Justin Hill and Matthew Harffy are joined by historian Peter Jones to explore the surprising world of medieval self-help. Drawing on his new book Self-Help from the Middle Ages, Peter reveals how people in the medieval period grappled with many of the same challenges we face today—stress, purpose, resilience, and how to live a good life.

From monastic wisdom and practical moral guidance to the everyday advice literature that shaped medieval society, this episode uncovers a rich tradition of self-improvement that predates modern “self-help” by centuries. Along the way, the conversation ranges across history, philosophy, and storytelling, offering insights for writers and history lovers alike.

If you’ve ever wondered what the Middle Ages can teach us about modern life, this is an episode not to miss.

DELEDDA MASTER: Master in Creative Writing & Translation: https://deleddamaster.com/

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In this episode of Rock Paper Swords, Matthew Harffy and Justin Hill are joined by historian and novelist Edoardo Albert to discuss his new book, The Man Who Stopped the Sultan.

The book tells the dramatic story of Gabriele Tadino, a Renaissance military engineer whose expertise helped shape the defence of Rhodes during the Ottoman expansion under Suleiman the Magnificent. Along the way we discuss the Italian Wars, the revolution in gunpowder warfare, and the emergence of the professional military engineer.

We also talk about Edoardo’s fiction writing and his 30-Second Histories YouTube videos: https://www.youtube.com/@30-SecondHistories

Buy the book:
https://uk.bookshop.org/a/14768/9781472869999

Podcast links:
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In this episode of Rock, Paper, Swords!, Justin Hill and Matthew Harffy are joined by historical novelist Sophie Perinot for a wide-ranging conversation about writing, research, and the realities of the modern book industry.

We discuss:

• Moving from the United States to the United Kingdom

• Adapting to life in Britain, including experiences with the NHS

• The importance of the Historical Novel Society conferences

• How historical research has evolved in the digital age

• Changing trends in historical fiction

• What’s shifted in traditional publishing over the past decade

• Navigating today’s historical fiction market

This is an honest and thoughtful look at writing as a profession — community, craft, career longevity, and the changing landscape of historical publishing.

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