In the news...

As the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War approaches, a lot is currently appear in the media on many aspects of the war. Below are my recommendations on a range of topics from food to fools!

How accurate is the history in Blackadder?

'As fans of Blackadder celebrate the 30th anniversary of the comedy's first broadcast, its stars Tony Robinson and Rowan Atkinson are recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours. Its fast-and-loose attitude to real events and characters is part of the appeal, but how close is any of it to real history?'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22887110

What did soldiers eat in the trenches?

'In the BBC series Blackadder Goes Forth, Baldrick memorably described the finest culinary delight available in the trenches of the First World War as “rat-au-van” – rat that had been run over by a van. In fact, new research suggests the standard of fare on offer to the men on the Western Front was, if perhaps repetitive, at least nutritious, plentiful and, on occasions, flavoursome.'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/britain-at-war/10066467/Beef-tea-potato-pie-and-duff-pudding-How-to-eat-like-a-WW1-Tommy.html

Trench humour - the story of the Wipers Times

'Before Private Eye there was The Wipers Times, a satirical newspaper which found comedy in the adversity of the First World War’s frontline.'

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/trenches-humour-the-satirical-newspaper-that-was-a-masterclass-in-use-of-comedy-against-industrialised-death-8691232.html

Generals of the FWW - Heroes not fools!

A very good article which outlines the historiography of the First World War and explains why it is important that the centenary events challenge the accepted myths and set the record straight!

http://www.politics.co.uk/comment-analysis/2013/07/10/comment-the-generals-of-the-first-world-war-were-heroes-not