

Show 65 - Supernova in the East IV
Dive into the pivotal battles of the Coral Sea, Midway, and Guadalcanal that changed the course of World War II. Discover how morale and leadership influenced outcomes, featuring the contrasting styles of FDR and Churchill. Uncover the audacious Doolittle Raid and its complex legacy, along with Japanese submarine attacks shaking American confidence. Explore themes of wartime civil rights, the brutal realities faced by soldiers, and the psychological traps they endured, all set against a backdrop of evolving military strategies and intense rivalries.
03:58:33
Quantifiable vs. Unquantifiable War Elements
- Quantifiable war elements (equipment, tactics) are easily tested in combat.
- Unquantifiable elements like morale are crucial but difficult to measure and strategically apply.
Morale's Strategic Impact
- Morale's tactical importance is undeniable, but its strategic impact on nations is debatable.
- Bombing campaigns aimed at breaking morale had mixed results, raising questions about their effectiveness.
FDR's Fireside Chat
- FDR's February 23, 1942 fireside chat addressed American fears and rallied support after Pearl Harbor.
- He presented an optimistic outlook, emphasizing increasing strength and the eventual Allied offensive.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app 1 chevron_right 2 chevron_right 3 chevron_right 4 chevron_right 5 chevron_right 6 chevron_right 7 chevron_right 8 chevron_right 9 chevron_right 10 chevron_right 11 chevron_right 12 chevron_right 13 chevron_right 14 chevron_right 15 chevron_right 16 chevron_right 17 chevron_right 18 chevron_right
Intro
00:00 • 2min
The Intricacies of Morale in Warfare
02:12 • 4min
Leadership in Crisis: FDR and Churchill
06:11 • 9min
The Fearful Echoes of a Submarine Attack
15:30 • 3min
Wartime Civil Rights and the Japanese American Experience
18:08 • 16min
The Doolittle Raid: A Complex Legacy
34:10 • 30min
Tides of the Coral Sea
01:04:04 • 25min
The Turning Point at Midway
01:28:51 • 26min
Echoes of War: The Battle of Midway
01:54:51 • 30min
Shifting Tides: Strategic Dynamics of World War II
02:24:40 • 2min
Negotiating Peace in a Time of War
02:27:05 • 4min
Wartime Leadership and Strategic Complexity
02:31:05 • 17min
Rivalries at War: The Army-Navy Divide
02:48:06 • 14min
Navigating Military Trade-offs in Amphibious Assaults
03:02:16 • 2min
Complexity of the Marine Identity in WWII
03:04:40 • 30min
The Brutality of Tenaru
03:34:24 • 16min
Understanding the Psychological Traps of Soldiers in WWII
03:50:35 • 5min
Unveiling the Home Edition Experience
03:55:26 • 3min

#54182
War Remains


Marie Cronqvist


Lina Sturfelt
This anthology examines how various media forms communicated the realities of war and its impact on cultural narratives during the World Wars.
It offers an interdisciplinary perspective on the cultural history of war and media studies.

#18836
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The end of the Imperial Japanese Navy


Masanori Itō
This book provides a detailed and critical analysis of the Imperial Japanese Navy's strategies and decisions during World War II. It covers significant battles like Pearl Harbor and Midway, highlighting the Navy's blunders and the futility of Japan's war efforts.
The author offers insights into the inner workings of the Japanese naval command and critiques the use of tactics such as kamikaze attacks.

#17062
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Guadalcanal Diary


richard tregaskis
Guadalcanal Diary is a firsthand account of the pivotal battle for Guadalcanal, where Tregaskis embedded with the U.S.
Marine Corps during the early stages of the campaign.
The book provides a vivid and detailed portrayal of life on the front lines, offering insights into the daily struggles and heroic actions of the soldiers.
Originally published in 1943, it became a classic of World War II literature.
#51012
World War II at Sea
A Global History


Craig Symonds
Craig L. Symonds' 'World War II at Sea' provides a detailed account of the global naval conflict during the Second World War. The book delves into strategic battles, technological innovations, and the roles of key naval leaders, highlighting the critical importance of naval power in shaping the war's outcome.

