JUNE 2016
WELCOME
Welcome to the 200th edition of BBC History Magazine. Ever since our rst issue in May 2000, we have brought you the best in popular history writing, presenting the latest thinking in an accessible format. That tradition continues this month where you can read Antony Beevor on Operation Barbarossa (page 20), Tracy Borman on the private lives of Tudor monarchs (page 62), and Dominic Sandbrook’s alternative history of the 1980s (page 35). Plus, for our cover feature, on page 26, Kevin Butcher explains how Roman Britain’s rulers took on the might of Rome and forged the rst ever British empire. We’ve also commissioned some special content to mark our 200th edition. On page 47 we’ve asked some of Britain’s leading historians to tackle a number of thorny questions in 200 words each. Meanwhile, on page 73 our reviews editor Matt Elton has brought together four successful history writers to share their thoughts on the changing world of publishing. Meanwhile, on page 54, Michael Wood re ects on the most important historical events in this magazine’s lifetime.
If you’re not already a subscriber to the magazine, then you may well be interested in our special 200th issue offer where you can get your first eight issues for just £20. You’ll find that on page 60. As a subscriber you’ll get reduced ticket prices for events, including our History Weekends which are returning this autumn in Winchester and York. The full line-up is revealed on page 67. We hope to see many of you there. Rob Attar Editor BSME Editor of the Year 2015, Special Interest Brand
THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS
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Kevin Butcher Coins are one of the key historical sources for the Roman empire in the tumultuous third century AD, and I’ve always been fascinated by the light they shed on these dark times. P Kevin tells the story of Britain’s rebel emperors on page 26
Tracy Borman Researching the lives that the Tudor monarchs lived behind closed doors has been utterly fascinating. The eyewitness accounts of their most intimate body servants cast these iconic kings and queens in a very di erent (and not always attering) light. P Tracy investigates the Tudor monarchs’ private lives on page 62
Antony Beevor You can argue that the origins of the Cold War lay in 1941 and Stalin’s trauma about being caught out in the way that he was with Operation Barbarossa. That was why he was obsessed about occupying central Europe, to prevent any surprise attack in future. P Antony Beevor talks to us about Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union on page 20
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BARBAROSSA: HITLER’S WORST MISTAKE?
BRITAIN’SBESTSELLINGHISTORYMAGAZINE£4.80 • June 2016 • www.historyextra.com/bbchistorymagazine
ISSUE 200
How Britannia took on the might of Rome in the third century MEDIEVALCIVILWARHenry III’s ight for survival
200th ISSUE SPECIAL HISTORY’S BIG QUESTIONS ANSWEREDby Ian Kershaw, Alison Weir, Dan Snow, Barry Cunliffe, Tracy Borman and more PLUS
THE BEST HISTORY BOOKS OF THE 21st CENTURY
Tudors uncovered “EdwardVIwasaspoiltbrat with the makings of a tyrant”
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