Tag Archive for: Edward Stourton

IQ2 Debate: Ancients v Moderns

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Ancient History Matters More Than Modern History. A recording from the IQ2 Debate at CVHF on 29th June 2013 with Boris Johnson, Tom Holland, Dan Snow and Jeremy Black. Chair: Edward Stourton.

What have the Romans ever done for us? Monty Python’s eternal question is put to the vote in this year’s IQ2 debate. This dazzling cast of historians pitted their knowledge and wit against each other in arguing whether ancient or modern history is more instructive and relevant to the times we live in. In this blizzard of repartee in our second, annual IQ2 debate, the audience got to speak and vote on some of the critical questions of history.

CRUEL CROSSING: Escaping Hitler Across The Pyrenees

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Audio from Chalke Valley History Festival, Monday 24th June 2013.

They came from all over France and Europe to escape Hitler’s reach. The mountain paths
were steep and treacherous…even more so in winter or in the dead of night. Some came through established escape channels, others just took to the road, hiding in barns and attics along the way. Many did not make it. Today, their courage and endurance are celebrated each July by a trek along Le Chemin de Liberté, and the intrepid Edward Stourton hauled on his knapsack to join them. Along the way, he encountered stories of midnight scrambles across rooftops, doomed love affairs and astonishing heroism. In this vivid telling of this little- known aspect of the Second World War, Edward Stourton gave an enthralling talk of adventure, courage and also tragedy.