Ep 051 – Fiction. In 1941, a Soviet soldier witnesses Hitler's invasion of the USSR and must cope with its devastating consequences. Sasha Vasilyuk discusses her fantastic new novel, "Your Presence Is Mandatory," based on the real-life story of her grandfather’s experiences during and after the war. Support local bookstores & buy Sasha’s book here:…

Ep 050 – Nonfiction. Are we already in a second Cold War? George S. Takach says yes, and joins me to discuss his fascinating new book, “Cold War 2.0: Artificial Intelligence in the New Battle between China, Russia, and America.” Support local bookstores and buy George’s book here: https://bookshop.org/a/92235/9781639365630 Subscribe to the War Book…

Ep 049 – Fiction. In August 1943, a fourteen-year-old is newly orphaned and flees Rome after surviving the American bombing raid that killed his parents. Author Derek B. Miller joins me to discuss his fascinating new #WWII novel, "The Curse of Pietro Houdini." Support local bookstores & buy Derek’s book here: https://bookshop.org/a/92235/9781668020…

Ep 048 – Nonfiction. By July 1794, Robespierre was an outlaw, wanted for conspiracy against the French Republic. Historian Colin Jones chronicles Robespierre's finals hours & joins me to discuss his new book, "The Fall of Robespierre: 24 Hours in Revolutionary Paris." Support local bookstores & buy Colin’s book here: https://bookshop.org/a/92235/97…

Ep 047 – Nonfiction. What's it like to grow up surrounded by Soviet propaganda? What lessons can we learn today? Magda Stroinska, Professor of Linguistics at McMaster University, joins me to discuss her fascinating new memoir, "My Life in Propaganda: Language and Totalitarian Regimes.” Support local bookstores & buy Magda’s book here: https://books…

Ep 046 – Nonfiction. Before 1862, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain had rarely left his home state of Maine, where he was a trained minister and professor. During the U.S. Civil War, he rose to fame as one of the North’s greatest heroes. Ronald C. White joins me to discuss his book, “On Great Fields: The Life and Unlikely Heroism of Joshua Lawrence Chamb…

Ep 045 – Nonfiction. How do the descendants of Nazis reckon with the pasts of their families? Burkhard Bilger joins me to discuss his memoir, a ten-year quest to uncover the truth about his grandfather— a Nazi party chief, “Fatherland: A Memoir of War, Conscience, and Family.” Support local bookstores & buy Burkhard’s book here: https://bookshop.or…

Ep 044 – Nonfiction. From 1800-1860, America grappled with 4 major wars: the War of 1812, the Seminole Wars, the Mexican War, and the lead-up to the U.S. Civil War. Historian E joins me to discuss these wars & his new book, "American Visions: The United States, 1800-1860." Support local bookstores & buy Ed’s book here: https://bookshop.org/a/92235/…

Ep 043 – Nonfiction. For England, the decades leading up to 1066 were defined by bloody wars in which Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, and Normans vied for supremacy. Don Hollway joins me to discuss his new book, “Battle for the Island Kingdom: England's Destiny 1000–1066.” Support local bookstores & buy Don’s book here: https://bookshop.org/a/92235/97814728…

Ep 042 – Nonfiction. Across both world wars, women ran spy networks and escape lines, parachuted behind enemy lines, and interrogated prisoners. Helen Fry joins me to discuss her fascinating new book, "Women in Intelligence: The Hidden History of Two World Wars." Support local bookstores & buy Helen’s book here: https://bookshop.org/a/92235/9780300…

Ep 041 – Nonfiction. The F-35 aircraft, which changed modern warfare, was one of the most expensive and controversial military programs in history. Tom Burbage joins me to discuss his new book, "F-35: The Inside Story of the Lightning II." Support local bookstores & buy Tom’s book here: https://bookshop.org/a/92235/9781510777576 Subscribe to the Wa…

Ep 040 – Nonfiction. The Russia-Ukraine War is the most serious crisis in Europe since World War II. At the heart of the conflict is a mystery: why did Putin put his entire regime at risk of destruction? Owen Matthews joins me to discuss his new book, "Overreach: The Inside Story of Putin’s War Against Ukraine." Support local bookstores & buy Owen’…

