David O'Brien makes his debut on the show, painting a picture of the fine arts in the Napoleonic period. We discuss the politics of portraits, the representation of ordinary people, and the ways in which Napoleon himself was portrayed during and after his life. David O'Brien's books can be found at: https://frit.illinois.edu/directory/profile/obrien1
What as going on in Japan during the Napoleonic era? Thomas Gidney joins us to talk about why Japan had closed its borders to European influence, and how Napoleon may have inadvertently helped. Support our work at https://www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod
Callum Easton provides the final instalment of our War and Peace coverage, talking about the demographics of the Royal Navy. Support our work: https://www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod
Severine Angers is Vox-popped in the penultimate instalment of our War and Peace Conference series, as she discusses her work looking at how soldiers talked about trauma and loss in letters home to their families. Support out work at https://www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod
Andrew Bamford talks to us at the War and Peace Conference about his latest research into the casualty returns from the British Army during the Peninsular War. Support our work at https://www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod
Re-Up: To celebrate to publication of Graeme Callister's new book on the attack of I Corps, we're making the original three part odyssey available for listeners in one nice, neat, 3 hour special. Sink your teeth into it if you want to revisit this remarkable interview (the longest single interview we've ever done on the show). Most importantly, go and buy Graeme's book: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Waterloo-The-Attack-of-I-Corps-Hardback/p/51172...
Jacqueline Reiter talked to Luke ahead of her keynote speech at the War and Peace in the Age of Napoleon Conference, where she discussed why the women seem to have been written out of the narrative of the Napoleonic Wars. Support out work at https://www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod
Sophie Horrocks talks to Luke from the War and Peace Conference, as they talk about her research into theatre during the allied occupation of France at the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Support out work at: https://www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod
Robin Thomas is the latest to be Vox popped from the War and Peace Conference, as he discusses his research into women who were embroiled in the British campaign in Flanders in the 1790s. Support out work at https://www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod
To mark publication day for Graeme Callister's new book on the attack of D'Erlon's I Corps (which Zack has described as a 'genuinely important study'), Graeme sat down with Zack and Liam to discuss the battle more generally, misconceptions, counterfactuals and much more besides. Buy Graeme's book: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Waterloo-The-Attack-of-I-Corps-Hardback/p/51172 Support our work at: https://www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod
Rory Butcher is in the spotlight in the latest from our War and Peace Conference reports, discussing his research into the Fencibles in Britain during the Napoleonic Wars, and why they are so important. Support our work at https://www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod
Andrew Dorman holds court in the next of our mini-series from the War and Peace Conference, as he discusses his research into the 18th Century Irish Military Establishment. Support out work at: https://www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod
Katherine Bayford paused during the War and Peace in the Age of Napoleon Conference to talk about how Josephine and her lover managed to defraud an entire army. Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod
Josh Provan returns to the show to discuss this semi-legendary figure from Indian history, his life, impact on politics on the sub-continent, and why the British were obsessed with placing him on a pedestal after defeating him. Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod Buy Josh's book on The Mahratta & Jat campaigns at https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/bullocks-grain-and-good-madeira-the-maratha-and-jat-campaigns-1803-1806-and-the-emergence-of-an-indian-a...
Dawid Gralik returns to continue our exploration of the Duchy of Warsaw's army, looking at their service record, what happens to these men post-war, and yes, Zack manages to squeeze in some crime and punishment questions. Twitter: @dawgra93 | @zwhitehistory
The popular Peninsular War series returns with an instalment dedicated to the deeply controversial convention of Cintra. Josh Provan joins me to chat about why this was ridiculed at home in the UK and abroad, why it was also necessary 48 hours after Wellesley's victory at Vimeiro, and how the inquiry into its signing unfolded.
007 meets Napoleonic reality as Bob Burnham returns to talk about his new book on Wellington's Spymasters. We discuss why paper was the top of the range gadget being issued to these daring agents, and how these men proved integral in the allies winning the Peninsular War. Buy Bob's book at https://kentrotman.co.uk/newbooks/napoleonic-archive-15-wellingtons-spy-masters-the-reports-of-colonel-john-grant-and-captain-lewis-ruman-2/...
