Aspects of History

He remains one of history's most scrutinised figures, but Alexander the Great's victories were far from inevitable. Recent discoveries are beginning to reshape our understanding of his life and legacy, and the immense personal burden of becoming simultaneously Macedonian king, Egyptian pharaoh, Persian Great King and a living god. With Zeb Baker-Smith⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Editor of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aspects of History, on the podcast this week is Edmund Richardson, historian and classicist, whose book, ⁠Alexander: God, King, Man⁠, the newly-crowned winner of the 2026 Baillie Gifford Prize, re-examines its title character through newly translated sources, groundbreaking archaeology and a wealth of evidence to reveal a conqueror far more uncertain, contradictory and human than legend would suggest. Episode Links Alexander: God, King, Man Edmund Richardson Links Edmund ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Edmund on Instagram Zeb Links Zeb on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter /X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Zeb on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Zeb on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Aspects of History Links AoH ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter /X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Nathen Amin dives deep into the fascinating and bloody intricacies of Renaissance medicine with Alanna Skuse, author of the excellent and highly-regarded ⁠The Surgeon, The Midwife, The Quack. From the gruesome operating theaters to the varied practitioners of the time, Dr. Skuse illuminates a world that challenges our modern perceptions of medical history Episode Links: The Surgeon, The Midwife, The Quack: How to Stay Alive in Renaissance England Alanna Skuse Links: Alanna online Alanna on Instagram Nathen Amin Links: Nathen on Instagram Nathen on Substack Aspects of History Links AoH ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter /X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC to the defence of Kyiv in 2022, the history of warfare has been determined by more than weapons and numbers. Leadership, morale, innovation, deception and timing have repeatedly defined the outcome of conflict, sometimes allowing smaller forces to defeat seemingly overwhelming enemies. In this week's episode of the podcast, bestselling historian ⁠Iain MacGregor⁠ joins ⁠Zeb Baker-Smith⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Editor of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aspects of History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, to discuss his new book, ⁠Battle: The Moments That Transformed Warfare from Ancient Greece to Ukraine⁠. Drawing on forty case studies, they discuss what makes a battle historically consequential, from Alexander the Great’s victory at Gaugamela and Henry V’s triumph at Agincourt to the turning point of Stalingrad and Napoleon’s masterclass at Austerlitz. Iain also considers the human qualities that have remained constant across three millenia of warfare, exploring the importance of trust between commanders and their men, the psychological power of morale, and the ways technological innovation can transform the outcome. Episode Links ⁠Battle: The Moments That Transformed Warfare from Ancient Greece to Ukraine⁠⁠ Iain MacGregor Links Iain ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Iain on ⁠Twitter/X⁠ Iain on ⁠⁠Instagram Zeb Links Zeb on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter /X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Zeb on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Zeb on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠ Aspects of History Links AoH ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter /X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The relationship between the United States and China will help shape the world over the next quarter of a century. But is conflict between the two superpowers inevitable, or could demographic change, economic interdependence and diverging technological priorities lead to a very different future? Looking ahead to 2049, the centenary of the Chinese Communist Party’s rise to power, the answers may be less predictable than many assume. In this episode of the podcast, ⁠Tim Hames⁠ joins ⁠Zeb Baker-Smith⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Editor of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aspects of History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, to discuss his new book, ⁠⁠War or Peace?: The United States and China, 2026–2049 with Tim Hames⁠⁠. Together they examine the historical roots of the rivalry, the significance of the so-called Thucydides Trap, and the contrasting approaches of Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. Tim also ponders China’s looming demographic crisis, the competition over artificial intelligence and semiconductors, and the strategic importance of Taiwan. Tim argues that the two countries are not necessarily destined for a new Cold War, and that their rivalry may be shaped as much by ageing populations and economic realities as by military power. He considers where cooperation might be possible, the challenges facing Britain and Europe, and why understanding China’s future could change how Washington views its principal rival. Episode Links War or Peace?: The United States and China, 2026–2049 with Tim Hames Tim Hames Links Tim ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Zeb Links Zeb on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter /X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Zeb on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Zeb