“Have you forgotten yet?” (Aftermath, Siegfried Sassoon) Even before the guns fell silent across the Western Front a century ago, staff at the Michelin Touring Office in London were busy preparing guidebooks for motorists intending to go see the trenches for themselves (see images above and below). By the early 1920s battlefield tourism had become big […]
Why the Glorious Revolution was . . . well, neither
On the 330th anniversary of William of Orange’s arrival in England, author Angus Donald argues that the ‘Glorious Revolution’ of 1688 was neither a revolution nor glorious, but a coup won by treachery. I went to a friend’s wedding recently. I wore a suit, prayed a little, received Holy Communion and happily belted out Jerusalem […]
Gothic writers choose their favourite chilling books
As the nights draw in and the ghosts seep from the walls, it’s time to huddle beneath your counterpane with a suitably creepy book. I asked seven of our most brilliantly chilling writers to name their favourite Gothic reads, both a classic and a modern Gothic novel. Prepare to be frightened, repulsed, entranced… Ruth Ware […]
The 2018 Crown awards – our judges
With the winners of the three 2018 HWA Crown awards announced on Wednesday, 7 November, this is a good time to say thank you to our judges, who’ve spent many weeks reading the longlists and choosing the shortlists and will have to make the hard choice of one winner in their Crown award category. The […]
HWA Sharpe Gold Crown shortlist giveaway!
It’s time for the third and last 2018 Historia HWA Crowns shortlist giveaway! This time we’re giving all six novels on the Sharpe Books Gold Crown award shortlist to one winner. Follow the instructions below to enter. You’ve got four chances to win and can enter using any or all of the options: 1. Sign up to […]
Stockholm Syndrome in Ekaterinburg?
In April 1918, the former Tsar Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra and their children were moved by their Bolshevik captors to a house in Ekaterinburg, owned by a merchant called Ipatiev. Three weeks later, the rest of the family followed. They would never again set foot outside its confines. The building was surrounded by a […]
Sagas: they’re not all trouble at t’mill
Now I’ve loved history for as long as I can remember. In fact, I think I fell in love with the past and everyone living there when I was a child and saw Roger Moore gallop over the hill on that white charger in Ivanhoe on our 12-inch black and white TV screen. I love […]
HWA Non-fiction Crown shortlist giveaway!
Historia’s early October giveaway is the second of three Crowns shortlist specials. Win all six books shortlisted for the 2018 HWA Non-fiction Crown Award, showcasing the best in historical writing. Just follow the instructions below to enter. You’ve got four chances to win and can enter using any or all of the options: 1. Sign up to the Historia […]