The pre-eminent military historian Antony Beevor attended Sandhurst and served in the 11th Hussars before writing four novels and twelve books of non-fiction (including the gripping Stalingrad and Berlin). In his latest work – Arnhem: The Battle for theBridges 1944 – he has mined Dutch, British, Polish, German, and American archives, and previously overlooked sources, to vividly document heroism and incompetence in the biggest ever airborne battle. The military disaster saw colossal casualties and resulted in brutal Nazi reprisals against Dutch citizens. Beevor, a master of integrating sources with stories, is in conversation with Michael Williams.

Supported by Heartland Bank.