Dan Carlin is one of the best at presenting history in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking. He is an American podcaster and historian well-known for his highly regarded podcast "Hardcore History." Carlin is not your typical historian — he has a distinctive style that combines in-depth historical research with a passionate and often extraordinary delivery.
Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin by Timothy Snyder
Timothy Snyder’s Bloodlands is a book about the atrocities committed in Eastern Europe during the regimes of Hitler and Stalin. Two countries that resolved WW2 are carefully studied under Snyder’s keen historian eye. This work focuses on the "bloodlands," regions that suffered some of the worst human rights abuses of the 20th century. Bloodlands explores the devastating impact of these totalitarian regimes on the region, retelling the history of the mass killings, genocides, and human suffering.
Snyder examines the Holocaust, the Holodomor (the Ukrainian famine), and other acts of mass violence, revealing the chilling similarities and stark differences in the methods employed by Hitler and Stalin. Add this to your reading list if you are interested in political history or understanding the devastating impacts of totalitarianism.
The Storm of Steel by Ernst Jünger
Storm of Steel is a memoir by German officer Ernst Jünger, recounting his experiences on the Western Front during World War I. It’s a graphic and often disturbing account of trench warfare, describing the brutal realities of combat, the psychological impact of violence, and the dehumanizing effects of war on both soldiers and civilians.
Jünger, initially enthusiastic about the war, gradually becomes disillusioned with its horrors. He grapples with the loss of innocence, the constant threat of death, and the moral ambiguities of combat. Storm of Steel is a controversial work, praised for its honesty and poetic prose. At the same time, it is criticized for its romanticization of violence and its lack of remorse for the suffering inflicted upon the enemy. It is a must-read for those interested in war books and firsthand accounts of WW1.
The Wizards of Armageddon by Fred Kaplan
Fred Kaplan’s The Wizards of Armageddon explores the development of nuclear strategy during the Cold War. It attempts to read the minds of the strategists and policymakers who struggled with the existential threat posed by nuclear weapons. Carlin admires Kaplan’s ability to illuminate the thought processes behind decisions that shaped modern history. This book is an excellent choice for those intrigued by political history, the Cold War, and the precarious balance of power that defines nuclear deterrence.
War by Gwynne Dyer
In War, Gwynne Dyer examines the nature of warfare and humanity’s historical relationship with it. Covering conflicts from ancient times to modern battles, Dyer looks into why humans fight and how warfare has evolved. Carlin values this book for its broad scope and philosophical insights, making it an essential read for anyone interested in the forces that drive conflict. For fans of the Hardcore History podcast, this book complements Carlin’s exploration of the psychological and cultural aspects of war.
The Wages of Destruction by Adam Tooze
Adam Tooze’s The Wages of Destruction can give you a detailed economic history of Nazi Germany. It explains how the Third Reich’s economic policies contributed to its rise and eventual downfall. Carlin has praised Tooze for providing a fresh perspective on the interplay between economics and warfare. This book is particularly insightful for those interested in WW2, the economic underpinnings of history, and the inner workings of the Nazi regime. It’s a thought-provoking addition to the list of non-fiction books to read.
The Guns of August by Barbara W. Tuchman
Barbara W. Tuchman’s Pulitzer Prize-winning The Guns of August chronicles the events leading up to World War I and the first month of the conflict. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Tuchman brings the political and military missteps of the era to life. Carlin frequently references this book for its masterful depiction of how historical events often spiral out of control due to human error. Read it to understand the complexities of political history and the origins of one of the most devastating wars in human history.
Most of the events described in these books were discussed in Dan Carlin’s Blueprint for Armageddon series on his podcast. There, he tries to comprehend the challenges and complex turns of historical events and the lessons they hold for the present. Each book on this list reflects Carlin’s commitment to exploring history in a way that is both educational and emotionally resonant. These recommendations challenge us to think critically about the history and events that influenced the society we have today. So, pick up one (or several, which would be even better) of these books and learn history’s most fascinating and thought-provoking chapters.
