James Holland

Author

James Holland is a British historian, author, and broadcaster whose accessible, research-driven accounts of the Second World War have brought the conflict to a wide popular audience. His work combines archival scholarship with vivid narrative storytelling, often challenging received wisdom about the war. Born in 1970 in Salisbury,... Wiltshire, Holland studied Modern History at the University of Durham. He has become one of the most prolific and popular World War Two historians in Britain, writing both non-fiction and historical fiction. His non-fiction includes Fortress Malta, Together We Stand, Heroes, Dam Busters, The Battle of Britain, Burma '44, Normandy '44, Sicily '43, and Big Week, each focusing on specific campaigns, battles, or aspects of the war. He is known for making military history accessible without dumbing it down, and for drawing on original research, interviews with veterans, and previously untapped sources. His Jack Tanner fiction series follows a British soldier through the campaigns of the Second World War, combining authentic military detail with compelling adventure storytelling. Alvesdon is among his novels. Holland is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and co-founded the Chalke Valley History Festival, one of the UK's major history festivals. He co-hosts the We Have Ways of Making You Talk podcast with comedian Al Murray, which has become one of the most popular history podcasts in the UK, known for its enthusiastic, detailed, and entertaining approach to wartime history. The audiobook editions of Holland's histories and novels are compelling, with narration capturing the energy and detail of his writing. His books and audiobooks are essential for anyone who loves military history told with rigour, narrative skill, and genuine passion for the stories of the people who lived through the war. Read more Show less