What If World History?

In this week's episode, we discuss a man whose reputation isn't just good; It's GRRREAT. In our first interlude, we join Alexander as he uses his genius to take on, and take down the greatest warriors of that time: The Sacred Band of Thebes.Next, Mark walks us through Alexander's impressive childhood and education under the tutelage of Aristotle. We meet a young man who is destined for great things.  Mark then highlights Alexander's military victories and a few of his strategic errors. Lastly, Mark goes over Alexander's final days and theories surrounding his untimely death at the age of 33.In the second interlude, we tag along as a soldier battles against Alexander's siege towers and war elephants to protect the Mediterranean capital of Carthage. The global economy hangs in the balance.In our What if? scenario, Alexander beats a lethal bout of malaria and lives into old age. What other worlds would he have conquered? What other things would he have achieved?Let's take a trip

In this episode, we will look back through time, on the 20th anniversary, at missed signals that led to the unimaginable tragedy of September 11th, 2001. And we will look at the heroes who prevented a greater tragedy on that day. We first look at Rick Rescorla, who foresaw the attack and led more than 2,600 Morgan Stanley employees to safety, even at the expense of his own life.What If World History looks at the missed signals that would have uncovered the hijacking plot. And we will highlight the heroes who saved lives and comforted survivors.And then we will imagine the success of Operation Trident, which will disrupt the plot and assassinate the leadership of Al Qaeda, including Osama Bin Laden. This will enable us to ponder a history in which the lives of millions of men, women, and children in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia are altered forever.

She has remained the standard for beauty for more than 2,0000 years, but history's original bombshell was a lot more than a pretty face. In fact, she may have been history's most intelligent leader who outsmarted the Roman empire, twice. In this episode, we discuss the life and death of Cleopatra. In our first interlude, we witness the boat ride where Cleopatra and Ceaser join forces and join lips... Next, Mark walks us through the rise and fall of Egypt's last dynasty as we witness Cleopatra's turbulent, vibrant life and tragic end. In our What If? scenario, Cleopareta uses her political gifts to make deals, and expand Egypt's wealth and power. In our final interlude, we take a boat ride with the son of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra, Caesarion, as he springs a fiery trap on the Roman fleet. Put down your eyeliner and press play.  

In this episode,  we look at the life of a founding father whose name might be ringing in your ears...Alexander Hamiton!In our first interlude, we meet a teenage, business-savvy Alexander, and see how he runs an international shipping empire. Next, Mark walks us through Hamilton's fascinating and turbulent life. Mark touches on Alexander's soul-crushing struggles as a boy, his friendship with George Washington, and his vision for a strong American financial empire. We then cover the country's first political sex scandal, and of course, his deadly duel with Aaron Burr.In our What If? scenario, Mark envisions a world in which Burr shoots the air, not Alexander.  With a new lease on life, Hamilton manages to take down Thomas Jefferson, and become the 4th president of the United States. He uses his political skills to grow the country's territory, elevate its currency, and become an international military power.In our final interlude, we attend the first-ever state dinner. First Lady Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton dishes up a great meal, and some crucial information to President Hamilton that will reshape American history.Don't miss your shot to listen to this great episode!

In this week's episode, we take to the skies! In our opening diary, we travel to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, where a lifeguard witnesses flight history while helping the Wright brothers. Mark then discusses the brother's strong bond, ingenuity, and obsession with flight. We also witness triumph and tragedy during the world's first aerial exhibitions. In our What if? scenario, Mark imagines the tragic death of Orville Wright. With the close family devastated, it will be Katharine, their younger sister, who steps up to help Willbur run the family business. She grows the company becomes a super pilot in her own right and even helps train the next crop of American pilots. In our final diary, we will be Katharine's co-pilot on one of her flights over New York.Hit play, and get ready to soar.

In this week's episode, Mark Discusses the Cuban Missile Crisis.Our first interlude involves a Russian staff captain who overrides a nuclear launch order in the heat of battle.  In our historical overview, Mark probes the head of Nikita Khrushchev to learn why he wanted to station nuclear missiles 90 miles off the US coast. Next, He walks us through some of the retaliatory measures that were contemplated by the Kennedy administration. Finally, we hear about the tense negotiations and peaceful resolution of the nuclear standoff.In our What If? scenario, Mark imagines a world in which Russian missiles are stationed deep in the Cuban jungle. Wanting to ensure American safety, the Kennedy administration sends a team of Green Berets to sabotage the missiles and remove Khruschev's leverage. Finally, we look at the What If? aftermath that delivers Kennedy a Nobel Peace Prize and well-deserved retirement.

In this episode, Mark discusses the Louisiana Purchase.  We start with an interlude and listen as the governor of the Louisiana territory prepares to transfer it to the US.  Next, Mark walks us through the international intrigue, high stakes diplomatic gambles, and plain American luck that lead Napolean to sell the territory to the scrappy, young USA. In our "what if" scenario, Mark details General Andres Jackson's war with the French, land deals with the Spanish, and rapid westward expansion, which takes unites the country from coast to coast.Pless play, and let's take a trip. 