on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠ Aspects of History Links AoH ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter /X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Kop in full swing at Anfield is one of the beautiful game’s most iconic sights: a sea of flags and scarves, a red wall of song and noise, and a crowd whose support has become the fulcrum of Liverpool Football Club’s unique identity. Yet the story behind it goes far beyond football, beginning with a disastrous British defeat during the Second Boer War and evolving into a history of working-class culture, collective memory and the unequalled bond between a club and its supporters. In this episode of the podcast, Brian Reade joins ⁠⁠Zeb Baker-Smith⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Editor of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aspects of History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, to discuss his new book, ⁠⁠The Kop: A Fan’s History of Football’s Most Famous Stand⁠⁠⁠. They trace the name back to Spion Kop in South Africa, explore how the terrace became a symbol of Liverpool’s rise under Bill Shankly, and consider the songs, legendary European nights and remarkable atmosphere that have made Anfield famous around the world. Brian also reflects on the Kop’s role beyond the pitch, from its response to Hillsborough and the fight for justice to protests against football’s commercialisation. Drawing on six decades of supporting the country’s most successful club, he explores how the stand has become a repository of shared memories and a tradition passed between generations – and what its future might hold. Episode Links The Kop: A Fan’s History of Football’s Most Famous Stand Brian Reade Links Brian ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Brian on ⁠⁠Twitter/X⁠⁠ Zeb Links Zeb on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter /X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Zeb on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Zeb on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Aspects of History Links AoH ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter /X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the space of a few decades, aviation advanced from fragile aircraft barely capable of crossing the Channel to the long-range bombers and fighter planes that would shape the Second World War. Behind this transformation were a motley cast of individuals: daring pilots, ambitious engineers, determined politicians and eccentric visionaries who helped turn flight from a dangerous novelty into a decisive military force. In this episode of the ⁠Aspects of History⁠ podcast, ⁠⁠Charles Spicer joins ⁠⁠Phil Craig⁠⁠ to discuss ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Flying Pianos⁠, published by Oneworld Books, his new book on the early history of British aviation. They explore the pioneers who pushed the boundaries of flight before the First World War, that conflict’s impact on military aviation, and the technological developments that led to the Spitfire and the Merlin engine. Along the way, they consider Winston Churchill’s surprisingly hands-on role in the development of the RAF, the achievements of trailblazers such as Harriet Quimby. Charles also discusses the darker side of air power, from the RAF’s use in the British Empire to the devastating potential of aerial bombing, while reflecting on what this era of rapid innovation might teach us today. This is an episode brimming with ambition, ingenuity and determination – all of which helped shape the age of aviation that followed. Charles Links Charles online⁠ Charles ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on X/Twitter Charles on Instagram Phil Links Phil ⁠⁠online⁠⁠ Phil on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Scandal Mongers⁠⁠⁠ Phil on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter /X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Phil on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Aspects of History Links AoH ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter /X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Napoleon’s marshals were among the most formidable soldiers of the Napoleonic Wars, rising from backgrounds ranging from the working classes to the old aristocracy to become the senior military figures of the French Empire. But behind the battlefield victories lay a complicated world of rivalries, ambition, wealth, infidelity and fierce competition for Napoleon’s favour. In this episode of the ⁠Aspects of History⁠ podcast, ⁠Andrew Roberts joins ⁠Phil Craig⁠ to discuss his new book, ⁠⁠Napoleon and his Marshals. They explore Napoleon’s relationship with his commanders, his extraordinary micromanagement, the rivalries that increasingly undermined the Grande Armée, and the ways in which his marshals’ ambitions and personal loyalties shaped the course of the wars. Andrew also considers the marshals’ roles in the collapse of Napoleon’s empire, from the disasters of Spain and Russia to Waterloo and the Hundred Days. He also gives his verdict in the ultimate Napoleonic pub quiz – identifying the bravest, maddest, cleverest, luckiest and least pleasant of Napoleon’s commanders – and reflects on whether his own view of Napoleon has changed after a lifetime spent studying him. Episode Links Napoleon and his Marshals: Victory, Rivalry, Betrayal Andrew Links Andrew online⁠ Andrew ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Twitter/X Andrew on Facebook Phil Links Phil ⁠⁠online⁠⁠ Phil on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Scandal Mongers⁠⁠⁠ Phil on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter /X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Phil