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atuin's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.0
An interesting overview of a variety of military disasters, from classical Greece to ww2. I do need to mention the narrator mispronounces “debacle” which made me unreasonably frustrated every time I heard it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
alannabarras's review against another edition
2.0
Finally gave up and abandoning this. The material should be super interesting but something in how its written/narrated this is the driest book I've picked up in years. There's too many other good books to read to waste time finishing this one.
Giving it two stars because its isn't poorly written, just too dry for me personally.
Giving it two stars because its isn't poorly written, just too dry for me personally.
sardonic_writer's review against another edition
4.0
It's a bit dry, but the lectures are reasonably detailed while not overstaying their welcome. Here's a list of all the battles that are covered:
Syracuse-413 BCE
Carrhae- 53 BCE
Red Cliffs- 208 CE
Adrianople- 378 CE
Pliska- 811 CE
Constantinople- 1204
Kalka River- 1223
Courtrai- 1302
Nagashino- 1575
Cartagena-1741
Culloden- 1746
Moscow- 1812
Kyber Pass- 1842
Balaclava- 1854
Petersburg- 1864
Custer's Last Stand- 1876
Isandlwana- 1879
Adwa- 1896
Colenso- 1899
Tannenberg- 1914
Gallipolli- 1915
Battle of the Atlantic- 1941-42
Dieppe Raid- 1942
Operation Market Garden- 1944
Syracuse-413 BCE
Carrhae- 53 BCE
Red Cliffs- 208 CE
Adrianople- 378 CE
Pliska- 811 CE
Constantinople- 1204
Kalka River- 1223
Courtrai- 1302
Nagashino- 1575
Cartagena-1741
Culloden- 1746
Moscow- 1812
Kyber Pass- 1842
Balaclava- 1854
Petersburg- 1864
Custer's Last Stand- 1876
Isandlwana- 1879
Adwa- 1896
Colenso- 1899
Tannenberg- 1914
Gallipolli- 1915
Battle of the Atlantic- 1941-42
Dieppe Raid- 1942
Operation Market Garden- 1944
nytephoenyx's review against another edition
informative
3.5
I think I'd actually rate this one closer to 3.5 stars - the subject matter was interesting and Aldrete brought everything together well at the end, but the duration of the lecture series wasn't as compelling as some of the other ones I've read. The content was there as well as the details, but Aldrete's reading sounded very much like it was awkwardly read from a script and after a while the cadence became lulling rather than interesting. Basically, the topic was interesting but the professor didn't quite get me there.
For anyone interested in military history, or even just history, this lecture series is worth checking out. It's an interesting overview of moments that changed the path of the world through poor decisions and narcissism. Had any of these leaders behaved differently, our story would be different. Napoleon or Alexander the Great may have continued to conquer, which could have changed the shape of Europe and Asia... and that's only the beginning. It's interesting to think about.
Not the best, not the worst, this lecture series is worth looking at if you're already interested in the topic by you can probably bypass it otherwise - the speaker will likely not draw you in.
For anyone interested in military history, or even just history, this lecture series is worth checking out. It's an interesting overview of moments that changed the path of the world through poor decisions and narcissism. Had any of these leaders behaved differently, our story would be different. Napoleon or Alexander the Great may have continued to conquer, which could have changed the shape of Europe and Asia... and that's only the beginning. It's interesting to think about.
Not the best, not the worst, this lecture series is worth looking at if you're already interested in the topic by you can probably bypass it otherwise - the speaker will likely not draw you in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Death
agirlushouldknow's review against another edition
4.0
Book Type: Audible
Length: 12h 11m
Hubris, stupidity, or just bad luck. It doesn't matter when you lose.
Another great class from the Great Courses. This time is an in depth look at 24 different blunders made by different militaries/leaders from ancient history to more recent times.
Whether its mistakes made by Roman commanders, or British Army officers in India it doesn't matter. Bad leaders get moved up the ranks and cause the result you expect. Often times without permanent injury to their own career (barring people like Custer of course).
Each 30 minute lecture is an excellent overview of a specific event. The details of each blunder is precise, and Dr. Aldrete gives a lot of support and explanation of the surrounding circumstances. There were a few blunders I knew about, and a lot I didn't.
He presents an intriguing class, with a well worded, well performed voice, without being too distracting. I enjoyed the whole thing. I definitely recommend this great course, and I also am pretty sure I recommend Dr. Gregory Aldrete, at least for historical courses.
Length: 12h 11m
Hubris, stupidity, or just bad luck. It doesn't matter when you lose.
Another great class from the Great Courses. This time is an in depth look at 24 different blunders made by different militaries/leaders from ancient history to more recent times.
Whether its mistakes made by Roman commanders, or British Army officers in India it doesn't matter. Bad leaders get moved up the ranks and cause the result you expect. Often times without permanent injury to their own career (barring people like Custer of course).
Each 30 minute lecture is an excellent overview of a specific event. The details of each blunder is precise, and Dr. Aldrete gives a lot of support and explanation of the surrounding circumstances. There were a few blunders I knew about, and a lot I didn't.
He presents an intriguing class, with a well worded, well performed voice, without being too distracting. I enjoyed the whole thing. I definitely recommend this great course, and I also am pretty sure I recommend Dr. Gregory Aldrete, at least for historical courses.
bbnut45's review against another edition
4.0
Good learning and interesting for mistakes but was not as engaging as many of the other great courses.
harmony's review against another edition
3.0
His speech rhythm is a bit annoying, but the examinations of the battles was interesting.
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