As the world recovers from the horrors of the First World War it is assailed by new crises. Britain is short of confidence and buffeted by economic problems as the world drifts towards a new world war. The talk examines “the road to war” and Britain’s efforts to avoid a new conflict, but also to prepare for it. The Munich Crisis is examined, and the question asked whether Britain and France would have been better off standing up to Hitler in 1938 instead of 1939. Had Britain fought "the wrong war?" After the declaration of war Poland rapidly falls, and Denmark and Norway are invaded while Britain and France plan on how to fight Nazi Germany. Schemes are considered to attack the USSR to help Finland and proposals made on how to bring down the German war economy as the British and French goverments struggle during this “phony war” to decide on how and why they are to fight.
Views: 1483 | Enquiries: 7I regularly appear on BBC Radio Nottingham as an historical adviser, most notably as the military historian when Armed Forces Day was hosted at Nottingham. I also acted as a Politics advisor, covering the resignation of Boris Johnson and the first Truss vs Sunak debate. I have also spoken on BBC Notts on topics as diverse as Richard 3rd, the tanks, the home guard and the Easter Rising (for which I also appeared on a programme with BBC Ulster). I am also a regular guest speaker for Abingdon Museum in Oxfordshire, the British Biomedical Institute, Buxton Museum and various Rotary clubs. I have done some TV work for BBC Ulster and for Channel 4. I have appeared as a History speaker for the veterans program for Nottingham Forest and Gloucester Rugby. If you have a particular interest for a history talk that's not on the list, feel free to ask if I'd be able to field a talk on the subject, after all the worst I could say is no!
I am a confident and engaging speaker after many years teaching in a Nottingham Secondary school.
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