The 10 Best Hardcore History Episodes
In Hardcore History, expert storyteller Dan Carlin takes his unorthodox, “martian” way of thinking and applies it to the past from WW1 and WW2 to Genghis Khan. This isn't academic history, but the podcast's unique blend of high drama, masterful narration, and Twilight Zone-style twists has entertained millions of listeners. The episodes can run up to five hours long and are released roughly every three to seven months — you can tell that an extreme amount of time and care has been put into each show. For the best Hardcore History episode list, check out the recommendations below from Podyssey’s community of podcast and history fans.
Last Updated: Mar 15th, 2022
1) Show 50 - Blueprint for Armageddon I
The Armageddon series is rated one of the best Hardcore History episodes ever. It’s a detailed humanistic story of the start of World War I triggered by the assasination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinance of Austria. Dan Carlin starts the first episode of the series off by pondering the question of coincidence, luck, and fate, and how nobodies can fundamentally change the course of human history. Dan’s storytelling skills make you feel like you’re in a movie as he describes the minute-by-minute events leading up to the archduke’s death that opened a Pandora Box of war and violence that still plagues the planet. Even if you’re already a World War history buff, you’ll enjoy this Hardcore History take of the world-shattering events from a whole different perspective.
frenchtoastygood recommended:
Kudos Dan!
AUDIO REMOVED: The podcast creator has removed the audio for this episode.2) Show 60 - The Celtic Holocaust
Historical books and manuscripts are re-translated every few decades, so that we, as modern people, can understand historical figures and events in the context of our values. And this is what Dan Carlin does in this episode by helping us contextualize the brutality of Julius Ceasar and his conquest of ancient Gaul. The masterful storyteller starts the journey to set the stage by posing a question to us: “What would you die for?” Would you die for your loved ones? Land? Freedom? Culture? The Celtic Holocaust is a harrowing tale of the Roman’s conquest during the Gallic Wars where over half the people in ancient Gaul were forced into slavery or killed outright. This Hardcore History best episode is a story of power, genocide, and resilience that’s definitely worth a listen.
3) 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 han...Show More
4) Show 48 - Prophets of Doom
Murderous millennial preachers and prophets take over the German city of Munster after Martin Luther unleashes a Pandora's Box of religious anarchy with the Protestant Reformation.
garrettp recommended:
Love this
AUDIO REMOVED: The podcast creator has removed the audio for this episode.5) 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 gen...Show More
AUDIO REMOVED: The podcast creator has removed the audio for this episode.6) 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.
AUDIO REMOVED: The podcast creator has removed the audio for this episode.7) 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 conflic...Show More
frenchtoastygood recommended:
This is an amazing podcast! Wow, his retelling is better than most college lectures on the subject
AUDIO REMOVED: The podcast creator has removed the audio for this episode.8) 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 st...Show More
AUDIO REMOVED: The podcast creator has removed the audio for this episode.9) 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...Show More
10) 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...Show More