History Podcast

[Gerg]

Hello group,

This isn't exactly a post about something to read but  The Book Shelf was the closest category I could find.

A gentleman by the name of Dan Carlin does a podcast called Hardcore History. I find it very interesting. He has an engaging style. Although he stresses he is not an historian he is very informed on whichever topic he is discussing. He has recently completed a 6 part series on The Great War entitled Blueprint for Armageddon.  Each episode is 3 or 4 hours long. You can stream from your computer but it is better to download the programs and put them on your Ipod or such.  They are free for a time but as new episodes are released the older ones are no longer free. At that point they may cost a buck or 2.  All of the WWI episodes are presently free and should be for some time. Altogether there are almost 24 hours of program. That may sound like a lot but I wasn't bored once. I will likely listen again. My knowledge of WWI was not great before I started but now I do have a better idea of things.

I think these are very well done and Dan relies on many sources. I like that he comes at it from his own prospective, conveying the story without tampering with it.

You can download them from his website  http://www.dancarlin.com/hardcore-history-series/

Or better, from itunes.  Search for Hardcore History.

Give them a try. You will like them.

Greg

[Pgtaylorart]

I love Dan Carlin's podcast. I've been listening to him for years, but I haven't heard this one yet. Thanks for the recommendation!

George

[Gisbod]

Yep, Bo recommended this..

I loved it!

Guy

[First tee]

I also loved it.  I would like to relisten.

[Gerg]

Yep, Bo recommended this.

Wow, here I thought I had something original to offer.    I just read his post. Bo is right, that terrible war is presented in a way that really brings it home. As unimaginable as it must have been, a small sense of how terrible it was is gained from that podcast.

[Paperquest]

The one on the Khans is really good, too.

[uncletony]

The one on the Khans is really good, too.

indeed!

[Gerg]

When I first started listening to him he showed some restraint in the time allotment. They were good but I have to say I like the recent installments even more. I much prefer the many hours and complete picture to the restrained early programs.

I have the Khan series but have not listen to it yet. He did have an early program many years ago that covered the Steppe that was good. I know I will like this expanded Khan series as well.

Another one I can recommend is Ghost of the Ostfront. Like the Blueprint for Armeggedon series, the Ghost of the Ostfront really opened my eyes. I barely registered that there was a war on the eastern front. I certainly did not know how much the Russians had suffered during WWII. You have to buy it but for $6 you get almost 6 hours of program.

A note: I started his latest, King of Kings, but had to stop because, while I was listening and doing other things,  it was hard to keep track of all the major players. I just noticed that Dan has provide a scorecard on his website to help keep track of the various figures. I usually get the podcast through iTunes so was not aware of this.

I have come to enjoy history over the years and can credit Dan Carlin for much of that.