James Holland is an internationally acclaimed historian, bestselling author, and broadcaster who specialises in the history of the Second World War. He co-hosts the popular podcast with Al Murray, and fronts the annual live event, We Have Ways Fest. The two also host the YouTube series , in which each episode sees them walking a different battlefield of Europe to honour the people, places and stories of World War II.
James has presented a large number of documentaries from the globally watched to the BAFTA short-listed for the BBC and the award-winning series, His authoritative yet engaging presentation style has earned him a loyal following among audiences seeking compelling, in-depth explorations of history.
As an author James has written an impressive array of best-selling works of non-fiction, including and and most recently , which was published by Penguin Books in September 2024. He is also the author of a number of acclaimed novels, including the popular Jack Tanner fiction series.
Outside of his broadcast and literary work, James is a research fellow at St Andrew’s University and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He is also the Co-Founder and Creative Director of the annual Chalke History Festival in the UK.
Television
80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz Expert | 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz - Expert | BBC News Special | 2025 |
D-Day 80: Tribute To The Fallen Expert | D-Day 80: Tribute To The Fallen - Expert | 2024 | |
Secrets of the Dead: World War Speed Presenter | Secrets of the Dead: World War Speed - Presenter | PBS | 2019 |
Lost Home Movies of Nazi Germany Presenter | Lost Home Movies of Nazi Germany - Presenter | BBC Two | 2019 |
Pritzker Military Presents Presenter | Pritzker Military Presents - Presenter | PBS | 2015 — 2018 |
Imphal & Kohima: Britain's Greatest Battle Presenter | Imphal & Kohima: Britain's Greatest Battle - Presenter | HistoryHit TV | 2018 |
Hunting Hitler Expert | Hunting Hitler - Expert | History Channel | 2018 |
Normandy '44: The Battle Beyond D-Day Presenter | Normandy '44: The Battle Beyond D-Day - Presenter | BBC Two | 2014 |
The Battle for Malta Presenter | The Battle for Malta - Presenter | BBC Two | 2013 |
Cold War, Hot Jets Presenter | Cold War, Hot Jets - Presenter | BBC Two | 2013 |
Dam Busters: The Race to Smash the German Dams Presenter | Dam Busters: The Race to Smash the German Dams - Presenter | BBC Two | 2011 |
Battle of Britain: The Real Story Presenter | Battle of Britain: The Real Story - Presenter | BBC Two | 2010 |
Books
News
30th January 2025 We are delighted to announce that internationally acclaimed author, historian and broadcaster, James Holland, has joined Team KBJ and will be working withTheia Nankivell |
Podcasts
![]() Comedian Al Murray and historian James Holland discuss all matters WW2. | ![]() |
![]() In this episode of Battleground '44 series Saul speaks to Historian and friend of the show James Holland. | ![]() |
![]() On today's pod Tom and Dominic are joined by historian - and brother of Tom - James Holland to discuss Operation Barbarossa and the Nazi invasion of 1941, whether it was doomed to fail, and the role it played in the escalation of the Holocaust. | ![]() |
![]() By the summer of 1943, there were Allied boots on Axis soil. Sicily had been taken, and fascism's grip on Italy was beginning to loosen. But Allied command was faced with a tough decision - what to do next? Dan is joined by historian, author and broadcaster, James Holland, to explain why they decided to invade Italy proper and tell us how the invasion played out. | ![]() |