News

This week on the History with Mark Bielski podcast, on the 75th anniversary of the bombing of the USS Indianapolis, Mark revisits his interview with best-selling author, Lynn Vincent, and National Geographic Historian, Sara Vladic, about their book, Indianapolis: The True Story of the Worst Sea Disaster in U.S. Naval History and the Fifty-Year Fight to Exonerate an Innocent Man. Read More

We are delighted to share the news that journalist Diane Covington Carter's article in France Today online, “Dispatch from Normandy: Honouring D-Day Veterans on the 75th anniversary,” won a Bronze award from the Society of American Travel Writers Western Chapter, in the category of Photo Illustrated article. D-Day veteran George Cross, a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne who traveled with us for the 75th, appears in this piece. Read More

When we last left the English Civil War it was at the First Battle of Edgehill in October 1642. The Royalists serving King Charles I had defeated the Parliamentary forces, however they did not take the opportunity to move on London. The rebellion continued and military historian Johnny Rickett takes us forward almost two years … Read More

Director Mark Bielski received this wonderful tour memory from Peter Baker, a good friend from Downunder who we were honored to have travel all the way from Australia to join our This Hallowed Ground Tour. As you will read, Peter and his wife have been entertaining themselves during this stay-at-home time with a couple of … Read More

Was the Allied disastrous raid at Dieppe on the northeastern coast of Normandy in August 1942 an important learning experience that set the stage for a successful D-Day invasion two years later? Historian Jonathan Carroll examines the planning, decisions and the actions as well as the resulting debates and explanations of Operation Jubilee and its failure. Read More

There are so many highlights of the trip my wife, Linda, and I took on the 2016 Iwo Jima: War in the Pacific Tour that it is hard to pick a favorite. My choice, however, would have to be the chance to honor my uncle, Cpl. Everett M. “Rusty” Lettow, a member of the 3rd … Read More

Historians are often insistent on amending imprecise accounts and replacing mythologized events with substantiated facts. Professional and amateur historians emphasize that in the study of history, the people and events are sufficiently interesting to not require amplification, especially if the result is inaccuracy. In that vein, Matt Broggie takes on the well-known WWII story of the evacuation of Dunkirk and corrects some common myths and misperceptions. Read More

I have travelled from Australia for three Stephen Ambrose Tours and loved them all. The one that stands out for me was the Lewis and Clark Tour of Discovery in 2017 which far exceeded my expectations. Travelling through Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon States visiting most of the significant sites on Lewis and Clark’s epic journey will stay with me forever. Read More

Our senior historian, Chris Anderson, is our man in London. He's been taking a few snaps during his allotted hour of exercise out and about during the pandemic lockdown. This past weekend he got to Marylebone Station with his wife and daughter. It was from here that Churchill began his journey to meet with President Roosevelt for the first time since becoming prime minister. Read More

In the fall of 2015, my son, Rowan, and I joined a D-Day to the Rhine tour led by Ron Drez. I have been interested in WWII for my entire life. I was fortunate to have a mother who indulged my interest in military history, even though it wasn’t considered a “girl” thing in that time period. When my son started showing a similar interest while he was quite young, I promised him if I ever had the money, he and I would go on a WWII history tour. Read More