Ep 039 – Nonfiction. Tecumseh’s military stand against William Henry Harrison was a last chance to protect Indigenous people from U.S. expansion. Peter Stark joins me to discuss his new book, "Gallop Toward the Sun: Tecumseh and William Henry Harrison's Struggle for the Destiny of a Nation." Support local bookstores & buy Peter’s book here: https:/…

Ep 038 – Nonfiction. In 1812 the French emperor Napoleon invaded Russia. For this purpose, he gathered an army of half a million, including C.J. Wagevier, a Dutch officer who was captured and spent nearly 2 years in Russian captivity. Samuel de Korte joins me to discuss his translation of C.J.’s memoir of that time, “Fighting for Napoleon's Army in…

Ep 037 – Nonfiction. The War of 1812 was disastrous for the U.S., the lowest moment being the capture and burning of Washington, D.C. Historian Robert Watson talks about his new book, "When Washington Burned: The British Invasion of the Capital and a Nation's Rise from the Ashes." Support local bookstores & buy Robert’s book here: https://bookshop.…

Ep 036 – Nonfiction. Deliberately engineered by Prussian Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, the Franco-Prussian War toppled the French Empire, unified Germany, and set Europe on the path to World War I. Historian Rachel Chrastil joins me to discuss her fascinating new book, "Bismarck's War: The Franco-Prussian War and the Making of Modern Europe." Suppo…

Ep 035 – Nonfiction. In 1990, East Germany, a country born from war, ceased to exist. Katja Hoyer joins me to discuss East Germany's evolution during the Cold War & her fantastic new book, "Beyond the Wall: A History of East Germany." Support local bookstores & buy Katja's book here: https://bookshop.org/a/92235/9781541602571 Subscribe to the War B…

Ep 034 – Fiction. There aren't many books that give the perspective of the fight against ISIS from an Iranian perspective. Salar Abdoh joins me to discuss his extraordinary new novel, "Out of Mesopotamia." Support local bookstores & buy Salar’s book here: https://bookshop.org/a/92235/9781617758607 Subscribe to the War Books podcast here: YouTube: h…

Ep 033 – Nonfiction. Why did Putin opt for regime change in Ukraine, rather than a smaller-scale intervention in Donbas? Samuel Ramani joins me to discuss his new book, "Putin's War on Ukraine: Russia's Campaign for Global Counter-Revolution." Support local bookstores & buy Samuel’s book here: https://bookshop.org/a/92235/9781787388512 Subscribe to…

Ep 032 – Nonfiction. What is the importance of Eastern Europe, and how has it been defined by warfare? Jacob Mikanowski joins me to discuss his insightful new book, "Goodbye, Eastern Europe: An Intimate History of a Divided Land." Support local bookstores & buy Jacob’s book here: https://bookshop.org/a/92235/9781524748500 Subscribe to the War Books…

Ep 031 – Nonfiction. As a journalist, Christopher Miller was on the ground in Ukraine when the first Russian missiles struck and troops crossed the border. He joins me to discuss his fascinating new book, "The War Came To Us: Life and Death in Ukraine." Support local bookstores & buy Christopher’s book here: https://bookshop.org/a/92235/97813994068…

Ep 030 – Nonfiction. What do America's modern wars say about us as a country, and how should we respond as citizens? Phil Klay joins me to discuss his incredible new book, "Uncertain Ground: Citizenship in an Age of Endless, Invisible War." Support local bookstores & buy Phil’s book here: https://bookshop.org/a/92235/9780593299241 Subscribe to the …

Ep 029 – Nonfiction. 500 years ago, a Spanish flotilla reached the Yucatán under the command of Hérnan Cortés, leading to the fall of Tenochtitlan. Stefan Rinke joins me to discuss his new book, "Conquistadors and Aztecs: A History of the Fall of Tenochtitlan." Buy Stefan’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/Conquistadors-Aztecs-History-Fall-Tenocht…

Ep 028 – Nonfiction. Why aren't ordinary Russians more outraged by Putin's invasion of Ukraine? Jade McGlynn joins me to discuss why & to talk about her fascinating new book, "Memory Makers: The Politics of the Past in Putin's Russia." Support local bookstores & buy Jade’s book here: https://bookshop.org/a/92235/9781350280762 Subscribe to the War B…

Ep 027 – Nonfiction. Russia's invasion of Ukraine, when considering history, shouldn't have been such a surprise. Harvard Professor of Ukrainian History, Serhii Plokhy, joins me to discuss his new book, "The Russo-Ukrainian War: The Return of History." Support local bookstores & buy Serhii’s book here: https://bookshop.org/a/92235/9781324051190 Sub…

