James Holland
@James1940
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Historian, author & broadcaster of the Second World War. Chalke Valley History Festival. #WarGen #WeHaveWays podcast. #Normandy44 #Sicily43
Near Salisbury, Wiltshire
Joined May 2009
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IT’S A DISGRACE. My sis-in-law is a primary school teacher at breaking point. She gives virtual lessons & also actual lessons to kids of key workers who still come into school. Her younger staff are too ‘stressed’ & are off work. She also has 2 of her own kids at home.
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Just how good were these boys today? Not easy carrying a lead-lined oak casket with the late Queen within faultlessly but they’ve done just that. Massive hats off.
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Blimey.
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What a truly extraordinary life of unstinting service. I feel really very odd. And sad.
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Ah, sad, sad news. The brillIant, wonderful Tom Neil, veteran of the Battle of Britain, Malta, D-Day and outstanding test pilot and author passed away last night. The world is a lesser place without him...
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I’m totally with
@GaryLineker
both for his right to express his own views but more importantly on the sentiment. How
@SuellaBraverman
can claim these plans are either legal or compassionate is totally beyond me. And sending any of them to Rwanda is absolutely despicable.
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I’v got literally 1,000s of pics for my new
#Normandy44
book but only 16 pages of pics allotted. Am thinking of adding a load more on my website. Would anyone be interested to see these?
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Hope for Ukraine. Key to a defensive battle is holding the nodal points - cities, crossroads, rivers etc. France failed to do so in 1940, US forces did in the Ardennes in 1944. The longer the Ukrainians hold onto Kyiv, the more Putin’s rapid victory plan is derailed.
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And just talking to my great friend and sage,
@militaryhistori
: ‘Zelensky is proving as important to Ukraine as Churchill was to Britain in 1940.’ Defiant, unifying, speaking to the free world, standing up to autocractic, deranged despots. Keep going
@ZelenskyyUa
!
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The Silver Spitfire returns! The
@LongestFlight
is over! What an achievement - surely up there with the greatest pioneering feats of aviation! Many congrats not just Matt and Steve but the whole team - incredible effort!
@IWC
@BoultbeeAcademy
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SCAMPTON - what the heck? So, there’s a brilliant plan in place that promises £300 million to the site, 1,000 jobs, safeguards Scampton’s heritage, converts the Officers’ Mess into a hotel and continues the airfield’s aviation story. Please RT.
@WeHaveWaysPod
Shout loud, folks!
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The inside of Salisbury Cathedral’s astonishing spire. None of this wooden scaffolding actually touches the stonework. And completed by 1330, people. Truly amazing.
@holland_tom
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I don’t know what others think, but I’m not remotely impressed by a defence hike to 2.5% by 2030. We’ve an army less than 70,000, can barely field a single brigade, have 2 x aircraft carriers that don’t work & not enough of anything to make Putin quake. Wake up!
@DefenceHQ
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...homes to check they’re OK. AND its now being suggested she willl have to help test pupils for Covid.
@GavinWilliamson
says parents should report teachers who aren’t delivering. She says someone should report him for so badly letting her down. PLEASE HELP AND RT THIS THREAD
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I’ve an idea to write a book about the
#SherwoodRangers
from D-Day to the end of the war: a single tank unit, elegaic, moving, more Ernie Pyle than Amrbose, bottom up, all about the people involved, the machines, the drama & action, the tragedy, the triumph. What do you think?
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It’s D-Day78, people! Good morning from a sunny Gold Beach.
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Gosh, Zelensky is impressive, isn’t he? A true underdog hero, showing the world that one has to stand up to bullies and villains with black and rotten hearts, no matter the consequences, no matter the odds. A shining beacon of indefatigable human spirit.
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I’ve retreated to an old cottage in Cornwall to get cracking with the writing of my new book. And at 6.20am this morning I began. It’s an awful wrench starting the writing process, but Sicily 43 is underway. And actually, I feel better already.
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Have been dragged to a car boot sale by my daughter and have just bought this: a portrait of a decorated Firet World War soldier. He needed rescuing. £1, somewhere, somewhere in a field in Hampshire… Blimey. How had it come to this?
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A much better video! A Sherman in Chelsea! Seriously, what’s not to like???
@NAM_London
brilliantly going to town on this one.
@WeHaveWaysPod
#BrothersInArms
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Just been sent this by
@Tcafff
who points out that this Indian news channel is putting up pictures of SWW Tiger tanks to illustrate the fighting in Ukraine. Bottom right has even still got its black cross on. Crikey.
