I have been asked back again (third time) to talk to a sixth-form college doing A-level military history. Disappointed that I can’t find other historians willing to give up a couple of hours to talk to the next generation. If you have free time and knowledge of Crimean, Boer or FWW message me.

Trump has been told he can’t use force and is using his usual bullying tactics to hide this weakness. Shoot me down. 4/4 end

Attacking / supply by sea has similar distances to cover again with hostile activity. I believe the Swedish have a reputation for sinking American carriers in exercises. The only friendly bases will be the East coast of the US. Who is going to want to operate that far from a friendly base? 3/4

The shortest distance between USA and Greenland is over 2,000km. If Canada refuses overflights, that distance rises to 2,500km. Flights could be challenged by irate Europeans. It is likely that US air and naval facilities in Europe (including Iceland) would not be available. 2/4

A hypothesis – Trump says: “I will not use force to take Greenland” – Reality: The US military said it can’t be done without European support. 1/4

I have a big ask. My 9yo son is autistic and he’s been raising a betta fish he named Kevin. Yesterday He asked if he could “share a photo of Kevin with the whole world“. I don’t know if this will work, but a dad’s gotta try. Like and share if that’s your thing. Kevin says hi! 🐟👋

trump Awards Volume 1.

Gareth Glover is talking online about the Commissary in the Napoleonic British army at 7pm on 27 January 2026, for the Friends of the Lines of Torres Vedras. email: [email protected] to register your interest.

Who does this remind you of? (Especially the Pinocchio nose)

'Let them hate me as long as they fear me' - Caligula - The Twelve Ceaears, Book IV. There is a current Wold 'leader' to whom this quote is also relevant. No prizes for guessing.

On this shitty day, this made me smile. ‘Tommy’ at Seaham Harbour, UK. Lest we forget.

I asked AI to produce a PhD level presentation on the battle of Albuera (1811) with citations. I am not worrying about AI taking over from historians (yet). 9 slides, most containing a single sentence.

if you want hit Trump's America where it hurts, add this to the end your searches '-site:amazon.co.uk'. This will exclude amazon from your web searches. I access it through an autocorrect which means I do not even have to type it. Use this for other American companies that support Trump.

A real shame 😂👇

Sérgio Veludo will be giving a talk for the Friends of the Lines of Torres Vedras, on the Portuguese Civil War, 1828-1834, on Tuesday 16 December at 7pm (UK time). Please register your interest by emailing: [email protected]. See our full programme below.

Am i sad? In Barter books,Alnwick and I am accessing my book catalogue over the internet to check what I need/want. If you have not visited Barter book, you are missing something special.

This may be of interest to Napoleonic people. Our next online talk on 18 November at 7pm UK time. Register your interest by email to: [email protected] Maj-Gen (Retd) Rui Moura will tell us about the services of Thomas William Stubbs. Have a look at our other planned talks.

I look at the last few months and it seem to me that world leaders who like Trump are Putin and Netanyahu (alleged war criminals) World leaders who don’t like Trump - everyone else. Please tell me I am wrong.

American diplomacy under Trump. What happens when you let sport brats loose on important matters.

TACO Trump makes another threat to punish Russia. That’s another 50 days of doing nothing followed by forgetting he ever made the threat.

Academia.com emails me to say they have created an AI review of my PhD Read with interest and does not really say much. I would love to see how many of the statements made in the review appear in other AI reviews. I think I know the answer.

Interesting talk last night by historian Bob Burnham. Did you know Spanish were recruited to serve in Wellingtons famous Light Division? I didn’t

**Operation Spiders Web** I resisted a hot take. So, on sober reflection… Op Spiderweb was one of the most impressive, and strategic attacks ever. Short thread 🧵 #russia #Ukraine

Just finishing a chapter on Wellington’s siege of Badajoz in 1812. This was not one of his finest operations. Should be out in book form in 2026 (Helion)

TACO Trump has such a nice ring to it.

Has anyone done fag packet estimates of which would be cheaper in US. A foreign made iPhone with 25% tariff or a US made one using US labour rates?