on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Aspects of History Links AoH ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter /X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the Second World War in Europe entered its final weeks, the outcome was no longer in doubt – but the fighting continued with extraordinary intensity. From the Allied crossing of the Rhine and the German defence of their homeland to the liberation of Belsen and the final bombing raids, the last days of the war were marked by courage, confusion, brutality and tragedy. In this episode of the Aspects of History podcast, Max Hastings joins Phil Craig to discuss his new book, Plunder. They explore why so many German soldiers continued to fight when defeat was inevitable, the persistence of the Nazi killing machine, the liberation of Belsen, and the difficult encounters between Allied troops and those emerging from the camps and prisoner-of-war system. Max also discusses the extraordinary individual stories he uncovered while researching the final weeks of the war and the importance of bearing witness – and why, even after a lifetime of writing about the Second World War, there are still stories that deserve to be better known. Episode Links Plunder: The Last of the War in Europe, 1945 Max Links Max ⁠⁠online⁠⁠ Phil Links Phil ⁠online⁠ Phil on ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Scandal Mongers⁠⁠ Phil on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter /X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Phil on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Aspects of History Links AoH ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter /X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thomas Cromwell and Oliver Cromwell are among the most recognisable figures of Tudor and Stuart history – but few people realise that they were related. Separated by a century, their lives were shaped by remarkably similar rises from relative obscurity to the centre of English political life. In this episode of the Aspects of History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcast, historian Miranda Malins joins Mark Turnbull to discuss her new book, ⁠The House of Cromwell. Together they explore the Cromwell family’s origins, its two branches, the wealth and estates inherited from Thomas Cromwell, and how fortunes were made and lost across the Tudor and Stuart periods. Miranda also explores the striking parallels between Thomas and Oliver, from their early obscurity and religious convictions to their relationships with Parliament and the Reformation. The conversation also considers how both men’s reputations have changed over the centuries – and how their family continued to navigate the political and religious upheavals of the 16th and 17th centuries. Episode Links The House of Cromwell: Power, Family and the Making of Modern Britain Miranda Malins Links Miranda ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Miranda on ⁠⁠Twitter/X⁠⁠ Miranda on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Miranda on ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ Mark Turnbull Links Mark ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online⁠⁠ Mark on ⁠⁠⁠Twitter/X⁠⁠⁠ Mark on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Mark on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ Aspects of History Links AoH ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter /X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AoH on Instagram⁠ AoH on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happens when one of the most pivotal decisions of the Second World War rests on something as unpredictable as the weather? The new feature film, Pressure, takes us behind the D-Day invasion, where meteorologists and Allied command must decide whether conditions are right for the Normandy landings. In this special ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Aspects of History⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Film Club episode, bestselling historian Giles Milton joins Zeb Baker-Smith⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ again, this time to discuss the historical reality behind the film – from the competing teams of British and American meteorologists to James Stagg’s role in presenting their forecasts to Eisenhower. They discuss what the film gets right and wrong, including its portrayals of Eisenhower and Montgomery, and the figures it leaves out. Zeb is then joined by film editor Henry Thackray⁠ to discuss Pressure as cinema: Andrew Scott and Brendan Fraser’s performances, its chamber-piece structure, use of maps and weather charts, and its attempt to create suspense when the audience already knows the outcome. They also ask whether its intimate approach offers a refreshing alternative to the familiar D-Day blockbuster. Episode Links D-Day: The Soldiers' Story Giles Milton Links Giles ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Giles on ⁠Twitter/X⁠ Giles on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Giles on ⁠⁠Facebook⁠ Henry Thackray Links Henry ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online⁠ Henry on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Aspects of History Links AoH ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠online⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter /X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AoH on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Zeb Links Zeb on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter /X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Zeb on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Zeb on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices