Description
The Great Powers all come out swinging in the first round of the worst war the planet has ever seen. Millions of men in dozens of armies vie in the most deadly and complex opening moves of any conflict in world history.
Dan’s research and book list
1. The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman
2. The Pity of War by Niall Ferguson
3. A World Undone: The Story of the Great War, 1914 to 1918 by G. J. Meyer
4. The First World War by John Keegan
5. Germany’s Aims in the First World War by Fritz Fischer
6. The Lessons of History by Michael Howard
7. 1914 by Lyn Macdonald
8. Cataclysm: The First World War as Political Tragedy by David Stevenson
9. The Great War: A Combat History of the First World War by Peter Hart
10. A History of the Great War: World War One and the International Crisis of the Early Twentieth Century by Eric Dorn Brose
11. War by Gwynne Dyer
12. Delbruck’s Modern Military History by Hans Delbruck and Arden Bucholz
13. The Art of Warfare in the Age of Napoleon by Gunther E. Rothenberg
14. The Art of War in Western World by Archer Jones
15. The Outline of History: The Whole Story of Man (Vol 2) by H. G. WELLS
16. Eyewitness to History by John Carey
17. Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler
18. The Shield of Achilles by Phillip Bobbitt
19. On the Origins of War: And the Preservation of Peace by Donald Kagan
20. The Clash of Nations, Its Causes and Consequences by Rossiter Johnson
21. The World Crisis, 1911-1918 by Winston S. Churchill
22. THE EASTERN FRONT 1914-1920: From Tannenberg to the Russo-Polish War (History of WWI) by Michael Neiberg, David Jordan
23. The Russian Origins of the First World War by Sean McMeekin
24. 1914, The First Months of Fighting by Lyn Macdonald -see book 7
25. MARCH ON PARIS, THE: The Memoirs of Alexander von Kluck, 1914-1918 by Alexander von Kluck
26. The First World War: Germany and Austria-Hungary 1914-1918 by Holger H. Herwig
27. World War I Companion by Matthias Strohn
28. There’s A Devil In The Drum by John F. Lucy
29. Technology and War: From 2000 B.C. to the Present by Martin Van Creveld
ghawkinsm –
Stunningly comprehensive and engrossing narration. It’s a shame that this review section is not available in the more recent episodes of Blueprint for Armageddon or Kings of Kings. Dan & team, give me the ability to shower you in more 5-star ratings.
Bouke –
Hello Dan,
I do like your view of History,and i do share my admiration of the Mongol empire.
The Mongol invasion was a game changer in Europe and led to so many things.
What i do not believe in is the strength of the German army during the second world war
Blitzkrieg is an economic form of war. It means that the factory workers can only be away for about 3 months and after that have to resume their work at the factory again
So the strength of thye German army in ww-2 is not that strong and it all becomes clear at the moment when the German invasion of the Soviet-Union is under way.
It is true the German army made to may mistakes, but most of all it was hubris after the fall of France. The conquest of France would be the downfall for the third reich.
Operation barbarossa was to big for the German army to handle. I am not sure if you have heard of David Stahel, but his line of books paint a different picture.
To me the most shoking thing was the relavations about general Halder. How the man kept on pushing the German army, beyound colaps. It is funny how general Ludendorf fits in all of this. When you want to understand Hitler you have to learn about Ludendorf
Hitler in the early 20s called him selfe a drummerboy for a bigger man to arive.
I am sure that man was Ludendorf. I gues after the putch Hitler felt betrayed by Ludendorf, but his november stab in the back stayed on and would lead to the holocaust
M –
Simply Amazing! Very interesting and entertaining. And obviously informative.
Natasha –
Imagine if… What a great start of Blueprint. My friend has recently discovered Dan’s podcast, and excitedly told me about the Blueprint. I was hooked from the beginning and this was the unforgettable first experience of Dan’s narrative. I have since then gone through many episodes and got the full archive. I hope to hook my kids on them once they learn English well enough to understand. Thank you so much for reviving my love for history! Unmatched story telling!
Joshua –
Dan,
If this Blueprint To Armageddon were the Bible, I’d be a Priest. I tell everyone about this series, and it’s what got me started on your podcasts. I honestly feel that WW1 explains so much of the modern condition of the West
mhoostal –
Thanks so much for delivering this series for free. Its a boon for those without great expendable money but still an interest in history.
daybreaking –
Absolutely fantastic! One of my favorite podcasts of all time. Dan makes the subject matter as engaging as a thriller while being very informative about history.
ndeezy27 –
The most amazing piece of storytelling I’ve ever heard. The Blueprint for Armageddon series hooked me onto HH. As a result, I’ve purchased, and listened repeatedly to all of Dan’s episodes. I can’t fathom how somebody can listen to this episode and not be moved in some way.