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The Penguin Podcast: Episode 10 – History Special

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Features

6 popular myths about the D-Day landings debunked by historian James Holland

Five Months of Hell in Italy

Cassino '44

James Holland is now our foremost authority on the Italian campaign. He knows the ground intimately and expertly. In this gripping, beautifully written book, Holland breathes fresh life into the grim story of Cassino. Told from the perspectives of all the participants, packed with new insights and quality scholarship, Cassino 1944 makes a major contribution to our understanding of the fighting in Italy. Highest recommendation!

John C. McManus, PhD, author of To the End of the Earth: The U.S. Army and the Downfall of Japan, 1945

James Holland has given us another gripping historical narrative. This one unfolds from the grandeur of a palace turned wartime headquarters to a soon-to-be infamous Italian abbey that came to symbolize the complexities of the often-overshadowed Italian campaign. Holland writes with eloquence and power about the harsh realities of a brutal battle that grabbed the world’s attention and helped to decide the future of Italy

Professor Michael S. Neiberg, author of When France Fell: The Vichy Crisis and the Fate of the Anglo-American Alliance

Astonishingly thorough and meticulously researched; it should become a standard work on this campaign…A formidable achievement

In his new book Cassino '44, celebrated historian and bestselling author James Holland has crafted a heart-pounding narrative of the brutal Allied fight to take Rome. Using a kaleidoscope of voices and sources, including a wealth of letters and diaries, Holland not only drops readers into the action but illuminates the tragic impact of war on the civilians. This is history at its finest!

James M. Scott, Pulitzer Prize finalist and author of Black Snow, Rampage and Target Tokyo

There is no such thing as an easy victory in war, but after triumph in Tunisia, the sweeping success of the Sicilian invasion and with the Italian surrender, the Allies were confident that they would be in Rome before Christmas 1943. 
 
And yet it didn’t happen. Hitler ordered his forces to dig in and fight for every yard, thus setting the stage for one of the grimmest and most attritional campaigns of the Second World War. 
 
By the start of 1944, the Allies found themselves coming up against the Gustav Line: a formidable barrier of wire, minefields, bunkers and booby traps woven into a giant chain of mountains and river valleys that stretched the width of Italy. At its strongest point perched the Abbey of Monte Cassino. 
 
It would take five long, bitter winter months and the onset of summer before the Allies could finally bludgeon their way north and capture Rome. By then, more than 75,000 troops and civilians had been killed and the historic abbey and entire towns and villages had been laid waste. 
 
Following a rich cast of characters from both sides – from front-line infantry to aircrew, from clerks to battlefield commanders, and from politicians to civilians caught up in the middle of the maelstrom – James Holland has drawn widely on diaries, letters and contemporary sources to write the definitive account of this brutal battle. The result is a compelling and often heartbreaking narrative, told in the moment, as the events played out, and from the perspective of those who lived, fought and died there.

James Holland is an internationally acclaimed and award-winning historian, writer, and broadcaster. The author of a number of best-selling histories including most recently Brothers In Arms and Normandy '44, he is also the author of ten works of fiction and a dozen Ladybird Experts. 
 
He is the co-founder of the annual Chalke Valley History Festival which is now in its twelfth year, and he has presented - and written - many television programmes and series for the BBC, Channel 4, National Geographic and the History and Discovery channels. 
 
With Al Murray, he has a successful Second World War podcast, We Have Ways of Making You Talk, which also has its own festival, and is a research fellow at St Andrew's University and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He can be found on Twitter as @James1940 and on Instagram as @jamesholland1940.

‘It should become a standard work on this campaign’ Telegraph 
'James Holland is now our foremost authority on the Italian campaign' John C. McManus 
'A heart-pounding narrative of the brutal Allied fight to take Rome... This is history at its finest' James M. Scott, Pulitzer Prize finalist 
'Holland writes with eloquence and power about the harsh realities of a brutal battle that grabbed the world’s attention and helped to decide the future of Italy' Professor Michael S. Neiberg 
___________There are no such thing as an easy victory in war but after triumph in Tunisia, the sweeping success of the Sicilian invasion, and with the Italian surrender, the Allies were confident that they would be in Rome before Christmas 1943. 
 
And yet it didn't happen. Hitler ordered his forces to dig in and fight for every yard, thus setting the stage for one of the grimmest and most attritional campaigns of the Second World War. 
 
By the start of 1944, the Allies found themselves coming up against the Gustav Line: a formidable barrier of wire, minefields, bunkers and booby traps, woven into a giant chain of mountains and river valleys that stretched the width of Italy where at its strongest point perched the Abbey of Monte Cassino. 
 
It would take five long bitter winter months and the onset of summer before the Allies could finally bludgeon their way north and capture Rome. By then, more than 75,000 troops and civilians had been killed and the historic abbey and entire towns and villages had been laid waste. 
 
