iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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stephenjoseph7.bsky.social @stephenjoseph7.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

The same author, Mick Hamer, has a new book out this month, the Great Tramways Conspiracy, about how the road lobby managed to get rid of Britain’s trams. See www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/blog/the-rid.... Well worth getting!

pen-and-sword.co.uk

The Riddle of the Trams - Pen & Sword Blog

Author guest post from Mick Hamer. A hundred years ago, trams were an integral part of daily life. More people travelled by tram than took the

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Mick Hamer @mickhamer.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Ever heard of astroturfing? If you have, you probably associate it with social media, climate deniers or Russian bots. A hundred years ago it flourished in the letters columns of newspapers. And as revealed in my new book it brought the British tram to the brink of extinction. tinyurl.com/astrotrams

tinyurl.com

The Great Tramways Conspiracy

Hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets of London to witness the royal opening of the London County Council’s first electric trams in 1903.…

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Helene Harrison MA MSc @tudorblogger.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

I'm delighted to have again been a guest on The Tudor Chest podcast with Adam Pennington - thank you for having me! A really interesting discussion on perceptions of Anne Boleyn! Apple: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t... Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5bJL... @penandswordbooks.bsky.social

podcasts.apple.com

The Many Faces of Anne Boleyn with Helene Harrison

Podcast Episode · The Tudor Chest Podcast · 25/06/2025 · 1h 18m

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Lindsay Powell FRHistS @lindsaypowell.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

Perfect partners! Lovely to see my Roman bios among the 'Most Wished For in Ancient Rome Biographies' on Amazon, including my TIBERIUS which is not yet released in the USA! Published by @penandswordbooks.bsky.social. #AncientBluesky

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Dr Simon Elliott FSA @simonelliott20.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

Today's love from the Roman world! The Happy Archaeologist is very happy! Author's copies of Agricola in Scotland thru ace @penandswordbooks.bsky.social have arrived! Looks LOVELY!Colour plates by ths great Graham Sumner! @timjc.bsky.social @davidebb.bsky.social @alexharvv.bsky.social

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stuarthistoryfest.bsky.social @stuarthistoryfest.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

"Truly Unexpected Quaker History" Talk by Dr Erica Canela & Dr Isabella Rosner Sunday 6 July, 13.00-14.00 One of 7 talks across the festival weekend Book your tickets now: buytickets.at/thestuarthis... @ericanela.bsky.social @17thcenturylady.bsky.social @penandswordbooks.bsky.social

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Sharon Bennett Connolly @thehistorybits.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Oooh! Available for #preorder on Amazon UK! And has a release date: 30 March 2026 Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters from the Conquest. Their stories are touching, inspiring and, at times, heartbreaking. @penandswordbooks.bsky.social #medieval mybook.to/EarlyPrincess

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Lindsay Powell FRHistS @lindsaypowell.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Cruelty, treason trials, sexual depravity: What was life in Ancient Rome really like under Tiberius Caesar? This is the shocking true story of Tiberius Caesar who secured the Roman Empire yet was slandered by History. #TIBERIUSbio @penandswordbooks.bsky.social m.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc11...

m.youtube.com

Tiberius Caesar: The Masterful Emperor Slandered by History

YouTube video by Lindsay Powell

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Norena Shopland @norenashopland.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

If you fancy popping over to Primavera Wellness Space, Llanelli on 4th July, I'll be chatting about my book 'A History of Women in Men's Clothes' with Llanelli Queer Book Club @penandswordbooks.bsky.social #pride #pridemonth

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Helene Harrison MA MSc @tudorblogger.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

Another amazing new review of 'The Many Faces of Anne Boleyn'! Thanks to Robin J. on NetGalley. Available to pre-order now, released 31 July! @penandswordbooks.bsky.social www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Many-Fac... #TheManyFacesOfAnneBoleyn #AnneBoleyn #Tudors #History

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Brigitte Webster @tudorfoodrecipe.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

Excited to announce that the new #paperback edition of #EatingWithTheTudors is ready for #preorder! This is also the perfect opportunity for me to thank all of you have already purchased the hard back copy! Your support means the world to me! @penandswordbooks.bsky.social

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Lindsay Powell FRHistS @lindsaypowell.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

Why was Tiberius Caesar, the best military commander of his time, more popular in the provinces than in Rome? Introducing the first of three book trailers for TIBERIUS published by @penandswordbooks.bsky.social. #AncientBluesky www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScjW...

