Charles Holland

James Holland, born in Salisbury in 1970, is an English historian, author, and broadcaster specializing in the Second World War. He holds a BA in history from Durham University. Holland has authored numerous non-fiction books and novels, all centered around his primary area of expertise: World War II.

Beyond his writing, Holland is a prominent figure in historical outreach. He is the co-founder and co-chair of the Chalke Valley History Festival, the UK's largest history-focused festival. He also co-hosts the popular "We Have Ways Of Making You Talk" podcast with Al Murray. Holland has also presented several television and radio documentaries exploring various facets of World War II, and has contributed to series on related post-war and military topics. He was sanctioned by the Russian government in 2025.

His non-fiction works have been critically acclaimed for their thorough research and engaging narratives, often focusing on the human element of conflict. His novels also draw from historical settings, particularly World War II. Holland's contributions extend to educational initiatives, including writing for the Ladybird Expert Series for children and contributing to historical magazines.

Charles Holland has established himself as a prolific historian and author, with a dedicated focus on the Second World War. His extensive body of work includes both meticulously researched non-fiction accounts and historically-grounded novels. His non-fiction books, such as 'Fortress Malta – An Island Under Siege, 1940–1943,' 'Twenty-One: Coming of Age in the Second World War,' and 'The War in the West' series, have been recognized for their depth of research and compelling storytelling. Holland often emphasizes the personal experiences of individuals within the broader historical context, bringing to life the stories of soldiers, pilots, and civilians. His novels, like 'The Burning Blue' and the Jack Tanner series, also explore wartime settings, further cementing his reputation as a versatile writer deeply immersed in the history of the mid-20th century.

In addition to his writing, Charles Holland is a recognized broadcaster and public figure within the historical community. He has presented numerous documentaries for television and radio, delving into key events and aspects of World War II, including 'Battle of Britain: The Real Story' and 'Dam Busters: The Race to Smash the German Dams.' Holland is also a co-founder and co-chair of the annual Chalke Valley History Festival, a significant event that celebrates and promotes the study of history. Furthermore, he co-hosts the widely listened-to podcast 'We Have Ways Of Making You Talk' with comedian Al Murray, engaging a broad audience with historical discussions. His involvement extends to appearances on various documentary series, contributing his expertise to explorations of military history and related topics.

Holland's commitment to historical scholarship is underscored by his academic background and professional affiliations. He holds a BA degree in history from St Chad's College, Durham. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, a member of the British Commission for Military History, and a member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides, demonstrating his engagement with the professional historical community. His personal collection is held at the Imperial War Museum, signifying the significance of his contributions to the field. His work has garnered critical praise, with reviewers frequently commending his ability to blend detailed historical analysis with engaging narratives that capture the human dimension of conflict.

“Fortress Malta succeeds brilliantly in showing war's human position. James Holland deftly interweaves the personal histories of pilots, soldiers, submariners, sailors, nurses, office clerks and other civilians. All are brought compellingly to life in a brisk, tightly constructed narrative that has the impetus of first-hand experience.”

“Holland has already achieved a reputation as a fine and perceptive recorder of human experience. Here, he exploits his skills to describe what it is like for very young people to find themselves performing tasks and sometimes assuming responsibilities greater than anything they could have known at 21 in peacetime life.”

“This is popular history at its very best: exhaustively researched, compellingly written and authoritative”

“Holland prefers his history to be about people, and his dazzling cast of characters includes civilians and servicemen, men and women, young and old. It may take him more than 300 pages to get to the Battle of Britain proper, yet the pace never flags”

“painstakingly researched and splendidly told”