Subject to Change

An absolute joy to spend an hour and a half with history professors David Abulafia and Bret Devereaux. We started with the founding of Alexandria and travelled back and forth in time and all around the Mediterranean. The starting point for the discussion was David's magnificent book the Great Sea but Bret had plenty to add. (Check out his blog here).You can send a message to the show/feedback by clicking here. The system doesn't let me reply so if you need one please include your email.

Peter Pomerantsev is the author of two outstanding books. The first is Nothing Is True and Everything is Possible. It has some wonderful stories which he made into programmes while working in Russian TV from 2006. Fascinating and sometimes heartbreaking. The next is This is Not Propaganda (adventures in the war against reality). This is about online propaganda, troll farms and influence operations and again is crammed with fascinating tales of Peter's investigations.You can send a message to the show/feedback by clicking here. The system doesn't let me reply so if you need one please include your email.

Bean blogs on naval warfare here. He writes on modern naval warfare (well, from the mid 19th century). His first love is battleships but it goes much wider than this. We talked about battleships (the Yamato in particular), the fate of the French fleet in WWII, whether carriers are obsolete and the Falklands War. If you like this kind of thing then, well, this is the kind of thing you may very well like.Bean is also a big hit over at  Astral Codex Ten where his posts in the comments section generate a lot of interest.You can send a message to the show/feedback by clicking here. The system doesn't let me reply so if you need one please include your email.

David Goodhart, a British journalist and author, delves into the divides within British society, particularly the contrasting identities of 'Anywheres' and 'Somewheres.' He discusses the ramifications of Brexit on immigration and cultural identity, highlighting integration challenges faced by various groups. Goodhart advocates for rebalancing societal esteem towards manual jobs and caregiving roles, stressing their importance post-pandemic. He also explores the search for meaning in today's world and the need for a more inclusive approach to feminism and family support.

Professor of ancient history Bret Devereaux concludes his two part evaluation of military strategy in the Lord of the Rings. The Witch King gets two thumbs up. I'm rag tag and bobtail.Check out the blog for more on the Siege of Gondor, Lord of the Rings and much, much more.You can send a message to the show/feedback by clicking here. The system doesn't let me reply so if you need one please include your email.

Roger Crowley takes us through the struggles between the Ottoman Turks and the Knights of St John in the Mediterranean in the mid 1500's.  Astonishing stories. My favourite line 'Once the Venetians learned Bragadin had been skinned alive they were determined to have the battle, on their own if need be'.  Roger's book Empires of the Sea is top rank narrative history - highly recommended. You can send a message to the show/feedback by clicking here. The system doesn't let me reply so if you need one please include your email.

Bret Devereaux is a teaching assistant professor of history at North Carolina State University and is the author of this magnificent blog that covers ancient history generally with military history as the main focus. One of the genius ideas in the blog is to illuminate the subject by analysing fantasy literature. In this episode we talked about the battle of Helm's Deep (with forays into World War II and the world of the Carolingians and much else beside). Saruman's reputation as a general is not enhanced. Bret also spoke about Tolkien's place in the canon of World War I literature. I hope you enjoy it.You can send a message to the show/feedback by clicking here. The system doesn't let me reply so if you need one please include your email.

Tom Holland and Agnes Callard are both on top form reviewing the films 300 and Hero and discussing the history behind them. They unpick the politics too. Macabee Callard and I chip in.If you enjoy the podcast you will definitely enjoy Tom's book, Persian Fire. Highly recommended.You can send a message to the show/feedback by clicking here. The system doesn't let me reply so if you need one please include your email.

'They couldn't catch a break'. Invasion, the worst plague in history and climate change. Why the Roman Empire fell. Professor Kyle Harper is a wonderful guide to some really gruesome times. And after listening to the podcast check out his book, The Fate of Rome (or here if you are in the US). It has a great balance between telling a fantastic story and real academic rigour. Highly recommended.You can send a message to the show/feedback by clicking here. The system doesn't let me reply so if you need one please include your email.

Professor Abulafia has written a wonderful book, The Boundless Sea (or here if you are in the US)  about 'merchants, explorers, pirates, cartographers and travelers in their quests for spices, gold, ivory, slaves, lands for settlement and knowledge of what lay beyond'.  I enjoyed talking to him enormously.You can send a message to the show/feedback by clicking here. The system doesn't let me reply so if you need one please include your email.