I was lucky enough to win Tunnel 29 a few months ago in a competition and I have just finished reading it ... wow! I was blown away by this book. Definitely up there in the top five of my favourite history books! Helena Merriman the author has a podcast on Tunnel 29 which I will definitely be catching up with now that...

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 Bar Kokhba: The Jew who defied Hadrian and challenged the might of Rome by Lindsay PowellLindsay Powell writes this new release from Pen and Sword books which explores the history of Bar Kokhba a Jew who made a huge impact on the Roman empire. I really enjoyed this book. I went in to this with no knowledge at all- although I've heard of Hadrian...

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Advent day 24... an advent catch up! I was going to do a new post for 24 but I haven’t had the energy to write anything over the past few days so have an advent catch up instead! Day one - The History of advent Day two - The history of Christmas filmsDay three- The history of baubles Day four - Christmas songs... a short historyDay five...

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 Advent day 23 ... why brussel sprouts? See advent day 22 hereBrussel sprouts are a real take them or leave them -  I think it's probably the most dramatic part of Christmas dinner! Sprouts are part of the cabbage family and were first called 'Mini cabbages.'Although grown in other parts of Europe there isn't evidence of them being eaten in Britain until the 19th century....

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 Advent day 22 ... Christmas dessertsSee advent day 21 hereChristmas is a time for over indulging and there are so many Christmas desserts to choose from on the big day ... but why do we associate certain desserts with Christmas? Christmas puddingChristmas pudding originated in the 14th century as a porridge type food called Frumenty. It was made of beef and mutton with raisins,...

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 Advent day 21 ... Rudolph the red nosed reindeer See advent day 20 here"You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and VixenComet and Cupid and Donner and BlitzenBut do you recallThe most famous reindeer of all?Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"Up until 1939 Rudolph didn't actually exist. That kind of blows my mind as I've never known a Christmas without Rudolph so it never occured to...

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Advent day 20 ... Introducing The Historians magazine!See advent day 19 hereI am so happy to finally be pressing publish on the first ever edition of The Historians magazine! There have been delays on this which I apologise for but I am so happy it's ready to share with you all. I know it's not perfect but for my first edition I'm really happy, and I...

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