Following a rich cast of characters from both sides - from frontline infantry to aircrew, from clerks to battlefield commanders, and from politicians and civilians caught up in the middle of the maelstrom - James Holland has drawn widely on diaries, letters and contemporary sources to write the definitive account of this brutal battle. The result is a compelling and often heart-breaking narrative, told in the moment, as the events played out, and from the perspective of those who lived, fought and died there.

(Jack Tanner: book 5)

The Devil's Pact

Sicily, 1943: TO CHANGE THE COURSE OF HISTORY, DIRTY DEALS MUST BE DONE... 
 
With North Africa secured, the Allies launch an invasion of Sicily, and the 2nd Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Rangers are in the vanguard of the assault on the Italian beaches. 
 
But promotion to Company Commander has brought fresh trouble for Jack Tanner. Not only has his new Battalion Commander decided to make his life as difficult as possible, but they soon find themselves battling against some of the toughest, most determined troops in the Wehrmacht. 
 
In the bitter fighting that follows, Tanner witnesses a new reality. Forced to question the cause for which they have fought so long, Tanner and his trusted sidekick, Sykes, find themselves embroiled in a deeply personal fight, in which they have to use all their resolve, skill and experience if they are to stand any chance of survival... 
 
Have you read the other Jack Tanner adventures? Discover The Odin Mission, Darkest Hour, Blood of Honour and Hellfire now! 
_______________ 
 
Readers love The Devil's Pact 
 
'A rollicking good and authentic read' 
'Fantastic - couldn't put it down' 
'Terrific writing' 
'Great writer, great book' 
'Enthralled from start to finish every time'

The Brutal Battle for Italy 1943

The Savage Storm

'Richly impressive, hard to surpass' William Boyd 
'A notable account of an epic human experience' Max Hastings 
&lsquo;James Holland brings every inch of this battle vividly to life&rsquo; History Revealed 
&lsquo;This excellent book&hellip;The Savage Storm reinforces Holland&rsquo;s reputation as certainly the busiest and probably the most popular military historian of the second world war working today&rsquo; Spectator 
&lsquo;A must for anyone wanting to better understand the brutal campaign&hellip; thoroughly deserves a place on the bookshelf&rsquo; Soldier Magazine 
_____________________ 
 
From the bestselling author of Brothers in Arms comes the story of the most pivotal Allies campaign of World War II. 
 
With the invasion of France the following year taking shape, and hot on the heels of victory in Sicily, the Allies crossed into Southern Italy in September 1943. They expected to drive the Axis forces north and be in Rome by Christmas. And although Italy surrendered, the German forces resisted fiercely and the swift hoped-for victory descended into one of the most brutal battles of the war. 
 
Even though shipping and materiel were already being safeguarded for the D-Day landings, there were still huge expectations on the progress of the invading armies, but those shortages were to slow the advance with tragic consequences. As the weather closed in, the critical weeks leading up to Monte Cassino would inflict a heavy price for every bloody, hard fought mile the Allied troops covered. 
 
Chronicling those dark, dramatic months in unflinching and insightful detail, The Savage Storm is unlike any campaign history yet written. James Holland has always recounted the Second World War at ground level, but this version telling brings the story vividly to life like never before. Weaving together a wealth of letters, diaries, and other incredible documents, Holland traces the battles as they were fought - across plains, over mountains, through shattered villages and cities, in intense heat and, towards the end, frigid cold and relentless rain - putting readers at the heart of the action to create an entirely fresh and revealing telling of this most pivotal phase of the war. 
_____________________ 
 
Praise for James Holland 
 
'Impeccably researched and superbly written' Observer 
'Holland has something new to say.... Filled with insight and detail' Neil Oliver 
'James Holland is the best of the new generation of WW2 historians' Sebastian Faulks 
'[A] captivating and dramatic account. . . Drawn from letters and diaries, Holland&rsquo;s immersive narrative is told through the eye-level perspectives... Readers will be enthralled' Publishers Weekly 
&lsquo;A remarkable achievement by a historian at the height of his powers. Holland has successfully illustrated both the significance and the savagery of the Italian campaign... through a powerful and compelling narrative&rsquo; Military History Matters

A notable account of an epic human experience

The best of the new generation of WW2 historians

Great...One of the new generation of historians who bring a freshness and a proper spirit enquiry

A master of spinning narrative military history from accounts of men and women who were there

James Holland is an internationally acclaimed and award-winning historian, writer, and broadcaster. The author of a number of best-selling histories including most recently Brothers In Arms and Normandy '44, he is also the author of ten works of fiction and a dozen Ladybird Experts. 
 
