Reading the 20th Century discussion

I love The Rest is History podcast


Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook have a great chemistry and keep me both informed and entertained

Today's episode is all about British Fascism and although I've only listened to half it's another wonderful listen

They are doing four episodes on the subject which will include our old friends The Mitford Sisters, so plenty to interest many here at RTTC

Looks interesting. I’ve never followed that podcast

Thanks Nigeyb

Thanks both. I've finished the episode now - it's fab. Can't wait for the next one

thanks for the heads up, I will check this out sometime. Dominic Sandbrook has a few books that are on my to read list.

Yes me too


I seem to recall Susan likes his books a lot

I do. Just ordered a signed book of the book based on the podcast from Waterstones!

Bravo Susan 👏🏼


Looking forward to your review

He makes me laugh regularly on the podcast

The chemistry between him and Tom is wonderful

I agree. I love this and History Hit. Don't listen as often as I want. My daughter is doing A Level Politics now, so I have switched to listen alongside her to some more serious pods!!!

The Rest is Politics with Alistair Campbell and Rory Stewart is from the same stable, but I expect you know that Susan.

I can only listen to a very limited number of politics podcasts as I find the current government too infuriating, so try to ignore them as far as possible

'Infuriating' is polite!

I do listen to the Rest is Politics. They mentioned liking Slow Horses last week so they obviously have good taste!

The second of the four podcasts on British Fascism is another great one. This time focussing on Oswald Moseley

I meant to mention how interested I was to learn there were so many women involved in British Fascism - many, like the men, involved in and fired up by WW1 and looking for action, change and dynamism

Yes, it seems surprising now but I remember showing photos of women out on the streets in support of BUF - wasn't there some links, maybe personal rather than institutional, with suffragette/suffragist causes?

There was at least one prominent ex-suffragette, Mary Richardson, who became a leading British fascist

One of many it turns out RC...


https://historyatkingston.wordpress.c...

Oh, well found! And those were exactly the photos I was thinking of - I've used them when teaching Ian McKellan's Richard III film set in 1930s Britain.

The final episode on British Fascism is now out. This one is dedicated to the Mitfords and in particular the monstrous Unity


Nothing most here won't already know but still worth a listen

The Rest is History's book is on NetGalley if anyone is interested in requesting?

Thanks Susan. Will have a gander

Thanks for this. I’m always looking for good podcasts.

Nigeyb wrote: "The final episode on British Fascism is now out. This one is dedicated to the Mitfords and in particular the monstrous Unity


Nothing most here won't already know but still worth a listen"

It's not a part of British history I know much about so I'm looking forward to the series, now that it's all out.

Splendid

I was quite surprised how much Dominic Sandbrook disliked the Mitfords.

Very true. He’s not a fan, and with good reason. Unity was a piece of work. I can’t get the image of her ignoring the Jewish couple being forcibly evicted from their home whilst she was measuring up.

I've listened to about 70% now and it's very interesting, particularly in the effort to see the fascists through the eyes of the times, rather than "what we know now", and noting the positions they took on many issues that would be seen now as progressive and ahead of their time.

Still, once the Nazis had taken power and their influence began to pervade the British fascists, it's hard to see them as a group devoted to restoring the energy and virility of the British people.

The account of the violence at Mosley's meetings sounds very much like the Trump rallies. But unlike the effect it had in Britain in the 30's of narrowing Mosley's appeal, the violence at the MAGA rallies doesn't seem to diminish Trump's popularity.

Looking forward to the last episode and a half.

The violence didn't seem to diminish Hitler's appeal either, did it? Interesting to wonder why countries historically respond(ed) as they do(did).

Just listened to a couple of recent and splendid episodes on young Napoleon Bonaparte

I've gone back to the podcasts on the American Revolution, which is very good. I hadn't considered the significance of the 7 Years War in ending British benign neglect of its American colonies or the relevance of Britain's "threats" about freeing the slaves to solidify anti-British sentiment in the South.

The episode on the pro-Nazi Mitford was great. Unity Mitford was absolutely horrible!

She was a horror


I need to delve into the back catalogue. The American Revolution sounds like it's essential listening

I am currently listening to the Audible version of the book and it's highly recommended.

Thanks Susan 👌🏻

Ooh, they are doing Titanic!

