Dan Carlin's Hardcore History

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In "Hardcore History" journalist and broadcaster Dan Carlin takes his "Martian", unorthodox way of thinking and applies it to the past. Was Alexander the Great as bad a person as Adolf Hitler? What would Apaches with modern weapons be like? Will our modern civilization ever fall like civilizations f…

Dan Carlin


    • Jan 3, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 4h 31m AVG DURATION
    • 23 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Dan Carlin's Hardcore History podcast is undoubtedly one of the best podcasts out there for history enthusiasts. As a longtime listener, I have been captivated by Carlin's storytelling ability and his dedication to providing in-depth historical narratives. The feeling of anticipation when a new episode is released is akin to a holiday, as it means hours upon hours of engrossing content.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is the sheer achievement that each episode represents. Carlin and his team consistently produce high-quality episodes that are meticulously researched and expertly delivered. The attention to detail and the level of depth he goes into with each topic is unparalleled. His ability to weave together historical facts, vivid descriptions, and thought-provoking analysis creates an immersive experience that brings history to life.

    Another standout aspect of Hardcore History is Carlin's storytelling prowess. He has a knack for taking complex historical events and making them accessible and engaging for listeners. His use of voice changes and dramatic flair adds another layer of entertainment value to the podcast. Additionally, I appreciate Carlin's willingness to challenge conventional historical narratives and present alternative viewpoints. This encourages critical thinking and fosters a deeper understanding of the complexities inherent in studying history.

    If I were to nitpick, one potential downside of Hardcore History is its length. Each episode can span several hours, making it difficult to consume in one sitting for those with limited time or attention spans. However, I believe that this length is necessary given the depth of information covered in each episode. Furthermore, it gives listeners the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the subject matter without feeling rushed.

    In conclusion, The Dan Carlin's Hardcore History podcast stands as a remarkable achievement in podcasting. It offers an unparalleled level of depth, storytelling prowess, and thought-provoking analysis that sets it apart from other podcasts in the genre. While its length may be daunting for some listeners, I believe that it ultimately enhances the listening experience. If you have a passion for history and enjoy thought-provoking narratives, I highly recommend giving this podcast a listen.



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    Latest episodes from Dan Carlin's Hardcore History

    Show 72 - Mania for Subjugation II

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2025 231:26


    Is it safe to hand control of the deadliest army in the world to a 20-year old? If you are Thracian, Triballian, Illyrian or Theban, the answer is definitely no. Alexander becomes king and fights off threats to his rule in all directions.

    Show 71 - Mania for Subjugation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2024 251:39


    What's the recipe for making a historically world-class apex predator? In the case of Alexander the Great, it might be the three Ns: Nature, Nurture, and Nepotism.

    Show 70 - Twilight of the Aesir II

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2023 383:08


    Pagan Viking Sea Kings spend the 10th and 11th centuries morphing into Christian monarchs. But with rulers like Harald Bluetooth and Svein Forkbeard it's debatable whether things will be any less horrific for Scandinavia's neighbors

    Show 69 - Twilight of the Aesir

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2023 310:55


    This show picks up where Dan's Thor's Angels show left off. In the early Middle Ages Pagan Germanic-language speakers like the Vikings are a dying breed. Many of their contemporaries wish they'd die faster.

    Show 68 - BLITZ Human Resources

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2022 339:12


    The Atlantic Slave Trade mixes centuries of human bondage with violence, economics, commerce, geo-political competition, liberty, morality, injustice, revolution, tragedy and bloody reckonings. That sounds like a lot, yet this show merely scratches the surface of this enormous subject.

    Show 67 - Supernova in the East VI

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2021 345:52


    When do spirit, tenacity, resilience and bravery cross into madness? When cities are incinerated? When suicide attacks become the norm? When atomic weapons are used? Japan's leaders test the limits of national endurance in the war's last year.

