Leading historian and bestselling author, James Holland, returned to Mainstreet to talk about his new book, The Savage Storm, on Thurs 5th October.

With the invasion of France taking shape, and hot on the heels of victory in Sicily, the Allies crossed into Southern Italy in September 1943. They expected to drive the Axis forces north and be in Rome by Christmas. And although Italy surrendered, the German forces resisted fiercely and the swift hoped-for victory descended into one of the most brutal battles of the war.

Chronicling those dark, dramatic months in unflinching and insightful detail, The Savage Storm is unlike any campaign history yet written. James Holland has always recounted the Second World War at ground level. He weaves together a wealth of letters, diaries, and other incredible documents, tracing the battles as they were fought – across plains, over mountains, through shattered villages and cities, in intense heat and, towards the end, frigid cold and relentless rain. He puts readers at the heart of the action to create an entirely fresh and revealing account of this most pivotal phase of the war.

This event was held in the barn and can only be accessed by stairs. Please read our accessibility policy on the website for more information.

You can buy a copy of Savage Storm HERE.