PODCAST · history
Battlecast
by Dr. Luke Wolf
Battlecast is the world’s foremost podcast about war and it’s sociopolitical impact. Each month Dr. Luke Wolf works to bring you an unfiltered understanding of the most important battles and wars of mankind’s history. The official motto of the show: “not left, not right: above,” provides a fresh look at the conventional understandings found in history books. So pull up a chair, grab a beer, and join the conversation.
Episodes
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The Battle of Cowpens /// 118
The Battle of Cowpens destroyed British mobility in the American south during the Revolutionary War. It was an upset, that sent the greatest Empire the world had ever seen reeling back on its heels. Cowpens didn’t win the war for the Americans, but it did contribute to the final victory. After...
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The Battle of Kings Mountain /// 117
This the story of the Battle of Kings Mountain – one of many turning points of the American Revolution. This is part eleven of an ongoing military history of the American Revolution. You can find episode ten here, nine here, eight here, episode seven here, episode six here, episode five here,...
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The Patriot: Francis Marion – The Swamp Fox of the Carolinas /// 116
If you saw the man who inspired Mel Gibson’s The Patriot you would never think he’d be the man to inspire a Hollywood blockbuster. Short, of noticeably French stock, Francis Marion was the epitome of a real soldier: enduring and wiry – not huge and bulky. He looked like the animals of the swamps...
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The Battle of Camden and the American Revolutionary War /// 115
The Battle of Camden was not one of the most important battles in human history. It was not the most decisive battle of the Revolutionary War. It was important – and it destroyed the careers of important American leaders – but it didn’t come close to solving the war. If one word could…
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The Reversal: The Siege of Charleston and the American Revolution /// 114
The Siege of Charleston was one of the greatest military defeats of the United States in history. Starvation stalked the city. A miasma of fetid smoke choked the lungs. The water ran low. The bombardments ran high. Death and sickness were everywhere. Wild dogs took over whole blocks of the…
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The American War of Independence and the Battle of Monmouth /// 113
There are battles which decide the fate of nations, battles which set the arc of history, conflicts which decide the future of a civilization – prune it, the way a gardener shapes a decorative bush. This is not one of those battles. This is the Battle of Monmouth – the kind of battle where men…...
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The Turn: The Battle of Saratoga /// 112
In any poker game, “the turn” is arguably the most important hand. When the fourth card is dealt, most poker players have an idea of how their hand will play out. In just the same way, The Battle of Saratoga was the “turn” of the Revolutionary War. After this battle, the game entered a new…...
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Victory or Death: The Battle of Trenton /// 111
The Battles of Trenton and Princeton almost single-handedly saved the cause of the American Revolution. For weeks, as Thomas Paine admitted, the Continental army had been driven like cattle before the onrushing British. Reversal followed reversal. Washington knew it; he confided his justified…
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A Military History of the Revolutionary War: The Battle of Long Island /// 110
The Battle of Long Island was the largest battle of the American Revolution. Tens of thousands of men along with thousands of sailors struggled for control of New York City. This is the story of that conflict. It’s all here and it’s all free on Battlecast – the world’s foremost podcast on war and...
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The Skeleton March and the Battle of Quebec /// 109
In the fall of 1775, 1,000 Americans entered the western wilds of Maine and pushed overland to the very edge of modern-day Quebec. The trip was supposed to take three weeks. It took nearly triple that. Then the winter came. The Americans froze. They ate their own shoes. They ate green dog soup.…
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A Military History of the American Revolution: Bunker Hill /// 108
Bunker Hill was one of the most important battles of the American Revolution. In this struggle, Britain attempted to break out of Boston, suffering some of the worst casualties incurred by the English in the entire war. At the same, General George Washington, in command of tens of thousands of...
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The Shot Heard Round the World: Lexington and Concord
Before The Battle of Lexington and Concord many thoughtful commentators, in both England and the American colonies, thought peace was possible between the colonies and the mother country. When they woke up on April 19, 1775, the men were at peace. When they laid their heads down that night,...
