Podcasts about great war

Some of the greatest heroes in American history have been all but forgotten. Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger travel to Veterans Memorial Park in Middletown, Connecticut, to uncover the extraordinary true story of Sgt. Stubby, a World War I legend whose courage on the battlefield, remarkable service with the 102nd Infantry, and enduring legacy earned worldwide admiration. Discover the surprising story behind one of the most celebrated—and unexpected—heroes of the Great War. In Search of Sgt. Stubby - A New England Legends Podcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In questo episodio ci dedichiamo al fronte interno della Germania, analizzando come alcuni elementi di natura diversa abbiano concorso al consenso attorno al conflitto, pur mantenendo sullo sfondo le profonde contraddizioni che caratterizzavano l'impero del Kaiser.Seguimi su Instagram: @laguerragrande_podcastSe vuoi contribuire con una donazione sul conto PayPal: podcastlaguerragrande@gmail.comO con un abbonamento Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/libraryScritto e condotto da Andrea BassoMontaggio e audio: Andrea BassoFonti dell'episodio:Keith Allen, Sharing scarcity: Bread rationing and the First World War in Berlin, 1914-1923, Journal of Social History 32, 1998G. Brown, Explosives: History with a Bang, The History Press, 2011Claus Bundgård Christensen, Fighting for the Kaiser: The Danish minority in the German army, 1914—18, Scandinavia in the First World War, 2012Amos Elon, The Pity of It All, Henry Holt, 2002Deutsche jüdische Soldaten, Volksbund Deutsche KriegsgräberfürsorgeDieter Groh, The 'Unpatriotic Socialists' and the State, Journal of Contemporary History 1, 1966 Ryszard Kaczmarek, Poles in Kaiser's Army On the Front of the First World War, Peter Lang, 2020Dariusz Matelski, Polacy w Niemczech między wojnami (1919–1939), Przegląd Nauk Historycznych III, 2004Marvin Perry, Frederick M. Schweitzer, Anti-Semitism: Myth and Hate from Antiquity to the Present, Palgrave Macmillan, 2002Andrej Reisin, Erster Weltkrieg: Vom Kriegsrausch zum Massensterben, NDR, 2019Erik Ringmar, The spirit of 1914, War in History 25, Sage Publications, 2018Oliver Schweinoch, Arnulf Scriba, Das 'August-Erlebnis', Deutsches Historisches Museum, 2022Piotr Stanek, Niemieckie obozy jenieckie dla Polaków z armii rosyjskiej w latach I wojny światowej (1916–1918), Łambinowicki rocznik muzealny 40, 2017The New York Times, 2/3/1921Vanessa Ther, Propaganda at Home (Germany), 1914-1819 Online, 2014Bernd Ulrich, German Soldiers in the Great War: and Savey Letters and Eyewitness Accounts, Pen and Sword Military, 2010Q. Wang, Franz Fillafer, The many faces of Clio: cross-cultural approaches to historiography, Berghahn Books, 2007Alexander Watson, Fighting for Another Fatherland: The Polish Minority in the German Army, 1914—1918, The English Historical Review 12, 2011Alexander Watson, Ring of Steel, Penguin Books, 2014D. G. Williamson, Walther Rathenau and the K.R.A. August 1914-March 1915, Zeitschrift für Unternehmensgeschichte 11, 1978H. P. Willmott, La Prima Guerra Mondiale, DK, 2006Carl Zuckmayer, Als wär's ein Stück von mir, Fischer, 1966Stefan Zweig, Il mondo di ieri, Garzanti, 2014In copertina: Manifesto propagandistico del 1918 di Lucian Zabel, per l'arruolamento nella milizia. Recita: La tua patria è in pericolo!

Today we step back and catch up with events we passed in the Great War as the Russian Revolution unfolded. We follow the war to its brutal conclusion. Then we pick up the Russian Civil War and take that to its equally brutal end with a sprinkling of influenza for good measure.Western Civ 2.0 

Think the First World War was just the Western Front and incompetent Eastern armies? Think again!In this explosive episode of History Rage, First World War historian, Trustee of the Great War Group, and Ring of Fire co-author Nicolai Eberholst tears down the persistent myths surrounding the Russian and Austro-Hungarian armies. Nicolai breaks down why dismissing these powers as "bad armies" or useless corpses is wrong, proving how vital they were to the conflict.What You'll Discover:The Russian Army: Beyond the "steamroller" and Tannenberg myths—how Russia inflicted devastating casualties and bound German forces until 1918.The Austro-Hungarian Empire: Why fighting a 1.3-front war with an 8-million-man army was essential for Central Power survival.Post-War Myths: How interwar bias, post-imperial storytelling, and Western-centric history buried the real story of the Eastern Front.Don't miss Nicolai speaking live at the Great War Group Conference from 9th – 11th October at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds! Grab your conference tickets here: https://greatwargroup.com/product-category/conference/Recommended EpisodesEpisode 210: The Great War is a Global War (with Nicolai Eberholst & Alex Churchill)Episode 154: The Indian Army Contribution (with Adam Prime)Books & Referral DetailsBuy Ring of Fire: A New Global History of the Outbreak of the First World War at the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781035903412Guest InformationGuest: Nicolai EberholstSocial Media: @pikegrey1418Great War Group: https://greatwargroup.comFollow, Contact & Support History RageWebsite: https://www.historyrage.comX (Twitter): https://x.com/HistoryRagePatreon: Support us for £5/month for ad-free episodes, early releases, live streams, and the exclusive mug: https://www.patreon.com/historyrage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 28, 1914, marks the date World War One began. North American armies fought in that conflict known as The Great War (1914-18). Check out the YouTube version of this episode at https://youtu.be/WirTkf1NWKE which has accompanying visuals including maps, charts, timelines, photos, illustrations, and diagrams. Key Battles of American History available at https://amzn.to/3zATzL4 The Armistice Pen by Mark Vinet available at https://amzn.to/3MTRlOE The Guns of August audiobook at https://amzn.to/3REoqmt World War One books at https://amzn.to/4pE98L2 ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's HISTORICAL JESUS podcast at https://parthenonpodcast.com/historical-jesus Mark's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 X (twitter): https://twitter.com/MarkVinet_HNA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we follow our characters in the aftermath of the Great War as they participate on the margin of greatness at or around the Paris Peace Settlement. We also see the end of Daughter, a great character while she lasted, and we meet Ben Compton who always seems to be taking one for the team. And Dos Passos eulogizes the unknown soldier without sentiment or grotesque patriotism.  