#31343
Bodyguard of Lies
The Extraordinary True Story Behind D-Day


Anthony Cave Brown
This book provides a detailed narrative of the Allied deception strategies during World War II, particularly Operation Bodyguard, which played a crucial role in the success of the D-Day landings.
It explores both British and American intelligence operations, drawing heavily from oral testimony and declassified records.

#40622
Apache Tears


Robert macleod
Apache Tears is a historical novel by Robert MacLeod, part of his 'Best of the West' series.
It delves into the historical context of the American West, focusing on themes related to Native American culture and the challenges faced during that era.
The book is known for its engaging narrative and historical insights.

#7160
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Shattered Sword


Anthony Tully

Jonathan Parshall
Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway offers a detailed analysis of the pivotal battle, focusing on the Japanese side.
The book provides insights into the strategic decisions and operational mistakes made by the Japanese Navy, offering a fresh perspective on this critical event in World War II. It is praised for its meticulous research and engaging narrative style.

#18468
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
American warlords


Jonathan W. Jordan
American Warlords explores the intricate dynamics of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's inner circle of military leaders, including Secretary of War Henry Stimson, Admiral Ernest J. King, and General George C. Marshall.
These leaders navigated profound personal and political differences to guide the United States through World War II, ultimately securing a historic victory.
The book provides a detailed look at the strategic decisions and conflicts that shaped America's role in the war.

#20759
Challenge For The Pacific


Robert Leckie
In 'Challenge for the Pacific,' Robert Leckie provides a gripping account of the Battle of Guadalcanal, capturing the raw courage and relentless determination of American troops against a formidable enemy and harsh environment.
The book intertwines personal experiences with broader strategic maneuvers, offering an evocative tribute to the tenacity and sacrifice that defined this crucial turning point in history.

#39597
Wrath of the Khans
A Hardcore History Series


Dan Carlin
The 'Wrath of the Khans' series by Dan Carlin delves into the Mongol Empire's violent expansion under Genghis Khan, detailing its strategic genius, brutal conquests, and lasting impact on world history.
The series spans five episodes, covering the empire's growth, succession issues, and governance.
#39586
History of United States naval operations in World War II


Samuel Eliot Morison

#50440
Punic Nightmares
Hardcore History, Episodes 21-23

Dan Carlin
Punic Nightmares is a series of episodes from Dan Carlin's 'Hardcore History' that delves into the Punic Wars, a series of conflicts between Rome and Carthage.
The series explores the geopolitics and bitter hatred that fueled these ancient bloodbaths, showcasing how Rome emerged as a dominant power in the Mediterranean despite facing significant challenges.

#7917
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
The Things Our Fathers Saw
Voices of the Pacific Theater


Matthew Rozell
This book provides previously untold stories of combat, brotherhood, captivity, and redemption from World War II veterans.
It offers a poignant look at the experiences of those who served in the Pacific Theater, highlighting the impact of the war on American communities.
The series aims to educate and remember the sacrifices of the 'Greatest Generation'.

#10283
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
The Knights of Bushido


Lord Russell of Liverpool
This book provides a detailed account of Japanese war crimes during World War II, including the mistreatment of prisoners and civilians.
It explores how the Japanese military perverted the noble principles of Bushido into a systematic campaign of torture, murder, and destruction.
Notable incidents like the Nanking Massacre and the Bataan Death March are highlighted as part of a broader pattern of brutality.

#8827
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Japan at War
An Oral History


Theodore F. Cook


Haruko Taya Cook
This pathbreaking work of oral history by Haruko Taya Cook and Theodore F. Cook documents the experiences of ordinary Japanese people during World War II, offering a candid portrait of the Japanese experience during the war.
It spans from the Japanese attacks on China in the 1930s to the home front during the raids on Tokyo, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki, highlighting the contradictions between official views and personal testimonies.