Attila the Hun is perhaps one of History's most ruthless and feared leaders. Apart from his larger-than-life reputation, what do we really know about him?In this episode, Mark discusses Attila's upbringing,  his various battles, and his untimely death at age 47. Next, Mark imagines a world in which Atilla gets to live in his palace, in Rome, well into his golden years. What other lands would have Atilla conquered? How many millions more would have died under his sword?Plus,  we'll hear audio diaries from a Roman foot soldier and an unstoppable (and bougie) Attila the Hun.

In our last episode, we discussed numerous failed attempts to assassinate Hitler and envisioned a world in which he had been successfully disposed of. One book that featured prominently in the episode,was Killing Hitler by Roger Moorhouse.In this BONUS episode, Mark interviews  Killing Hitler author Roger Moorhouse. They discuss the failed assassination plots, Hitler's somewhat lax security, and the possible aftermath of a "successful" assassination. Plus, Moorhouse discusses his approach to finding history's forgotten heroes, villains and events.To buy Killing Hitler, and other compelling works by  Roger Moorhouses, click the links belowKilling Hitler: The Plots, The Assassins, and the Dictator Who Cheated DeathPoland 1939: The Outbreak of World War 2The Devils' Alliance: Hitler's Pact with Stalin, 1939-1941First to Fight: The Polish War 1939Berlin at WarHitler's Third Reich in 100 Objects: A Material History of Nazi Germany

A lot of people tried to kill Hitler. As we already know, none of those people succeeded. In this week's episode, we start with an audio story depicting one of those failed attempts. Next, Mark walks us through some of the many failed plots to kill one of history's greatest villains. And then we ask: What if? We'll hear a short audio interlude where we meet Hitler's replacement. Finally, Mark gives us a short glimpse into a world in which an assassin successfully kills Hitler! How would this have changed the war? How many lives could have been saved? Press play, and let's take a trip. 

We muse how a Rebel victory at Gettysburg would affect the ascension of Ulysses S. Grant and the pace of the final chapter of the Civil War. It's stunning to think but Lee's victory would actually end the war 8-12 months earlier than our history books write.With the success at Vicksburg in July of 1863, Lincoln sees a rising military genius, who is hawkish and unafraid to aggressively pursue, and attack, the Confederate armies he faced. After the appalling casualties at the Battle of Shiloh in 1862, Lincoln dismissed Grant's critics, saying "I can't spare this man; he fights.”In our timeline, in August of 1863, Grant was promoted to Lieutenant General, giving him command of all Union armies. His new rank had only been held by one man in American history, George Washington.It's important to note, what Grant will bring to the war, is different than any previous Union general. He will use the telegraph and other signal communications to modernize his command-and-control over the entire theater of operations. Prior to Grant's leadership, the armies operated independently to accomplish localized goals and defeat specific army groups. Grant will look at the theater in its entirety and coordinate attacks to strangle supplies and movement that will eventually render the Confederates incapable of fighting. Grant was not interested in capturing territory or towns unless those gains kept the Confederates from resupplying.Grant will coordinate with generals, review troop movements, and issue orders in near-real-time. Only Sherman, who had been ordered to go dark, was not in constant contact to utilize intelligence to pressure and attack the different Confederate armies, including Lee's. Grant will also bring a completely new attitude to the Union army: “Attack, pressure, drive the initiative against the enemy.” This philosophy would embolden the ranks of Federal forces in a way that was badly needed, particularly after the loss at Gettysburg.Rather than mid-1864, our scenario has the coordinated theater-wide surge of Union forces happening during the late Summer months of 1863.

History tells us that over the course of 500 years from 1000 CE to the 1500s, Norse presence in North America dwindled to nothing. And ultimately, their impact on the history of North America is fleeting. But What If the Vikings grew their settlements over the first five centuries here. What If they ultimately grew their presence to 30,000 or more in warmer areas like New York, Massachusetts, or even the Carolinas?Historians agree that their impact on Native American, European, and even our American history would be profound. It is not a very far stretch of the imagination to envision an aggressive Viking migration to a milder and more temperate climate hundreds of miles further south along the Atlantic Coast.With the Little Ice Age, both land and rations, and resources in Iceland, Greenland, England, and many parts of Europe were stretched beyond their ability to support local populations. A stable, growing settlement in Vinland would be attractive to many of these seafarers and peasants. We know this for sure because the migration repeats itself hundreds of years later with the Dutch, French, and English settlers.In our What If scenario we imagine what life would be like in a large Viking settlement in North America. We are not thinking about New Amsterdam, the Dutch settlement that later became New York. We will imagine Bjorn Buo, a town translated to mean “Bear Shelter”. In our story, Bjorn Bour is not the traditional Viking settlement of farms centrally located around longhouses and a stone church. Rather, it is a vibrant, bustling city of thousands of fishermen, boat builders, iron craftsmen, traders, farmers, hunters, butchers, bakers, and even a bishop. And we are about to walk its streets.

Instead of sleeping the crucial morning away, Hitler is awake and reacting to the landings along the Normandy coast. He utilizes nine Panzer divisions to drive a wedge in the beachhead and turn the course of D-Day as we know it.