Neil Lanctot turns to early 1915, when the Great War had stabilized into a brutal stalemate in Europe while Americaremained neutral under Wilson. Jane Addams, horrified by the massacre, organized the Women's Peace Party to act as a pressure group for peace. Her subsequent trip to Europe to meet with heads of state in Berlin, Paris, and London was a remarkable act of "amateur diplomacy," though her message was often distorted by hostile American newspapers. TRvehemently opposed her efforts, writing a public letter that derided the peace advocates as "foolish women" and argued they should focus on Belgian relief instead. While Addams navigated the complexities of international diplomacy, President Wilson became "obsessed" with Edith Bolling Galt following the death of his first wife. Wilson's intense courtship and eventual marriage in 1915 occurred privately, even as the world war began to encroach on American neutrality via German submarine warfare. (2)

In this episode we discover what happened to the veterans after the guns had stopped firing. We find out that their suffering continued for decades, and, in some cases, caused their death years later. We hear the words of Joseph Pickard of the Northumberland Fusiliers. He was left for dead on the battlefield and he describes what happened when he went home without his nose, and how some children laughed at him. How did he react? Did he regret enlisting? We find out how some men turned to crime to feed themselves, and an Officer who left a legacy in his will to a soldier who had helped him when he was wounded at Ypres, and another Officer who gave a Christmas hamper to the Great War's first wounded man. Who was he? And much more too...

Nick Lloyd, author of The Western Front: A History of the Great War, Volume 1: 1914-1918, examines the immense psychological strain placed on early German leadership, specifically Helmuth von Moltke the Younger, who felt crushed by the military legacy of his uncle. Tasked with the ambitious Schlieffen Plan, Moltke's insecurity led him to alter the balance of forces, weakening the critical "swinging door" through Belgium, which ultimately contributed to his nervous breakdown by September 1914. The Kaiser, described as a "weather vane" with a fluctuating personality, remained a distant figurehead rather than a day-to-day commander, often feeling sidelined by his generals. As the war progressed, Erich von Falkenhayn replaced Moltke, introducing a ruthless attritional vision famously realized at the Battle of Verdun, which focused on "killing Frenchmen" rather than territorial gain. This period highlights a fatal German flaw: prioritizing tactical and operational effectiveness over critical political and strategic considerations, an imbalance that hindered translating battlefield success into ultimate victory. (1)

Nick Lloyd describes British leadership during the Great War as defined by constant arguments, doubt, and backstabbing among its political and military elite. Prime Minister H.H. Asquith and War Minister Lord Kitchener struggled to manage the war's unexpected scale, which saw the British army balloon from a tiny expeditionary force to a massive 60-division organization within eighteen months. The replacement of Asquith by David Lloyd George brought a new wave of "infectious energy" to the war effort, though he maintained notoriously poor relations with Douglas Haig. Lloyd George's distrust of Haig's optimistic "breakthrough" strategies led to deep strategic disagreements, particularly as the British were forced to support the failing French offensives of 1917. This friction underscored the broader challenge of coalition warfare, as the British resisted subordinating their troops to French command until the dire military crisis of 1918 finally necessitated a unified leadership under Ferdinand Foch. (7)

On Monday, July 13, 2026, the MacArthur Memorial hosted a virtual event featuring Adin Dobkin, author of Sprinting Through No Man's Land: Endurance, Tragedy, and Rebirth in the 1919 Tour de France. Just months after the end of World War I, cyclists raced across a devastated France - navigating ruined roads, shattered infrastructure, and the deep scars of war. This grueling Tour became a powerful symbol of rebirth - for both the sport and for France. Dobkin explored this pivotal Tour and its connection to French nationalism and nationhood in the post-war period. MacArthur Memorial website: www.macarthurmemorial.org MacArthur Committee Information: MacArthur Membership CommitteeAdin Dobkin also discussed this topic as a guest on the World War I Podcast back in 2022. Listen to that episode HERE.Have a comment about this episode? Send us a text message! (Note: we can read texts, but we cannot respond.) Follow us:Twitter: @MacArthur1880 Amanda Williams on Twitter:  @AEWilliamsClarkFacebook/Instagram: @MacArthurMemorialwww.macarthurmemorial.org 

"Peggy Raymond's Way or Blossom Time At Friendly Terrace" by Harriet Lummis Smith brings listeners into the lives of Peggy and her friends as they transition from the tumult of the Great War to the joys and challenges of domestic life. As they navigate the final stages of college and prepare for Peggy's wedding, themes of friendship, love, and the pursuit of personal happiness resonate deeply. The story captures the essence of youthful ambition and the complexities of relationships, making it a timeless exploration of growth and connection. With its charming mix of familiar characters and fresh faces, this volume offers an enduring reflection on the trials and triumphs of young women in a changing world.

In "All the World," Charles Monroe Sheldon explores the challenges faced by soldiers and their families returning home after the Great War, highlighting the struggles of reintegration into civilian life. Dr. Ward, a compassionate observer, recognizes the turmoil affecting both the men and women who served, yet feels uncertain about how to provide the support they need. A pivotal event following one of his sermons sparks transformation and hope within their community, emphasizing the power of faith and connection. This timeless narrative resonates today as it reflects on themes of healing, community, and the enduring quest for purpose after conflict, making it a poignant listen for anyone seeking inspiration in the face of adversity.