youtube.com

Tiberius Caesar: The Soldier Emperor Slandered by History

YouTube video by Lindsay Powell

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Helene Harrison MA MSc @tudorblogger.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

A couple of new reviews now up on NetGalley - big thanks to Sarah A. and Kimberly E.! 'The Many Faces of Anne Boleyn' is out 31 July and you can pre-order now: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Many-Fac... @penandswordbooks.bsky.social

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Joe @joeypajamas.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

The #History of #SEGA is up for pre-order! My #book detailing the trials and tribulations of one of #gaming 's most celebrated developers is coming from @penandswordbooks.bsky.social in September, but you can secure a copy now. Hit the following link for all the info!

jmdworks.org

JMD Works - History of SEGA

Releasing September 30, 2025

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Regency Reader - Anne Glover @regencyreader.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

Grateful to have had the opportunity to work with @penandswordbooks.bsky.social on exploring my passion for the Regency! I have had a brilliant time researching and writing Masquerade Balls in Regency Britain and hope it delights, informs, and inspires.

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Helene Harrison MA MSc @tudorblogger.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Today I'm delighted to welcome the lovely @amymcelroy.bsky.social to my blog and Substack, talking about her recently released book 'Mary Tudor: Queen of France'! @penandswordbooks.bsky.social Substack: tudorblogger.substack.com/p/guest-post... Blog: tudorblogger.com/2025/06/06/g...

tudorblogger.substack.com

Guest Post Q&A with Amy McElroy

Author of 'Mary Tudor: Queen of France'

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Ben Skipper @benskipper.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

D-Day would not have been possible without the many types of landing craft used by the Allies on 6 June 1944. If you'd like to know more then take a peak at Landing Craft & Amphibians available @penandswordbooks.bsky.social

Landing Craft & Amphibians available at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Land-Craft-10-Landing-Craft-Amphibians-Paperback/p/20376

The original Ford GPA seen here in Tunisia 1943. (US Army)

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Helene Harrison MA MSc @tudorblogger.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Time for a little teaser of my upcoming book! If you saw one of my previous posts with chapter titles, you'll know that I discuss in this book versions of Anne Boleyn on Film, Small Screen, and Page. And here are the interpretations I'll be examining! Out 31 July! @penandswordbooks.bsky.social

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Richard Long @rclongauthor.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

Nice review of my book ‘Upgrading the Isle of Wight’s Railway’ in the latest issue of the IOW Steam Railway’s ‘Island Rail News’. @penandswordbooks.bsky.social

The author gives a well-researched and comprehensive account of the 2019 - 2024 story of refurbishing Island Line infrastructure, together with the replacement of the 1938 tube stock by 1978 District Line D (D78) stock. He has been helped by key players in the various parts of the work involved and the activities described in the text are copiously illustrated.
The choice of D78 is explained, even if it was probably the only realistic option. The necessary structure gauge modifications - notably Rink Road, Ryde being the tightest spot - are explained.
Not mentioned are the limitations of single leaf doors (London
Transport imagined fewer doors would reduce door malfunctions, without realising the impact on loading / unloading station dwell time - a lesson learned and not repeated with subsequent stock).
Yet meeting signalling and other modern standards were inevitably going to impact train performance: it was always going to be hard to achieve the 1938 stock, 24-minute end-to-end / 6-minute turn -round timing. It comes as no surprise to the reviewer that the (full-line) 30-minute frequency, two-trains-an-hour objective has yet to be fulfilled - but surely this was the prime target on the refurbishment scheme requirement list. One suspects
Stagecoach, as the 'sitting tenant' outgoing franchisee, understood the challenge better than incoming FirstGroup/MTR, even if Stagecoach's various challenges to the Department for Transport had lost it favour, meaning its retention of the franchise was unlikely.
To say the project was fraught
would be an understatement.
Unforeseen 'extras' - to rebuild Brading and Shanklin platform walls, the various impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic (on work, supply chain and lost windows of opportunity)
Vivarait's insolvency, software problems with the 484 Class commissioning, flood damage
- have plagued the project. The author meticulously recounts how all these frustrations were overcome, to the great credit of the various contractors involved.…

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Alan J. Porter @alanjporter.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

At the Aerospace Bristol museum today signing copies of my new book on the Bristol Brabazon from @penandswordbooks.bsky.social

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Lindsay Powell FRHistS @lindsaypowell.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

Looking for gift ideas? Buy a book! Check out my affiliate @bookshop.org where I'm selling my titles published by @penandswordbooks.bsky.social. Every purchase supports this author and independent booksellers. #AncientBluesky uk.bookshop.org/lists/ancien...

uk.bookshop.org

Ancient History: Meticulously researched, lucidly written.

