Lions Led By Donkeys Podcast

Exploring the bizarre gunpowder ingredients used by rebels in the Taiping Rebellion, brutal working conditions in a dog blood factory, unconventional tactics like bribing pirates for protection, and the rebel leader's evolution into a police state ruler.

A failed civil service exam leads to the deadliest civil war in China, exploring the syncretism of Taiping Christianity, the rise and fall of the Manchu Dynasty, the divine visionary Hong Zhuquan, and the violent origins of the Taiping Rebellion.

Crassus attempts to go to war to build his own resume. He ignores everyone's advice and marches his legions into the most predictable defeat on earth. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys Sources: Plutarch. Crassus. Mary T. Boatwright. The Romans: From Village to Empire Roman-Persian Wars: The Battle of Carrhae

A sex worker turned pirate queen builds a more powerful navy than the entire navy of China. Support the show! https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys Sources: Murray, Dian H. Pirates of the South China Coast, 1790-1810 https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/ching-shih-chinese-female-pirate

Joe, Tom, and Nate talk about the time that Crusaders forgot that humans need water to live. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys Sources: Nicholson, R. L. Joscelyn III and the Fall of the Crusader States Phillips, Jonathan (2002), The Crusades 1095–1187 Lacey, James. Crushed at the Horns of Hattin

The hosts dive into the chaotic world of World War I, weaving humor through grim realities. They discuss military miscommunication, showcasing the blunders of Russian General Samsonov. Anecdotes about bicycle battalions add a layer of intrigue to historical warfare, revealing unexpected rescues. Personal experiences highlight the chaos of military life, contrasting combat challenges with the comforts of home. The episode wraps up with a look at the quirks of East Prussia's transformation and the absurdities of the Battle of Tannenberg.

The story of the battle of tannenberg continues part 2/3 Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys

In a humorous kickoff to a legendary WWI battle, the hosts dive into the sensory connections of smell and its quirky memories, including odd scents from the NYC subway. They tackle the often-overlooked narratives of the Eastern Front and the complex history between Germany and Russia. A lighthearted take on the bizarre pickle halberd adds comedy while contrasting military strategies and the geopolitical tensions leading to Tannenberg. The dysfunctional state of the Russian military before the battle offers a chaotic glimpse into what’s to come.

Once upon a time the United States came shockingly close to annexing the Dominican Republic. support the show: https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys Sources: https://www.jstor.org/stable/2717114 https://journals.openedition.org/nuevomundo/61771?lang=en https://news.yahoo.com/1871-us-almost-acquired-dominican-135435379.html https://www.insider.com/annexation-of-santo-domingo-act-ulysses-grant-dominican-republic-2022-7 CORRECTION: Samuel Doe was murdered by Prince Johnson, an ally of Charles Taylor, but not Charles Taylor himself.

Joe, Nate, and Tom talk about the Soviet all woman night bomber unit of WWII that terrorized the Nazis and pissed off Soviet men. support the show: https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys sources: https://www.history.com/news/meet-the-night-witches-the-daring-female-pilots-who-bombed-nazis-by-night https://www.wrightmuseum.org/2020/10/01/the-soviet-night-witches/ https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/who-were-the-soviet-night-witches https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2015/06/night-witches-wwii-female-pilots