Charles Spicer recounts how, in December 1934, Ernest Tennant, a businessman scarred by the horrors of the Great War, dined with Adolf Hitler and Joachim von Ribbentrop at the Reich Chancellery. At the time, Ribbentrop was a passionate Anglophile, and Tennant's goal was to foster cooperation to prevent another continental conflict. Disappointed by the British government's initial disdain for the "vulgar" Nazi regime, Tennant partnered with the brilliant scholar Philip Conwell-Evans and the aristocratic Lord Lothian to form the Anglo-German Fellowship. This organization aimed to build cultural and political bridges between London and Berlin during a period of deep historical trauma. (1)1914

In this episode we are joined by one of my all-time favorite professors Dr. Sean McDonough! Sean has taught a class called "Tolkien's Apocalyptic Imagination" at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary for over 20 years now and his recent book "Truth's Consuming Ecstasy" explores Revelation in light of Tolkien and 5 other literary and philosophical voices. See Sean's previous visit to the Dojo at: https://youtu.be/uIk8f9VfPok Truth's Consuming Ecstasy is available at: https://www.amazon.com/Truths-Consuming-Ecstasy-Philosophical-Investigations/dp/1481323342/ Other Tolkien resources: * DiscipleDojo's CS Lewis & JRR Tolkien Playlist - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcS7cPUDS3pY&si=UiVpZrXTp7a7P640 * Letters of Tolkien - https://www.amazon.com/Letters-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0358652987/ * The Road to Middle-Earth - https://www.amazon.com/Road-Middle-Earth-Tolkien-Created-Mythology/dp/0618257608/ * Tolkien and the Great War - https://www.amazon.com/Tolkien-Great-War-Threshold-Middle-earth/dp/0618574816/ ***Disciple Dojo shirts and other gifts are available over in our online store! - https://www.zazzle.com/discipledojo ***Become a monthly Dojo Donor and help keep us going! - https://www.discipledojo.org/donate ***Dojo Donor Patches: If you are a monthly donor and would like an iron-on DiscipleDojo patch, supplies are limited so message JM directly via the contact page at https://www.discipledojo.org/contact ***If you are an unmarried Christian looking for community, check out our Facebook group “The Grownup's Table” over at www.facebook.com/groups/grownupstable ------ Go deeper at www.discipledojo.org

In this episode we discover the stories of the boys, and a woman, from a small Lincolnshire village who died in the Great War. We read an emotional final letter to his wife from an Officer who predicted his own death on the following day, and how a man shot himself in the chin soon after arriving on the Western Front, survived but then died years later. What is his story? And the nurse who worked in hospitals in France but is now buried in the local churchyard. How did the War claim Martha's life and what is her legacy? We also look at two descriptions of the battlefields during the 1920's and 1930's. Why did the writer describe the soldiers who stayed behind as “The Living Ghosts?

It is that time. The Russian Revolution would be a lot different without Vladimir Lenin (Lenin is not his real name by the way...) But Lenin strikes a deal with the Germans who hope that he can steer Russia out of the Great War and he hits Petrograd like a lightning bolt. Western Civ 2.0 

Stop commercializing historical grief and ignoring the true scale of global warfare.Recorded live at the Imperial War Museum Festival, host Paul Bavill sits down with two of History Rage's favourite returning guests—Dr. Peter Caddick Adams and Alex Churchill—for an unfiltered, hilarious, and deeply insightful look at how we commemorate global conflicts.From the tacky monetization of grief to the complete erasure of French contributions on the Western Front, this live crowd episode pulls no punches. Why has our memory of the First World War become so lazy? The team breaks down the "Airfix School of Military History," explores the forgotten British conflicts post-1945, and takes aim at the deeply problematic world of Axis reenactment cosplay. Finally, they tackle the terrifying future of AI-generated history slop and explain why preserving your personal family archives on physical paper is the ultimate act of historical preservation.Recommended Episodes to Unleash More RageIf you loved this live panel, dive back into the archives with these essential episodes:Episode 75: Dr. Peter Caddick Adams rages on Bernard Montgomery and explains why "Monty" might not be all he's cracked up to be.Episode 210: Alex Churchill rages against the narrow British lens of the First World War, proving it truly was a global conflict.Featured BookSupport the authors who keep history honest. Grab your copy of Alex Churchill's brilliant book, which balances the scales of global wartime contributions:Buy the Book: Ring of Fire: A Global History of the Great War by Alex Churchill. Order directly from the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781035903429Support and Follow History RageHelp us keep the rage alive! Subscribe, review, and join our community of history lovers who prefer hard truths over comfortable myths.Subscribe to the Newsletter: Get monthly updates on upcoming shows, guests, and future live appearances at https://historyrage.substack.com or visit our main hub at https://www.historyrage.com.Follow Us on Socials: Search for @HistoryRage across all major podcast directories and social media platforms to download, subscribe, and never miss a rant.Stay Angry. Stay Informed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Highland Bullpen Baseball podcast and our second episode on Scottish Baseball History! We really didn't expect to find baseball in our Highlands over 100 years ago but that was the consequence of the Great War. It did lead us to a discovery that there may have been baseball in the Highlands back in the 1800s but that's for another time! Sixteen minutes to find it all out here. Some military history, baseball history and a wee bit of Scottish geography knowledge! We'd love any feedback from you. ©Tartan Podcasts 2025 CREDITS "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License "Shards [Intro Version]" by LonePeakMusic Follow The Highland Bullpen on your favourite podcast platforms and connect with us on Twitter (@HighlandBullpen) and other social media for the latest updates, engaging content, and a community of baseball enthusiasts ready to welcome you into the fold.

Send us Fan MailWelcome to the latest episode.Today, we visit the battlefield at High Wood, one of the deadliest killing grounds of the Great War.  Over 8000 men died in the three months of fighting here and we discover what happened during those fateful months in 1916.