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Cannibal Holocaust: The Guangxi Massacre /// 106
The Guangxi Massacre was the largest documented case of mass cannibalism in human history. The Guangxi culinary abomination took place between 1967 and 1968 in Guangxi, China, a province located directly to the north of North Vietnam. Accordingly, the cannibalistic incident illustrates basic...
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The Definitive Military History of Monaco and Monte Carlo
Monaco is a nation smaller than one square mile but filled with more wealth per capita than almost any other country in the world. According to one historian, the tiny principality has zero natural resources. However, there is one resource Monaco does possess: The Rock – an impregnable natural...
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A Military History of the Attack at Pearl Harbor /// 104
The Battle of Pearl Harbor was one of the most important events in United States – and human – history. It unleashed the most powerful nation the world has ever seen into mankind’s greatest war. This is the story of that battle. It’s all here and it’s all free on Battlecast – the world’s…
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The Military History of the Battle of Pearl Harbor /// 103
The Battle of Pearl Harbor: a day that lived in infamy. Thousands of American servicemen were caught unaware – fish in a tropical barrel. Many died. Many lived. As a direct result of this two-hour battle, The United States of America entered the Second World War, inaugurating what Niall Ferguson...
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A History of Torture: Interpersonal Torture /// 102
In this concluding episode of the definitive podcast history of torture, the focus is on interpersonal torture by non-state actors. This episode provides an overview of psychopathic torture, torture in the drug trade, torture for information, sexual torture, torture between ethnic groups and...
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An American Torture Story /// 101
American torture. For years, philosophers, jurists, and legal theorists struggled with American use of torture in the war on terror. Just a few days after the events of the September 11th attacks, President George Bush was authorizing the use of torture on suspected members of international...
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A History of Torture in America /// 100
This is a history of torture on the North American continent, including Native American, Canadian and United States torture practices. It’s all here and it’s all free on Battlecast – the world’s foremost podcast on war and its sociopolitical impact. This is part six of an ongoing series on…
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A History of the Cambodian Genocide /// 99
The Cambodian Genocide was a second holocaust. Approximately 1.6 million human beings were killed in the terrible bloodletting. But the genocide was unique – it’s one of the only cases in human history where people from the same ethnic group murdered whole segments of its own population – guilty…
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Gulag: A History of Soviet Torture /// 98
The Soviet punitive system was the heir of literally hundreds of years of secret police interrogation. For centuries, the Czar’s secret police had tortured, refined, and perfected the art of interrogation – all of it based on practice – not theory. That is why American researchers were so amazed…
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The Inquisition: A History /// 97
The Inquisition: it’s a byword for tyranny in much of the Western world – especially among the English-speaking peoples of the world. In today’s episode the surprising origins, history, and impact of the Inquisition are detailed. In addition, this episode features a concise history of torture in...
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A History of Torture: Roman, Christian and South American /// 96
This is part two of an ongoing series providing an exhaustive history of torture. All forms of torture, including forms never detailed in any other history of torture, will be covered in this series. Come and hear the way men share their love for one another. It’s all here and it’s all free on...
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An Universal Institution: The Definitive History of Torture /// 95
“Torture was legal, morally accepted, and commonplace in most ancient, medieval, and early modern societies.” This was the way historian Christopher Einolf succinctly described the history of torture: ubiquitous, common; in short: everywhere. Torture is a sort “reverse” gospel – as it is written…
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The Battle of Takur Ghar /// 94
The Battle of Takur Ghar, also known as the Battle of Robert’s Ridge, was one of the bloodiest engagements in the history of the United States’ war in Afghanistan. Dozens of men died in the hills and mountains of the Shahi-Kot Valley. Scores more were wounded. The battle also featured one of the...
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Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: A Military History /// 93
Thousands of drone strikes have killed tens of thousands of targets since the introduction of unmanned aerial vehicle warfare in the early 2000s. This is the story of that warfare. It’s all free and it’s all here on Battlecast – the world’s foremost podcast on war and its sociopolitical impact....
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Drones: A Military History /// 92
A man is sitting on his porch before he suddenly geysers upward, somersaulting through the air like a discarded plaything. A work truck is cruising across the Gaza Strip at fifty-miles-an-hour and then is suddenly crushed like a coke can and engulfed in flames. Scores of mass-produced Turkish...