#15608
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Ghosts of the Ostfront

Dan Carlin
This podcast series provides a detailed and gripping account of the Eastern Front in World War II, focusing on the intense suffering, destruction, and strategic blunders of the conflict.
Dan Carlin draws from multiple sources, including firsthand accounts and historical records, to paint a vivid picture of the war's impact on civilians and soldiers.
The series explores Hitler's miscalculations, Stalin's leadership, and the unimaginable atrocities committed by both sides, offering a comprehensive and engaging narrative of one of the most brutal chapters in human history.

#6001
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
Eagle against the sun


Ronald H. Spector
This classic book provides a detailed and gripping account of the Pacific War, drawing on declassified intelligence files and archival material.
It reassesses US and Japanese strategies, highlighting the dual advance by MacArthur and Nimitz as a pragmatic solution to bureaucratic issues.
Spector argues that Japan's fatal error was abandoning its offensive strategy after Midway, leading to a war of attrition.

#4721
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
Touched with Fire
Manic-Depressive Illness and the Artistic Temperament


Kay Redfield Jamison


Kay R. Jamison
In this book, Kay Redfield Jamison examines the relationship between bipolar disorder and artistic creativity.
She presents extensive case studies of historic figures such as Lord Byron, Vincent Van Gogh, and Virginia Woolf, who were likely suffering from manic-depressive illness.
The book reveals the biological foundations of this disease and its impact on the lives and works of these artists, challenging the romantic notion of the 'melancholic artist' while highlighting the suffering and creative output associated with the condition.

#17428
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The conquering tide

Ian W. Toll
The Conquering Tide is the second volume in Ian W. Toll's Pacific War Trilogy, covering the period from June 1942 to June 1944.
It explores the pivotal campaigns in the Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal, New Guinea, and the Mariana Islands, highlighting the strategic and logistical complexities of the war.
Toll's narrative combines personal stories with high-level strategic analysis, offering a comprehensive view of this critical phase of the Pacific War.

#12537
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Guadalcanal

Richard Frank
This book provides a balanced and thorough examination of the Guadalcanal campaign, incorporating both American and Japanese sources.
It covers strategic and tactical aspects of the battle, offering insights into the experiences of soldiers and commanders on both sides.
The work is notable for its meticulous research and accessible narrative style.

#5504
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
Hirohito's War


Francis Pike
Francis Pike's 'Hirohito's War' offers a detailed narrative of the Pacific War, challenging standard interpretations by incorporating the Japanese viewpoint.
The book covers campaigns, battles, and strategic decisions, including the roles of key figures like Emperor Hirohito, General MacArthur, and Admiral Yamamoto.
It also explores the involvement of China, Great Britain, and Australia, as well as military technology and the use of atomic bombs.

#2938
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
Rising Sun


Michael Crichton
The book begins with the discovery of a young woman's body during the grand opening celebration of the Nakamoto Corporation's new headquarters in Los Angeles.
Lieutenant Peter J. Smith and retired Captain John Connor, who is well-acquainted with Japanese culture, are tasked with solving the murder.
The investigation delves into a complex web of industrial intrigue, corporate battles, and cultural differences between Japan and the United States.
Crichton explores themes of Japanese economic dominance, cultural differences, and the implications of foreign direct investment in the U.S.
high-technology sectors.

#14196
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
A Modern History of Japan
From Tokugawa Times to the Present


Andrew Gordon
This book provides a richly nuanced and strikingly original portrait of the last two centuries of Japanese history, covering the transition from the Tokugawa shogunate to modern times, including Japan's modernizing revolution, militarism, World War II, the American occupation, and its economic transformations.
It highlights the influence of external ideas on Japanese society and its interconnectedness with global history.
Coral Sea, Midway and Guadalcanal are three of the most famous battles of the Second World War. Together they will shift the momentum in the Pacific theater and usher in the era of modern naval and amphibious warfare.