Send us Fan MailThe Battle of The Somme with (Mark Wheatcroft) Episode 1 The Somme Begins  This is the first episode in a series dedicated to the Battle of the Somme, fought between 1 July and 18 November 1916. In this episode, Daz is joined by The Battlefields of Britain host and historian Mark Wheatcroft to explore the events leading up to the battle and the devastating opening day, 1 July 1916, which became the bloodiest day in British military history.The Battle of the Somme was launched on 1 July 1916 as a joint British and French offensive designed to break the deadlock on the Western Front and relieve pressure on the French Army at Verdun. After a week-long artillery bombardment, British troops advanced across No Man's Land, expecting the German defences to have been destroyed. Instead, many German positions survived, and the attacking infantry suffered devastating losses. The first day of the Somme became the bloodiest in British military history, with nearly 60,000 casualties, including over 19,000 killed.ACW & UK History's Website.https://www.acwandukhistory.com/ACW & UK History's Pages.https://linktr.ee/ACWandUKHISTORYSupport the show

Can a crime novel help us understand the long shadow cast by the First World War? In this episode of Oh! What a Lovely Podcast, we explore Christina Koning's acclaimed Blind Detective series. The novels follow Frederick Rowlands, a veteran who lost his sight at Ypres and must navigate the challenges of postwar Britain using his memory, hearing, and sharp intuition. Set against the backdrop of the 1920s and 1930s, the series combines engaging mystery stories with a rich portrayal of a nation living with the social, cultural, and personal consequences of the Great War. Jessica, Chris, and Angus are joined by Christina Koning to discuss the inspiration behind Frederick Rowlands, the realities of blindness in the interwar years, and perhaps how crime fiction can illuminate the lasting legacy of the First World War.   References:Koning, C. (2023) Blind Detective. London: Allison & Busby. Faulks, S. (1993) Birdsong. London: Hutchinson. Barker, P. (1991) Regeneration. London: Viking. Barker, P. (1993) The Eye in the Door. London: Viking. Barker, P. (1995) The Ghost Road. London: Viking. Light, A. (1991) Forever England: Femininity, Literature and Conservatism between the Wars. London: Routledge. Chesterton, G. K. (1911) The Innocence of Father Brown. London: Cassell. Sayers, D. L. (1923) Whose Body?. London: T. Fisher Unwin. Winspear, J. (2004) Maisie Dobbs. London: John Murray.

More than a century after the guns of World War I fell silent, the scars of that conflict still stretch across Europe—in fields, forests, cemeteries, and quiet villages that once stood at the center of history. After years of pandemic isolation, historian, photographer, and author Briana Gervat set out on an extraordinary journey: to walk the entire Western Front Way alone. Carrying only a backpack, she traveled more than 500 miles in 36 days, tracing the battlefields where millions fought, suffered, and died during the Great War. Her memoir, There Will Come Soft Rains: A Journey Along the Western Front, is part travel narrative, part historical reflection, and part personal pilgrimage. It's a story about memory, resilience, solitude, and what we can learn when we literally walk through history.

In this episode, Aimée Fox, Mike Finch and David Morgan-Owen discuss their edited volume on how the First World War was perceived and interpreted by those who experienced it. They explore how different groups, including soldiers, commanders and politicians, framed the conflict and how those perspectives influenced decision-making. The interview highlights the diversity of viewpoints and the importance of perception in shaping military and political outcomes. The authors also reflect on the value of collaborative scholarship in developing new interpretations of the war.

For almost two years, the war on the Continent had been raging. The Battle of Verdun has already happened, but the real bloodshed had not even started yet, with the Battle of the Somme only a month away.While the European land armies have been fighting on a scale not seen since Napoleon a century earlier, major conflicts at sea were rare in spite of the major belligerents having great and powerful fleets. Like two heavyweight boxers wary of each other, the surface fleets of the Royal Navy and the Kaiserliche Marine stared at each other across the North Sea, throwing a jab here or there, but not committing for a hard fight.Then, in the early morning hours of May 31st, Vice Admiral Franz von Hipper's I Scouting Group got underway from the Jade estuary and headed north.This episode, we are going to look back at the Battle of Jutland with Simon Harley, naval historian, Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and co-editor of The Dreadnought Project online resource. For his day job he sells vintage British motorcycle spares.You can at this link, or via the Spotify widget below.Show LinksSimon Harley on XBattle of Jutland Timeline, Imperial War MuseumThe Dreadnought ProjectThe Fighting Fleets, by Ralph Delahaye PaineCastles of Steel: Britain, Germany, and the Winning of the Great War at Sea, by Robert K. MassieClash of Fleets: Naval Battles of the Great War, 1914-18, by Vincent O'Hara, Leonard R HeinzSummaryIn this episode, naval historian Simon Harley discusses the Battle of Jutland, its strategic lessons, leadership personalities, and technological aspects, providing insights relevant to modern naval strategy.Sound bites“The German fleet has assaulted its jailer but it's still in jail”“Luck really does play a massive part in naval battles”“Always make sure you've got the bigger fleet”Chapters00:00: Introduction to the Battle of Jutland05:04: Context of World War I and Naval Warfare11:46: Intelligence and Communication Failures19:26: Leadership Dynamics in Naval Command27:02: Shipbuilding and Technological Advancements30:26: The Cordite Controversy32:33: Tactical Decisions and Luck in Naval Warfare35:08: Fire Control Systems: A Comparative Analysis37:15: Strategic Objectives of the German and British Navies40:25: Mines and Their Impact on Naval Strategy52:08: Lessons from Jutland: Fleet Size and Preparedness

