Historians and political writers are among the speakers at this year's Bridport Literary Festival, which takes place from Sunday, November 3 to Saturday, November 9.

Kicking off the action will be Steve Richards, an award-winning journalist and broadcaster considered one of the most respected and influential interpreters of the Westminster scene. His popular podcast, Rock n Roll Politics, has now became an acclaimed one-man show, and Steve appears as a regular pundit on various television and radio programmes. On Sunday, November 3, he will be discussing his new - very topical - book, The Prime Ministers: Reflections on Leadership, a landmark history of the men and women who have defined the role in the modern world.

Taking to the stage on Thursday, November 7, is Mark Galeotti, one of the foremost authorities on Russia and the author of We Need To Talk About Putin: How The West Gets Him Wrong. Mark monitors the unfolding story of the Putin era and his talk will analyse the man behind the myth, examining one the world's most influential politicians whose networks of power reach into the heart of our everyday lives.

On Friday, November 8, historian and broadcaster Tom Holland will be discussing his latest publication, Dominion: How The Christian Revolution Changed The World. Looking at the Persian invasion of Greece in 480 BC to the ongoing migration crisis in Europe, Tom will explore how we came to be what we are today, before asking what made Christianity so revolutionary and why, in spite of religion’s claims, it is becoming less accepted in Western culture.

Foreign correspondent Lindsey Hilsum will be in conversation with Prue Keely about her book, In Extremis: The Life of War Correspondent Marie Colvin. With fierce compassion and honesty, Marie reported from some of the most dangerous places in the world, fractured by conflict and genocide. In 2001, she was hit by a grenade in Sri Lanka and lost the sight in her left eye; in 2012, she was killed in Syria. In her talk, which takes place at 2pm on Saturday, November 9, Lindsey will discuss the life of the most daring war reporter of her generation.

Also bearing stories from war zones is Dr David Nott. On Friday, November 8, his talk, War Doctor: Surgery On The Front Line, will discuss his experience as a voluntary surgeon in the world's most dangerous locations, from Sarajevo under siege in 1993, to clandestine hospitals in rebel-held eastern Aleppo. Now acknowledged as one of the most experienced trauma surgeons in the world, he and his wife have now set up a foundation training doctors in the art of saving lives threatened by bombs and bullets.

Programmes, venue information and tickets for the festival are available from the Bridport TIC or online at www.bridlit.com.