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BBC History Magazine
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Christmas 2024
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2024 BOOKS OF THE YEAR
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20 MIN READ TIME
2024 BOOKS OF THE YEAR
It’s been a superb year for history writing, with a plethora of books that enable us to rethink the past and make sense of the present. Here, a panel of historians recommend the titles they’ve most enjoyed, from the glories of ancient India to the dark days of World War Two
COMPILED BY DANNY BIRD
ILLUSTRATION BY
LEILA OMEROVA
Kavita Puri
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This article is from...
BBC History Magazine
Christmas 2024
VIEW IN STORE
Other Articles in this Issue
EDITORIAL
WELCOME
CHRISTMAS 2024
BBC History
THREE THINGS I’VE LEARNED THIS MONTH
1. A helping hand for the Beatles I
THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS
Diarmaid MacCulloch “During my lifetime, the relationship between
EVERY MONTH
ANNIVERSARIES
DANNY BIRD highlights events that took place around Christmas in history
Should Britain be proud of its past?
EXPERTS DEBATE HISTORY’S BIGGEST ISSUES
"She had a wonderful gift for teasing out the voices of the past"
MICHAEL WOOD ON… A PIONEERING MEDIEVAL HISTORIAN
"This spot tells a story of Germany’s recent past and of global power"
KAVITA PURI on how an artificial hill in Berlin played a key role in the Cold War
LETTERS
LETTER OF THE MONTH
Q&A
A selection of historical conundrums answered by experts
ENCOUNTERS
HISTORY COOKBOOK Victorian Christmas pudding CITIES Delhi,
Victorian Christmas pudding
RECIPE
Delhi in five places
The modern capital of India was preceded by seven cities founded by successive powers and conquerors. CHANDRIK A KAUL picks five landmarks from its history
CHRISTMAS QUIZ 2024
’Tis the season to test your knowledge of all things historical with our fiendish festive quiz
PRIZE CROSSWORD
Across 9 British currency historically based on the
THIS MONTH’S TOP PODCAST PICKS
Listen ad-free at historyextra.com/podcast or with ads
NEXT MONTH
Great presidents Who was the most accomplished leader
MY HISTORY HERO
William Shakespeare
FEATURES
Why sex was a sin
Celibacy barely merits a mention in the Bible. Yet, by the early Middle Ages, it was being celebrated as a shortcut to a seat next to God. Diarmaid MacCulloch explores Christianity’s long love affair with sexual abstinence
BLACK AMERICA ON BRITISH AIRWAVES
Sixty years ago, inspired by the tumultuous civil rights struggle in the US, BBC Radio aired a groundbreaking series of documentaries, music and drama exploring black culture. David Hendy explains how African-American voices were beamed into British living rooms
THE FATHER FROM HELL
Cleopatra’s fate has long overshadowed the story of her predecessor, Ptolemy XII. But, as Diana T Nikolova explains, it’s impossible to understand the daughter’s downfall without exploring the father’s hapless reign
FIVE THINGS YOU (PROBABLY) DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT… the history of dogs
Chris Pearson reveals surprising facts about humanity’s evolving relationship with its canine companions over the centuries
STILL THE GREATEST?
On the 150th anniversary of Winston Churchill’s birth, David Reynolds ponders whether the wartime leader remains top dog in the pantheon of British history
Keep smiling
What can history teach us about how to find joy? Katie Barclay shares five lessons from the past about the pursuit of happiness
Who killed James III?
A portentous witch, a sinister cleric, a blood-soaked shirt – Gordon McKelvie delves into the mysterious murder of a Scots king who had legions of enemies eager to see him dead
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