Annie GarthwaiteIzabela the Valiant, Adam ZamoyskiEndgame 1944, Jonathan DimblebySky Warriors, Saul DavidThe Muse of History, Oswyn MurrayBonjour, Sophie, Elizabeth BuchanIran, Ali AnsariSpy Masters, VariousThe CIA, Hugh WilfordThe Eastern Front, Nick LloydThe Sleeping Beauties, Lucy AsheGuests2024-07-311h 25Aspects of HistoryBooks of the Year So Far with The GangThis week three writers join to talk summer reading recommendations from the world of history and historical fiction.BooksParis '44, Patrick BishopThe King's Mother, Annie GarthwaiteIzabela the Valiant, Adam ZamoyskiEndgame 1944, Jonathan DimblebySky Warriors, Saul DavidThe Muse of History, Oswyn MurrayBonjour, Sophie, Elizabeth BuchanIran, Ali AnsariSpy Masters, VariousThe CIA, Hugh WilfordThe Eastern Front, Nick LloydThe Sleeping Beauties, Lucy AsheGuests2024-07-311h 25
SpyMastersIntelligence and the Holocaust, with Roger MoorhouseIn this episode, we talk to Roger Moorhouse, the acclaimed historian of Central and Eastern Europe. Roger's new book, The Forgers, is the fascinating story of how a group of Polish diplomats sought to save Jewish victims of the Holocaust by issuing false passports.Roger's book also covers the subject of espionage and the holocaust, and how the brave agents of Polish intelligence sought to bring news of the horrific genocide to the outside world. This is the fascinating subject of this week's episode.https://aspectsofhistory.com/spy-masters-podcasts/Buy the book here: https...2024-07-041h 04
SpyMastersIntroducing....The SpyMasters PodcastThe podcast on espionage that brings you in from the cold. Episode One released Feb 1st with ex CIA office and bestselling novelist David McCloskey, author of Damascus Station and Moscow X.SpyMasters is a new podcast from the team at Aspects of History. Every fortnight we will cover a story from the shadow lands of espionage. Fact and fiction, historical and contemporary, we will be talking to the best writers, established and emerging talents alike, about their books and worlds of spies and intelligence.Early episodes include Francis Walsingham’s spying monk with S.J...2024-01-3002 min
Aspects of History2023 Books of the Year with The GangAntonia Senior, Roger Moorhouse and Richard Foreman join Ollie to discuss their books of the year, as well as current events.Please Note:Episode Recorded 17th November 2023One guest does curse..Get in touch:history@aspectsofhistory.comX/TwitterBooks of the YearOne Fine Day, Matthew ParkerAdama, Lavie TidharHitler, Stalin, Mum and Dad, Daniel FinkelsteinConflict, General David Petraeus & Andrew RobertsHomer & His Iliad, Robin Lane FoxThe Temple of...2023-11-281h 07Aspects of History2023 Books of the Year with The GangAntonia Senior, Roger Moorhouse and Richard Foreman join Ollie to discuss their books of the year, as well as current events.Please Note:Episode Recorded 17th November 2023One guest does curse..Get in touch:history@aspectsofhistory.comX/TwitterBooks of the YearOne Fine Day, Matthew ParkerAdama, Lavie TidharHitler, Stalin, Mum and Dad, Daniel FinkelsteinConflict, General David Petraeus & Andrew RobertsHomer & His Iliad, Robin Lane FoxThe Temple of...2023-11-281h 07
Aspects of HistoryBooks of the Year with The GangThis week three writers join me to talk summer reading recommendations from the world of history and historical fiction.BooksSerhii Plokhy - The Russo Ukrainian WarOwen Matthews - OverreachNigel Biggar - ColonialismVictoria Mackenzie - For Thy Great PainRoger Moorhouse – The ForgersTom Holland - PaxSaul David - Devil DogsJohn Sayles – Jamie MacGillivrayDavid Carpenter - Henry III pt 2Martyn Rady – The Middle KingdomsWilbur Smith – NemesisKatie Da...2023-07-0459 minAspects of HistoryBooks of the Year with The GangThis week three writers join me to talk summer reading recommendations from the world of history and historical fiction.BooksSerhii Plokhy - The Russo Ukrainian WarOwen Matthews - OverreachNigel Biggar - ColonialismVictoria Mackenzie - For Thy Great PainRoger Moorhouse – The ForgersTom Holland - PaxSaul David - Devil DogsJohn Sayles – Jamie MacGillivrayDavid Carpenter - Henry III pt 2Martyn Rady – The Middle KingdomsWilbur Smith – NemesisKatie Da...2023-07-0459 min