Adrian Cole

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

How the Treaty of Versailles shaped a fragile peace and a new map of Europe

How the Treaty of Versailles shaped a fragile peace and a new map of Europe

June 30, 2026

How trench warfare in the First World War reshaped combat and ordinary lives

How trench warfare in the First World War reshaped combat and ordinary lives

June 29, 2026

The mapmaker queen of Madagascar: how Ranavalona I defied empires and rewrote an island’s future

The mapmaker queen of Madagascar: how Ranavalona I defied empires and rewrote an island’s future

June 29, 2026

How the Haitian Revolution challenged slavery, empire and racial hierarchy

How the Haitian Revolution challenged slavery, empire and racial hierarchy

June 28, 2026

How medieval siege ladders worked and why they were so risky

How medieval siege ladders worked and why they were so risky

June 28, 2026

The forgotten war of the whiskers: how a dispute over beards shook the Safavid empire

The forgotten war of the whiskers: how a dispute over beards shook the Safavid empire

June 28, 2026

How the Algerian War of Independence changed colonial rule and everyday life in North Africa

How the Algerian War of Independence changed colonial rule and everyday life in North Africa

June 27, 2026

How the Taiping Rebellion turned religion, grievance and reform into one of history’s deadliest conflicts

How the Taiping Rebellion turned religion, grievance and reform into one of history’s deadliest conflicts

June 27, 2026

The forgotten potato panic: how Europe’s first encounter with a new food sparked fear, rumors and slow acceptance

The forgotten potato panic: how Europe’s first encounter with a new food sparked fear, rumors and slow acceptance

June 27, 2026

How the English Civil War shows the messy path from royal power to parliamentary rule

How the English Civil War shows the messy path from royal power to parliamentary rule

June 26, 2026

How trench warfare in the First World War reshaped combat and ordinary lives

How trench warfare in the First World War reshaped combat and ordinary lives

June 29, 2026

The mapmaker queen of Madagascar: how Ranavalona I defied empires and rewrote an island’s future

The mapmaker queen of Madagascar: how Ranavalona I defied empires and rewrote an island’s future

June 29, 2026

How the Haitian Revolution challenged slavery, empire and racial hierarchy

How the Haitian Revolution challenged slavery, empire and racial hierarchy

June 28, 2026

How the Treaty of Versailles shaped a fragile peace and a new map of Europe

How the Treaty of Versailles shaped a fragile peace and a new map of Europe

June 30, 2026

How medieval siege ladders worked and why they were so risky

How medieval siege ladders worked and why they were so risky

June 28, 2026

The forgotten war of the whiskers: how a dispute over beards shook the Safavid empire

The forgotten war of the whiskers: how a dispute over beards shook the Safavid empire

June 28, 2026

How the Algerian War of Independence changed colonial rule and everyday life in North Africa

How the Algerian War of Independence changed colonial rule and everyday life in North Africa

June 27, 2026

How the Taiping Rebellion turned religion, grievance and reform into one of history’s deadliest conflicts

How the Taiping Rebellion turned religion, grievance and reform into one of history’s deadliest conflicts

June 27, 2026

The forgotten potato panic: how Europe’s first encounter with a new food sparked fear, rumors and slow acceptance

The forgotten potato panic: how Europe’s first encounter with a new food sparked fear, rumors and slow acceptance

June 27, 2026

How the English Civil War shows the messy path from royal power to parliamentary rule

How the English Civil War shows the messy path from royal power to parliamentary rule

June 26, 2026