I have never been a history buff.
I have a pretty good general knowledge about a whole range of topics but have never really researched too deep into history, other than mythology which I have remained interested in since my teenage years.
As a full grown man, I am not ashamed to say that I absolutely love watching "Horrible Histories" that t.v show aimed at kids to make history fun using silly skits and songs, they do an amazing job teaching kids interesting facts and tidbits about the history, beliefs, and traditions of so many cultures, the Stone age, the Dark ages, French, German, English, Vikings, Celts, Egyptian, WWI, and WWII the list goes on and on.
source
Its a great show but its not.
Hardcore History
I'm not one to get on the podcast wagon, I generally spend my time devouring Sci-fi audiobooks while I'm at the gym.
That changed last week when I turned on Spotify and stumbled across Dan Carlins Hardcore History Blitz: Destroyer of Worlds now as I said I'm no history buff but I do recognize Oppenheimer's quoting of Bhagavad-Gita when I see it, ten minutes into this 6-hour long podcast I knew I have found something special.
If you have even the smallest interest in history, heck even if you think history is dull as watching paint dry do yourself a favor and give this guy a listen, the only way I can describe the presentation format is that of a storyteller that weaves all the complex details of well-researched knowledge into something both deeply engrossing, enlightening truly educational. It's the examination of humanity then and now through the lens of history.
Destroyer of Worlds.
Here Carlin discusses the lead up during WWII to the development of atomic weaponry and its deployment in Japan in 1945 and continues all the way through the development of the "Super" otherwise known as the hydrogen bomb, all the way up to the peak of the Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Being an American I was half expecting a "we're number one!" attitude from Carlin but he manages to draw from so many sources and presents an amazingly well-balanced perspective that allows you to feel connected to these world leaders and grasp just a hint of their struggle to learn to control a power unlike any man has had before.
Nuclear proliferation, mutually assured destruction, battlefield deployment, through the lens of near history Carlin ask have we learned to control our new found power or have we just been lucky and that inevitable fall from the tightrope lies just a few steps away.
Painfotainment.
Dark, gritty, and brutal in detail, Painfotainment is Carlin's examination of our historical obsession with violence and the enjoyment we have gained from it.
Here Carlin delves into the history of brutality first as fun in the Roman Colosseum and the gladiatorial games, then moves on to discusses the sheer numbers that would attend public executions to see a man, tortured, dismembered, drawn and quartered in the medieval.
Discussing religious aspects, the blood-lust of the crowd, and the will of the government, and how fashion changed how we viewed these things.
He holds up a mirror, asks you to consider if we truly have the innate compassion for the suffering of others we like to think we do or if it's all just a matter of social trends that could just as easily take us back there.
Celtic Holocaust.
War, war never changes.
Fallout.
Following much of the rise of Julius Caesar, Carlin takes you on an exciting ride filled with any number action movie moments.
Ride along with Caesar as he raises a true Roman imperial legion, balances political battles in Rome, and be amazed at just how little propaganda has changed in the last two millennium.
Much of the source material for this one comes from Caesar's own writings and Carlin will remind you over and over again to take his words with a grain of salt but never forget to notice that the Roman empire just like any modern empire always needs a next enemy.
One last time if you have only the smallest interest in history get into this series.
Kind regards
Shai.
My Wife is @insideoutlet also a great Steemian worth following, checkout her most recent posts here.
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