Helene von Bismarck
@helenebismarck.bsky.social
Historian and Writer, Anglophile and European. Dr. Phil. FRHistS. Senior Associate Fellow, RUSI.
All views strictly my own.
All views strictly my own.
I took the children to a Museum and came back with a present for myself.
August 30, 2025 at 11:07 AM
I took the children to a Museum and came back with a present for myself.
Since the "out with foreigners, up with the flag, who cares about foreign wars, let‘s focus on OUR NATION“-school of thought is gaining so much traction in the UK media these days, may I refer you to this map from the 25 Strategic Defence Review.
You think you can pull the drawbridge up?
Good luck.
You think you can pull the drawbridge up?
Good luck.
August 26, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Since the "out with foreigners, up with the flag, who cares about foreign wars, let‘s focus on OUR NATION“-school of thought is gaining so much traction in the UK media these days, may I refer you to this map from the 25 Strategic Defence Review.
You think you can pull the drawbridge up?
Good luck.
You think you can pull the drawbridge up?
Good luck.
While we are on the subject, say hello to Constantin Brancusi‘s "Muse endormie“. The beautiful, inspiring Muse, who is -rather inconveniently - asleep.
August 21, 2025 at 10:33 AM
While we are on the subject, say hello to Constantin Brancusi‘s "Muse endormie“. The beautiful, inspiring Muse, who is -rather inconveniently - asleep.
Just found this gem in a Museum.
Really sums it up.
(Applies to writers, too.)
Really sums it up.
(Applies to writers, too.)
August 21, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Just found this gem in a Museum.
Really sums it up.
(Applies to writers, too.)
Really sums it up.
(Applies to writers, too.)
Greetings from Bonn, birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven. This morning I visited his house (today a museum), and bought this postcard with a quote from a letter he wrote to a friend.
"When will be that time
When all will just be human beings“
A moment to hope for still.
Happy Easter to you all.
"When will be that time
When all will just be human beings“
A moment to hope for still.
Happy Easter to you all.
April 19, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Greetings from Bonn, birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven. This morning I visited his house (today a museum), and bought this postcard with a quote from a letter he wrote to a friend.
"When will be that time
When all will just be human beings“
A moment to hope for still.
Happy Easter to you all.
"When will be that time
When all will just be human beings“
A moment to hope for still.
Happy Easter to you all.
April 10, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Look what came in the post this weekend. So kind and generous of @davidhendy.bsky.social to send me his impressive book about the history of the BBC. Can’t wait to get started.
March 3, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Look what came in the post this weekend. So kind and generous of @davidhendy.bsky.social to send me his impressive book about the history of the BBC. Can’t wait to get started.
Just finished reading another book from the "What do we know..“ series, as ever short, full of information & extremely useful. @chrisgrey.bsky.social This time about immigration by @jdportes.bsky.social . From 2019, but especially the historical overview about immigration to Britain is very helpful.
February 26, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Just finished reading another book from the "What do we know..“ series, as ever short, full of information & extremely useful. @chrisgrey.bsky.social This time about immigration by @jdportes.bsky.social . From 2019, but especially the historical overview about immigration to Britain is very helpful.
So this came in the post yesterday. @andrewcopson.bsky.social
I am generally a fan of the Oxford “A very short introduction series”, I have already read the one about the Troubles and the one about the Irish Border in recent months.
I am generally a fan of the Oxford “A very short introduction series”, I have already read the one about the Troubles and the one about the Irish Border in recent months.
January 17, 2025 at 8:06 AM
So this came in the post yesterday. @andrewcopson.bsky.social
I am generally a fan of the Oxford “A very short introduction series”, I have already read the one about the Troubles and the one about the Irish Border in recent months.
I am generally a fan of the Oxford “A very short introduction series”, I have already read the one about the Troubles and the one about the Irish Border in recent months.
Another belated birthday present arrived in the post today! @bendorgrosvenor.bsky.social
November 25, 2024 at 2:39 PM
Another belated birthday present arrived in the post today! @bendorgrosvenor.bsky.social
Taking this home with me after six eventful and very thought-provoking days in Wales and London. Grateful as ever for many interesting conversations, and for seeing friends, old and new.
Lots to consider now.
Lots to consider now.
October 31, 2024 at 5:15 PM
Taking this home with me after six eventful and very thought-provoking days in Wales and London. Grateful as ever for many interesting conversations, and for seeing friends, old and new.
Lots to consider now.
Lots to consider now.
I bought a little book about the Welsh anthem, and the author is not exactly pulling his punches on the first page 😳
October 27, 2024 at 1:22 PM
I bought a little book about the Welsh anthem, and the author is not exactly pulling his punches on the first page 😳
My discovery of the week (found in the Ulster Museum in Belfast) is the painter Sir John Lavery. I had never heard of him before, but was really struck by his work.
(Side-note: he liked to paint reading women.)
(Side-note: he liked to paint reading women.)
October 6, 2024 at 5:37 PM
My discovery of the week (found in the Ulster Museum in Belfast) is the painter Sir John Lavery. I had never heard of him before, but was really struck by his work.
(Side-note: he liked to paint reading women.)
(Side-note: he liked to paint reading women.)
