Intelligence Squared Cultural Favourites from the Archives – Letters That Changed The World
Jan 1, 2023
Simon Sebag Montefiore, an award-winning historian, teams up with bestselling novelist Kate Mosse to explore powerful letters from history. They discuss emotional correspondences from iconic figures like Michelangelo and Rosa Parks, emphasizing the unique storytelling within letters. The conversation highlights the poignant letter of a soldier during the WWI Christmas truce and a heart-wrenching note from a Holocaust survivor. Themes of resilience, love, and the transformative power of written words offer deep insights into our shared humanity.
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Unexpected Letters
- Simon Sebag Montefiore receives letters from people claiming to be Romanovs after writing a book about them.
- He also received a cryptic letter from a long-lost love.
Author's Anecdotes
- Kate Mosse wrote a letter pretending to be dead to avoid an essay deadline.
- She also received criticism about owl noises in her book from an Owl Appreciation Society member.
Christmas Truce
- During Christmas 1914, a truce occurred between British and German soldiers in WWI.
- They exchanged greetings, gifts, and autographs, capturing a moment of humanity amid war.
