Copper
10-05-2008, 11:49 AM
Hi Guys
I'd like to take a moment to make you aware of a great podcast I have stumbled across.
As some of you are aware I was away sunning myself in the Med and doing a trip to the WW2 tunnels on Gibraltar (see my blog for the whole story) a week or so ago and rather than weigh myself down with numerous military history books which is the norm for me going on holidays I decided to try something different.
I went to itunes and downloaded an absolute bucket load of history/military history podcasts. These included podcasts by The Military History Podcast, Combat Report, The History Network and a series of podcasts by some guy called Dan Carlin.
As I settled down on a sun lounger with my chilled San Miguel by my side and my ipod earphones plugged in I decided to see what these podcasts were like.
To be honest I was initially disappointed, at first I tried The Military History Podcast. Man was it dry! Then came The History Network.... more dross. These guys spoke in monotone and with the enthusiasm of a cow going to the slaughterhouse. I began to wish I had bought a book when I thought I'll give this guy Dan Carlins podcasts a listen to.
Wow, is all I can say. They were captivating. Dan has such an enthusiasm for his topics that you cant help but get absorbed and find yourself hanging on every word he said. Unlike the others where the narrators sounded like they were reading it of a sheet of paper, listening to Dan was like you were sitting in the pub with a guy who really knew what he was talking about.
So, what does he talk about?
Well some of the topics on his podcasts so far include:
Show 10 - The What-Ifs Of 1066
How might history have been changed if the events of the momentous year 1066 had turned out differently? Dan examines Normans, Vikings, Saxons, Bastards, Conquerers, Confessors, Godwinsons and Hardratas.
Show 11 - Thoughts on Churchill
We almost called this show "Things about Churchill that have interested Dan". Dan takes a look at various elements of the dramatic life and career of the great British leader.
Show 15 - Desperate Times
The tough economic climate after the First World War fostered the growth of radicalism around the world. Did it also create tougher people? Dan looks at the connection between tough times and the "Greatest Generation".
Show 16 - Nazi Tidbits
What accounts for the fascination people still have with Adolf Hitler and the Nazis? Dan looks at some of the ideas of the German National Socialists and examines the demonic, charismatic Nazi Fuhrer.
Show 20 - (BLITZ) History Under The Influence
This first "Blitz Edition" of the show looks at the hidden side of history, the impact of drugs and alcohol on past events. Dan has a whole list of historical figures he wants to drug test.
As you can see a very wide range of topics and believe me... each one bloody good listening.
At one point on my holiday I was listening to the Churchill episode. I was hooked. The wife was waiting for me to go and get ready as we had booked a table at a nice Italian eaterie but I made her wait as I rolled about laughing at some of the comments and quotes in this particular episode. If it were a book ou would call it a page turner.
Anyway... you can find these podcasts on itunes or go to
http://www.dancarlin.com/disp.php/hharchive
Thanks for reading. Now go download those podcasts...!
Shane
I'd like to take a moment to make you aware of a great podcast I have stumbled across.
As some of you are aware I was away sunning myself in the Med and doing a trip to the WW2 tunnels on Gibraltar (see my blog for the whole story) a week or so ago and rather than weigh myself down with numerous military history books which is the norm for me going on holidays I decided to try something different.
I went to itunes and downloaded an absolute bucket load of history/military history podcasts. These included podcasts by The Military History Podcast, Combat Report, The History Network and a series of podcasts by some guy called Dan Carlin.
As I settled down on a sun lounger with my chilled San Miguel by my side and my ipod earphones plugged in I decided to see what these podcasts were like.
To be honest I was initially disappointed, at first I tried The Military History Podcast. Man was it dry! Then came The History Network.... more dross. These guys spoke in monotone and with the enthusiasm of a cow going to the slaughterhouse. I began to wish I had bought a book when I thought I'll give this guy Dan Carlins podcasts a listen to.
Wow, is all I can say. They were captivating. Dan has such an enthusiasm for his topics that you cant help but get absorbed and find yourself hanging on every word he said. Unlike the others where the narrators sounded like they were reading it of a sheet of paper, listening to Dan was like you were sitting in the pub with a guy who really knew what he was talking about.
So, what does he talk about?
Well some of the topics on his podcasts so far include:
Show 10 - The What-Ifs Of 1066
How might history have been changed if the events of the momentous year 1066 had turned out differently? Dan examines Normans, Vikings, Saxons, Bastards, Conquerers, Confessors, Godwinsons and Hardratas.
Show 11 - Thoughts on Churchill
We almost called this show "Things about Churchill that have interested Dan". Dan takes a look at various elements of the dramatic life and career of the great British leader.
Show 15 - Desperate Times
The tough economic climate after the First World War fostered the growth of radicalism around the world. Did it also create tougher people? Dan looks at the connection between tough times and the "Greatest Generation".
Show 16 - Nazi Tidbits
What accounts for the fascination people still have with Adolf Hitler and the Nazis? Dan looks at some of the ideas of the German National Socialists and examines the demonic, charismatic Nazi Fuhrer.
Show 20 - (BLITZ) History Under The Influence
This first "Blitz Edition" of the show looks at the hidden side of history, the impact of drugs and alcohol on past events. Dan has a whole list of historical figures he wants to drug test.
As you can see a very wide range of topics and believe me... each one bloody good listening.
At one point on my holiday I was listening to the Churchill episode. I was hooked. The wife was waiting for me to go and get ready as we had booked a table at a nice Italian eaterie but I made her wait as I rolled about laughing at some of the comments and quotes in this particular episode. If it were a book ou would call it a page turner.
Anyway... you can find these podcasts on itunes or go to
http://www.dancarlin.com/disp.php/hharchive
Thanks for reading. Now go download those podcasts...!
Shane