We’re taking a short break this month but normal service will undoubtedly be restored when we’re all back again!

What does the #FWW look like when it arrives as an invasion of home, family, & childhood? We discuss 'My Soul, A Shining Tree', by Jamila Gavin that explores the war's opening months through the experiences of children, civilians, & young soldiers. 🗃️ ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/my-s...

How does the #FWW look when the story is driven by loss, hope and unanswered questions? This month we watch 'A Very Long Engagement'. It centres on Mathilde, who refuses to accept her fiancé has died after being condemned by a French military tribunal. 🗃️ ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/a-ve...

Can a #FWW film work without trenches or battles? This month we discuss the film 'The Choral', which uses song & collective experience to explore the War's impact on a northern English community & consider how it challenges expectations. ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/65-t...

Can a story about #FWW soldiers carry a warning for the nuclear age? This month Anne Marie Einhaus returns for Robert Graves' short story 'Christmas Truce' where a veteran recounts his wartime experience to his anti-Nuclear Weapons campaigning Grandson. ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/chri...

Was Blackadder Goes Forth the most powerful portrayal of the #FWW ever put on television? This month we take a look at the show's enduring legacy & discuss how it evolved, historical realities behind its humour, & why the final scene still resonates. 🗃️ ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/blac...

How did the #FWW bring down Europe’s great dynasties, & how did the BBC retell it in 1974? We watched Fall of Eagles, which charted the decline of the Romanovs, Hohenzollerns, & Habsburgs. We evaluate the strengths & weaknesses of this ambitious show. 🗃️ ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/the-...

What can a 1917 short story collection tell us about the British home front during the #FWW? This month Ann-Marie Einhaus discusses War-Time in Our Street by J. E. Buckrose. These stories capture everyday resilience and humour amid wartime hardships. 🗃️ ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/61-w...

What do young adults think of #FWW fiction aimed at them? In this episode we hear, and discuss, the thoughts of a group of young readers on 'The Boy I Loved' by William Hussey, a novel exploring the impact of war on love, identity and loss. 🗃️ ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/the-...

I would be remiss if I didn't suggest Jonathan F. Vance's "Death So Noble: Memory, Meaning, and the First World War" as a must read in the understanding memory of World War 1. It's connection to Fussell's work is mentioned in the book itself. #history #militaryhistory #ww1

New episode alert! This month we're joined by @iaisherwood.bsky.social & Steven Trout to discuss their analysis of Paul Fussell's book 'The Great War and Modern Memory' and discuss its legacy and ongoing impact! 🗃️

What makes a 50-year-old #FWW book still essential reading? We welcome @iaisherwood.bsky.social & Steven Trout authors of 'But It Still Goes On: Paul Fussell’s The Great War & Modern Memory at 50' to revisit Fussell’s classic & the debates it still sparks ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/50-t...

What happens when a real-life figure becomes the focus of a controversial BBC #FWW drama? This month, we revisit 'The Monocled Mutineer'. We examine its reception, the events at Etaples, & discuss how the show explored class & military discipline 🗃️ ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/the-...

In which I get over-excited and grumpy and reflect on what #DopeGirls tells us about how we (mis)remember #20s30s Britain today. Thanks to @thehistorygirl1.bsky.social @chriskempshall.bsky.social @anguswallace.bsky.social for asking me onto the podcast and humouring my obsessions.

What was the real story behind the BBC series Dope Girls? This month we're joined by @tricksterprince.bsky.social to explore the real figures & stories, the shifting social post-war landscape, & the era’s struggles with gender, crime, & morality. 🗃️ ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/dope...

What happens when a late-20thC detective novelist has strong opinions on the #FWW? We discuss Reginald Hill’s 'The Wood Beyond' & the short story ‘Silent Night’ & consider the significance of the genealogy boom & the politics of the Shot at Dawn campaign 🗃️ ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/regi...

The 2nd keynote at our 2025 Research Conference will be delivered by @thehistorygirl1.bsky.social, of our hosts @universityofleeds.bsky.social, and @owalpodcast.bsky.social. Her career has focused on social & cultural history of the #FWW, considering gender, medicine, & disability.

Starting off the New Year strong talking with these lovely folks. Thanks for having me on such a great podcast.

What do you do when a student brings you family papers in a Harrods tin? We speak to @iaisherwood.bsky.social about his new book, 'The Battalion: Citizen Soldiers at War on the Western Front'. We also discuss digital humanities projects and bad war poetry ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/ian-...

Very much enjoyed this. A lifetime ago I used to live and work in London, and there are many small war memorials but do remember a lot were also lost in WW2. This is a good example though on St Martin's Vestry wall just a few minutes walk from Charing Cross.

How do you walk people through First World War landscapes? We welcome back Prof Mark Connelly to discuss his new walking tours endeavour Connelly Contours. We discuss war memorials in the London landscape,& if bad weather provides important context 🗃️ ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/walk...

If you’ve been a fan of us this year, then let @theguardian.com know! Tell us your favourite podcast of 2024 www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

I took part in this at the centenary and it was wonderful. We had access to such rich sources. A massive thanks to Ann-Marie for involving me in the project!

History Teacher folks, this is something you must listen to, so many interesting thoughts on how we teach the FWW. It's a conflict with so many angles to it that you could teach it anyway you wanted.

How do you teach the First World War? Dr Ann-Marie Einhaus & Prof Catriona Pennell join us to reflect on the ‘First World War in the Classroom’ project. We discuss battlefield tours, time constraints of teachers, & if the centenary changed anything 🗃️ ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/teac...

Can you turn the First World War into sketch comedy? This month we talk to the public historian, podcaster, & author @gregjenner.bsky.social. We discuss his work on the Horrible Histories TV show & the difficulties of being funny about 20thC history. 🗃️ ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/51-p...

What happens when 3 historians watch a key play about the #FWW? This month we went to see Oh What A Lovely War at the Leeds Playhouse. We discuss the performance, the changing image of Douglas Haig, & wonder whether audiences were supposed to sing along. 🗃️ ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/oh-w...

I had a great time chatting about my doctoral research with Jessica, Angus, and Chris! Thanks again for having me on the podcast! Check out the link below! 👇

What opportunities did the #FWW provide for cultural tourism? This month Allison Bennett talks about her work on war-time cross-cultural sexual encounters. Along the way we discuss #MeToo, & the popularity of the Pyramids & camels as tourist attractions 🗃️ ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/egyp...

I enjoyed listening to this, reminded me of some of the cartoons I came across for my MA research -- I don't imagine the game features scenes like this however! #OhWhataLovelyWarHospital

What happens when you turn a #FWW medical process into a computer game? This month we played 'War Hospital'! We discuss the importance of evacuation & tough ethical decisions. If you share this episode here with its secret phrase you can win a free copy!🗃️ ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/war-...

What happens when you set a telenovela in #FWW France? This month we review the Netflix series Les Combattantes (Women at War). We discuss untranslatable words, recreational drug use, and the excellent communication links of a small-town convent. 🗃️ ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/wome...

What should we take from a #FWW documentary? We welcome Prof Robert Burgoyne to discuss the film 'They Shall Not Grow Old'. We also explore how war films can quote each other, differences to the film '1917', & the importance of audience expectations 🗃️ ohwhatalovelypodcast.co.uk/podcast/they...

So what’s everyone’s favourite podcast episode been? What topics would you like us to tackle in the future?