He is the co-founder of the annual Chalke Valley History Festival which is now in its twelfth year, and he has presented - and written - many television programmes and series for the BBC, Channel 4, National Geographic and the History and Discovery channels. 
 
With Al Murray, he has a successful Second World War podcast, We Have Ways of Making You Talk, which also has its own festival, and is a research fellow at St Andrew's University and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He can be found on Twitter as @James1940 and on Instagram as @jamesholland1940.

An Illustrated History

The Second World War

Discover the story of the Second World War brought to life in full colour by renowned historian James Holland and award-winning artist Keith Burns 
 
'A fully immersive experience. A comprehensive yet fast-paced and gripping insight into the Second World War. Not just accessible, but riveting. An absolute pleasure to read' GET HISTORY 
 
'A ground-breaking collaboration between bestselling historian James Holland and award-winning artist Keith Burns presents the war in full colour, bringing the text vividly to life' HISTORY OF WAR 
__________ 
 
From the great cities of Europe to the jungles of Burma, and from the deserts of North Africa to the remote islands of the South Pacific and the freezing waters of the Arctic, the Second World War touched every continent and ocean on the planet. And from the Blitzkrieg to the atom bomb, the fighting fuelled new technological development on land, at sea and in the air at a ferocious pace. Our future was forged by war. 
 
Combining compelling personal stories with a clear and accessible appreciation of the strategic and operational battle for supremacy between the Allies and the Axis powers, bestselling historian James Holland weaves an irresistible narrative, with over 250 illustrations by acclaimed artist Keith Burns, commissioned specially for this project. 
 
Together, they bring events in The Second World War: An Illustrated History to life with stunning drama and dynamism. 
 
Over five years in the making, their groundbreaking collaboration has produced a unique and unforgettable account of the most extraordinary events the world has ever seen. 
__________ 
 
'Gripping text, masterful imagery and touching personal stories make this a must-buy for anyone with an interest in World War Two' CLASSIC MILITARY VEHICLES 
 
'A bold attempt to expand the market for military history . . . aimed at a general reader who wants to get an overall grasp of a massive subject . . . this is an impressive achievement' BOOKBRUNCH

A bold attempt to expand the market for military history . . . aimed at a general reader who wants to get an overall grasp of a massive subject . . . this is an impressive achievement

A ground-breaking collaboration between bestselling historian James Holland and award-winning artist Keith Burns presents the war in full colour, bringing the text vividly to life

Gripping text, masterful imagery and touching personal stories make this a must-buy for anyone with an interest in World War Two

The war itself becomes something tangible, a fully immersive experience where the reader is transported to the mosquito-infested, stinking, dripping jungles of Burma, or to the arid, baked expanses of the North African desert . . . Both sides of the book - the written and the drawn - independently are stunning. But together they create something greater: a comprehensive yet fast-paced and gripping insight into the Second World War. This illustrated history ticks every box. For the reasonably uninitiated, there is enough explanation, enough references to films and TV series, and enough action to make the book not just accessible, but riveting. For those familiar with the Second World War, Holland's style, his arguments and his anecdotes, along with the exquisite illustrations of Burns, make The Second World War: An Illustrated History an absolute pleasure to read

From the internationally acclaimed historian James Holland comes an enthralling and illuminating account of the key battles and crucial turning points of the Second World War, brought vividly to life with over 280 full colour illustrations from award-winning artist Keith Burns. 
 
Complex, total and global, the Second World War was the deadliest conflict in human history, with over 300 million soldiers seeing combat. The movements and turns of these six deadly years have had far-reaching consequences which still impact our global relations today. From the horrors of the Western Front to the paddy fields of Burma, The Second World War: An Illustrated History takes us through each key moment across the history, in an accessible and authoritative account from a master military historian and captivating illustrator.

James Holland (Author) James Holland is an internationally acclaimed and award-winning historian, writer, and broadcaster. The author of a number of best-selling histories he has presented - and written - a large number of television programmes and series. He has a weekly Second World War podcast, We Have of Making You Talk, with Al Murray, and is Chair of the Chalke Valley History Festival. He is a research fellow at St Andrew's University. Keith Burns (Illustrator) Keith Burns is an award winning aviation artist and commercial illustrator. He has illustrated comics for the past decade, his collaborations with writer Garth Ennis, Johnny Red and Out of the Blue being the most recent. In 2012 he joined the Guild of Aviation Artists. In 2015 he won the Messier Dowty award for best acrylic painting in show, and in 2016 he was made a full member of the Guild, had his first solo exhibition at the RAF Club in London and won Aviation Painting of the 
Year. He has produced commissions for the RAF, the Army, the Imperial War Museum and Forces Charities. Over the last few years Keith has supplied art for various stamp collections for Jersey Post.