I’ve just listened to the four episodes on Britain in 1974. Absolutely extraordinary. Even though I lived through it I discovered loads I didn’t know. A truly memorable year for all the wrong reasons. Highly recommended

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...

I loved those too, Nigeyb. I feel I need to read a biography on Edward Heath, he was so funny.

1974 is next on my list, as soon as I've finished listening to last Sunday's hours of BBC shows on music in cinema.

You'll love it Ben


Heath was a pretty strange fellow eh Susan?

But what about Wilson and Marcia Williams? I had no idea about the nature of that relationship. Extraordinary. Makes Johnson's chaotic administration look functional

Well, exactly. I am currently reading the latest in the David Kynaston series, A Northern Wind: Britain 1962-65 (love the cover) but then I want to read the Dominic Sandbrook books I've read the first two, but that was a while ago.

Never Had It So Good: A History of Britain from Suez to the Beatles

White Heat: A History of Britain in the Swinging Sixties, 1964-70

State of Emergency: Britain, 1970-1974

Seasons in the Sun: The Battle for Britain, 1974-1979

Who Dares Wins: Britain, 1979-1982

If anyone wants to read the first one with me in a month or so, let me know.

Thanks Susan


So if I read your post as you intend you're highlighting that there's five Dominic Sandbrook books in total...

Never Had It So Good: A History of Britain from Suez to the Beatles

White Heat: A History of Britain in the Swinging Sixties, 1964-70

State of Emergency: Britain, 1970-1974

Seasons in the Sun: The Battle for Britain, 1974-1979

Who Dares Wins: Britain, 1979-1982

...and although you have already read the first two books, you are asking if anyone wants to read the first one with you in a month's time

If it was available on Audible I'd be straight in there but alas it's not. The print length of Never Had It So Good: A History of Britain from Suez to the Beatles is 921 pages which, given my other commitments, is just too much for me at the moment. The first two look wonderful and I wish they were on Audible too. At present it's the best way for me to get through large books



The only DS books on Audible are the last three...

State of Emergency: Britain, 1970-1974

Seasons in the Sun: The Battle for Britain, 1974-1979

Who Dares Wins: Britain, 1979-1982

...and after the 1974 podcast discussed above I am tempted by State of Emergency: Britain, 1970-1974

I was intending to jump into the series from the beginning, but I have read the first two.

If you fancy the third, which is on Audible, I am happy to start from there.

However, I am currently reading the equally enormous Northern Wind, so I would not be thinking about any of the Sandbrook books until next month at the earliest.

Well this discussion has convinced me to buy State of Emergency: Britain, 1970-1974, and I already own Seasons in the Sun: The Battle for Britain, 1974-1979 which must have come up in a deal at some time.

So yes, I'm in and could fit State of Emergency: Britain, 1970-1974 in sometime in April 2024 if that suits you. But also happy to wait til May 2024 if that's better for you.

That sounds great, Nigeyb. Yes, let's read State of Emergency in April and we can see how we get on? They are long, but I agree that's easier on Audible.

Looking forward to it!

I have set up a thread.

Thanks Susan - looking forward to it as well


All hail Dominic Sandbrook

Susan, how does the Sandbrook compare to the Kynaston?

I think Sandbrook tends to mix the humorous with the more political. The Kynaston books are really good, but I would say a little heavier, with more about architecture and education and he jumps around a lot. I do like both though. If I had to give one major difference it's that Sandbrook is lighter.

The bonus episode of The Rest is History looks at Harold Wilson's affair, which so amazed us all when we first heard/read about it. Who knew? I look forward to listening to it later.

On Friday I went to The Rest is History at the Albert Hall, where they discussed first Mozart and then Beethoven's life, with a full orchestra.

Programme
Mozart Symphony No. 25 - Movement I

Mozart Nel Grave Tormento from Mitridate

Mozart Violin Sonata No. K304 - Movement II

Mozart Aprite un po’ quegli occhi

Mozart Requiem - Introitus

Interval

Beethoven Symphony No. 5 - Movement I

Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 - Movement II

Beethoven Prisoner Chorus from Fidelio

Beethoven Pastoral Symphony, No. 6 – Movements III & IV

Beethoven Symphony No. 9 – Movement IV

It was a fantastic evening and I hope they do other live events in London.

Sounds amazing, Susan!