Iain MacGregor: How War Changed the World
Why did some armies fight on when defeat seemed certain? How did leaders such as Alexander the Great, Robert the Bruce and Horatio Nelson change the course of history?
Join bestselling historian Iain MacGregor for a thrilling journey through 3,000 years of conflict, drawing on his new book Battle: The Moments That Transformed Warfare from Ancient Greece to Ukraine.
From the shield walls of ancient Greece to the drone warfare of modern Ukraine, this fascinating talk will explore the five forces that have shaped victory and defeat throughout history: Morale, Leadership, Innovation, Subterfuge, Timing & Numbers.
Travel from Marathon, Alesia and Bannockburn to the Spanish Armada, Stalingrad and Kyiv, discovering the dramatic moments when battles changed not just wars, but the course of civilisation itself.
Perfect for anyone who loves military history, great storytelling and the epic characters who shaped our world.
This event will be chaired by Martin Latham, a historian, author and bookseller with an extraordinary appetite for the stories of the past. During 40 years in bookselling, including three decades managing Waterstones Canterbury, he hosted more than 2,000 author events and even managed to get a Roman bathhouse excavated beneath the shop! A former history lecturer with a PhD in Punjab history, Martin is the author of Kent’s Strangest Tales and The Bookseller’s Tale, which earned him a fan letter from Alan Bennett praising the astonishing breadth of his knowledge. Now living near Folkestone, Martin is also a dowser, like his father before him. With a lifelong fascination for history, its mysteries and the stories buried beneath our feet, he’s an ideal guide to Iain MacGregor’s Battle.
Folkestone Book Festival is our annual celebration of stories, ideas and conversation by the sea. Curated by novelist Sophie Haydock (The Flames, Madame Matisse), this year’s festival brings together more than 60 events across two weeks, welcoming world-class writers, thinkers and storytellers to Folkestone.
Discover another event, browse the bookshop, explore Folkestone’s vibrant arts scene, independent cafés, bars and galleries, and share the experience with a friend. The best festivals are as much about the conversations between events as those on stage.
The Festival is part of Folkestone is a Library, our ambitious town-wide celebration of reading, writing and storytelling, helping make Folkestone one of the UK’s most exciting literary destinations.
We believe great conversations should be for everyone, which is why every event includes a £5 Cost of Living Ticket, available with no questions asked.
Please help us spread the word. Together, we’re building a thriving community of readers, writers and curious minds.
Folkestone Book Festival is proudly supported by Eurotunnel, Canterbury Christ Church University, Holiday Extras, and the Friends of Folkestone Book Festival. Creative Folkestone is supported by Arts Council England, Folkestone & Hythe District Council and Saga. Founding Funder The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.