“In silent screams and wildest dreams, I never dreamed of this. This love is good. This love is bad. This love is alive back from the dead.” This week we're setting sail on one of history's greatest epics, Homer's The Odyssey, and asking a very important question... did Taylor Swift write it? (We're mostly joking. Mostly.) In this Show & Tell episode, we each make the case for a Taylor Swift song that illuminates a different facet of the Odyssey, from Penelope's 20-year vigil to Odysseus weeping on a gorgeous island, to the sirens, the wine-dark sea, and a very significant scar. Along the way, the hosts dig into questions of translation and interpretation — particularly the significance of Emily Wilson's landmark female translation of the text — discuss the role of Athena in the story of the epic, and geek out about the archery contest that shows up in both the Odyssey and two Indian epics. Plus: the upcoming Christopher Nolan adaptation, the musical Epic by Jorge Rivera, Madeline Miller's Circe, and why All Too Well (10 Minute Version) might just be Taylor's own Odyssey.   Subscribe for free to get episode updates or upgrade to paid to get our After School premium content: aptaylorswift.substack.com/subscribe. After School subscribers get monthly bonus episodes, exclusive content, and early access to help shape future topics!   Stay up to date at aptaylorswift.com   Songs Discussed in This Episode: This Love — Taylor Swift (1989, 2014) | Written by Taylor Swift and Nathan Chapman I Don't Want to Live Forever — Taylor Swift & Zayn (Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack, 2017) | Written by Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, and Sam Dew Willow — Taylor Swift (evermore, 2020) | Written by Taylor Swift and Aaron Dessner   Honorable Mentions: Long Story Short (evermore) — previously discussed in our Greek Mythology episode (E67) Breathe (Fearless) Treacherous (Red) The Great War (Midnights) The Story of Us (Speak Now) High Infidelity (Midnights) Castle's Crumbling (feat. Hayley Williams, Speak Now (Taylor's Version)) Dear Reader (Midnights) State of Grace (Red) Gold Rush (evermore)   Mentioned in This Episode: The Odyssey, Homer (trans. Emily Wilson) The Odyssey, Homer (trans. Robert Fagles) Circe, Madeline Miller The Song of Achilles, Madeline Miller The Penelopiad, Margaret Atwood Epic: The Musical, Jorge Rivera-Herrans Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey (upcoming film) All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version) — mentioned as a potential “Taylor's Odyssey” Ulysses, James Joyce (briefly mentioned)   Episode Highlights: [~00:01] Welcome and why the Odyssey, why now [~10:45] Maansi's pick: This Love as Penelope's story — the weaving scheme, the suitors, and letting go [~24:00] Jenn's pick: I Don't Want to Live Forever as Odysseus refusing immortality on Calypso's island [~38:27] Jodi's pick: Willow — ships, the wine-dark sea, Charybdis, the sirens, and the bait-and-switch of Odysseus' return [~01:00:19] Honorable mentions: Breathe, Treacherous, The Great War, The Story of Us, High Infidelity, Castle's Crumbling, Dear Reader, State of Grace, Gold Rush Follow AP Taylor Swift Podcast on Social! TikTok → tiktok.com/@APTaylorSwift Instagram → instagram.com/APTaylorSwift YouTube → youtube.com/@APTaylorSwift Link Tree → linktr.ee/aptaylorswift Bookshop.org → bookshop.org/shop/apts Libro.fm → tinyurl.com/aptslibro   Contact us at aptaylorswift@gmail.com   Affiliate Codes: Krowned Krystals — krownedkrystals.com | Use code APTS at checkout for 10% off!   Libro.fm — Looking for an audiobook? Check out our Libro.fm playlist and use code APTS30 for 30% off books found here: tinyurl.com/aptslibro   This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.

Disabled Empire: The Colonial Body in First World War Britain (U Chicago Press, 2026) examines how imperial precedents and racial ideologies shaped the medical treatments that the British state offered to several million Black and brown servicemen during World War I. In recovering the voices and experiences of these soldiers, Hilary R. Buxton illustrates how they navigated the institutional culture of the imperial military and how they helped to shape health and welfare systems well beyond the interwar period. The Great War was the first time that troops and volunteers from nearly all reaches of the Empire participated in the war effort side-by-side. Despite official attempts at segregation, colonial troops met in trenches, mobile camps, casualty clearing stations, hospital ships, and convalescent homes. Just as importantly, those organizing treatment encountered men of different ethnicities, religions, and cultures from across and beyond the British Empire. For British officials, this moment offered an opportunity to remake colonial efficiency and medical knowledge. Yet, as Buxton shows, colonial servicemen were not passive subjects in a wartime laboratory: they were vocal participants who demanded a say in the therapies prescribed to them, the rations they required, the psychiatric care they received, and the prosthetics with which they were fitted. Together, these encounters profoundly remade colonial relations, reshaping imperial science, administration, and colonial understandings of subjecthood.Disabled Empire pushes literature on the war and medicine outside its national, Eurocentric focus to confront the colonial logic of global health inequity. Hilary R. Buxton is assistant professor of history at Kenyon College. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube Channel: here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Director James Whale brought Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to the big screen in 1931, and followed it up with classics like The Invisible Man, The Old Dark House, and Bride of Frankenstein. Throughout his Hollywood career, Whale lived as an openly gay man, something quite rare in the '20s and '30s. Along with his horror pictures, Whale directed Remember Last Night?, Show Boat, and The Man in the Iron Mask before retiring from filmmaking in 1942. One of his last major pictures, The Road Back, a sequel to the Great War movie All Quiet on the Western Front, was the victim of studio interference - and Nazi German influence - which contributed to Whale's decision to leave Hollywood. His sexuality, according to contemporaries, was well-known, but "nobody made a thing out of it." However, Whale's later life was marred by health problems leading up to his suicide in 1957 at age 67. Christopher Bram's 1995 novel, Father of Frankenstein, explored what his last days could have been like, with filmmaker Bill Condon penning and directing a 1998 adaptation starring Ian McKellen, Brendan Fraser, and Lynn Redgrave. Condon's script won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, and McKellen and Redgrave were both nominated, but the film failed to attract lightning at the box office. Now, as we wrap up our mini-Pride Month film festival, we welcome a new world with Gods and Monsters!   For more geeky podcasts visit GonnaGeek.com    You can find us on iTunes under ''Legends Podcast''. Please subscribe and give us a positive review. You can also follow us on Twitter @LegendsPodcast or even better, send us an e-mail: LegendsPodcastS@gmail.com    You can write to Rum Daddy directly: rumdaddylegends@gmail.com    You can find all our contact information here on the Network page of GonnaGeek.com Our complete archive is always available at www.legendspodcast.com, www.legendspodcast.libsyn.com    Show Music:Danger Storm by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  