Ep 026 – Fiction. In wartime Berlin, intelligence & spying was anything if not complicated— both morally and in practice. Peter Mann’s excellent new novel, “The Torqued Man,” explores the contorted lives of two German spies in the final years of World War II. Support local bookstores & buy Peter’s book here: https://bookshop.org/a/92235/97800630721…

Ep 025 – Nonfiction. Before the outbreak of World War II, the U.S. military was about the same size as Bulgaria's-- far too small to take on Hitler’s Germany. Craig Nelson discusses how FDR set out to change this in his new book, "V Is For Victory: Franklin Roosevelt's American Revolution & the Triumph of World War II." Support local bookstores & b…

Ep 024 – Fiction. In 2003, a postcard arrived at Anne's home with 4 names written on it, all of them family members who died at Auschwitz. In a fascinating English-language interview, acclaimed French author Anne Berest discusses her new World War II autobiographical novel, "The Postcard." Support local bookstores & buy Anne’s book here: https://bo…

Ep 023 – Nonfiction. Is there a uniquely German way of war? Oxford historian Peter H. Wilson joins me to challenge this notion & discuss 500 years of German military history in his new book, "Iron and Blood: A Military History of the German-Speaking Peoples since 1500." Support local bookstores & buy Peter’s book here: https://bookshop.org/a/92235/…

Ep 022 - Nonfiction. “If we understand the violence of reconstruction, we can understand the violence of today.” Kidada E. Williams joins me to discuss her illuminating new book, 'I Saw Death Coming: A History of Terror and Survival in the War Against Reconstruction.' Support local bookstores & buy Kidada’s book here: https://bookshop.org/a/92235/9…

Ep 021 - Nonfiction. No engines, no guns, and no second chances. For our U.S. Memorial Day episode, Scott McGaugh joins me to talk about the American glider pilots of World War II & his terrific new book, "Brotherhood of the Flying Coffin: The Glider Pilots of World War II." Support local bookstores & buy Scott’s book here: https://bookshop.org/a/9…

Ep 020 - Nonfiction. 20 years later, the Iraq War still lingers. "All the civil wars in Iraq & Syria had the spark from that chaos." Ghaith Abdul-Ahad joins me to discuss his fantastic new book, 'A Stranger in Your Own City: Travels in the Middle East's Long War.' Support local bookstores & buy Ghaith’s book here: https://bookshop.org/a/92235/97805…

Ep 019 - Nonfiction. How dangerous are things right now? In a first for the War Books Podcast, we discuss the future of war. Andrew Hoehn and Thom Shanker join me to chat about their terrific new book, "Age of Danger: Keeping America Safe in an Era of New Superpowers, New Weapons, and New Threats." Support local bookstores & buy Andrew and Thom’s b…

Ep 018 - Fiction. What can World War One, one of the world's most destructive conflicts, teach us about language, love, & same-sex partnerships? Aleksandar Hemon joins me to discuss his incredible new novel, "The World and All That It Holds." Support local bookstores & buy Aleksandar’s book here: https://bookshop.org/a/92235/9780374287702 Subscribe…

Ep 017 - Nonfiction. “Ukraine is very different from all the other wars... it’s one in which Putin involves himself much more personally.” Mark Galeotti demystifies Russia's wars since the 1990s & discusses his incredible new book, "Putin's Wars: From Chechnya to Ukraine." Support local bookstores & buy Mark’s book here: https://bookshop.org/a/9223…

Ep 016 - Nonfiction. The Bangladesh Liberation War is sometimes called the world's first climate war. How did a mild cyclone lead to a violent genocide? Scott Carney talks about his book, co-written with Jason Miklian, "The Vortex: A True Story of History's Deadliest Storm, an Unspeakable War, and Liberation." Support local bookstores & buy Scott a…

Ep 015 - Nonfiction. An incredible story of Vietnam, Agent Orange, & the post-war experience for veterans. My interview with George Black on his fantastic new book, "The Long Reckoning: A Story of War, Peace, and Redemption in Vietnam." Support local bookstores & buy George’s book here: https://bookshop.org/a/92235/9780593534106 Subscribe to the Wa…

