Matt Eaton
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matteatonmedia.bsky.social
Matt Eaton
@matteatonmedia.bsky.social
Forthcoming book, Madam V's War (https://thehistorypress.co.uk/publication/madam-v-virginia-vernons-war/). Researching troop morale & entertainment, Military History PhD. Journaling about history here:
https://matteatonmedia.substack.com
Pinned
Very pleased to announce that the cover design for my first book has been finalised. Co-authored with Professor Adam Fairclough, Madam V: Virginia Vernon's War will be published by The History Press in August. The story of this fearless woman needs to be told!
#histbookchat #booksky
Reading Flight 777 by Ian Colvin this week. Published in 1957, it explored the mysterious circumstances of Leslie Howard's death in June 1943. Easy to forget what a huge star of stage and screen he was at the time of his disappearance. #histbookchat
February 6, 2026 at 1:26 PM
Snowdrops beginning to bloom and a glimpse of sun!
February 4, 2026 at 10:38 PM
Attended a lecture on the bombing of Dresden this evening. A difficult topic expertly handled by @spitfirefilly.bsky.social
February 2, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Sunday vibes
February 1, 2026 at 1:26 PM
Well, I don't care what people say, I'm warming to Star Trek Starfleet Academy.
a woman in a red coat sits in a chair
ALT: a woman in a red coat sits in a chair
media.tenor.com
January 31, 2026 at 8:22 PM
Next up is Warriors by J. Glenn Gray. Been on the TBR pile for too long and now fits well into my current research into troop experiences. #histbookchat
January 30, 2026 at 9:49 AM
Very pleased to announce that the cover design for my first book has been finalised. Co-authored with Professor Adam Fairclough, Madam V: Virginia Vernon's War will be published by The History Press in August. The story of this fearless woman needs to be told!
#histbookchat #booksky
January 28, 2026 at 9:15 AM
"Ye Hypocrites, are these your pranks
To murder men and gie God thanks
Desist for shame, proceed no further
God won't accept your thanks for murder." - Thanksgiving to a National Victory, Robert Burns
January 25, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Reposted by Matt Eaton
At some point on Friday I passed the 50 mile mark! I'm also closing in on £1250 in donations (my original target was £250). Please help me get to my new target & thus support this fantastic cause.

fundraise.dementiauk.org/fundraisers/...
Gary Sheffield
Hi there, This month, I’m walking 50 Miles for Dementia UK – a cause close to my heart. Just £10 could pay for the telephone costs of two families calling its free Dementia Helpline, so any sup...
fundraise.dementiauk.org
January 25, 2026 at 9:31 AM
Reposted by Matt Eaton
“A gigantic icebreaker is sailing full steam ahead, shredding the old world order. And the name of that ship? The Donald Trump.” My dispatch from Moscow for BBC Radio’s From Our Own Correspondent.
Trump the Icebreaker: Russia on Donald Trump
YouTube video by Steve Rosenberg
youtu.be
January 25, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Well, eldest son managed to get a place at McGill next academic year, so we're going to get to see a lot more of Montreal! Excited for him.
January 24, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Idiots - succinctly put. #thearchers
January 23, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Fear and the frontline soldier's experience are discussed in my blog post this week, based on a memoir by an officer at El Alamein. A sensitive and, at times, shocking topic, but for me it highlights the bravery of ordinary people placed in brutal situations.
open.substack.com/pub/matteato...
January 23, 2026 at 4:53 PM
This week I have been mostly reading The Sharp End of War by John Ellis. He writes about the experiences of the Allied soldiers during the SWW from fear to boredom. Highly recommended. #histbookchat
January 23, 2026 at 7:50 AM
My brain is melting listening to Trump's address to Davos. He's just claimed that the FWW ended because of Spanish Flu.
January 21, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Choux Farci at Pique Nique, Bermondsey. Delicious. This was shared between two, but it's fair to say that I've had my quota of pheasant for January!
January 20, 2026 at 9:27 PM
A new one to spot on my walks in the Chilterns!

BBC News - Rare fungi spotted at The Box Moor Trust Estate in Hertfordshire - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Rare fungi spotted at The Box Moor Trust Estate in Hertfordshire
One of the rarest fungi in Britain has been spotted growing under yew trees on an estate.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 19, 2026 at 9:42 AM
Reposted by Matt Eaton
For your holiday weekend reading & reflection, here’s my 259th #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing, podcasts, new & forthcoming books from the past week. Add more below, share as widely as possible, & solidarity, all! 🗃️

blackwhiteandread.com/scholarsunda...
#ScholarSunday Thread 259 (1/18/26) – Black and White and Read All Over
For your holiday weekend reading & reflection, here’s my 259th #ScholarSunday thread of great public scholarly writing, podcasts, new & forthcoming books from the past week. Add more below, share as w...
blackwhiteandread.com
January 18, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Feeds like #histbookchat and #histscalemodels are an important tool in BlueSky for building communities. Pin these communities to quickly see content updates by going to Feeds > Search for Discover New Feeds > and clicking pin.

Public Service Announcement ends.
January 16, 2026 at 10:31 AM
This week finds me reading The Broken Plume by Norman Craig for #histbookchat. A very honest memoir of the young officers experiences at El Alamein and Italy. Revealing insights into nature of bravery, morale, and companionship. The fog of war at a platoon level and for the men involved.
January 16, 2026 at 9:55 AM
A #histbookchat recommendation picked up from The George the other evening, A Green and Pleasant Land by Ursula Buchan. How England's Gardeners Fought the Second World War.
January 15, 2026 at 9:02 AM
Early evening drinks at The Guards bar. Raffles has done a good job with the Old War Office! Apparently, you can stay in Alan Brooke's former office.
January 14, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Gazing darkly through the dimpled glass. This week's article considers the seriously important stuff - the disturbing lack of beer available to the troops during the Italian Campaign.

matteatonmedia.substack.com/p/una-birra-...
#skystorians
#milwelfhist
January 12, 2026 at 5:29 PM
This week I'm mostly reading Guns at Last Light, the final book in Rick Atkinson's Liberation trilogy. Enjoyable writing as ever and hoping it sheds more light on the political battles within Shaef. #histbookchat
January 9, 2026 at 8:51 AM
Sobering summary of new Maga world view and historical context by Jeremy Bowen on BBC R4 Today programme - from timecode 1hr 37m. Recommended.
January 8, 2026 at 8:38 AM