Disabled Empire: The Colonial Body in First World War Britain (U Chicago Press, 2026) examines how imperial precedents and racial ideologies shaped the medical treatments that the British state offered to several million Black and brown servicemen during World War I. In recovering the voices and experiences of these soldiers, Hilary R. Buxton illustrates how they navigated the institutional culture of the imperial military and how they helped to shape health and welfare systems well beyond the interwar period. The Great War was the first time that troops and volunteers from nearly all reaches of the Empire participated in the war effort side-by-side. Despite official attempts at segregation, colonial troops met in trenches, mobile camps, casualty clearing stations, hospital ships, and convalescent homes. Just as importantly, those organizing treatment encountered men of different ethnicities, religions, and cultures from across and beyond the British Empire. For British officials, this moment offered an opportunity to remake colonial efficiency and medical knowledge. Yet, as Buxton shows, colonial servicemen were not passive subjects in a wartime laboratory: they were vocal participants who demanded a say in the therapies prescribed to them, the rations they required, the psychiatric care they received, and the prosthetics with which they were fitted. Together, these encounters profoundly remade colonial relations, reshaping imperial science, administration, and colonial understandings of subjecthood.Disabled Empire pushes literature on the war and medicine outside its national, Eurocentric focus to confront the colonial logic of global health inequity. Hilary R. Buxton is assistant professor of history at Kenyon College. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube Channel: here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/military-history

Disabled Empire: The Colonial Body in First World War Britain (U Chicago Press, 2026) examines how imperial precedents and racial ideologies shaped the medical treatments that the British state offered to several million Black and brown servicemen during World War I. In recovering the voices and experiences of these soldiers, Hilary R. Buxton illustrates how they navigated the institutional culture of the imperial military and how they helped to shape health and welfare systems well beyond the interwar period. The Great War was the first time that troops and volunteers from nearly all reaches of the Empire participated in the war effort side-by-side. Despite official attempts at segregation, colonial troops met in trenches, mobile camps, casualty clearing stations, hospital ships, and convalescent homes. Just as importantly, those organizing treatment encountered men of different ethnicities, religions, and cultures from across and beyond the British Empire. For British officials, this moment offered an opportunity to remake colonial efficiency and medical knowledge. Yet, as Buxton shows, colonial servicemen were not passive subjects in a wartime laboratory: they were vocal participants who demanded a say in the therapies prescribed to them, the rations they required, the psychiatric care they received, and the prosthetics with which they were fitted. Together, these encounters profoundly remade colonial relations, reshaping imperial science, administration, and colonial understandings of subjecthood.Disabled Empire pushes literature on the war and medicine outside its national, Eurocentric focus to confront the colonial logic of global health inequity. Hilary R. Buxton is assistant professor of history at Kenyon College. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube Channel: here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory

Disabled Empire: The Colonial Body in First World War Britain (U Chicago Press, 2026) examines how imperial precedents and racial ideologies shaped the medical treatments that the British state offered to several million Black and brown servicemen during World War I. In recovering the voices and experiences of these soldiers, Hilary R. Buxton illustrates how they navigated the institutional culture of the imperial military and how they helped to shape health and welfare systems well beyond the interwar period. The Great War was the first time that troops and volunteers from nearly all reaches of the Empire participated in the war effort side-by-side. Despite official attempts at segregation, colonial troops met in trenches, mobile camps, casualty clearing stations, hospital ships, and convalescent homes. Just as importantly, those organizing treatment encountered men of different ethnicities, religions, and cultures from across and beyond the British Empire. For British officials, this moment offered an opportunity to remake colonial efficiency and medical knowledge. Yet, as Buxton shows, colonial servicemen were not passive subjects in a wartime laboratory: they were vocal participants who demanded a say in the therapies prescribed to them, the rations they required, the psychiatric care they received, and the prosthetics with which they were fitted. Together, these encounters profoundly remade colonial relations, reshaping imperial science, administration, and colonial understandings of subjecthood.Disabled Empire pushes literature on the war and medicine outside its national, Eurocentric focus to confront the colonial logic of global health inequity. Hilary R. Buxton is assistant professor of history at Kenyon College. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube Channel: here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/medicine

Disabled Empire: The Colonial Body in First World War Britain (U Chicago Press, 2026) examines how imperial precedents and racial ideologies shaped the medical treatments that the British state offered to several million Black and brown servicemen during World War I. In recovering the voices and experiences of these soldiers, Hilary R. Buxton illustrates how they navigated the institutional culture of the imperial military and how they helped to shape health and welfare systems well beyond the interwar period. The Great War was the first time that troops and volunteers from nearly all reaches of the Empire participated in the war effort side-by-side. Despite official attempts at segregation, colonial troops met in trenches, mobile camps, casualty clearing stations, hospital ships, and convalescent homes. Just as importantly, those organizing treatment encountered men of different ethnicities, religions, and cultures from across and beyond the British Empire. For British officials, this moment offered an opportunity to remake colonial efficiency and medical knowledge. Yet, as Buxton shows, colonial servicemen were not passive subjects in a wartime laboratory: they were vocal participants who demanded a say in the therapies prescribed to them, the rations they required, the psychiatric care they received, and the prosthetics with which they were fitted. Together, these encounters profoundly remade colonial relations, reshaping imperial science, administration, and colonial understandings of subjecthood.Disabled Empire pushes literature on the war and medicine outside its national, Eurocentric focus to confront the colonial logic of global health inequity. Hilary R. Buxton is assistant professor of history at Kenyon College. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube Channel: here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this latest episode of the World War I Podcast, we are joined by Lillian Pfluke, a retired U.S. Army major and a member of the pioneering first class of women to graduate from West Point in 1980. After her military career, she spent ten years working for the American Battle Monuments Commission as the Private Memorials Administrator of the European Region before founding American War Memorials Overseas, an organization dedicated to identifying and preserving the thousands of U.S. war memorials found around the world. In this conversation, we discussed the many private World War I memorials overseas, what they commemorate, and why they continue to matter more than a century later. Learn more about American War Memorials Overseas.Links to photos of memorials discussed: WWI Medal of Honor awardee in Montenegro: https://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=1379&MemID=1812Dudley Tucker: https://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=155&MemID=235Aviation Training Center Monument with 171 training accident death: https://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=614&MemID=897&keyword=paudyIs-sur-Tille: https://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=227&MemID=350&keyword=is+sur+tilleMurville link: https://www.uswarmemorials.org/admin/images/memorials/1369759936Murville(2).JPG.Have a comment about this episode? Send us a text message! (Note: we can read texts, but we cannot respond.) Follow us:Twitter: @MacArthur1880 Amanda Williams on Twitter:  @AEWilliamsClarkFacebook/Instagram: @MacArthurMemorialwww.macarthurmemorial.org 

