An Unofficial 'The Rest Is History' Reading List

533. Wojtek: The Bear Who Beat the Nazis

January 23, 2025

Description

The story of Wojtek - the bear who took on the Nazis - amidst the death and devastation of the Second World War, and more specifically Poland's heroic resistance, is a flicker of redemption amidst...

Books Referenced

Wojtek the Bear, Polish War Hero

Author: Eileen Orr

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Context:

Explicitly mentioned as the source for the John Clarke quote about seeing Wojtek at Monte Cassino, and later referenced again for details about the battle and Wojtek's story

Casino 44, Five Months of Hell in Italy

Author: James Holland

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Context:

Explicitly cited as the source for the passage about General Oliver Lees and the Polish role at Monte Cassino, described as 'the immortal prose of James Holland'

The Eagle Unbowed

Author: Halik Kochanski

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Context:

Mentioned at the end of the episode as 'the most amazing book on Poland's experience in the Second World War' that they had discussed extensively (note: the transcript renders the author name as 'Halleck Hans' but this appears to be a transcription error)