The second instalment of the epic run down of Catherine's life looks at the coup, and Catherine as monarch. Twitter: @zwhitehistory | @AMikaberidze
Charles Esdaile joins me to talk about the Guerilla (or little war). We discuss why the conflict is misunderstood, why not everyone guerilla was a patriot, and why Augustina of Aragon as much myth as reality. Twitter: @CharlesEsdaile | @zwhitehistory Buy the books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3ACharles+Esdaile&s=relevancerank&text=Charles+Esdaile&ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1...
Josh Provan returns to talk about the life of Simon Bolivar, a remarkable individual, widely regarded as the father of a number of South American nations, who had a career that resembled a yo-yo - for reasons we explore.
In the fourth heat of this epic contest of the Marshals, Bernadotte, Murat, Suchet and Victor all go into a bar, but not all of them come out alive... Alex Mikaberidze champions 'the winner of the Napoleonic Game of Thrones' Bernadotte, John Viscardo makes the case for 'all balls and no brains' Murat, Antoni Gumbau valiantly defends Suchet and Chris Kimbell makes the case for Victor. Vote for your winner below.
The Four Horsemen of the Podcalypse ride for the first time, as we unveil the new team of Luke Reynolds, Liam Telfer and Josh Redden who will be desperately seeking to keep that reprobate Zack in check. We explain the new perks, the rationale behind it, and ask the important questions that tax the minds of Napoleonic experts like 'What supercars would figures from Napoleonic history have driven?' (The quality of the show will improve eventually, we promise!) Join the Napoleonic Community at http...
To mark the publication of 'So Just and Glorious a Cause', on the anniversary of the Battles of Rolica and Vimeiro, author Rob Griffith joins me to talk about some of the most famous events of the early phase of the Peninsular War, and the individuals responsible, and the way in which these British victories reverberated across Europe. To enjoy 15% off 'So Just and Glorious a Cause', enter code NWP14 in the checkout when you buy the book at helion.co.uk Join the community at https://www.patreon....
Alex Mikaberidze returns for another instalment of the series exploring the role of Russia in the Napoleonic era. In this episode we begin a multi-episode break down of the life of Catherine the Great, a much maligned, but also hugely influential figure in Russian history. We discuss why Nicholas Holt's depiction of Tsar Peter III might not be entirely accurate, and what Catherine's early life was like. Twitter: @zwhitehistory | @AMikaberidze
In the first of two instalments, Dawid Gralik joins me to talk about the complex history of Poland, how it influenced the politics of the Napoleonic Wars, and the make up of the Duchy of Warsaw Army. Twitter: @dawgra93 | @zwhitehistory
Who was the best out of Massena, Cannes and MacDonald? The Battle of the Marshals returns, with Charles McKay making the case for Massena, Graeme Callister championing Lannes and Clemens Bemman arguing for MacDonald. Expert analysis (sort of) is provided by Josh Provan and Sam Jolley. Have your say on twitter (search for @zwhitehistory and @NapWarsPod), and you can vote below.
Alexander Mikaberidze kicks off the first instalment of a new series on Russia during the Napoleonic era by talking about one of the most significant battles of the entire war: The Battle of the Berezina Twitter: @AMikaberidze | @zwhitehistory Buy the book: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Battle-of-the-Berezina-Paperback/p/18032
In a brand new 'History of the Peninsular War' feature, Josh Provan and I sit down for an impassioned and entertaining back and forth where we discuss the origins of the Napoleon's Spanish Ulcer, the initial lack of British willingness to get involved, how Murat just made everything worse, and why the Battle of Bailen was a dream by every conceivable measure.
Who was the worst politician of the Napoleonic era? Jacqueline Reiter, Beatrice de Graaf, and Luke Reynolds discuss a range of contenders, as well as dishonourable mentions.
Deadly shoals, exploding ships, and debilitating disease are the topic of the day as naval historian Kate Jamieson returns to explain what happened at the Battle of the Nile, which took place on the day this episode airs. Elsewhere, Zack lowers the tone by describing Nelson's battle plan as his 'balls of steel' moment'.