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The Battle of Hamburger Hill part 3 /// 91
The Battle of Hamburger Hill was one of the most famous battles of the Vietnam War. Almost immediately after the conclusion of the battle, dumbfounded American journalists described the horrific assault of Hill 937 – and the inexplicable American withdrawal from the hill just a few days later. To...
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The Battle of Hamburger Hill part 2 /// 90
Hamburger Hill is one of the most famous battles from the Vietnam War. This is the complete story of that bloody conflict. It’s all here and it’s all free on Battlecast, the world’s foremost podcast on war and its sociopolitical impact. This is part two of an ongoing series. You can find part one...
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The Battle of Hamburger Hill: an Audio History /// 89
Hamburger Hill. It’s a battle made famous by the 1987 film with the same name. But the real battle of Hamburger Hill, also known as the Battle for Hill 937, took place almost two decades before the film was released – comprising more than a week of fierce, modern combat in horrendous mountainous...
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An Audio Guide to Mass Suicide: Masada, Cowra, Jonestown /// 88
Mass suicide. It’s a rare event, something unique, like an uncommonly beautiful woman – it commands our attention. Using the methods developed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, this podcast is an in-depth analysis of the phenomenon of mass suicide through he lens of three case studies – one ancient, and...
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A Military History of The Liberian Civil War /// 87
Anarchy. Cannibalism. Disorder. These are adjectives, empty words, that we use to try, however futilely, to describe the total pain, the uprooted lives, the destroyed families, the ethnic cleansing that have taken place throughout human history. In this episode of Battlecast, we will tear our...
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A Military History of Liberia /// 86
This podcast is a complete history of violence in the small African nation of Liberia. This is part two of an ongoing series. You can find part one here: A Military History of Liberia part one. Download episode 86 here: download link Maps and Images: Extensive maps and images are posted to the...
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Black Apartheid: A Military History of Liberia /// 85
In the 1820s, a small number of freed Black Americans settled in West Africa. They called their country Liberia, land of freedom. From the beginning, conflict with the more than 15 indigenous ethnic groups ensued, and the American-Liberians formed themselves into a new ruling class, dominating...
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Field of Lost Shoes: The Battle of New Market /// 84
The Battle of New Market took place on May 15, 1864 and has been made famous in numerous films and literary works. Hundreds of cadets from the Virginia Military Institute, many of them children, fought toe-to-toe with Union veterans, their small frames the only thing holding back the Federal blue...
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To the Last Man: The Second Battle of Fort Fisher /// 83
The Second Battle of Fort Fisher was one of the most important battles of the American Civil War. Fort Fisher was the last shield of Wilmington, North Carolina – the final port open to the Confederacy in 1864. Outnumbered and outgunned, facing one of the largest armadas ever assembled in human...
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A Military History of the Battle of Fort Fisher /// 82
In this podcast history of the Second Battle of Fort Fisher, Dr. Luke Wolf recounts the epic battle in all it’s gory detail. This is part two of an ongoing series. You can find part one here: part one. Download episode 82 here: download link Maps and Images: Extensive maps and images are posted…
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Civil War D-Day: The Battle of Fort Fisher /// 81
It was Christmas Day, 1864 when one of the largest armadas ever assembled by mankind began to deluge Fort Fisher, one of the largest forts in the world, with tens of thousands of shells. The Confederates refused to surrender and fought to the last man. Their fort guarded the last remaining port…
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American Nightmare: The New Mexico Prison Riot /// 80
This is the story of the New Mexico State Prison Riot – the most violent penitentiary riot in United States history. This is not an episode for people who are squeamish because within these audio waves are embedded burst heads, mass sexual torture, drug-fueled abuse, a story more painful than…
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The Definitive History of The New Mexico State Penitentiary Riot /// 79
Murder. Mass rape. Mass torture. Violence beyond violence. Millions upon millions of dollars of property damage. An institution turned upside down – the strong fool ruling over the weak doctor; the prisoner over the guard; evil let loose over the good and the weak. Such is the New Mexico State...
