Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 05/09/2026Just 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 190
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 09/08/2026Just 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 1100
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 28/06/2026Just 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 0141
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 10/05/2026In 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 180
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 17/04/2026Just 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 090
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 10/03/2026Just 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 070
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 18/02/2026Just 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 070
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 29/12/2025Finished 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 0110
Reposted by Cheryl BellFrom Oblivion to Triumph @force136ca.bsky.social · 21/12/2025To 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.comPearl Harbor: Japan's Greatest DisasterYouTube video by WW2TV 011
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 21/12/2025Just 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 1316
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 17/11/2025Just 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 060
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 04/11/2025Just 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 160
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 09/10/2025Completed 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 070
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 30/09/2025Finished 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 1110
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 25/09/2025Completed 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 080
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 16/09/2025Finished 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 010
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 23/08/2025Just 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 060
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 20/06/2025Just 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 180
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 29/04/2025My little lovebird trying to decide which history book to read next! 😉😅 030
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 27/04/2025Just 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 0100
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 04/04/2025Happy anniversary to you both! Have a wonderful time away! 💐🥂 010
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 03/04/2025Just 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 1101
Reposted by Cheryl BellRG Poulussen @rgpoulussen.bsky.social · 31/03/2025Vught 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 04111
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 31/03/2025Finished 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 070
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 02/03/2025Just 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 1120
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 08/02/2025Just 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 011
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 05/02/2025Must admit it had been on my TBR for quite awhile but finally decided to pick it up. It answered some questions I’d had about this period so glad I finally read it. In Power will be next but going to wait a couple of weeks before starting that one. 240
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 05/02/2025That’s great! I’m going to take a short break too before I tackle volume 2. Started a biography of Augustus today for something a little different. 010
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 04/02/2025Just 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 5120
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 07/01/2025My name is Cheryl and I am proud to be Canadian. ❤️🇨🇦! 020
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 30/12/2024Finished 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 070
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 21/12/2024Thanks lots! Merry Christmas & best wishes to you for a great 2025! 010
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 30/11/2024Finished 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! 1110
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 20/11/2024Just finished Echolands by Duncan Mackay. It’s a fantastic read! Highly recommended! #readinghistory 2221
Cheryl Bell @cherylbe.bsky.social · 08/12/2023Hi - I read Not Far from Brideshead earlier this year and quite enjoyed it. A window onto another time. 220
