Dan Carlin's Hardcore History Podcast By Dan Carlin cover art

Dan Carlin's Hardcore History

Dan Carlin's Hardcore History

By: Dan Carlin
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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.dancarlin.com World
Episodes
  • Show 74 - Mania for Subjugation IV

    Show 74 - Mania for Subjugation IV
    Jul 31 2026
    The stage is set for an in-person showdown between Alexander and Persia's Great King. The resulting Battle of Issus, although often ignored by Hollywood, is one of the most important battles in all ancient history. It gets its due here.
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    4 hrs and 1 min
  • Show 73 - Mania for Subjugation III

    Show 73 - Mania for Subjugation III
    Dec 22 2025
    Attacking the largest empire the world had ever seen is a huge endeavor at any age, but try doing it at 21. Alexander, fusing the qualities of a Napoleon with a gladiator, aims for immortality. The Persians are just in his way.
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    4 hrs and 14 mins
  • Show 72 - Mania for Subjugation II

    Show 72 - Mania for Subjugation II
    Jan 3 2025
    Is it safe to hand control of the deadliest army in the world to a 20-year old? If you are Thracian, Triballian, Illyrian or Theban, the answer is definitely no. Alexander becomes king and fights off threats to his rule in all directions.
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    3 hrs and 51 mins
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Thorough and entertaining. Dan does a fantastic job bringing to life the people long gone.

indepth and engaging

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sometimes when your dude that's read oriental heritage, or some other Uber history dork text,
(and by have read I obviously mean listen to on audible now available you should totally pick it up.)
It can feel very lonely other people don't seem to know who Sargon was, or why Darius was the evil genius super villain emperor he was. so thank you big man for reading the books I love and I'm talking about them on the interwebs.

Persian fire by Tom Holland is available on audible
The great courses includes all of Ken Harrell's stuff which you should totally read as well (read)

thank you brother

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This is an amazing series!! My son recommended this and I'm totally hooked. I'll be listening to everything Dan has done and will do!!

excellent series!!

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I've always thought that I just hated history. Turns out that I just needed the right teacher. Though I guess it should be noted that Dan Carlin could probably do a six-hour podcast during which he describes beige paint drying on a brick in real-time, and it would be riveting.


Downsides:
1) Once you finish, you will spend the rest of your life looking for a lecturer/podcast/book as engaging and immersive as this, but you will never, ever, find one. You have reached the top. Its all down from here.
2) Due to the unparalleled quality of the podcast, the wait between episodes is ridiculously long. Expect withdrawal symptoms.

Upsides:
1) Everything. The information. The performance. Everything. If you haven't heard Dan Carlin's hardcore histories yet, I envy you. You're in for the ride of your life.
2) If you don't like history, this is an amazing way to start liking it. I've found that Dan and the podcast have given me an appreciation for the subject as a whole.

Best lecturer I have ever heard

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If you think history is boring, think again. Dan Carlin has a unique way of narrating history from a human experience perspective, and allows you to mentally "walk a mile in someone else's shoes". Highly recommend it - and offers lessons for the present.

Best history podcast by a "non-historian"!

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