By 1916 the airplane had proven itself as an important new weapon in the Great War. Arguably just as important was the image of the glamorous flying aces. Entire flying units, like France's Lafayette Escadrille made up of American volunteers, were created with the hope of generating positive press that could bring the United States into the war on the side of allies. When America did join WWI in 1917, there was a belief that the airplane was the "natural weapon of Americans." Some lawmakers dreamed of building a war-winning American airplane armada. Meanwhile, the reporting on flying aces had the affect of turning the air-war into a sport, with "high scorers" looking to break new records. How did this affect the behavior of the warriors in the sky? Tune-in an find out how an unbreakable sword, the flying circus, and hells-handmaiden all play a role in the story.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this latest Questions & Answers episode of the Old Front Line podcast, we tackle another fascinating collection of listener questions that uncover some of the lesser-known aspects of the First World War.We begin by exploring the German tradition of Sterbebilder or Death Cards, the memorial cards issued to commemorate fallen soldiers. How were these cards produced, who organised them, and where did the photographs that often appeared on them come from?Next, we examine the impact of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic on the armies of the Great War. As Germany's military fortunes declined during the final months of the conflict, how much of a role did illness play alongside battlefield losses, exhaustion, and dwindling resources? We also consider the wider effect of influenza on all the major combatant nations.We then turn to one of the most familiar nicknames in British medal collecting: "Pip, Squeak and Wilfred". Where did these curious names come from, and how did they become attached to the 1914–15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal?Finally, we look at trench warfare and ask how opposing armies managed to dig trenches in places where the enemy was often only a few yards away. How were these positions established under fire, and how did some sectors of the front evolve into landscapes where soldiers could hear conversations and even smell the enemy's cooking?Sign up for the free podcast newsletter here: Old Front Line Bulletin.You can order Old Front Line Merch via The Old Front Line Shop.Got a question about this episode or any others? Drop your question into the Old Front Line Discord Server or email the podcast.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

Send us Fan MailThis week on the podcast Gerald Everette Jones stops by the show again to discuss his latest release Jonathan's Journal. We talk about how some choices made in WW1 still affect us today and more. *****Gerald Everett Jones lives in Santa Monica. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild and Women's National Book Association, as well as a board member of the Independent Writers of Southern California (IWOSC). He is a Film Independent (FILM) Fellow. He holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors from the College of Letters, Wesleyan University, where he studied under novelists Peter Boynton (Stone Island), F.D. Reeve (The Red Machines), and Jerzy Kosinski (The Painted Bird, Being There).”More about Jonathan's Journal: When a solitary art historian stumbles across a cryptic World War I diary among his mother's antiques, his life quietly implodes. In Jonathan's Journal, award-winning author Gerald Everett Jones invites readers on a richly emotional and historical journey that spans continents and generations. Through dual narratives—one modern, one set during the forgotten campaigns of the Great War in the Near East and India—Jones offers a haunting meditation on identity, duty, and the echoes of conflict that shape who we become.At the center of this literary novel is Jonathan Worthington, a middle-aged professor on sabbatical, whose discovery of an anonymous soldier's meticulously written journal ignites a quest for truth that blurs the line between past and present. The soldier, initially known only by the initials J.F.W., recounts experiences from the trenches of France to the deserts of Mesopotamia and India. As Jonathan deciphers the diary—with help from Elena, a mysterious librarian who abruptly left a position in the diplomatic corps—he suspects more than a historical connection; family secrets may lie hidden in Fred's sparse but emotionally loaded prose.Jones's fifteenth novel is both contemplative and adventurous, seamlessly blending historical research, literary fiction, and intimate personal reflection. Fans of Birdsong, The English Patient, and Possession will find themselves drawn into a world where archival mysteries illuminate inner truths.*****If you would like to contact the show Dauna@betertopodcast.comFollow us on Social MediaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0ETs2wpOHbCuhUNr0XFTw?view_as=subscriberInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_d.m.needom/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bettertopodcastwithdmneedomSupport the podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/bettertopodcastwithdmneedom©2026 Better To...Podcast with D. M.NeedomSupport the showSupport the show

For this episode of the Old Front Line podcast, we open the virtual mailbag once again for another Questions & Answers special covering some fascinating and lesser-known aspects of the First World War. From observation balloons hanging silently over the trenches to trench foot, white feathers and booby traps in No Man's Land, this episode explores the realities of life on the Western Front beyond the better-known battles.We begin by looking at the observation balloons - the so-called Balloonatics - that became such a familiar feature of the wartime landscape. Who manned these vulnerable aerial observation posts? What was life like for the crews suspended high above the battlefield? How many balloons lined the front by 1916, and were they more effective over the flat plains of Flanders than the broken ground of the Somme?We also examine the infamous White Feather campaign and the pressure placed on young men to enlist, alongside the Derby Scheme which allowed men to attest for service before being called up later. How widespread was the practice, and what impact did it have on those who experienced it?Inspired by an episode of Blackadder Goes Forth, we then investigate whether anti-personnel minefields really existed in the trenches of the Great War, and explore the grim world of booby traps and explosive devices hidden one the battlefield.Finally, we answer a question from Australia concerning trench foot and the long-term effects suffered by soldiers who returned to duty after treatment. How badly could damaged feet affect a man's ability to march, and what happened when he rejoined his battalion?Join us for another deep dive into the forgotten details and human stories of the First World War.The book mentioned in the introduction is Jon Woolcott's Tattooed Hills: Journeys to Chalk Figures published in 2026. Main Image: The Medical Officer of the 12th Battalion ,East Yorkshire Regiment conducts a foot inspection in a support trench near Roclincourt, 9 January 1918. (IWM Q10622). Image by Thomas Keith Aitken.Sign up for the free podcast newsletter here: Old Front Line Bulletin.You can order Old Front Line Merch via The Old Front Line Shop.Got a question about this episode or any others? Drop your question into the Old Front Line Discord Server or email the podcast.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

