History Today

Ann Hills recounts the development proposals on an American Civil War battlefield site

Divided, outmanned and lacking international support – Paul Heywood argues the wonder was not that the Republic lost to Franco, but that it held out for so long.

Objective memoirs or economy with the truth? Michael Jones sifts for an assessment through a courtier's recollections of power politics in fifteenth-century Europe.

Peter J. Ucko looks at the strengths and weaknesses of archaeological methods and interpretations.

Dick Wilson explores the enigma of the Chinese Communist leader and premier.

On the 50th anniversary of the end of Spanish Civil War, Michael Alpert chronicles the ebb and flow of battle between Republican and Nationalists.

'Sweet' Polly Oliver went to war to be with her lover, but there were many women for whom military life was an end in itself. Julie Wheelwright uncovers the career of one woman whose ambition was amply fulfilled.

Alan Thomas takes a look Samuel Plimsoll, the nineteenth century reformer who left his mark on ships all over the world.

Tony Aldous examines the restoration of Morecambe’s winter gardens.

Rosemary Burton observes new plans for museums.