The Patient Assassin by Anita Anand delves into the life of Udham Singh, an Indian revolutionary who assassinated Sir Michael O'Dwyer in revenge for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. The book explores Singh's journey from a low-caste orphan to a determined assassin, weaving together historical events and personal narratives. Anand's work provides a nuanced view of Singh and the broader context of India's struggle for independence.
In 'Vivid Faces', R.F. Foster delves into the lives of ordinary people who played pivotal roles in Ireland's Easter Rising, focusing on how they were galvanized by ideals of socialism, feminism, and new cultural movements. The book draws on personal letters and diaries to bring these characters to life, highlighting their rejection of traditional norms and their quest for independence from Britain.
The novel follows Charles Carruthers, a British Foreign Office employee, and his friend Arthur Davies as they sail through the North Sea and the Baltic. They stumble upon a mysterious German project in the Frisian Islands, which they eventually discover is a secret plan to transport a powerful German army across the North Sea to invade Britain's east coast. The story is filled with realistic details of sailing and the geography of the Frisian Islands, drawing from Childers' own sailing experiences. The novel is known for its authentic and detailed descriptions, which added to its authenticity and influence in the spy genre[3][4][5].
In 'Between Two Hells', Diarmaid Ferriter provides a nuanced exploration of the Irish Civil War, examining the motivations behind the conflict and its profound effects on Irish politics and society. The book delves into personal stories and experiences, using sources like the Military Pensions Archive to highlight the war's aftermath and its legacy in modern Ireland.
In *A Nation and Not a Rabble*, Diarmaid Ferriter provides a detailed analysis of the Irish Revolution, drawing on newly released archival material and testimonies from ordinary people who lived through this period. The book examines the gulf between political rhetoric and reality, the role of women, material survival, and the influence of key leaders during this tumultuous decade.
The 1916 Easter Rising was a definitive moment in 20th-century Irish history. Its memory was evoked throughout The Troubles, with republicans wearing commemorative Easter Lily badges to honour the revolutionary martyrs that came before them.
On Easter Monday in 1916, amongst the backdrop of the ongoing First World War, Irish revolutionaries brought the anti-colonial struggle to Britain’s doorstep.
Armed men and women stormed and seized important buildings across Dublin, and proclaimed the beginning of The Irish Republic. From the steps of the General Post Office, Patrick Pearse read the proclamation of independence that would be referred back to for generations. As the leaders of the revolution faced their tragic fate, we trace the journeys of three rebels who escaped execution: a countess with a pistol, a maths-teacher-turned-military-commander, and a young man from Cork who will soon oversee a guerrilla war campaign as the revolution is reborn…
Listen as Anita and William are joined by Diarmaid Ferriter, author of A Nation Not A Rabble, to discuss the impact of the Easter Rising.
_____________
Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes, book discounts, and a weekly newsletter! Head to empirepoduk.com to sign up.
Email: empire@goalhanger.com
Instagram: @empirepoduk
Blue Sky: @empirepoduk
X: @empirepoduk
goalhanger.com
Assistant Producer: Becki Hills
Producer: Anouska Lewis
Senior Producer: Callum Hill
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Empire 
