110 years of the clocks going forwards. Make up for your hour’s lost sleep by reading my latest substack for who to blame: open.substack.com/pub/kathryns...

110 years of the clocks going forwards. Make up for your hour’s lost sleep by reading my latest substack for who to blame: open.substack.com/pub/kathryns...

Making my way through the Women’s Prize longlist historical fiction. It’s heavy on the 20th century but I’m enjoying the vastly different perspectives. Currently doubling up on confusing & conflicting identities of a post-1948 Palestinian and East German migrants during the 1989 fall of the Wall.

Good to know we’re safe for a while yet! In case you missed it, here’s my latest Substack of the must-read histories of the Eastern Bloc: open.substack.com/pub/kathryns...

Take a trip beyond the Iron Curtain in this week’s Substack book recommendations: open.substack.com/pub/kathryns...

Take a trip beyond the Iron Curtain in this week’s Substack book recommendations: open.substack.com/pub/kathryns...

A bit more of a political commentary this week, with reflections on where we’re at with talking about the Commonwealth, CANZUK, and politicians standing in fields:

Following Commonwealth Day this week, my Substack reflects on how we think about the British Commonwealth in 2026 and what those videos by Pierre Poilievre show us about the relations of our shared heritage: open.substack.com/pub/kathryns...

The absolute cutest of libraries in Akaroa, New Zealand. Sadly too busy exploring the lovely town to spend a whole day reading here.

Three gripping reads about female spies in #WW2, both fact and fiction: kathrynshistoryblog.substack.com/p/the-women-...

For #InternationalWomensDay2026 I reflect on some excellent books on the bravest women who served in WW2:

There’s not that much historical fiction on the Women’s Prize long list, but I am excited to read The Others by Sheena Kalayil, set in 1989 East Germany. Also pleased to see the incredible Wild, Dark Shore on the list. Such a gripping and absorbing read.

Goes on a lovely off-grid weekend in New Zealand, takes some suitably light, relaxing reading

This week’s Substack features the story of one man from Perth and his mission to serve Jewish soldiers with the YMCA in the First World War. open.substack.com/pub/kathryns...

The remarkable story of the YMCA’s Jewish service in the First World War, now on my Substack:

It’s 2 months since I relaunched my history blog & I’m loving writing history again. I’d love you to subscribe (it’s free!) or to share with others interested in the World Wars, British Empire, & historical reads both fact & fiction. And in case you missed any posts, here’s my 3 favourites so far:

In which I read Trust by Hernan Diaz and get existential about how we do history: open.substack.com/pub/kathryns...

In which I read Trust by Hernan Diaz and get existential about how we do history: open.substack.com/pub/kathryns...

The Perth war memorial might be the only one (at least that I’ve ever seen) that includes a public donation box, ingeniously built out of naval shells. This and more in my weekly Substack: open.substack.com/pub/kathryns...

Kings Park, Perth is home to some remarkable war memorials, including a living #WW1 memorial and the shells of HMS Queen Elizabeth. I visit in my latest Substack: open.substack.com/pub/kathryns...

I respect the previous reader of this library book who was clearly very frustrated with its accuracy yet persisted with reading the whole thing.

Don’t miss my latest Substack, where I’m reading books by Julia Boyd, Daniel Finkelstein and Philippe Sands. open.substack.com/pub/kathryns...

In this week’s Substack I read 3 powerful and personal histories of the Second World War. #ww2

Trying not to be a creep on this flight, but also trying to see which ep of @theresthistory.bsky.social the chap next to me is loading up on his phone.

The RAN’s gone old school 📍STS Young Endeavour at HMAS Kuttabul, Sydney

The right to roam, the commemoration of soldiers, and England’s Lakeland fells. It’s all in my latest Substack:

This week’s Substack: the story of how England’s highest mountains became the most moving of war memorials open.substack.com/pub/kathryns...

In my latest Substack I review six of the best historical fiction from the last year: open.substack.com/pub/kathryns...

The Walter Scott Prize @walterscottprize.bsky.social celebrates the best of historical fiction. I read and review the 2025 shortlist in my latest Substack: open.substack.com/pub/kathryns...

Deeply unsettled by this book’s insistence on “1st World War” rather than First. Not something I’ve ever seen before?

Check out my latest Substack for some weird and wonderful - and oh so Australian - WW1 technology open.substack.com/pub/kathryns...

An unexpected find on a trip to the Infantry Museum: open.substack.com/pub/kathryns...

My Soul, A Shining Tree sounds a very good book if you have a younger reader interested in the First World War (I’m tempted to read it myself 👀)

Fascinating substack series from Prof @peterfrankopan.bsky.social on what’s currently happening in Iran, with frequent updates (some paid, some free).

A good weekend visit to the Australian Army Infantry Museum. Very much tucked away in Singleton, NSW but a great collection from the Boer War to today.

Looking to kick off your new year’s reading? Here’s 3 novels set in WW1 that I couldn’t put down: open.substack.com/pub/kathryns...

I admit, I haven't always been keen on reading novels set in the First World War. But here are the ones that changed my mind: open.substack.com/pub/kathryns...

One of the real treats of my PhD research was reading the letters of Gustav Holst. A fascinating insight into the mind of the man on the verge of Planets fame, finding a way to use music to support the war effort. Read about him here, in my latest Substack. open.substack.com/pub/kathryns...

Discover the wartime service of composer Gustav Holst in my new Substack article: open.substack.com/pub/kathryns...

My new year's resolution ... welcome (back) to Kathryn's History Blog!

My new year's resolution ... welcome (back) to Kathryn's History Blog!

Brisbane ANZAC memorial, this Remembrance Sunday

Coming soon ...

Per ardua ad astra - the view from my lunchtime run

Just finished reading Get In - a surprisingly interesting look behind the red curtain of Labour during Starmer’s rise to PM. Although it’s very much more a book about McSweeney’s rise to power (and Gray’s fall from it).

Taking my book out for dinner this evening

Loving reading a bit more history lately - and of different time periods. Grateful for any recommendations!

My recent not-so-light beach read. Really enjoyed it - a very thorough look at appeasement and those who tried to prevent war for both the right - and wrong - reasons

That’s me setting up camp here on bluesky. Looking to reignite some of the joy of sharing history and books with others again.