Our next talk is on 27 May 2025. Dr Graeme Callister will be speaking about his research on the men who made up Napoleon's Grande Army. The talk starts at 7pm UK time. Please register by emailing Ian Brewer on [email protected] A link for the talk will issued nearer the event. NB See new talk.

Napoleonic naval people. In Jan 1812, Wellington asked Admiral Berkeley to supply 9 feet long 24 pounder cannon. I thought Royal Navy cannon were all shorter (6 or 6.5 feet) so they could be handled easier on-board ships. Anybody got an opinion? @dockyardtalk.bsky.social, @kejamieson.bsky.social

You may be interested in this podcast I did Recently for 'Generals and Napoleon'. It is on the Lines of Torres Vedras. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/g...

Is my contempt for AI weakening? ChatGPT created this from this. Lots of details wrong, but I am impressed.

On the same thought, it seems that for the first time ever, the first topic when British people meet is no longer the weather, but what that maniac across the Atlantic has done - even people you don’t know.

I have to say that I am finding it hard to comment on my historical interests during this period of uncertainty on the planet. When will ‘normal’ return?

2/2. 5. Planed purchase of Apple computer on indefinite hold. 6. Loss to USA from my Actions about £1000. If 1% of the people in affected countries did the same the impact in USA would be many $billions. 7. You as an individual can have a say in what is happening.

I should not do politics but as a historian watching this economic car crash, I think what can I do? 1. Change long standing don’t buy Chinese policy to don’t buy American. 2. Stop using Amazon shopping. 3. Cancel Amazon Music - Spotify is European. 4. Stop buying American whiskey 1/2

Super Power to super pariah in 8 weeks. I am a genius.

@ukdefencejournal.org.uk and anyone else. Accepting USA does not have 'kill switch' for UK's Trident and F35, what power do they have to degrade these systems by withholding support, maintenance and upgrades?

@covertshores.bsky.social and anyone else, explain this to me. My current car shouts at me if I get too close to another car. My last car would take physical action, brakes and steering if I got too close. But, two huge ships can plough into each other quite easily. What do I not understand?

@thehistoryguy.bsky.social Dan can I message you? Or drop me a line via www.f-ltv.co.uk Mark S Thompson

The Washington Post refused to run this ad. Sure would be a shame if it went viral.

Next talk for Friends of the Lines of Torres Vedras will be by historian Steve Brown on 21 Jan. Title: The command structure, dispositions and strengths of the Allied forces in the Lines. Register interest by emailing: [email protected]. NOTE. Talk starts 8pm UK time due to time differences.

Packed beach this morning - Druridge bay, Northumberland, UK. It was 4C , so not so warm

A friend of mine, who is female, has just been dropped from a well known battlefield tour company, because one of the older male ‘experts’ doesn’t like her because she actually knows what she’s talking about. I am so pissed off. Every time I think we’re getting better, someone proves we’re not.

I did a talk tonight for the Fortress Study Group on the logistics involved in preparing for. 19c siege (Ciudad Rodrigo 1812). The answer 2000 ox carts, 5000 oxen, 3000 civilians, 200 river barges and 8 months planning. Simples!

Great to be recording again with @andnapoleon.bsky.social tonight on this guy. Scandals, clash of swords & wooden legs all covered, coming to your podcasts. (That's Henry Paget, Earl of Uxbridge, later 1st Marquis of Anglesey, but Handsome Henry to the ladies)

I reached 800 followers today. Welcome to you all. But, I still do not understand the purpose of those accounts with no picture, no profile and no posts.

@mcribbhistory.bsky.social I see your book on Porto 1809 is scheduled for release next month. 👍

When I visit Badajoz in May, I hope to meet the guy who translated my book on the battle of Albuera into Spanish. I still am amazed that mine is the only English language book with a Spanish edition #rightplacerighttime

@robgriffith.bsky.social Hi. Welcome

Just for clarification, these posts about Royal engineer officers are written for entertainment not for academia. I believe the facts are correct.

4/3 (I cannot count!) In the royal Engineers at this time, promotion was strictly on seniority, Mackelcan appeared to do better than other engineer officers. His story is told in fiction in Jean Plaidy’s ‘The Prince and the Quakeress’