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The Battle of Ia Drang /// 78
Made famous in the film We Were Soldiers, the Battle of Ia Drang was the first major conventional battle between regular North Vietnamese forces and the United States military. Drawing from numerous first-person accounts, the Battle of Ia Drang is recounted with vivid detail in this episode. It’s…
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We Were Soldiers: The Battle of Ia Drang /// 77
The Battle of Ia Drang was the first conventional conflict between American forces and North Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War. For days the two sides met at the foot of the Chu Pong Massif – giving and receiving death, pain, and disfigurement. It’s a battle made famous in the film We Were...
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Zero Dark Thirty: The Manhunt for Osama bin Laden /// 76
For more than a decade after the September 11th attacks, the United States of America devoted a seemingly limitless amount of time and resources to finding one man – Osama bin Laden. This is the story of that manhunt. It’s all here and it’s all free on Battlecast – the world’s foremost podcast on...
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Chris Kyle – Greatest American Sniper /// 75
Today’s episode recounts the life and death of Chris Kyle – the greatest American sniper in United States history. It’s the final episode of a two part series. It’s 2000 yard shots; it’s death; it’s confused anger and groundless indignation – mixed together into one potent podcast. It’s also the...
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American Sniper: Chris Kyle and the Battle of Fallujah /// 74
Chris Kyle was the greatest sniper in American history. The subject of the book and film American Sniper, this is the definitive biographical podcast regarding his life, the controversy surrounding his actions, and his battles. It’s also the story of the Second Battle of Fallujah – one of the...
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The Colonized Strike Back: The Battle of Adwa /// 73
On March 1, 1896 one of the most important events in Western imperial history took place; it was the Battle of Adwa. In this one decisive battle, Ethiopia defeated Italy and threatened to drive the Italians into the sea. Crushed by the Ethiopians, Italy’s entire foreign policy was upended for...
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The End of the Last Battle: Berlin, May 1945
This is the concluding episode of the definitive history of the Battle of Berlin and the fall of Nazi Germany. You can find parts one through ten at the following links: episode ten, episode nine, episode eight, episode seven, episode six, episode five, episode four, episode three, episode two…
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The Fall of the Third Reich and the Death of Adolf Hitler /// 71
On April 30, 1945 Adolf Hitler put a pistol to his head and pulled the trigger. By this time the Fuhrer bunker walls were literally trembling like a flag in the wind from the constant artillery shelling taking place all around him. While Hitler said goodbye, more than 2,000 die hard veterans of…
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A Funeral for an Empire: The Fall of Berlin /// 70
On April 28th, 1945 nearly the entire developed world joined together to destroy one city: Berlin. This is the story. It’s all here and it’s all free on Battlecast – the world’s foremost podcast on war and its sociopolitical impact. Download episode 70 here: download This episode is part nine of…
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Sexual Violence and Mass Rape in War: The Berlin Case /// 69
“Historically speaking, investigating sexual violence in war has been taboo. Nonetheless, sexual violence in armed conflict has been part of the spoils of war since time immemorial. Sexual violence takes many forms in armed conflicts across time and cultures. Sexual violence in war is often...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Battlecast is the world’s foremost podcast about war and it’s sociopolitical impact. Each month Dr. Luke Wolf works to bring you an unfiltered understanding of the most important battles and wars of mankind’s history. The official motto of the show: “not left, not right: above,” provides a fresh look at the conventional understandings found in history books. So pull up a chair, grab a beer, and join the conversation.
HOSTED BY
Dr. Luke Wolf
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Battlecast have?
Battlecast currently has 117 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Battlecast about?
Battlecast is the world’s foremost podcast about war and it’s sociopolitical impact. Each month Dr. Luke Wolf works to bring you an unfiltered understanding of the most important battles and wars of mankind’s history. The official motto of the show: “not left, not right: above,” provides a fresh...
How often does Battlecast release new episodes?
Battlecast publishes regularly with 117 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Battlecast?
You can listen to Battlecast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Battlecast?
Battlecast is created and hosted by Dr. Luke Wolf.
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