About this site

Welcome to The Historian's Holonet by Chris Kempshall!

This newsletter will become the home of monthly content from me regarding my work as a historian of both Star Wars and the First World War. But what does that mean?

Each month I will be re-reading a book from Star Wars Legends (the old Expanded Universe) and writing my thoughts on it both in regards to its place within that Star Wars continuity and on how it reflects real world historical events from the time. For the longer books it may take more than a month to read each one, but you'll get the content regardless. As we move through the Legends series, I'll also offer some subscribers the chance to vote on what we tackle next!

But there's more! I'm also beginning the process of researching and writing a brand new history book focused on the First World War. I'm not ready to giveaway the full content of that yet, but each month I'll also be publishing content that touches on this. Perhaps it'll be a retrospective of a key moment or battle, a review of something I've been reading, my experiences on an archival trip, or a revisit of a defining book in the field.

This newsletter will serve to cover both parts of my historian persona - bringing together my work on the First World War and deep dives into Star Wars' history!

Subscription rates

For the free / $0 subscription you'll get access to public announcements and emails I share. These will likely include details of any new publications or books I have coming out, appearances on podcasts, and any signings or events I have on the horizon!

For the $5 subscription, you'll gain access to both monthly newsletters: the ongoing examinations of Star Wars Legends books and the monthly First World War focused newsletter.

For the $10 subscription, you'll have access to all other content but also gain some extra options! Firstly you'll have the chance to vote on and suggest topics for both the Star Wars and the First World War newsletters. I'll also send out an extra email just to these subscribers of online content which has caught my eye and attention each month.

About me

I am a public historian and author who specialises both in transnational experiences of warfare and modern media representations of history; predominantly computer games and the Star Wars franchise.

I've written for the Star Wars in the books Star Wars: The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire and Star Wars: Battles That Changed the Galaxy as well as several articles for Star Wars Insider.

I'm also the author of numerous academic works including; The First World War in Computer Games and British, French, and American Relations on the Western Front 1914-1918. My third book The History and Politics of Star Wars: Death Stars and Democracy was published by Routledge in August 2022.

I am the Historical Consultant for BlackMill Games, an Associate of the Imperial War Museum Institute, a Fellow of the Institute for Historical Research, and a Senior Research Fellow for the Centre for Army Leadership, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. I am also a former President for the International Society for First World War Studies.

I am a Consulting Partner with History Studio where I can assist games developers access relevant historians and historical knowledge.

I am a founding editor for the De Gruyter academic book series ‘Video Games and the Humanities‘ and I co-present the ‘Oh! What a Lovely Podcast‘ which explores the portrayal of the First World War in popular culture.

I received my PhD from the University of Sussex in 2013 and my thesis examined relations between British and French soldiers during the First World War. I have lectured on war, conflict, and European history at a wide assortment of universities.

I am represented by Justin Nash of the Kate Nash Literary Agency.

You can find out more about me and my work at my official website and also find me on Bluesky and Instagram.

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