@WeHaveWaysPod
@militaryhistori
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V sad to report that Stan Perry passed away this morning - the last troop commander of the Sherwood Rangers. Incredible to think he was wowing us at
#WarFest
just a couple of weeks ago. What a remarkable & lovely man he was. Thoughts with his daughter, Kat.
@WeHaveWaysPod
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An Open Letter to
@SuellaBraverman
- signed by 40 historians and interested persons. SAVE SCAMPTON! Pls RT, people!
@ukhomeoffice
@RobertJenrick
@HE_ChiefExec
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From my sickbed have just rewatched The Cruel Sea. What a film! Stunning performances, real ships, everything just right & plenty of drama, action and heart-wrench. And how good is Jack Hawkins? Can convey emotion without words like no man...
@WeHaveWaysPod
@RoyalNavy
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It’s the biggest question: how did Hitler the Nazis mobilise so much hate for the Jews that the Holocaust could take place? This is the 1st part with
@mpeterdavidson
& profoundly thought-provoking stuff. I look at this photo & always wonder how they could have done it.
@almurray
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Hooray!
#Sicily43
now in print! Always such a lovely moment in the whole process.
@WeHaveWaysPod
@almurray
@holland_tom
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To all interested parties in the
@WeHaveWaysPod
fraternity and beyond, I don’t have much news on PCA except that he’s OK and stable and op went well.
@militaryhistori
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I can’t understand why anyone is feeling outraged about this. It’s a sensitive & sensible way of dealing with a dog’s name that is deeply offensive to many, has no bearing on historical events, & which detrimentally distracted from the achievements & heroism of Guy Gibson VC.
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John Hamilton: 101, Dunkirk veteran, AA gunner & shot down 3 Stukas. ‘The film was rubbish,’ he says. Oh, and he goes to the gym five days a week and does 400 sit-ups each morning. And saw Hedley Verity bowling & first went to Lord’s in 1932.
@CVHISTORYFEST
#AmazingHistory
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It’s incredible to think there is just one Battle of Britain pilot left - John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway. I can’t help think of all those I was lucky enough to have known best: Geoff Wellum, Tom Neil, Bob Doe, Pete Brothers, Bee Beamont, Jimmy Corbin, Bam Bamberger. All gone. It’s sad.
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This is a rather impressive - and very large - stain-glass window at Roll-Royce in Derby. Quite the thing.
@RollsRoyce
@WeHaveWaysPod
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I’ve heard it said we shouldn’t take
@BorisJohnson
to account now because of rising costs & war. Tosh! Asquith kicked out in 1916, Churchill in July 45. Ths PM broke the law. What about honesty & principles? And we’re not at war.
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Kristallnacht took place 80 years ago today - a timely reminder of the evils of intolerance, overt nationalism and how such things can very quickly get out of hand. Utterly appalling that today anti-Semitism is on the rise again.
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It’s too sad. Last week Tom Neil, now the wonderful, brilliant Geoff Wellum, author of First Light, one of greatest memoirs ever written and someone who was simply just great fun to be around. This is a truly sad day. I salute them both. They will be dearly missed.
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This DDay 75 Garden by John Everiss at Arromanches really is beautiful and incredibly moving. Here, the veteran looks across at the fading memory of his younger self. Profound, thought-provoking and rather sad too.
#DDay75
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What an extraordinary, life-affirming day yesterday, talking to the 96 year-old last surviving officer of the Sherwood Rangers. Working class start, briefly SAS, whirlwind romance (74 year marriage), twice wounded (2nd time near fatally) & incredible memories, wisdom & humour.
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TRAGEDY OF SCAMPTON’S FUTURE. One of the most original 1930s airfields, with amongst the most heritage of any in UK. From where 617 Squadron flew the Dams Raid. Future looks VERY grim.
@almurray
@WeHaveWaysPod
@militaryhistori
@thehistoryguy
PLEASE RT THIS THREAD & HELP!
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The Silver Spitfire begins it’s journey. Quite amazing! Good luck, boys!
#LongestFlight
#SilverSpitfire
@IWC
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Never forget the New Zealanders. Punched massively above their weight in the Second Wolrd War.
@WeHaveWaysPod
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The Germans signed an unconditional surrender at 2.41am on Monday 7 May 1945. The war in Europe was over, 76 years ago today. A long time ago in one way, but a pinprick in another.
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A bit stunning!
