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Dan Carlin's Hardcore History

By Dan Carlin

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 from past eras? This isn't academic history (and Carlin isn't a historian) but the podcast's unique blend of high drama, masterful narration and Twilight Zone-style twists has entertained millions of listeners.

#15

Show 64 - Supernova in the East III

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. ... Read more

25 Oct 2019

4 HR 53 MINS

4:53:43

25 Oct 2019

#14

Show 63 - Supernova in the East II

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... ... Read more

12 Jan 2019

4 HR 01 MINS

4:01:55

12 Jan 2019

#13

Show 62 - Supernova in the East I

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. ... Read more

14 Jul 2018

4 HR 28 MINS

4:28:17

14 Jul 2018

#12

Show 61 - (Blitz) Painfotainment

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. ... Read more

28 Jan 2018

4 HR 31 MINS

4:31:01

28 Jan 2018

#11

Show 60 - The Celtic Holocaust

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. ... Read more

09 Aug 2017

5 HR 59 MINS

5:59:51

09 Aug 2017

#10

Show 59 - (Blitz) The Destroyer of Worlds

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. ... Read more

25 Jan 2017

5 HR 49 MINS

5:49:32

25 Jan 2017

#9

Show 58 - Kings of Kings III

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. ... Read more

07 Aug 2016

5 HR 00 MINS

5:00:30

07 Aug 2016

#8

Show 57 - Kings of Kings II

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… ... Read more

20 Mar 2016

4 HR 15 MINS

4:15:42

20 Mar 2016

#7

Show 56 - Kings of Kings

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. ... Read more

29 Oct 2015

3 HR 32 MINS

3:32:40

29 Oct 2015

#6

Show 55 - Blueprint for Armageddon VI

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. ... Read more

06 May 2015

4 HR 16 MINS

4:16:43

06 May 2015

#5

Show 54 - Blueprint for Armageddon V

Politics, diplomacy, revolution and mutiny take center stage at the start of this episode, but mud, blood, shells and tragedy drown all by the end. ... Read more

30 Dec 2014

4 HR 29 MINS

4:29:57

30 Dec 2014

#4

Show 53 - Blueprint for Armageddon IV

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. ... Read more

17 Aug 2014

3 HR 55 MINS

3:55:51

17 Aug 2014

#3

Show 52 - Blueprint for Armageddon III

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. ... Read more

24 Apr 2014

3 HR 54 MINS

3:54:08

24 Apr 2014

#2

Show 51 - Blueprint for Armageddon II

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. ... Read more

31 Jan 2014

3 HR 20 MINS

3:20:29

31 Jan 2014

#1

Show 50 - Blueprint for Armageddon I

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. ... Read more

30 Oct 2013

3 HR 07 MINS

3:07:20