Rather special surroundings to give a lecture about Britain’s place in the world today. Greetings from Ripon Cathedral.
October 3, 2024 at 2:06 PM
Rather special surroundings to give a lecture about Britain’s place in the world today. Greetings from Ripon Cathedral.
German word of the day is "Strandkorb“ ("Beach basket“).
The family took my threat to run off to the Navy seriously, & we remembered that we actually don‘t live that far from the sea.
(Second German word of the day is "Fischbrötchen“. Google it.)
#NorthSea
Hope you had an equally perfect Sunday.
The family took my threat to run off to the Navy seriously, & we remembered that we actually don‘t live that far from the sea.
(Second German word of the day is "Fischbrötchen“. Google it.)
#NorthSea
Hope you had an equally perfect Sunday.
September 8, 2024 at 3:33 PM
German word of the day is "Strandkorb“ ("Beach basket“).
The family took my threat to run off to the Navy seriously, & we remembered that we actually don‘t live that far from the sea.
(Second German word of the day is "Fischbrötchen“. Google it.)
#NorthSea
Hope you had an equally perfect Sunday.
The family took my threat to run off to the Navy seriously, & we remembered that we actually don‘t live that far from the sea.
(Second German word of the day is "Fischbrötchen“. Google it.)
#NorthSea
Hope you had an equally perfect Sunday.
I am finding this book extremely useful, as well as enjoyable.
Anybody who wants to understand the UK should make an effort to educate themselves about Irish history as well.
Anybody who wants to understand the UK should make an effort to educate themselves about Irish history as well.
August 19, 2024 at 8:15 PM
I am finding this book extremely useful, as well as enjoyable.
Anybody who wants to understand the UK should make an effort to educate themselves about Irish history as well.
Anybody who wants to understand the UK should make an effort to educate themselves about Irish history as well.
Rather a special feeling to finish this book while looking out to the Atlantic. An incredible life of a man who was kidnapped &enslaved as a child, transported to Barbados, witnessed&experienced unspeakable cruelty, bought his freedom, travelled the world & became a v. influential abolitionist.
August 15, 2024 at 4:48 PM
Rather a special feeling to finish this book while looking out to the Atlantic. An incredible life of a man who was kidnapped &enslaved as a child, transported to Barbados, witnessed&experienced unspeakable cruelty, bought his freedom, travelled the world & became a v. influential abolitionist.
Very explosive title on this week’s edition of Germany’s most influential magazine:
"Traitors. How the AfD works for Russia and China.”
"Traitors. How the AfD works for Russia and China.”
April 28, 2024 at 11:06 AM
Very explosive title on this week’s edition of Germany’s most influential magazine:
"Traitors. How the AfD works for Russia and China.”
"Traitors. How the AfD works for Russia and China.”
A queen with a book.
My favourite kind of chapel window.
Greetings from Edinburgh Castle.
My favourite kind of chapel window.
Greetings from Edinburgh Castle.
April 22, 2024 at 9:54 AM
A queen with a book.
My favourite kind of chapel window.
Greetings from Edinburgh Castle.
My favourite kind of chapel window.
Greetings from Edinburgh Castle.
This just arrived @katyhayward.bsky.social
February 13, 2024 at 11:25 AM
This just arrived @katyhayward.bsky.social
I forgot to add the picture!
January 27, 2024 at 9:14 PM
I forgot to add the picture!
Stuck at home with sick children, but incredibly proud and grateful to live in the liberal city of Hamburg, where at least 30000 people came out against the Far Right today.
January 19, 2024 at 5:30 PM
Stuck at home with sick children, but incredibly proud and grateful to live in the liberal city of Hamburg, where at least 30000 people came out against the Far Right today.
Some people get lots of books for Christmas. Others spend time at their parents’ house over the holidays and *actively borrow* a few.
(I did ask permission. It’s fine.)
If you have read any of those do share your views.
(I did ask permission. It’s fine.)
If you have read any of those do share your views.
January 5, 2024 at 10:16 AM
Some people get lots of books for Christmas. Others spend time at their parents’ house over the holidays and *actively borrow* a few.
(I did ask permission. It’s fine.)
If you have read any of those do share your views.
(I did ask permission. It’s fine.)
If you have read any of those do share your views.
Hat das hier jemand gelesen? Meinungen? Vielleicht @annerabe.bsky.social ?
January 1, 2024 at 5:42 PM
Hat das hier jemand gelesen? Meinungen? Vielleicht @annerabe.bsky.social ?
Day 21:
This is fun for all Brits and Americans, and for those of us who are interested in both countries and their so-called "special relationship”. Churchill’s American side, which began with his mother. Very readable.
This is fun for all Brits and Americans, and for those of us who are interested in both countries and their so-called "special relationship”. Churchill’s American side, which began with his mother. Very readable.
December 21, 2023 at 6:50 PM
Day 21:
This is fun for all Brits and Americans, and for those of us who are interested in both countries and their so-called "special relationship”. Churchill’s American side, which began with his mother. Very readable.
This is fun for all Brits and Americans, and for those of us who are interested in both countries and their so-called "special relationship”. Churchill’s American side, which began with his mother. Very readable.