Posts Tagged ‘Winston Churchill’
The Bombing of Dresden: 80th Anniversary Episode
This week marks the beginning of the 80th Anniversary of the bombing of the German city of Dresden during World War II. That bombing took place from the 13th to the 15th of February and caused a great deal of destruction in the city, killing up to 25,000 people. Debates about the reasons for bombing…
Read MoreHow Churchill Waged War
How exactly did Winston Churchill go about directing and managing first the Battle of Britain and then Britain’s part in the wider war? Did he act like a CEO or more like a Chairman of the Board when dealing with the British government? Allen Packwood, the Director of the Churchill Archives Centre at the University…
Read MoreThe Weeping Frenchman: the Emotion of National Loss
In the wake of Trump’s victory, many of his opponents posted images of disbelief, shock, and betrayal on social media. The people who are posting these kinds of images are obviously in despair over what will happen to the United States in the next four years and possibly longer than that. One of those images…
Read More“Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory” – Why the Battle Hymn of the Republic Still Matters
You probably remember that I promised you five shows during our Julia Ward Howe/Battle Hymn of the Republic week. The fifth show was going to be me talking about the Battle Hymn and the many ways it’s endured into the 21st century. I was going to give you examples of how it’s been used in…
Read MoreChurchill’s Wartime Speeches: the Untold Story
Professor Richard Toye explains the background and context of Winston Churchill’s famous World War II speeches, from how they were written, to how they were delivered, to how the public reacted. Not only is it much more complex than the legend has it, the full history provides us with a much greater understanding of World…
Read MoreWinston Churchill “Blood, Sweat, and Tears” Quote or No Quote? Encore!
With the continued popularity of the film, The Darkest Hour, since it’s been heavily promoted on streaming services, I have even more reason than usual to point out bogus Churchill quotes. But I thought I’d talk about something that Churchill actually said, and that was a well-known saying in his day, to show how certain…
Read More“People Sleep Peacefully in Their Beds at Night Only Because Rough Men Stand Ready to Do Violence on Their Behalf,” George Orwell Quote or No Quote?
I’m on a roll, Buzzkillers. Not only do we have a new Chief Operating Officer here at the Institute, but I have had more intense consultations with listeners in the past few weeks than ever before. Last week, Buzzkiller Ben West, messaged me on Facebook asking about the famous quote often attributed to George Orwell:…
Read MoreWinston Churchill, Alexander Fleming, and Penicillin
It’s a Monday Myth day! A little extra credit to give you a Buzzkill boost for the start of your week! In the early days of email, a wonderfully-constructed tale flew around the interwebs. It was about a medical emergency, a heroic rescue, and a family’s gratitude. It attracted our attention here at the Buzzkill…
Read MoreThe Munich Crisis, 1938
The Munich Crisis of 1938 had major diplomatic and political effects. It was also a “people’s crisis,” and an event that gripped the world. Join Professors Richard Toye, Julie Gottlieb, and Daniel Hucker as they present new research and findings about this prelude to World War II. Episode #408 —Buzzkill Bookshelf The Munich Crisis, politics…
Read MoreAppeasement and “Guilty Women” in Inter-War Britain
Professor Julie Gottlieb deepens our understanding of the crisis between World War I and World War 2 in Britain. She shows us how crucial female public opinion was to the development of foreign policy during this period. Chamberlain, Churchill, Munich, and appeasement are better-illuminated light by her new research and interpretations. Join us for a…
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