The Pacific War dominates this week — Guadalcanal, Coral Sea, Manila, Yamamoto — with McManus launching a new Guadalcanal series on World War 2 LIVE and Sarantakes on Manila earning the Pick for its unflinching look at MacArthur's hubris and 100,000 dead Filipino civilians. The Murphy series hits its stride, and Dahm on Arausio asks exactly the right question about Roman command failure.
🎯 This Week's Pick
The Battle of Guadalcanal – Episode 1: The Landings
World War 2 LIVE · 59:55 · Mar 27
Dr. John C. McManus — professor of US military history, Missouri S&T; author of multiple volumes on the US Army in WWII
World War IITactics & BattlesNaval
Dr. John C. McManus and Kevin Hymel launch a new series on Guadalcanal, starting with the August 1942 Marine landings — the strategic rationale, what the first waves actually faced, and the early naval and air clashes around the island. McManus is one of the best working historians on the US Army in WWII, and Guadalcanal is one of those campaigns that rewards close attention to the interplay of land, sea, and air. Strong opening to what should be an excellent series.
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🔴 Essential
Nicholas Evan Sarantakes, "The Battle of Manila: Poisoned Victory in the Pacific War" (Oxford UP, 2025)
New Books in Military History · 1h10m · Mar 26
World War IITactics & BattlesLeadership & Command
Episode 613-The First Carrier Battle
The History of WWII Podcast · 25:08 · Mar 27
World War IINavalTactics & Battles
Episode 612-Death of a Carrier
The History of WWII Podcast · 26:02 · Mar 23
World War IINavalTactics & Battles
Audie Murphy: Rome & France (Part 3)
We Have Ways of Making You Talk · 50:50 · Mar 24
World War IIMemoir & Personal AccountTactics & Battles
AWA402 - Arausio 105 BC: military defeat or political disaster?
Ancient Warfare Podcast · 22:31 · Mar 27
AncientTactics & BattlesLeadership & Command
🟡 Selections
Leonidas: King of Sparta, Hero of Thermopylae
The Ancients · 1h03m · Mar 22
AncientTactics & BattlesLeadership & Command
The Commanders: Yamamoto
Dan Snow's History Hit · 58:36 · Mar 23
World War IILeadership & CommandStrategy & Grand Strategy
The Dangerous Shore with Sara Vladic – Episode 547
Unauthorized History of the Pacific War · 1h27m · Mar 24
World War IIHome Front & SocietyIntelligence & Espionage
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