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by geph2021 783 days ago
Recommendation for anyone wanting to get into the gory, shocking details of WWI:

The podcast, Dan Carlin's A blueprint for Armageddon[1].

Over 24 hours on the topic, and I was left absolutely devastated by the descriptions of the impact and events of WWI. I guess I just didn't have a great appreciation or knowledge of WWI. At least for me, my grade school education was mostly focused on WWII and other more recent conflicts.

1 - https://www.dancarlin.com/product/hardcore-history-50-55-blu...

4 comments

I really appreciated G. J. Meyer’s “A World Undone”. My [lack of] understanding of the conflict before reading that did not prepare me for how farcical and devastating the war was.

https://www.alibris.com/A-World-Undone-The-Story-of-the-Grea...

It’s a long, sometimes tough read (because of the contents, not the writing, which is very well done), but worth it.

We just had ANZAC day in NZ [commemorating WWI/battle of gallipoli). A bunch of (I'm guessing younger people) are getting up in arms that it's glorification of war and whataboutism on other things going on the world "why don't we do x about y", "we shouldn't be celebrating it" etc etc.

They really missed the point that it's about not forgetting the brutality of war - to remember those who served and died under horrific circumstances. One of the key phrases is "lest we forget". However I fear we are, as each generation passes from WWI/WWII the horrors gradually get diluted.

While we don't have kids it's apparent the younger generations are not getting the stories of WWI/WWII passed down and their exposure to it is the glorification through Hollywood.

Thank you good HN'er for posting this up. It's always important to remember so we as a world don't go back there.

On the theme of Dan Carlin and generational dilution, the first episode ever was an interesting exploration of how Alexander and Hitler through that lens.

It's completely different to the current audiobook like format, but the early episodes are still well worth a look.

https://www.dancarlin.com/product/hardcore-history-1-alexand...

I totally recommend this, especially if you haven't heard Dan's podcasts before. One of his best, next to Death Throes of The Republic (if you want a fascinating depiction of pre-Empire Roman history)
Couldn't agree more, this podcast is amazing. Worth multiple listens and definitely worth the price of admission.