52 - Teaching the First World War
Oh! What a lovely podcast
How do you teach the FIrst World War? This month we're joined by Dr Ann-Marie Einhaus and Prof Catriona Pennell to reflect on their 'First World War in the Classroom' project that explored the ways the conflict was taught in schools. Along the way we discuss the role of battlefield tours, the time constraints faced by teachers, and whether the centenary has changed the way the war is taught' References:
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51 - Public History with Greg Jenner
Oh! What a lovely podcast
Can you turn the First World War into sketch comedy? This month we talk to the public historian, podcaster, and author Greg Jenner. Along the way we discuss his work on the Horrible Histories television show, the difficulties of being funny about twentieth-century history, the different ways in which the public now consume history, and why Jessica might be considering changing career to become a comedian. References:Horrible Histories (2008-Present) You're Dead to Me (2020-Present)
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50 - Black Hand Gang
Oh! What a lovely podcast
What happens when the First World War meets pulp science fiction? This month we read the novel: (the first in the No Man's World trilogy) by Pat Kelleher. The book depicts a fictional battalion of British soldiers who are transported from the Somme to a strange alien world. As a result we discuss supernatural horror and the war, the use of slang, and whether this book was written explicitly for Chris. References: Pat Kelleher, Black Hand Gang (No Man’s Word Book 1) (2011) Daniel Dafoe, Robinson Crusoe (1719) Dennis Wheatley, The Devil Rides Out (1934) Pat Barker,...
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49 - The Warm Hands of Ghosts
Oh! What a lovely podcast
What happens when fantasy meets the First World War? This month, we read 'The Warm Hands of Ghosts' by Katherine Arden, a novel which follows Canadian nurse Laura Iven as she searches for her brother behind the lines in the militarised area known as the ‘Forbidden Zone’. The plot hinges around a mysterious character called Faland, who runs an elusive hotel with no set location that men find to drink and relax In the discussion, we consider the fictional use of historical characters, whether the war began in 1917, and Chris' new scale for measuring war-related novels. Links:...
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48 - No(Wo)man's Land: Writing history at the intersections of gender and First World War Studies
Oh! What a lovely podcast
This month Angus, Chris and Jessica discuss Jessica's professorial , 'No (Wo)man's Land: writing history at the intersection of gender and First World War studies'. Along the way we consider the problem of masculinity as an empty analytic category, the importance of the centenary for the study of the First World War and what Jessica might have done if she hadn't gone in to academia. There is also a sneak preview of exciting forthcoming and future projects from all three of us. References: Jessica Meyer, Jessica Meyer, Men of War: Masculinity and the First World War in...
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47 - Oh What a lovely War
Oh! What a lovely podcast
What happens when three historians watch a key play about the First World War? This month we took a field trip to see at the Leeds Playhouse. As a result we discuss the nature of the performance, the changing image of Douglas Haig, and wonder whether audiences were supposed to sing along. ReferencesAlan Clark, The Donkeys (1961) John McCrae, In Flanders Field (1915) William Phillpot, Bloody Victory: The Sacrifice on the Somme and the Making of the Twentieth Century (2010) Dan Todman, The Great War in Myth and Memory (2005) Oh! What a lovely war (Original London Cast) (1983)
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46 - Egyptian Encounters
Oh! What a lovely podcast
What opportunities did the First World War provide for cultural tourism? This month Angus, Jessica and Chris speak to Allison Bennett, winner of the 2023 Gail Braybon Award for her work on war-time cross-cultural sexual encounters during the First World War. Along the way we discuss #MeToo, and the post-war legacies of these encounters for families, and the popularity of the Pyramids and camels as a tourist attractions. References:GallipoliPeter Stanley, Bad CharactersAlexia Moncrieff, Expertise, Authority and ControlAlan Beyerchen and Emre Spencer (eds.), Expeditionary Forces in the First...
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45 - War Hospital
Oh! What a lovely podcast
What happens when you turn a First World War medical process into a computer game? This month Angus, Jessica, and Chris take control of wartime medicine in the game . Along the way we discuss the importance of evacuation, difficult ethical decisions, and why Chris' conscience is completely clear. If you listen to this episode and share it on social media you can also win a free copy of the game! References: (2024) An Unequal Burden, Jessica Meyer (2019) Regeneration, Pat Barker (1991)
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44 - The Grizzled
Oh! What a lovely podcast
What happens when you turn the French experience of the war into a cooperative game? This month Jessica, Angus, and Chris played a cooperative game focused on guiding a group of French soldiers through the war. Along the way they discuss the morale boosting merits of different drinks, the difference between physical and mental traumas, and whether they are now obliged to design their own British version. References: Meyer, Jessica, Kempshall, Chris, Pöhlmann, Markus: Life and Death of Soldiers , in: 1914-1918-online. International Encyclopedia of the First World War Kempshall,...
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43 - Women at War
Oh! What a lovely podcast
What happens when you set a telenovela in First World War France? This month Chris, Angus and Jessica review the Netflix limited series Les Combattantes (Women at War). Along the way, we discuss untranslatable words, the relationship between war atrocities and propaganda, recreational drug use, and the excellent communication links of a small-town convent. References: Women at war, (2022)The Bonfire of Destiny, (2019)RH Mottram, The Spanish Farm, (1924)John Horne and Alan Kramer, German Atrocities, 1914: A history of denial (2001) Lukasz Kamienski, Shooting Up:...
info_outlineWhat happens when you convert a seminal First World War novel into a big budget film?
This month Angus, Jessica, and Chris discuss the 2022 Netflix version of All Quiet on the Western Front. Along the way they debate the importance of timeline changes, the film's use of violence, and pitch a few alternative films to any listeners from Hollywood.
References
Lewis Millstone, All Quiet on the Wester Front (1930)
Delbert Mann, All Quiet on the Western Front (1979)
Abel Gance, J'accuse (1919)
Saul Dibb, Journey's End (2017)
37 Days (2014)
Sam Mendes, 1917 (1919)
Erich Maria Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front (1928)
Frederic Manning, Her Privates We (1929)
rottentomatoes.com, All Quiet on the Western Front