This morning OC BBMF flew out in Spitfire AB910 to greet the
@Airbus
Messerschmitt Foundation Me262 replica ahead of its arrival to RIAT. The Me262 and our spitfire took part in an air to air photography shoot to mark the rare occasion of these two aircraft types flying together!
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A captivated - and silent - pub in central London watching King Charles’ address. Really very moving. ‘God save the King’ people say at its end.
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Woah!!! I LOVE the P-38 Lightning!!! Nothing not to like!
@WeHaveWaysPod
#FlyingLegends
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Cassino 44 DONE! Finished! Handed in. Phew. The most intense, full-on, writing stretch I’ve ever undertaken. And upsetting, frankly.
@WeHaveWaysPod
@almurray
@holland_tom
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I have to say, this is a LOT of Spitfires. What a sight! Pretty amazing effort and on a slightly soggy afternoon too.
@I_W_M
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Just how brilliant is Ghosts? Funny, touching, moving, & superbly observed. Utterly charming and enchanting - my favourite sitcom. Feeling a bit wistful to have finished Series 3.
@benwillbond
@JimHowick
@realmatbaynton
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Ah, lovely Johnny Johnson - what a wonderful, gentle, thoughtful human being. The last of the Dam Busters. That’s it. End of an era. A big and sad moment.
@WeHaveWaysPod
@almurray
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Have just been to a service for the Queen at St Bart’s with
@holland_tom
which ended with the national anthem - now God save the King. It’s going to take a little getting used to.
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There are so many trolls and such vindictive hate on social media, but what a wonderful force for good it can be too - a fabulous
#SWW
community has grown on Twitter - thanks
#IC
members, all following
@WeHaveWaysPod
& all those who add so much to the discussions.
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What a good thing it was that the Kinder Transport and those Jews escaping Nazi Germany in the late 1930s weren’t confronted by
@pritipatel
and this mob in Govt at the moment. Blimey. The shame of our approach to Ukrainian refugees…
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Incredible footage and underlines Gibson’s extreme youth. Just 24 for goodness sake!
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Hooray! Publication day for Sicily 43 & also paperback of Normandy 44 (with new content). If this might be your cup of tea, thank you very much in advance & I really hope you enjoy one or other or both! They’ve certainly be fascinating to write.
@Waterstones
@PenguinUKBooks
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So, after four days on the ground I think I’ve cracked Op MARKET GARDEN. All sewn up. The big questions answered. No more doubt about it. You can’t beat walking the ground…
@wehavewayspod
@almurray
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Gen Mark Clark’s Ike jacket he wore in Italy. How cool is that???
@WeHaveWaysPod
@almurray
@Citadel1842
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I’ve half a mind to write a book about the Atlantic. THE ATLANTIC WAR: Smashing the Wolfpacks 1943 or something like that. The men, the machines, the method, the madness, the mayhem. Never really done naval history before - in any detail, at any rate.
@WeHaveWaysPod
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Always a big moment! I’ve reached the end of Sicily 43. Phew. It’s been a bit of an epic, I’m not gonna lie...
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IT'S JUST SO WRONG! Pls RT! I know I've been banging the Scampton drum a bit these past couple of weeks but I've now seen the
@_Government_UK
's plans for Scampton, which were clearly written with minimal planning, little prep and little thought. Back of fag packet stuff. But...
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At last The Queen’s Head has an apostrophe! It’s taken years of lobbying but on the day the pubs reopen it’s great to see our village boozer has finally come to terms with grammar. Good luck on opening day!
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A pal of mine in California just sent me these of the attack on Pearl Harbor - unbelievable quality for 1941!
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So very, very sad to hear Lyn Macdonald has passed away. A dear friend, brilliantly fun person to be around & a pioneer of recording oral testimonies of veterans. That we have such records of FWW veterans is in no small part down to her. She will be greatly missed.
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First Tom Neil, then Geoff Wellum and now the wonderful Mary Ellis. Three flying legends gone, just like that. It’s really quite traumatic how fast that amazing generation is slipping away. I feel more than wistful.
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Very thrilled and humbled to receive an honorary doctorate yesterday from
@BGULincoln
in the magnificent Lincoln Cathedral. An occasion to savour. Many congrats to
@TracyBorman
who was sworn in as the new Chancellor. Quite a day!
@wehavewayspod
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We’re off! We set off on our wartime SBS Paddle from Ardrossan - 23 nautical miles today!
@benwillbond
@sauldavid66
@WeHaveWaysPod
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For all those wondering on the progress of PCA, I’m glad to report that he is out of intensive care. He’s escaped the perimeter & almost across the Rhine… And this wonderful news on publication day for 1945: VICTORY IN THE WEST.