In the history of the United States, 31 of 45 presidents have served in the military, with two dozen of them serving during wartime. Yet only one president was a combat veteran of World War I: Harry S. Truman. The war shaped an entire generation of leaders, and Truman often said his service profoundly influenced his life and leadership. To explore Truman's World War I service and its impact, the World War I Podcast hosted Mark Adams, Director of the Truman Presidential Library and Museum. To listen to a presentation by Mark Adams about President Truman's relief of General MacArthur in 1951, please visit the MacArthur Memorial Podcast.Have a comment about this episode? Send us a text message! (Note: we can read texts, but we cannot respond.) Follow us:Twitter: @MacArthur1880 Amanda Williams on Twitter:  @AEWilliamsClarkFacebook/Instagram: @MacArthurMemorialwww.macarthurmemorial.org 

In this interview I talked with Dr. Xu Guoqi. Dr. Xu is professor of history and founding director of the Institute of Transnational History of China at the University of Hong Kong. He has written many books including Asian and the Great War, Chinese and Americans, Strangers on the Western Front, China and the Great War, and Olympic Dreams. We discussed his book, The Idea of China: A Contested History, and the history of the relationship between the United States and China going back to the Founding of America. Go subscribe to The Paradox Press now!Follow me on X: https://x.com/andyschmitt99

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss how Progressive foreign policy brought the United States into World War I before introducing Wilfred McClay. Americans have overcome many challenges throughout our history, including the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Depression, two World Wars, and the Cold War. Studying the great stories from our past inspires us to preserve the blessings of liberty in our day. Now you can study these stories with Hillsdale College. Hillsdale’s free online course, “The Great American Story: A Land of Hope,” explores the history of America as a land of hope founded on high principles. In presenting the great triumphs and achievements of our nation’s past, as well as the shortcomings and failures, it offers a broad and unbiased study of the kind essential to the cultivation of intelligent patriotism. Despite efforts to remain neutral, the United States entered World War I in 1917. The Americans helped the Allied powers secure victory a year later. The war took the lives of millions, and resulted in immense destruction and political instability in Europe and beyond. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss how Progressive foreign policy brought the United States into World War I before introducing Wilfred McClay. Americans have overcome many challenges throughout our history, including the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Depression, two World Wars, and the Cold War. Studying the great stories from our past inspires us to preserve the blessings of liberty in our day. Now you can study these stories with Hillsdale College. Hillsdale’s free online course, “The Great American Story: A Land of Hope,” explores the history of America as a land of hope founded on high principles. In presenting the great triumphs and achievements of our nation’s past, as well as the shortcomings and failures, it offers a broad and unbiased study of the kind essential to the cultivation of intelligent patriotism. Despite efforts to remain neutral, the United States entered World War I in 1917. The Americans helped the Allied powers secure victory a year later. The war took the lives of millions, and resulted in immense destruction and political instability in Europe and beyond. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special edition of the podcast we explore a lesser-known theatre of conflict from the First World War in Northern Italy with historian Tom Isitt. Tom's new book - Thunder in the Mountains - follows a journey he made across those battlefields and with him we discover the unique challenges of mountain warfare, the diverse nations involved, and personal stories from the battlefield.We examine the Battlefields on the Izonzo, discuss some of the highest points of the Great War in the Dolomites and move to the involvement of German troops in Italy, including Erwin Rommel at Caporetto in 1917, and the arrival of British forces who fought here until the end of the war.You visit Tom Isitt's website and order the book here: Thunder in the Mountains.Sign up for the free podcast newsletter here: Old Front Line Bulletin. You can order Old Front Line Merch via The Old Front Line Shop.Got a question about this episode or any others? Drop your question into the Old Front Line Discord Server or email the podcast.Send us Fan MailSupport the show

World War One did not happen accidentally. There were a multitude of factors that led up to the Great War. Today we cover them. Western Civ 2.0 

Today we re-broadcast a special episode as a timely way to honor Memorial Day. Journey back to the early 1900's and hear the story of a young man from Canada who left his home and family to serve in the Great War. The story is told by his surviving son, American author and businessman John D. Beckett who wrote, The War Letters. You won't want to miss this true story on The Public Square®. Special Guest: John Beckett Topic: Rediscovering American History The Public Square® Long Format Program with host Dave Zanotti.  thepublicsquare.com Release Date: Friday, May 22nd, 2026  

In this episode, Sean and James tell about the postwar lives and careers of the major political and military leaders on all sides of the Great War.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the earliest films from Oscar-nominated Austrailian director Peter Weir (Witness, Dead Poet's Society, The Truman Show, Master & Commander), this is a stirring tale of one of THE pivotal events in the history of Australia: their campaign with British forces to fight the Turkish forces in World War I on the hills of Gallipoli more than a hundred years ago.  The story focuses on two young Austrailian sprinters (Mark Lee, Mel Gibson) who enlist together and form a strong bond, before eventually facing the brutal realities of "The Great War" when they are sent to fight.  When it came out forty-five years ago, this film was not only a seminal event in Australian cinema for war movies overall.  It also co-stars Bill Kerr, John Murphy, and Bill Hunter. Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene Gershon Send us Fan MailSupport the showhttps://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/ 

In this episode, Sean and James examine the far-reaching legacy of the First World War, from its devastating human cost and psychological impact to the profound economic, political, and geographic changes it unleashed. They explore how the war reshaped nations and empires, altered the role of government and ideology, and set the conditions for continued violence, revolution, and instability across Europe and beyond. The episode concludes by grappling with the most difficult question of all: whether the Great War was worth the staggering price it demanded, and whether anything positive ultimately emerged from the conflict.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Sean and James discuss the 2022 film adaptation of the classic novel All Quiet on the Western Front. The film depicts the Great War through the experience of a young German soldier on the Western Front, charting his rapid disillusionment as patriotic fervor gives way to mechanized slaughter. The film juxtaposes brutal front-line combat with detached armistice negotiations, underscoring the indifference of political leadership to human cost. Visceral and unsparing, the film presents the First World War as an industrialized process of annihilation rather than heroism.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.