x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Western Civ

A fast-moving history of the western world from the ancient world to the present day. Examine how the emergence of the western world as a global dominant power was not something that should ever have been taken for granted. This podcast traces the development of western civilization starting in the ancient Near East, through Greece and Rome, past the collapse of the Western Roman Empire into the Dark Ages, and then follows European and, ultimately, American history as the western world moved into a

society & culture

All Episodes

57:45

The Forgers: The Forgotten Story of the Holocaust's...

Western Civ ·

2023/11/19

Today I sit down with historian Roger Moorhouse and discuss his most recent work: The Forgers: The Forgotten Story of the Holocaust's Most Audacious Rescue Operation. Between 1940 and 1943, a group of Polish diplomats in Switzerland engaged in a wholly remarkable—and until now, completely unknown—humanitarian operation. In concert with Jewish activists, they masterminded a systematic program of forging passports and identity documents for Latin American countries, which were then smuggled into

en

47:21

Episode 274: Galileo Part Six

Western Civ ·

2023/11/17

Galileo publishes The Dialogue, essentially sealing his fate with the Inquisition.WebsitePatreon Free TrialWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial

en

40:42

Episode 273: Galileo Part Five

Western Civ ·

2023/11/10

Galileo travels to Rome and puts all his cards on the table. It was time to make the argument Copernicus was right. The Jesuits don't buy and he leaves Rome, formally or perhaps informally, warned never to advocate for Copernicanism again.WebsitePatreon Free TrialWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial

en

59:27

Rome and Persia: The Seven Hundred Year Rivalry

Western Civ ·

2023/11/06

In this bonus, author interview, I sit down with historian Adrian Goldsworthy and discuss his most recent book: Rome and Persia: The Seven Hundred Year Rivalry. The Roman empire was like no other. Stretching from the north of Britain to the Sahara, and from the Atlantic coast to the Euphrates, it imposed peace and prosperity on an unprecedented scale. Its only true rival lay in the east, where the Parthian and then Persian empires ruled over great cities and the trade routes to mysterious lands

en

36:25

Episode 272: Galileo Part Four

Western Civ ·

2023/11/03

Today we get to the meat of our series on Galileo, the publication of The Starry Messenger. Galileo turns his much-improved telescope to the heavens and realizes: Jupiter has moons, Venus orbits the sun, and that same sun has spots. None of these discoveries are compatible with Ptolemy's never-changing universe. Today Galileo sets himself on a collision course with the Inquisition.WebsitePatreon Free TrialWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial

en

51:22

Richard Nixon: California's Native Son

Western Civ ·

2023/10/31

In this bonus, author interview, I sit down with Historian Paul Carter and discuss the role Richard Nixon played in modern American History. Needless to say, we both agree that Nixon was a lot more than merely the "Watergate guy". In fact, were it not for Watergate, Nixon would likely be remembered as one of the most influential modern American Presidents.Buy the book here.WebsitePatreon Support

en

47:46

Episode 271: Galileo Part Three

Western Civ ·

2023/10/27

In this episode, Galileo finally turns his attention firmly to the heavens. Quickly, Galileo recognizes that, with this new technology, the telescope, he can decisively prove that both Ptolemy and Tycho Brahe were wrong. Copernicus was right. Today Galileo sets himself on a collision course with the Inquisition and the Roman Catholic Church. WebsitePatreon SupportWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial

en

64:12

Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint

Western Civ ·

2023/10/24

In this author interview, I sit down with Peter Sarris and discuss his latest book: Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint. It is an excellent historical biography that covers the importance of one of the most influential figures of the Early Middle Ages. We talk about Rome, Persia, the plague, Belisarius, and, of course, Hagia Sophia. Links:Buy The BookWebsite Patreon Ad-Free ShowsWestern Civ 2.0

en

51:50

Bonus Author Interview: Techlash

Western Civ ·

2023/10/23

In this historian interview, I sit down with Tom Wheeler, author of Techlash: Who Makes the Rules in the Digital Gilded Age? We talk about economic explosion, social unrest, international competition, and even fake news. Can the problems of the past provide inspiration to the solutions of the future? Are we doomed to repeat the growing pains of the early Twentieth Century? We discuss all this and more.Buy the book HERE.WebsitePatreon Support

en

75:04

Bonus: Western Civ 2.0

Western Civ ·

2023/10/22

Here is a bonus, sneak peak of Western Civ 2.0. In my Patreon feed, we hit the proverbial reset button and start from scratch. The episodes are more detailed but the storytelling is the same. This is the principal way I support the show. Patreon offers a variety of options for support running as low as $1 per month. There is also a free trial wherein you check it out for a week free of charge.In this episode, I wrap up the Wars of the Successors. Alexander the Great's death in 323 BCE shattered his