    Show 66 - Supernova in the East V

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2020 212:34


    Can suicidal bravery and fanatical determination make up for material, industrial and numerical insufficiency? As the Asia-Pacific conflict turns against the Japanese these questions are put to the test. The results are nightmarish.

    Show 65 - Supernova in the East IV

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2020 238:33


    Coral Sea, Midway and Guadalcanal are three of the most famous battles of the Second World War. Together they will shift the momentum in the Pacific theater and usher in the era of modern naval and amphibious warfare.

    Show 64 - Supernova in the East III

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2019 293:43


    Japan's rising sun goes supernova and engulfs a huge area of Asia and the Pacific. A war without mercy begins to develop infusing the whole conflict with a savage vibe.

    Show 63 - Supernova in the East II

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2019 241:55


    Deep themes run through this show, with allegations of Japanese war crimes and atrocities in China at the start leading to eerily familiar, almost modern questions over how the world should respond. And then Dec 7, 1941 arrives...

    Show 62 - Supernova in the East I

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2018 268:17


    The Asia-Pacific War of 1937-1945 has deep roots. It also involves a Japanese society that's been called one of the most distinctive on Earth. If there were a Japanese version of Captain America, this would be his origin story.

    Show 61 - (Blitz) Painfotainment

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2018 271:01


    Pain is at the root of most drama and entertainment. When does it get too real? This very disturbing and graphic show looks into some case studies and asks some deep questions. WARNING Very intense subject matter.

    Show 60 - The Celtic Holocaust

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2017 359:51


    Julius Caesar is our travel guide as he takes us through his murderous subjugation of the native Celtic tribal peoples of ancient Gaul. It sounds vaguely like other, recent European colonial conquests...until the natives nearly win.

    Show 59 - (Blitz) The Destroyer of Worlds

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2017 349:32


    What happens if human beings can't handle the power of their own weaponry? This show  examines the dangerous early years of the Nuclear Age and humankind's efforts to avoid self-destruction at the hands of its own creation.

    Show 58 - Kings of Kings III

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2016 300:30


    If this were a movie, the events and cameos would be too numerous and star-studded to mention. It includes Xerxes, Spartans, Immortals, Alexander the Great, scythed chariots, and several of the greatest battles in history.

    Show 57 - Kings of Kings II

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2016 255:42


    From Biblical-era coup conspiracies to the horrific aftermath of ancient combat this second installment of the series on the Kings of Achaemenid Persia goes where only Dan can take it. For better or worse…

    Show 56 - Kings of Kings

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2015 212:40


    Often relegated to the role of slavish cannon fodder for Sparta's spears, the Achaemenid Persian empire had a glorious heritage. Under a single king they created the greatest empire the world had ever seen.

    Show 55 - Blueprint for Armageddon VI

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2015 256:43


    The Americans are coming, but will the war be over by the time they get there? Germany throws everything into a last series of stupendous attacks in the West while hoping to avoid getting burned by a fire in the East they helped fan.

    Show 54 - Blueprint for Armageddon V

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2014 269:57


    Show 53 - Blueprint for Armageddon IV

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2014 235:51


    Machine guns, barbed wire and millions upon millions of artillery shells create industrialized meat grinders at Verdun and the Somme. There's never been a human experience like it and it changes a generation.

    Show 52 - Blueprint for Armageddon III

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2014 234:08


    The war of maneuver that was supposed to be over quickly instead turns into a lingering bloody stalemate. Trench warfare begins, and with it, all the murderous efforts on both sides to overcome the static defenses.

    Show 51 - Blueprint for Armageddon II

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2014 200:29


    The Great Powers all come out swinging in the first round of the worst war the planet has ever seen. Millions of men in dozens of armies vie in the most deadly and complex opening moves of any conflict in world history.

    Show 50 - Blueprint for Armageddon I

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2013 187:20


    The planet hadn't seen a major war between all the Great Powers since the downfall of Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815. But 99 years later the dam breaks and a Pandora's Box of violence engulfs the planet.

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