Ep 014 - Nonfiction. In 1776, rumors abounded that George Washington would rather burn New York City than let it fall. The British invaded. Then, the city burned. My chat with Prof. Benjamin Carp about his captivating new book, "The Great New York Fire of 1776: A Lost Story of the American Revolution." Support local bookstores & buy Benjamin’s book…

Ep 013 - Nonfiction. Glowing foxes, bat bombs, explosive baking flour, and more. My fascinating interview with John Lisle on his new book, "The Dirty Tricks Department: Stanley Lovell, the OSS, and the Masterminds of World War II Secret Warfare." We dive deep into the creative ways American intelligence sought to win World War II. Support local boo…

Ep 012 - Nonfiction. Jeff’s latest book, “The Mercenary: A Story of Brotherhood and Terror in the Afghanistan War,” is a nonfiction novel about his time in Afghanistan as a war correspondent & the friendship he forms with his Afghani driver. This book is a page-turner, and Jeff does a terrific job exploring what it means to be a reporter, but also …

Ep 011 - Nonfiction. “He might’ve been of the youngest generation in that war.” At the age of 13, Heidi Langbein-Allen's father was forced from his home to become a child soldier in Hitler's army. A fascinating discussion from her extraordinary new book, "Save the Last Bullet: Memoir of a Boy Soldier in Hitler's Army." Support local bookstores & bu…

Ep 010 - Nonfiction. In September 1942, one of the fiercest battles of WW2 began: Stalingrad. The battle is one of the most written-about of WW2, and I was so glad to pick up Iain MacGregor's new book, "The Lighthouse of Stalingrad," which adds a new layer to the history & chronicles an event crucial to the defeat of the Nazis. In Iain's words, "I …

Ep 009 - Nonfiction. In 1861, the Confederacy sent a devious Southern agent abroad to build a Navy. The Union sent an agent to stop him. My interview with Alexander Rose on his thrilling new book, "The Lion And The Fox: Two Rival Spies and the Secret Plot to Build a Confederate Navy." Support local bookstores & buy Alexander's book here: https://bo…

Ep 008 - Nonfiction. My fascinating conversation about the Vietnam War with Prof. Carolyn Woods Eisenberg, author of the new book "Fire and Rain: Nixon, Kissinger, and the Wars in Southeast Asia." Prof. Eisenberg’s book is a re-examination of Nixon and Kissinger during the Vietnam War. Our conversation touched on the origins of the war, Nixon’s shr…

Ep 007 - Nonfiction. My interview with Karen Baum Gordon on her new book, “The Last Letter: A Father's Struggle, a Daughter's Quest, and the Long Shadow of the Holocaust.” Karen’s book is the first of memoir-style work featured on the show, and man was I glad to talk to her. Karen’s story is an incredible chronicle of her father’s life—from his tim…

Ep 006 - Fiction. My first fiction author on the War Books Podcast! The incredibly talented author David Wright Faladé joined me to discuss his new book, “Black Cloud Rising.” Black Cloud Rising takes place in 1863, at a time when former slaves joined the newly formed African Brigade to hunt down rebel guerillas & fight against their former owners.…

Ep 005 - Nonfiction. My discussion with Woody Holton about his book, "Liberty Is Sweet: The Hidden History of the American Revolution." Wow, did you know there was an 'emancipation proclamation' issued long before Lincoln? I didn't, and I learned so much. Woody was fascinating to talk to, and his research of the ‘overlooked people’ of the revolutio…

Ep 004 - Nonfiction. I interview author Tom Dunkel on his new book, “White Knights in the Black Orchestra: The Extraordinary Story of the Germans Who Resisted Hitler.” Tom is a really great speaker & I loved our discussion about his book. His answers to my questions were profoundly insightful, and I probably could have talked to him for much longer…

Ep 003 - Nonfiction. I interview author and journalist Simon Parkin on his new book, “The Island of Extraordinary Captives: A Painter, a Poet, an Heiress, and a Spy in a World War II British Internment Camp.” Simon is a terrific writer & storyteller, and I learned a ton from our conversation. British internment camps, like American internment camps…

Ep 002 - Nonfiction. I interview Steve Kemper on his terrific new book, “Our Man In Tokyo: An American Ambassador and the Countdown to Pearl Harbor.” Steve and I had a great conversation about Ambassador Joseph Grew, the U.S. Ambassador to Japan in the years leading up to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. We talked Japanese society, diplomatic history, …