Adrian Cole

I write about wars, revolutions, ancient conflicts, and the turning points that reshaped nations, empires, and societies.

Why the Russian Revolution of 1905 matters for understanding protest and power today

Why the Russian Revolution of 1905 matters for understanding protest and power today

June 3, 2026

The village that saved Europe’s books: how hidden monasteries kept knowledge alive

The village that saved Europe’s books: how hidden monasteries kept knowledge alive

June 3, 2026

How carrier pigeons built an ancient wireless network long before radio

How carrier pigeons built an ancient wireless network long before radio

June 2, 2026

The night the world almost broke its cables: the forgotten 1929 transatlantic phone call

The night the world almost broke its cables: the forgotten 1929 transatlantic phone call

June 2, 2026

How the Spanish Civil War redrew Spain’s map and identity

How the Spanish Civil War redrew Spain’s map and identity

June 1, 2026

The lost race across America: remembering the 1909 transcontinental auto contest

The lost race across America: remembering the 1909 transcontinental auto contest

June 1, 2026

The forgotten 1919 Winnipeg General Strike and how ordinary workers challenged an entire system

The forgotten 1919 Winnipeg General Strike and how ordinary workers challenged an entire system

May 31, 2026

How the fork went from suspicious luxury to everyday table essential

How the fork went from suspicious luxury to everyday table essential

May 30, 2026

Why the Battle of Tsushima still matters for modern navies and global politics

Why the Battle of Tsushima still matters for modern navies and global politics

May 29, 2026

How tomatoes went from “poisonous love apples” to a kitchen essential

How tomatoes went from “poisonous love apples” to a kitchen essential

May 29, 2026

The forgotten Olympic medals for art and how they blurred the line between sport and culture

The forgotten Olympic medals for art and how they blurred the line between sport and culture

May 29, 2026

How the Algerian War of Independence changed everyday life in Algeria and France

How the Algerian War of Independence changed everyday life in Algeria and France

May 28, 2026

How to read the French Revolution without getting lost in the chaos

How to read the French Revolution without getting lost in the chaos

May 28, 2026

The overlooked fight against pellagra and how it reshaped public health

The overlooked fight against pellagra and how it reshaped public health

May 28, 2026

How vinyl records quietly survived the CD era and came back again

How vinyl records quietly survived the CD era and came back again

May 28, 2026

How Japanese castles transformed warfare during the Sengoku period

How Japanese castles transformed warfare during the Sengoku period

May 28, 2026

Why the western Roman Empire collapsed and what it can teach us today

Why the western Roman Empire collapsed and what it can teach us today

May 28, 2026

How the Great Stink of 1858 quietly changed how cities protect public health

How the Great Stink of 1858 quietly changed how cities protect public health

May 28, 2026

Why the Russian Revolution of 1905 matters for understanding protest and power today

Why the Russian Revolution of 1905 matters for understanding protest and power today

June 3, 2026

The village that saved Europe’s books: how hidden monasteries kept knowledge alive

The village that saved Europe’s books: how hidden monasteries kept knowledge alive

June 3, 2026

How carrier pigeons built an ancient wireless network long before radio

How carrier pigeons built an ancient wireless network long before radio

June 2, 2026

The night the world almost broke its cables: the forgotten 1929 transatlantic phone call

The night the world almost broke its cables: the forgotten 1929 transatlantic phone call

June 2, 2026

How the Spanish Civil War redrew Spain’s map and identity

How the Spanish Civil War redrew Spain’s map and identity

June 1, 2026

The lost race across America: remembering the 1909 transcontinental auto contest

The lost race across America: remembering the 1909 transcontinental auto contest

June 1, 2026

The forgotten 1919 Winnipeg General Strike and how ordinary workers challenged an entire system

The forgotten 1919 Winnipeg General Strike and how ordinary workers challenged an entire system

May 31, 2026

How the fork went from suspicious luxury to everyday table essential

How the fork went from suspicious luxury to everyday table essential

May 30, 2026

Why the Battle of Tsushima still matters for modern navies and global politics

Why the Battle of Tsushima still matters for modern navies and global politics

May 29, 2026

How tomatoes went from “poisonous love apples” to a kitchen essential

How tomatoes went from “poisonous love apples” to a kitchen essential

May 29, 2026

The forgotten Olympic medals for art and how they blurred the line between sport and culture

The forgotten Olympic medals for art and how they blurred the line between sport and culture

May 29, 2026

How the Algerian War of Independence changed everyday life in Algeria and France

How the Algerian War of Independence changed everyday life in Algeria and France

May 28, 2026

How to read the French Revolution without getting lost in the chaos

How to read the French Revolution without getting lost in the chaos

May 28, 2026

The overlooked fight against pellagra and how it reshaped public health

The overlooked fight against pellagra and how it reshaped public health

May 28, 2026

How vinyl records quietly survived the CD era and came back again

How vinyl records quietly survived the CD era and came back again

May 28, 2026

How Japanese castles transformed warfare during the Sengoku period

How Japanese castles transformed warfare during the Sengoku period

May 28, 2026

Why the western Roman Empire collapsed and what it can teach us today

Why the western Roman Empire collapsed and what it can teach us today

May 28, 2026

How the Great Stink of 1858 quietly changed how cities protect public health

How the Great Stink of 1858 quietly changed how cities protect public health

May 28, 2026