Aspects of History

Today’s episode is a chat with the acclaimed and bestselling author, William Boyd. He has written countless books including a Solo a Bond novel, screenplays, operas and he even took part in a brilliant art hoax with David Bowie. Last month I had the chance to talk with him about his new book, Gabriel’s Moon, the first in a trilogy of espionage novels set in the 1960s featuring the hero Gabriel Dax. We cover that period, spy writing and plenty of other subjects. I should mention that this episode first appeared on our sister podcast SpyMasters and you should definitely check it out where my colleague Antonia Senior interviews spy authors, historians and maybe even a few spooks themselves. William Boyd Links Gabriel’s Moon William Boyd & David Bowie Art Hoax Aspects of History Links Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99 Ollie on X Aspects of History on Instagram Get in touch: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the afternoon of 31st May 1916 the Royal Navy’s Grand Fleet sighted ships of the Imperial German Navy’s High Seas Fleet and so began the major significant sea battle of the First World War. The result was inconclusive, but what were the real consequences? Naval historian joins to discuss this and other subjects as we cover the naval history of Britain in the 20th century. Now I should warn you we do mention briefly the famine in Ireland and the navy’s role in it to begin with, and we end with a brief chat on Admiral Nelson, and the future of naval combat so there is plenty of ground covered. N.A.M. Rodger Links The Price of Victory: A Naval History of Britain: 1815 – 1945 Aspects of History Links Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99 Ollie on X Aspects of History on Instagram Get in touch: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the 20th October 1827 in Navarino Bay on the west coast of the Peloponnese in Greece, the Royal Navy under Admiral Edward Codrington won its greatest victory post Trafalgar. Codrington became a household name with pubs named after him, but at the highest levels of government there was fury and embarrassment. Despite Greece winning independence the battle had given Russia supremacy over the Ottoman Empire, and British interests in the Mediterranean were threatened. Joining the podcast in this first of a two part special is the great naval historian N.A.M. Rodger, whose new book The Price of Victory covers the history of Britain from 1815 to the end of the Second World War. In this episode, we talk about the 19th century, before Wednesday’s concluding chat covers the First and Second World Wars, as well as future conflicts in the South China Sea. N.A.M. Rodger Links The Price of Victory: A Naval History of Britain: 1815 – 1945 Aspects of History Links Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99 Ollie on X Aspects of History on Instagram Get in touch: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This month’s film club is Apocalypse Now, Francis Ford Coppola’s 1979 masterpiece. For next month’s movie listeners have an opportunity to vote on the poll via the Spotify app, it’s either Salvador directed by Oliver Stone or Carol Reed’s The Third Man. Links Apocalypse Now on IMDB Apocalypse Now on Wikipedia Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad Ollie on X Tim on X Roger on X Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99 Aspects of History on Instagram Get in touch: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices