Military history

Richard the Lionheart is held in great regard by historians, commended as a courageous leader and a master of crusading warfare. Thomas Asbridge considers how far this positive reputation has led to an omission of Richard's strategic flaws and the limitations of his achievements.

Thomas Asbridge is senior lecturer in medieval history at Queen Mary University of London, and author of The Crusades: The War for the Holy Land (Simon & Schuster, 2010)

You can read a sample chapter of Thomas Asbridge’s new book here: http://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/giveaways/the-crusades-exclusive-extract

Winston Churchill delivered some of the most impassioned, articulate and inspirational speeches you’re ever likely to hear. In his book, Never Give in, Winston S. Churchill has selected his grandfather’s finest speeches, so we asked him to narrow the choice down to the eight very best. You can listen to parts of them by clicking on the player above.
 

As we approach the anniversary of the Armistice that ended hostilities in the First World War, Fiona Reid looks at how the French commemorate the conflict

On the 65th anniversary of Operation Market Garden Rob Attar looks back at this daring attempt to bring the Second World War to an early end in the Netherlands