Lindsay Powell is an acclaimed historian and writer. He writes about conflicts, campaigns and commanders of the Ancient World.

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Dr Simon Elliott FSA @simonelliott20.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Today's love from the Roman world, and more from Ratae's @jewrywallroman.bsky.social museum, opening in July. Here we see a beautiful mosaic being installed!!! @wittspat.bsky.social @petesavin.bsky.social @davidebb.bsky.social @penandswordbooks.bsky.social @alexharvv.bsky.social

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Dr Simon Elliott FSA @simonelliott20.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

www.brlsi.org/whatson/agri... An absolute honour to be asked back to the wonderful Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, this time to talk about my forthcoming Agricola in Scotland out July thru ace @penandswordbooks.bsky.social , 28th July, 7.30pm, do come along if free and nearby!

brlsi.org

Agricola in Scotland – how the Romans subdued the Far North – Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution

Agricola was the great Flavian warrior governor of Britain, tasked by the emperor Vespasian with conquering the far north of its main island for the first time. Initially campaigning in Wales and then...

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Casemate Publishers @casematepublishers.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

This release from Pen & Sword Books examines Fascist Italy's use of chemical weapons in their invasion of Ethiopia. @penandswordbooks.bsky.social‬ 💻️: tinyurl.com/2u23jpbb #militaryhistory #militaryhistorybooks #penandswordbooks

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Dr Simon Elliott FSA @simonelliott20.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

Amazing to spend the day yesterday filming with the brill @jimb42.bsky.social in the shortly to open new @jewrywallroman.bsky.social museum in Leicester! A new @historyhits.bsky.social show!!! @petesavin.bsky.social @davidebb.bsky.social @penandswordbooks.bsky.social @casematepublishers.bsky.social

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Dr Simon Elliott FSA @simonelliott20.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

Truly beautiful in the amazing @jewrywallroman.bsky.social in ace Leicester! The lovers! Verundica the actress loves Lucius the gladiator!!! @jimb42.bsky.social @davidebb.bsky.social @alexharvv.bsky.social @penandswordbooks.bsky.social @petesavin.bsky.social @dariusarya.bsky.social

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Alex Harvey @alexharvv.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

Very pleased to see that my upcoming book, LITTLE KINGDOMS, has risen to third place in @penandswordbooks.bsky.social's weekly best sellers chart This is solely from preorders - I can't thank you all enough www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Little-Kingd...

pen-and-sword.co.uk

Little Kingdoms

Before England, Wales, and Scotland were created, before Alfred the Great and the Great Viking Army, before even a raid on Lindisfarne, the kingdoms that…

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Helene Harrison MA MSc @tudorblogger.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

The first review for 'The Many Faces of Anne Boleyn' is in and it's a 5-star! Big thanks to Courtney P. on NetGalley. @penandswordbooks.bsky.social You can pre-order the book here, due for release 31 July: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Many-Fac...

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Horror Lex® @horrorlex.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

For fans of Boris, Peter, Christopher & all their many monsters, "The Godfathers of Horror Films" catalogs their films + the "cataclysmic social and political upheavals which shaped them." New from Jennifer Selway and White Owl. @penandswordbooks.bsky.social www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Godfathe...

The cover of the book "The Godfathers of Horror Films: Boris Karloff, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee" featuring small photos of the three famous actors above the title and, below the title, a larger image from THE OLD DARK HOUSE in which a heavily bearded Boris Karloff paws at a beautiful woman.