en

39:04

Episode 270: Galileo Part Two

Western Civ ·

2023/10/20

Today we get more into the meat of Galileo. He is remembered as someone willing to challenge the church on the issue of the geocentric universe. But he actually challenged a lot more than that. Today we will explore how Galileo challenged Aristotle's perceived truths and how that changed science. Website Patreon Ad-Free ShowsWestern Civ 2.0

en

81:46

Episode 269: Galileo Part One

Western Civ ·

2023/10/13

We come now to the most recognizable name from the early Scientific Revolution: Galileo. Galileo studied motion, falling bodies, and, of course, the stars. His infamous Inquisition trial has made him a nearly household name. Today we begin his story. WebsitePatreon Free TrialWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial

en

52:51

Around the World in 80 Games

Western Civ ·

2023/10/12

In this author interview, I sit down with renowned mathematician Marcus Du Sautoy and talk about his newest book: Around the World in 80 Games. I LOVE games, as will be apparent in this interview. And I could not miss the chance to talk to a mathematician about how, for example, my Risk strategy has been all wrong. Links:Buy The BookWebsite Patreon Free TrialWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial

en

63:45

Episode 268: Tycho Brahe

Western Civ ·

2023/10/06

Nicholas Copernicus and Galileo Galilei usually get all the credit for the breakthroughs in astronomy in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries and rightfully so to an extent. However, though his efforts were far from "sexy", Tycho Brahe was an essential innovator in his own right during the early Scientific Revolution. Without Brahe, we might not get many aspects of modern science that we, frankly, take for granted today. In today's episode, I tell the tale of the early modern astronomer who lost

en

27:56

Episode 267: Copernicus (Part Four)

Western Civ ·

2023/09/29

Today we finish Copernicus and inch toward Tycho Brahe. On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres was a truly monumental achievement. Sadly, its release was marred by a poorly added preface by Andreas Osiander. In the end, no one involved with its publication was pleased by the final product. Still, in this history podcast, we evaluate the role the work played in the beginning of the Scientific Revolution. WebsitePatreon Support Western Civ 2.0

en

47:09

Pax: An Interview with Historian Tom Holland

Western Civ ·

2023/09/26

There is no discussion of modern Roman Historiography without Tom Holland. He is one of the premier historians covering the medieval, classical, and ancient world. Today I get the pleasure of talking to him about his new book: Pax: War and Peace in Rome's Golden Age. We discuss Nero, Vesuvius, the Year of the Four Emperors, Vespasian and his sons: Titus and Domitian, and then the emperors of Rome's true golden age: Trajan and Hadrian. Pick up a copy of the book HERE.Check out the WEBSITE for more

en

35:32

Episode 266: Copernicus (Part Three)

Western Civ ·

2023/09/22

You probably know the name, Copernicus. But you likely don't know the name, Rheticus. Well, today I explain why you should. Without Rheticus, On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Bodies might never get published and the Father of Astronomy might have been an unknown. In this history podcast, we take a look at Copernicus between roughly 1531 and 1540.WebsitePatreon SupportWestern Civ 2.0

en

26:52

Episode 265: Copernicus (Part Two)

Western Civ ·

2023/09/15

Copernicus completes his studies and begins his major astronomical research. Before long, the Father of Modern Astronomy becomes convinced Ptolemy was wrong. The sun does not revolve around the earth. And that is not all Ptolemy was wrong about. WebsitePatreon Support Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial

en

36:46

Episode 264: Copernicus (Part One)

Western Civ ·

2023/09/08

Today we begin the life of Nicholas Copernicus - the father of modern astronomy. While there is a lot of validity to Copernicus' title, what I cover today are his immediate predecessors: George Peurbach and Regiomontanus. Without these two men, Copernicus might never have written On The Revolutions of the Heavenly Bodies. WebsitePatreon SupportWestern Civ 2.0

en

58:35

Bonus Author Interview: Bismarck's War

Western Civ ·

2023/09/05

Bismarck. Napoleon III. France. Prussia. Germany. The siege of Paris. The great precursor to World War One. Today I talk about it all when I sit down with Rachel Chrastil and talk about her new book: Bismarck's War: The Franco-Prussian War and the Making of Modern Europe. Click the link to buy the book. But, honestly, even if you don't, you are going to love this excellent historian interview. WebsitePatreon Support Western Civ 2.0

en

533 results

Similar Podcasts

Voices of Life

APG Mannheim

Promo Estereo Podcast

Promo Estereo

Talking Timelines Podcast

Talkingtimelines

גיקונומי

ראם שרמן ודורון ניר

Drømmefanger

Drømmefanger