Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 19 - The Return, What's New With Anglotopia Plus a Discussion on Recent British TV
Release Date: 05/17/2024
Anglotopia Podcast
In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, host Jonathan Thomas discusses two significant topics: the release of a new book titled 'British Monarchy: A Complete Guide to Britain's Kings and Queens' and the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for travelers to the UK. The book compiles a decade's worth of articles on British monarchs, while the ETA represents a major change in travel requirements for visitors, emphasizing the need for pre-travel authorization to enter the UK. Links Takeaways The new ETA is a significant change for travelers to the UK. ...
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In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, host Jonathan Thomas interviews military historian John Maass about his book "From Trenton to Yorktown: The Five Decisive Turning Points of the American Revolution." Maass, who works at the National Army Museum, discusses why he selected these specific turning points and how they altered the trajectory of the war. The conversation explores Washington's desperate gamble at Trenton when his army was at its lowest point, the truth behind the Valley Forge mythology, the critical importance of the Saratoga victory in securing French support, and how...
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In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, host Jonathan Thomas speaks with Robert Verkaik, author of 'The Traitor of Arnhem', about the hidden espionage that shaped the fate of Operation Market Garden during World War II. They delve into the roles of double agents, particularly Anthony Blunt, and the impact of Soviet intelligence on the Allied war effort. Robert shares his personal connection to the story, the shocking revelations from newly released archives, and the broader implications of these betrayals on the war and post-war geopolitics. Links Takeaways Robert's...
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In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, host Jonathan Thomas speaks with Allen Packwood, director of the Churchill Archives Center at Cambridge, about Winston Churchill's role during the D-Day landings. They explore the complexities of military strategy, the scale of preparations, and the integration of civilian and military efforts. Allen shares insights from his research and discusses how Churchill's past experiences, particularly the Gallipoli campaign, influenced his decision-making during World War II. The conversation also touches on the dynamics between Churchill, Roosevelt, and...
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In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, Jonathan and Jackie share their experiences from a recent trip to England, highlighting the long-awaited return to the country, unique events attended, and the charm of London. The conversation covers the International Churchill Conference and cultural experiences, including visits to historic sites and art exhibitions. They reflect on their dining experiences and the beauty of British culture, providing listeners with travel tips and insights into their journey. Links Takeaways Traveling to England after a long hiatus is...
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Following on from last week’s history of Thornbury Castle, this week in Part Two, we take a tour around the castle in person. In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, we take listeners on a captivating tour of Thornbury Castle in Gloucestershire, guided by local historian Tony Cherry. The conversation delves into the rich history of the castle, its architectural features, and the life of Edward Stafford, the 3rd Duke of Buckingham, who built the castle during the Tudor period. The episode highlights the blend of fortification and luxury in the castle's design, reflecting Stafford's...
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This episode of the Anglotopia podcast delves into the rich history of Thornbury Castle, a Tudor castle in Gloucestershire, with resident historian Tony Cherry. The conversation explores the castle’s significance, its connection to historical figures like Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, and the dramatic tales of the Stafford family. Listeners will learn about the castle’s architectural features, its evolution over the centuries, and the luxurious experience it offers today. The episode concludes with a discussion of the castle’s legends and the tranquil beauty of its gardens. This is the...
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In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, host Jonathan Thomas speaks with historian Adrian Tinniswood about his latest book, ‘The Power and the Glory,’ which explores the golden age of British country houses from 1870 to 1914. They discuss the evolution of these estates, the impact of new money and technology, the changing roles of servants, and the societal scandals that characterized this fascinating period in British history. In this conversation, Jonathan Thomas and Adrian discuss the evolution of the British aristocracy, focusing on the influence of figures like the Rothschilds and...
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In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, historian and author Katherine Carter offers a fascinating look into her new book, Churchill's Citadel, which examines Winston Churchill's pivotal “wilderness years” of the 1930s. Katherine shares her lifelong passion for history and her journey to becoming Chartwell’s curator, diving into how this beloved Kent home became Churchill’s personal headquarters for intelligence gathering and diplomacy. She reveals the unique domestic life at Chartwell, with its lively gatherings, memorable overnight guests like T.E. Lawrence, and Churchill’s...
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In this captivating episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, we sit down with historian and author Sophie Shorland to discuss her new book, The Lost Queen: The Surprising Life of Catherine of Braganza. Sophie takes us through the life of this often-overlooked queen, whose marriage to Charles II played a pivotal role in shaping Anglo-Portuguese relations, Britain's cultural landscape, and the introduction of tea drinking to the UK. The conversation dives into Catherine's struggles with her childlessness, her husband's numerous affairs, and her attempts to influence both Portuguese and British...
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In this episode of the Anglotopia podcast, Jonathan and Jackie Thomas discuss new updates to Anglotopia, including website changes, contests, and new books. They also talk about their new email newsletter design and the release of the Anglotopia book 'Great British Houses.' They mention the release of the 'Londontopia Dictionary of Cockney Slang' and the upcoming book 'The Anglotopia Guide to Bridgerton.' They also mention the announcement of a third Downton Abbey film. The episode concludes with a discussion on British television shows. In this conversation, Jonathan and Jackie discuss various British TV shows and movies, including the upcoming Downton Abbey film, Masters of the Air, The Three-Body Problem, The Gentlemen, Clarkson's Farm, and more. They also mention the plans for the Inglotopia podcast, including bringing in guest speakers and covering a range of topics related to British travel, history, and culture.
Links
- Londontopia Lego Contest
- Great British Houses Book
- Londontopia's Dictionary of Cockney Slang
- Downton Abbey Film News
- Masters of the Air on AppleTV
- Three Body Problem on Netflix
- The Gentlemen on Netflix
- Clarkson's Farm on Amazon
Takeaways
- Anglotopia has made changes to their website and released a new design to optimize the reading experience on mobile devices.
- They have also launched a new email newsletter with a new design and added features, including a weekly post and a free desktop wallpaper.
- Anglotopia has released the book 'Great British Houses,' which is a compilation of articles on Britain's stately homes.
- They have also released the 'London Topia Dictionary of Cockney Slang' and are working on a book called 'The Anglotopia Guide to Bridgerton.'
- A third Downton Abbey film has been announced and is currently in production.
- Jonathan and Jackie discuss their love for British television shows and the abundance of great British movies and TV series. The upcoming Downton Abbey film will likely feature a mix of settings in the U.S. and England, potentially exploring 1920s America.
- Masters of the Air is a new TV show on Apple TV that focuses on the air war during World War II, with a majority of the scenes set in England.
- The Three-Body Problem is a hard science fiction show on Netflix that takes place in a parallel world, with a significant portion of the story set in the UK.
- Clarkson's Farm is a popular Amazon Prime show that follows Jeremy Clarkson's journey as a farmer in the Cotswolds, showcasing the challenges and beauty of British farming.
- The Inglotopia podcast is being rebooted with plans to bring in guest speakers and cover a range of topics related to British travel, history, and culture.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back
00:30 Updates to Anglotopia: Website Changes and Contests
07:26 The New Anglotopia Email Newsletter
10:42 Introducing 'Great British Houses'
12:51 The 'Londontopia Dictionary of Cockney Slang'
23:15 Exciting News: A Third Downton Abbey Film
25:35 The Abundance of Great British Movies and TV Series
26:33 The Upcoming Downton Abbey Film
30:23 Masters of the Air
35:12 The Three-Body Problem
39:26 Clarkson's Farm
49:19 Rebooting the Anglotopia Podcast