In this second installment of their three-part exploration of the historiography of the Great War, Gary and Spencer dedicate a significant portion of their discussion to the influential works and impact of historian John Terraine. Much like other notable figures such as David Lloyd George, Basil Liddel Hart, and Sir James Edmonds, Terraine’s contributions have played a crucial role in shaping the understanding of this pivotal period in history. Terraine departed from conventional narratives that often-painted military leadership during the conflict as inept. He, a proponent of strategic realism, argued…
In this special report, Gary and Spencer delve into the recent comments made by acclaimed filmmaker Ridley Scott concerning historians, historical accuracy, and his latest film, “Napoleon.” Scott’s candid remark, “Excuse me, mate, were you there? No? Well, shut the f*** up then,” has sparked a conversation about the filmmaker’s perspective on historical criticism. Scott dismisses historical critiques of “Napoleon” by urging detractors to “get a life.” The podcast not only dissects Scott’s response but also initiates a broader exploration into the realm of historical methodology. From Ridley Scott’s outspoken…
In this bonus episode of the first season, historian and Western Front Association Trustee, Gerry White delves into Ireland’s military history from 1912 to 1923. Gerry, who served forty-three years in the Irish Defence Forces and retired in 2017, brings his expertise and insights to the discussion. The talk begins with the formation of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and the Irish Volunteers. In 1912, the Ulster Volunteer Force was established by Unionists in Ulster to resist home rule for Ireland. In response, the Irish Volunteers were formed in 1913…
In their comprehensive exploration of the historiography of the Great War from the end of the First World War up until the early 1960s, Gary and Spencer delve into the insights provided by several influential figures. Among them is David Lloyd George, the British Prime Minister during the Great War, whose memoirs and writings shed light on the political decision-making and strategies employed during the war. Basil Liddel Hart, a renowned military historian and strategist and Sir James Edmonds’ who wrote the official British history of World War One, based…
Gary interviews Spencer in a deep dive into the first Battle of Bull Run or Manassas. This was the first land engagement of the US Civil War was fought on 21 July, just 30 miles south of Washington—close enough for U.S. senators to witness the battle in person. Confederates called it the Battle of Manassas, after the closest town. Union soldiers called it Bull Run, after a stream running through the battlefield.
Gary interviews Spencer on one of Spencer’s favourite military history books, Paddy Griffith’s Battle Tactics of the American Civil War. Published in the 1980s, this volume reappraises the events, the weapons used, the men of the novice armies, their leaders and the strategies employed in the Civil War – which was fought with a new generation of weapons and trench systems similar to those of World War I. Spencer considers how the author argues that the conditions of combat were little changed from those of earlier times and far from…
Spencer interviews Gary about one of his favourite books, John Keegan’s Face of Battle. Published in 1976, it deals first with the structure of historical writing about battles, the strengths and weaknesses of the “battle piece,” and then with the structure of warfare in three time periods—medieval Europe, the Napoleonic Era, and World War I – by analysing three battles: Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme, all of which involved English soldiers and occurred in approximately the same geographical area. Gary talks about how he came to purchase this book in…
Gary and Spencer speak to the podcast producer and editor Dr Tom Thorpe about his research and interest into combat motivation and resilience. They discuss what is meant by combat motivation and what factors are most dominant in driving soldiers to fight and persevere on military service. A range of drivers are considered from small group cohesion, ideology and coercion. Tom is an independent scholar, tour guide, communications professional and podcaster. Tom holds a PhD from King’s College London that explored the extent, nature and impact of small group cohesion…
Spencer and Gary talk about their recommendations for summer beech reading over the holiday period. Gary recommends the Flashman novels by George MacDonald Fraser, Wellington’s Waterloo Allies: How Soldiers from Brunswick, Hanover, Nassau and the Netherlands Contributed to the Victory of 1815 by Andrew W. Field and The First Day on the Somme by Martin Middlebrook. Spencer on the other hand suggests Hero: The Life & Legend of Lawrence of Arabia by Michael Korda, The Fall of Robespierre: 24 Hours in Revolutionary Paris by Colin Jones and The Armchair General: Can You Defeat the Nazis?…
Spencer and Gary talk to Dr Sarah-Louise Miller about her research into espionage history. Sarah is a historian of war and conflict, specialising in the Second World War and the use of military intelligence. She is currently a visiting scholar at the University of Oxford’s Faculty of History, and is a member of Kellogg College, Oxford. She is also a tutor in the Defence Studies Department at King’s College London. Sarah received her PhD from the Department of War Studies, King’s College London, in July 2022. Her thesis examined the…
