• BOOKS & PODCASTS
THIS MONTH’S BEST HISTORICAL READS AND LISTENS
BOOK OF THE MONTH
The Matter of Everything: Twelve Experiments that Changed Our World
Bloomsbury, £20, hardback, 336 pages
From quarks and neutrinos to synchrotrons and linear accelerators, some of the discoveries and innovations in this look at a dozen experiments conducted since the early 20th century can seem a little alienating.
But have no fear: this accessible account foregrounds their life-changing, real-world applications, as well as what their stories tell us about curiosity, teamwork and practical investigation. It also suggests that, far from being the preserve of a select few, such skills may be a key strength of the entire human species.
1945: Victory in the West
Hutchinson Heinemann, £30, hardback, 688 pages
As the bloodshed and brutality of World War II rolled into the spring of 1945, it seemed that Allied victory might, at last, be at hand.
Yet as this masterful account from leading expert Peter Caddick-Adams chronicles, the final stretch of the conflagration was marked by bitter fighting, fierce resistance and – as the troops arrived at the Nazis’ concentration camps – deep horror. Mixing big-picture narrative with personal testimony, this is a vivid take on the final days of the conflict.
The Women Who Saved the English Countryside
Yale, £20, hardback, 400 pages
Focusing on four women who reshaped access to, and attitudes towards, the English countryside, this joint biography also highlights the places they fought to save and the power of painstaking, persistent activism. Octavia Hill co-founded the National Trust; author Beatrix Potter was one of its most important benefactors; Pauline Dower shaped England’s system of national parks; and Sylvia Sayer harnessed political pressure to save her beloved Dartmoor. This is a welcome celebration of environmental heroes who deserve to be better known.
The Elizabethan Mind: Searching for the Self in an Age in Uncertainty
Yale, £25, hardback, 448 pages
Much as we are today, the Elizabethans were fascinated by the inner workings of their brains – and, thanks to the burgeoning print industry, had plenty of advice to turn to. Yet, as this book reveals, that advice was drawn from diverse, contradictory sources (astrology, the Bible, classical texts), with new scientific discoveries further muddling the brew. This enthralling study captures the changing ways in which the mind was understood, and the thought processes of a society that continues to captivate today.
Buried: An Alternative History of the First Millennium in Britain
Simon & Schuster, £20, hardback, 352 pages
Author, broadcaster and anatomist Alice Roberts returns with this look at what the long dead can tell us about life in ancient Britain. This time around, she’s focusing on the first thousand years AD through a selection of stories: of her research, of the individuals whose remains have been examined using the latest scientific techniques, and of the lives they would have led, the things they would have believed, and the culture of which they were a part.
España: A Brief History of Spain
Apollo, £25, hardback, 320 pages
Charting the geographical, political and cultural currents that have combined to create modern Spain, this concise, incisive history doesn’t shy away from the fractures that these diverse influences have sometimes caused. Nor does it avoid darker episodes, from the Inquisition to conquistadors, Fascism to financial irregularity. Yet this remains throughout a rounded picture of the nation’s rich and varied past, and is a great place to start if you’re looking for a compelling overview of thousands of years of history.
WHAT TO LISTEN TO…
Each month we bring you three of our favourite podcasts from the BBC and HistoryExtra…
Bridgerton: Behind the scenes of season two
If you’re a big fan of Netflix’s hit series Bridgerton, which returned for a second season this spring, then you’re in for a treat with this podcast episode. Speaking with presenter Elinor Evans, historical consultant Hannah Greig takes us behind the scenes, and shares her expert insights into the real period that inspired the drama.
How to Invent a Country: Poland
This series charting the process by which nations come into being returns for a new run exploring the story of Poland – which, as presenter Misha Glenny notes, ceased to exist between 1795 and 1918. This is a fascinating look at why that happened, how the country was revived, and the political echoes that continue to be felt in 2022.
In Our Time: Polidori’s ‘The Vampyre’
His name may not be widely known now, but John Polidori (1795–1821) is responsible for the first modern story featuring one of literature’s most enduring creations: the vampire. This edition of Melvyn Bragg’s long-running series delves into the story’s influences and why the bloodsucking fiends still stake a claim on our imaginations today.