@WeHaveWaysPod
@militaryhistori
@almurray
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Blimey, what an extraordinary cinematic experience this is. A wonderful, beautifully filmed movie with stunning set pieces. Incredible performance & lingers in the mind. Can’t stop thinking about my grandfather. And historical detail v impressive.
#1917Movie
@andyrobertshaw1
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I think we all hope that when confronted by a situation that requires immense personal moral courage we have the will and fortitude to face it. Boy, have these Ukrainians passed that test.
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I’m not gonna lie - I LOVE this. A New Zealander emerging from the smoke and ruins in Italy. Haunting, moving, striking and fresh and original too. And yes, clearly they did still have SMLE No 1 Mk IIIs and 17-inch sword bayonets in 1943!
@WeHaveWaysPod
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It’s a picture that haunts me whenever I think of this poor, tragic girl. The things some humans do is beyond any kind of comprehension…
On March 12, 1943, the 14-year-old Polish Catholic girl Czesława Kwoka was killed in the German extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau with a phenol injection to the heart.
She’s one of the most well-known Polish victims due to the haunting photo taken at her arrival to the camp.
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Good news - Legal action being taken against the Govt about their plans for Scampton. The fight back begins!!
@WeHaveWaysPod
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So, Lee, our RM Commando leader , has called our wartime SBS Paddle. Deeply frustrating but we’ve had our training weekend, a very tough but exhilirating first day and we leave Oban with a far greater appreciation of what the wartime SBS went through. Huge thanks to the…
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At last. Pilgrimage complete. I feel ridiculously emotional.
@the_topspin
@WeHaveWaysPod
@norcrosscricket
@ECB_cricket
@theoldbatsman
@WisdenCricket
@holland_tom
@almurray
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What a gift from my beloved Bro
@holland_tom
- a first edition printing of Churchill’s ‘never in the field of human conflict...’ speech about the Few. Wonderful.
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May 10 is a BIG day: 82 years ago, Churchill took over as PM, the Germans launched their assault on France and the Low Countries. And today it’s
@almurray
’s birthday. Happy birthday, Al.
@WeHaveWaysPod
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You know I love a then and now. Here’s Carentan. Dick Winters was wounded just to the right.
#normandy44
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Bound preview copy in. Finished copies in within four weeks. Photo sections, maps, integrated pics all signed off. Thanks to
@SeaSpitfires
@almurray
all at
@TransworldBooks
and ALL who have helped with this.
@WeHaveWaysPod
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Very sad to hear that Fred Glover has died. A proud but very humble D-Day Para and lovely fellow. It’s very sad - actually, traumatic - how swiftly that truly incredible generation are slipping away.
@almurray
@WeHaveWaysPod
@TheParachuteReg
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My new ‘study’ - looks very à la 1940s mode. Except for the screen and iPad of course…
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Hooray! Publication day! Thank you so much to all who have helped with this: the veterans, the Sherwood Rangers families, the wider SRY fraternity, the team
@TransworldBooks
@pew_literary
the
@WeHaveWaysPod
gang
@almurray
, friends, colleagues. Everyone.
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In a corner of some foreign field, etc etc. Quite something.
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Most of her pupils don’t have the right laptops - they’ve been promised by the Govt but haven’t ever arrived. She is also expected to clean the school as the cleaners won’t come in. On top of that she has to phone those kids not reporting to school and then go around to their...
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My new film is out
#PBS
on 25 June: World War Speed
@SecretsPBS
One of the amazing things I learned was that SS-Panzer commander, Jochem Peiper, didn’t sleep for 7 days during the
#BattleoftheBulge
& took 5 x Pervitin tabs a day - that’s crystal meth. That’s some drug intake!
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Rather amusingly, this is now the WiFi list next door to the Library in
#Salisbury
@holland_tom
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Oh, yes! My Citroen is back and now so super shiny, shnazzy and shexy! Forget the Dodge, this beauty is coming to Warfest!
@WeHaveWaysPod
@almurray
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It’s quite an rare thing to have a new all-action SWW drama on the
#BBC
- a very rare thing, actually - so it seems only right that
@almurray
& I should give it a special preview on the
@WeHaveWaysPod
today. Stick with it people - Ep 2 better than 1 and 3 & 4 are terrific!
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I can’t bear how binary & tribal everything seems to be. What’s wrong with nuance, differing views sitting side by side & complex opinions? Or with respecting different takes on things?
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