Brilliant Books for Christmas Stockings — Part 1
🎄 21 Days of Christmas Book Gifts – Round-Up of the First 10 Books 🎄
In this special episode, we run through the first ten titles in our 21 Days of Christmas Book Gifts series — a curated collection of the very best in history, espionage, military narrative, and historical fiction. If you’re looking for the perfect present for the history lover in your life, or simply want a fast-paced guide to the standout books of the season, this round-up has you covered.
We revisit each title, why it matters, and who it’s perfect for — from gripping World War II narratives to dazzling Tudor intrigue and brilliantly reimagined classics.
📚 Featured Books
Victory 45 — James Holland & Al Murray’s vivid account of the final months of WWII.
The Boleyn Traitor — Philippa Gregory’s tense Tudor power struggle brought to life.
Tank — Mark Urban’s masterful deep-dive into armoured warfare.
Sharpe’s Storm — Bernard Cornwell’s Napoleonic hero at his very best.
Suetonius (trans. Tom Holland) — A fresh, sharp, and wildly readable take on the Twelve Caesars.
Tunisgrad — Saul David’s gripping portrait of catastrophe and courage in North Africa.
Wolfpack — Roger Moorhouse’s thrilling history of the U-boat hunters who helped win the war.
The Pretender — Jo Harkin’s brilliant, witty, and genre-bending historical novel.
The White Lady — Helen Fry’s powerful account of Belgian resistance and forgotten heroism.
The Mission — Tim Weiner's compelling account of the CIA in the 21st Century.
🎧 In This Episode
Fast, insightful rundowns of each book
Why these titles make exceptional gifts
The wider historical themes tying them together
Recommendations for readers who love: WWII history, Cold War intrigue, Tudor drama, classical biography, Napoleonic campaigns, and literary historical fiction
If you’re following along with the full 21-day series or simply need the ultimate history-lover’s gift guide, this episode is your festive cheat-sheet.