(WW2 #9)

The Battle for Normandy, 1944

BOOK 9 OF THE LADYBIRD EXPERT HISTORY OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR, FROM AWARD-WINNING HISTORIAN JAMES HOLLAND 
 
Featuring stunning illustrations from Keith Burns, bringing the story to life in vivid detail 
 
Why did the Allies attack on D-Day? 
How did the Allies pick Normandy as a target? 
What was Operation Overload, the second front against the Nazis? 
 
JUNE 6 1944 
 
D-Day was a deciding conflict in World War II. But the invasion was not a straightforward attack. 
 
From feeding Nazi spies false information on the attack, to developing new technology like the Mulberry harbours, D-Day changed the course of the War for good. 
 
THE LARGEST SEABORNE INVASION IN HISTORY 
 
Written by historian, author and broadcaster James Holland, The Battle for Normandy is an essential introduction to the naval invasion that began the liberation of Western Europe from the Nazis. 
__________ 
 
Discover the full Ladybird Expert WW2 series: 
Blitzkrieg 
The Battle of Britain 
Battle of the Atlantic 
The Desert War 
The Eastern Front 
The Pacific War 
The Bomber War 
The War in Italy 
The Battle for Normandy 
The War in Burma 
Victory in Europe 
Victory Against Japan

Part of the ALL-NEW LADYBIRD EXPERT SERIES 
- Why did the Allies attack on D-Day? 
- How did the Allies pick Normandy as a target? 
- What was Operation Overload, the second front against the Nazis? 
 
JUNE 6 1944: D-Day was a deciding conflict in World War II. But the invasion was not a straightforward attack. From feeding Nazi spies false information on the attack, to developing new technology like the Mulberry harbours, D-Day changed the course of the War for good. 
 
THE LARGEST SEABORNE INVASION IN HISTORY 
 
Written by historian, author and broadcaster James Holland, D-DAY 1944 is an essential introduction to the naval invasion that began the liberation of Western Europe from the Nazis.

(WW2 #10)

The War in Burma 1943-1944: A Ladybird Expert Book

BOOK 10 OF THE LADYBIRD EXPERT HISTORY OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR, FROM AWARD-WINNING HISTORIAN JAMES HOLLAND 
 
Featuring stunning illustrations from Keith Burns, bringing the story to life in vivid detail 
 
Why were British troops in Burma? 
What was The Defence of the Admin Box? 
How did the British defeat the Japanese troops? 
 
THE BURMA CAMPAIGN was one of the most prolonged campaigns in the South-East Asian theatre of war, but it was also one of the most dramatic. 
 
Against Japanese troops, and monsoon weather, the Allies finally prevailed, demonstrating to the world that the Axis powers could be defeated in the East. 
 
BRITAIN'S TURNING POINT IN THE WAR IN THE EAST 
 
Written by historian, author and broadcaster James Holland, The War in Burma is an essential, accessible introduction to Britain's triumph in the East. 
__________ 
 
Discover the full Ladybird Expert WW2 series: 
Blitzkrieg 
The Battle of Britain 
Battle of the Atlantic 
The Desert War 
The Eastern Front 
The Pacific War 
The Bomber War 
The War in Italy 
The Battle for Normandy 
The War in Burma 
Victory in Europe 
Victory Against Japan

Part of the ALL-NEW LADYBIRD EXPERT SERIES 
- Why were British troops in Burma? 
 - What was The Defence of the Admin Box? 
- How did the British defeat the Japanese troops? 
 
THE BURMA CAMPAIGN was one of the most prolonged campaigns in the South-East Asian theatre of war, but it was also one of the most dramatic. Against Japanese troops, and monsoon weather, the Allies finally prevailed, demonstrating to the world that the Axis powers could be defeated in the East. 
 
BRITAIN'S TURNING POINT IN THE WAR IN THE EAST 
Written by historian, author and broadcaster James Holland, Burma 1943-1944 is an essential, accessible introduction to Britain's triumph in the East.

James Holland

A Times 2024 Best Summer Read 
 
The village of Alvesdon has been home to the Castells for generations. But the year is 1939 and the peace and tranquillity there is about to be shattered once more by the stormclouds of war in Europe. As three generations of the family gather, they must all face the prospect of their lives being transformed beyond recognition the moment Britain declares war on Germany. 
 
When the inevitable happens and Britain finds itself at war, the younger members of the family and farm workers are called up to fight and those who remain must battle to keep the home fires burning and the farm afloat. The gentle certainties of rural life are replaced by the urgent clamour of war, in the air, at sea and on land, where events unfold with dizzying rapidity and unexpected consequences. 
 
Stretching from the glorious summer of 1939 to the Battle of Britain the following year, acclaimed historian James Holland paints a compelling and immersive fictional portrait of how the war changed everything. For one family and for a community, their way of life can never really be the same again…

Alvesdon

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