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JM Bookshelf @jmbookshelf.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

Thanks to @netgalley.bsky.social and @PenandSwordBooks.bsky.social for this free copy of "Tudor Princes and Princesses: The Early Lives of the Children of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York." #BookSky 1/4

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History Rage Podcast @historyrage.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

Have you enjoyed this week’s episode? ✨ Support the author, and me 📚❤️ by buying a copy of "Saints and Sinners" by Luke Daly through the History Rage Bookshop! 📖 Buy the book: uk.bookshop.org/a/10... Listen now 🎧 pod.fo/e/2da50a #medieval #History #Podcast @penandswordbooks.bsky.social

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The Women In Science Archive @wisarchive.bsky.social · 24/05/2025

Actually finally, all of the stories of these STEM figures can be found in our Women in Science series of books, available now from @penandswordbooks.bsky.social, Amazon, and the finer of book sellers! #WomenInSTEM #BookSky #PsychSky #MedSky

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Janet Few @janetfew.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

This just landed - it was great fun to write www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/A-History-of... @penandswordbooks.bsky.social #FamilyHistory #WomensHistory #SocialHistory #Genealogy

Author holding a copy of A History of Women's Work

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Richard Long @rclongauthor.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

Nice review of my book “Upgrading the Isle of Wight’s Railway” in the March 2025 edition of Tramway Review. @penandswordbooks.bsky.social

From what was once a comprehensive network, the railways of the Isle of Wight dwindled to a short remnant between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin. This survived because the influx of holiday-makers would have jammed the town's roads on summer Saturdays, and to handle them the line was electrified as simply as possible and equipped with former London Underground trains. As this excellent new book describes, such makeshift arrangements became increasingly problematic until a decision was taken in 2019 to overhaul all aspects of the railway.
After the ruling was made a number of issues had to be addressed, all discussed and illustrated in detail here. The greatest challenge involved rolling stock. The former tube trains were over 60 years old, and in their final years it was not unusual for only a single unit to be operable. Their replacements also came from London Underground, in the form of ex-District Line 'D' stock, spacious and comfortable and fit for many years of service: five two-car units were obtained. Track was worn out and signalling and erratic power supply needed attention. A passing section was reinstated at Brading for the first time since 1988, making possible a more frequent service. Platforms have been raised to facilitate level access and bridge clearances have been improved. The railway closed in January 2021 to facilitate the work, with reopening in November 2021.
Our readers will be especially interested to learn of options to extend the undertaking to other parts of the Island, making use of abandoned roadbeds. Sadly, in the years which have passed since closure, portions of these routes have been built over, making replacement costly and contentious. The important Ryde - Newport section is now partly used by the successful heritage railway, a major visitor attraction with operations which preclude shared use. However the option of using light rail techniques and equipment has been considered, more economically to reopen lines, though how realistic …

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Ben Skipper @benskipper.bsky.social · 18/05/2025

Me: You sure you got the book? Friend: Yep. It looks grand. I'll send it on. Me fully trusting said friend: Groovy. Trooping the Colour is now available from @penandswordbooks.bsky.social Conqueror can be viewed at the Royal Lancers & Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Museum, Notts.

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The Video Game Library 📚 @thevideogamelibrary.org · 18/05/2025

Another amazing donation has arrived for the collection 💙 📚 So glad to add “The Game Boy Encyclopedia” from @scully1888.bsky.social and @penandswordbooks.bsky.social to the shelves!

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If It Ain't Baroque... @ifitaintbaroquepod.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

For some royal couples, Happy Ending had an expiration date, especially for these illustrious Georgians: George III & Queen Charlotte, and their granddaughter Charlotte and her husband Leopold. Tune in for @madamegilflurt.bsky.social @penandswordbooks.bsky.social open.spotify.com/episode/0Zff...

open.spotify.com

Trouble in Paradise: The Georgian Edition

If It Ain't Baroque... · Episode

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Helene Harrison MA MSc @tudorblogger.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

Chapter title reveal! What documents and interpretations do you think I'll be looking at based on these chapter titles? 'The Many Faces of Anne Boleyn: Interpreting Image and Perception' is out 31 July 2025 from @penandswordbooks.bsky.social ❤️ and thank you to everyone who has pre-ordered already!

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Claire Bradley @cbgenealogy.ie · 19/05/2025

New book to read & review. This is the second edition so looking forward to comparing. @penandswordbooks.bsky.social #GeneticGenealogy

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Bookish Texan @bookish-texan.bsky.social · 19/05/2025

If you liked Band of Brothers but wonder about the everyday experiences of ordinary American soldiers fighting in the Pacific please check out my book MacArthur’s Bloody Butchers #WorldWarII @casematepublishers.bsky.social @penandswordbooks.bsky.social youtube.com/shorts/qNwC5...

youtube.com

MacArthur's Bloody Butchers

YouTube video by Bookish

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A.J. Griffiths~Jones @authoraj66.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

Buried Alive ~ dispelling the myths & uncovering truths @penandswordbooks.bsky.social www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Buried-Alive...

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