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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Just completed Churchill’s Citadel which was both interesting & engaging. The book is not just a biography but also a history of the 30’s leading up to the start of WW2 through the lens of people who visited & met with Churchill at Chartwell. I really enjoyed it! Highly recommended! #HistoryBookChat

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Just finished reading Tim Bouverie’s excellent book on the policy of appeasement. The book covers the period from 1933 to the evacuation from Dunkirk. It is well researched, comprehensive & a terrific read. Highly recommended! #HistoryBookChat

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Just finished this excellent history of the immediate lead up to WW1 which given today is June 28 is very timely. This book looks mainly at the diplomatic activities of all the main Powers. It is detailed, well researched & I think a very fair presentation. Highly recommended! #HistoryBookChat

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

In honour of #VE Day finished reading this book by Holland & Murray which looks at various surrenders at the end of WW2. Both the European & Japanese theatres are covered. It was an interesting read! I especially enjoyed reading about people caught up in these events. Recommended! #HistoryBookChat

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Just finished reading this interesting book which focuses on the cultural & religious legacies of the Byzantine empire on the West, Islamic world & Slavic lands. It’s an interesting & engaging read but some knowledge of Byzantium would probably be helpful. Recommended. #HistoryBookChat

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Just finished reading this great 1 vol history of the Cold War. It is organized chronologically & geographically & was global in scope. The topic was covered fairly & balanced rather than overly pro USA. Provides good background in light of current events. Highly recommended! #HistoryBookChat

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Just read this interesting dual biography of Philby & Angleton. It gives a detailed look at their spy activities against backdrop of world events. Recommended with one caveat. I think it would be useful to have some background knowledge of these two individuals before reading. #historybookchat

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Finished this excellent book on the fall of France in 1940. It focuses primarily on French historical, political, societal & military factors affecting events of May-June 1940. The role of Britain is also examined as are the personalities of the major players. Highly recommended. #HistoryBookChat

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Reposted by Cheryl Bell

From Oblivion to Triumph @force136ca.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

To get a taste of the book, those interested may wish to watch Mark's appearance on #WW2TV with @ww2tv.bsky.social at www.youtube.com/live/48NdvhU....

youtube.com

Pearl Harbor: Japan's Greatest Disaster

YouTube video by WW2TV

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

Just read Mark Stille’s recent book on Pearl Harbor that exams in detail the background, planning, attacks & aftermath of the attack.This excellent book also looks at the culpability of senior officers & acts to dispel the many myths that surround this event. Highly recommended. #HistoryBookChat

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

Just finished this informative biography of Elizabeth 1 by Anne Somerset. It explores in detail her role both within England & in the wider context of Europe at a time of great social, political & religious change as well as looking at many of her key relationships. Recommended! #HistoryBookChat

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

Just completed this book on the 1961 Bay of Pigs disaster. In my opinion it provides an excellent, informative & balanced picture of this deadly enterprise. Highly recommended! #HistoryBookChat

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Completed the final book in Bruce Catton’s wonderful American Civil War series. This volume covers the period late 1862 to war’s end & Lincoln’s assassination. Highly recommended! #historybookchat

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

Finished this 2nd volume of Bruce Catton’s wonderful Civil War history series.This book runs from late 1861 to late 1862 after Antietam & the Emancipation Proclamation. It is a terrific book covering military, political, social & economic aspects of the war. Highly recommended. #historybookchat

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

Completed the 1st book of Bruce Catton’s great series on the American Civil War. It well describes the events leading up to this terrible war & ends following the 1st Battle of Bull Run/Manassas. Very informative read. Looking forward to the next in the series. Highly Recommended! #historybookchat

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

Finished this book tonight. It sat on my TBR for far too long. I’d heard nothing but good things about this history of the Battle of Britain & they were right! Provides an excellent overview of the battle from both British & German perspectives. Highly recommended! #historybookchat

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 23/08/2025

Just finished this interesting book by James Swanson on the assassination of Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth & the hunt for him & his confederates. After listening to the recent #TheRestisHistory episodes realized that it was a topic I knew little about. Recommended. #HistoryBookChat

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Just completed Dan Jones book which provides a great overview of the Plantagenets beginning with the heir crisis for Henry I after the White Ship disaster & ending with the death of Richard II. An enjoyable & interesting introduction to this period of English history. Recommended. #historybookchat

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

My little lovebird trying to decide which history book to read next! 😉😅

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 27/04/2025

Just completed this book by Scott Anderson. It is an interesting read looking at the situation in & immediately following WW1 primarily thru the lives of 4 characters incl Lawrence of Arabia. Well researched. Worth a read! #historybookchat

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Just finished this excellent book by Marc Morris on the Norman Conquest. It covers the period leading up to 1066 & ends with William the Conqueror’s death. Very informative & an enjoyable read which I highly recommend. #historybookchat

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Reposted by Cheryl Bell

RG Poulussen @rgpoulussen.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

Vught concentration camp in the Netherlands. Just before the transport to Sobibór extermination camp. Picture is taken on 23 May 1943; within five days they would all be dead. #WW2 #HISTORY

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

Finished reading Emperor of Rome tonight. I always find Mary Beard books to be enlightening & enjoyable & this was no exception! Rather than look at these one man rulers in chronological order the book discusses how they lived, travelled & ruled etc. Highly recommended! #historybookchat

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 02/03/2025

Just finished this engaging & interesting history of the Northmen aka the Vikings covering key individuals, travels & events from their earliest known days to the end of the Viking Age. Well researched using written records, Norse sagas & archeological discoveries. Recommended! #historybookchat

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

Just completed this biography of Rome’s 1st Emperor. It provided an informative narrative of Augustus’ life as well as presenting a view of Rome at this time of transition & portraits of the key people in his orbit. Well worth a read! #readinghistory #historybookclub

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Just completed the first book in Richard J. Evans’ trilogy on the Third Reich. Incredible read! Interesting but pretty disturbing too given echoes in today’s current political & cultural environment. Highly recommended! #readinghistory #historybookchat

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 30/12/2024

Finished Beatrice’s Last Smile, A New History of the Middle Ages today. Mark Gregory Pegg is a master magician weaving stories, lives, literature & faith together to present a vivid picture of the Middle Ages. A fabulous read! #readinghistory

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

Finished rereading Margaret MacMillan’s brilliant book about the lead up to World War 1.The book takes you into the palaces, embassies & offices where decisions were being made for peace or war. It makes for an excellent read! Highly recommended!

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Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

Just finished Echolands by Duncan Mackay. It’s a fantastic read! Highly recommended! #readinghistory

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