Aspects of History Oliver Webb-Carter

On the 25th May 1951 Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean defected to Moscow, and so the opening shots were fired in the dismantling of the Cambridge Spy Ring. Alcoholism took care of them, but what about other traitors including William Weisband, George Blake, Anthony Blunt, John Cairncross and the master spy Kim Philby. And what about Edward Snowden - is he a traitor?
Espionage author Michael Smith joins to discuss traitors from his book, The Real Special Relationship which is our Non Fiction Book Club.
Michael Smith Links
The Real Special Relationship: The True Story of How the British and US Secret Services Work
AoH Book Club: Michael Smith on the Real Special Relationship - Aspects of History
Michael on X
Aspects of History Links
Ollie on X
Get in touch: history@aspectsofhistory.com
Latest issue: Aspects of History Issue 21
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A bonus episode sees the historical consultant of the new Disney series Shardlake join to discuss disability and the Dissolution of the Monasteries, and the history behind the new show. Based on the novels written by C.J.Sansom who died on Saturday 27th April.
Shardlake Links
Shardlake on Disney
Dissolution by CJ Sansom
Antonia Senior tribute to CJ Sansom
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Iran & Britain are old friends, they've had ups and downs, and it's probably fair to say we're going through a difficult patch right now, but who better than Ali Ansari to talk about the historical relationship through much of the 20th century. Ali is a child of Iranians, but lives and was brought up here in Britain, where he is Professor of Modern History at St. Andrew's University in Scotland. We talk the Constitutional Revolution of 1906, the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, Mossadegh and the Coup of 1953, and the Shah of Iran who was overthrown in 1979.
Those of Iranian descent, and of course any others, please do get in touch: history@aspectsofhistory.com
Ali Ansari Links
Ali's Book: Iran
Ali on X
Aspects of History Links
Ollie on X
Get in touch: history@aspectsofhistory.com
Latest issue: Aspects of History Issue 21
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On the 19th April 1600, after nearly two years at sea, William Adams, one of only nine surviving crew members, made land at modern day Usuki, on the east coast of Japan. He was starving, scurvy ridden and close to death. So began an extraordinary story as Adams rose up the ranks to become a revered figure in Japan even today. So much so that a new Disney TV series, Shogun has been making waves starring Cosmo Jarvis as Adams and Giles Milton joins to tell his story.
Giles Milton Links
Samurai William
Shogun
Giles on X
Aspects of History Links
Episode on the Japan of Shogun
Ollie on X
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The release of The Passion of the Christ in 2004 caused outrage, fury and accusations of antisemitism and sadomasochism. With Easter recently celebrated, we thought it time to re-examine Mel Gibson's passion project (sorry), as director Tim Hewitt joins to talk Jim Caviezel, controversy and even a QAnon.
Links
The Passion of the Christ on Wikipedia
The Passion of the Christ on IMDB
Interview with Mel Gibson
Christopher Hitchens on Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ
Ollie on X
Tim on X
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The Berlin Wall stood for 28 years, but up until the very end, on the 9th November 1989, the whole world thought it was permanent. It's now 35 years since the Wall fell, but how did it get built, what was its impact, and how did it fall?
Iain MacGregor, author of Checkpoint Charlie, joins as we go back the dark days of the Cold War through to its end.
Iain MacGregor Links
Checkpoint Charlie: The Cold War, the Berlin Wall and the Most Dangerous Place on Earth
Iain on X
Aspects of History Links
Berlin Wall - OIlie at the Wall
Ollie on X
Get in touch: history@aspectsofhistory.com
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