The Best Podcast for Military History Buffs: Pritzger Military Library
I'm a big military history devotee (especially WWII and the Civil War). Recently I ran across an amazing resource: the Pritzger Military Library in Chicago. I'd love to go there, but you can do so remotely by subscribing on iTunes to its regular podcasts (pritzgermilitarylibrary.org). They feature the best writers on military history (e.g., James McPherson, Rick Atkinson, Sir Max Hastings, Carlo d'Este, Craig Symonds, and many, many more).
The podcasts typically relate to new books (though not always--Rick Atkinson recently made a presentation on "ten things you should know about the American army in WWII"). The author usually gives a 30-40 minute presentation and then the always-well-informed audience asks questions. It is amazing to hear McPherson speak about Lincoln in Tried by War, Atkinson to speak of his trilogy (third volume to be published in 2013) about the American forces in Europe in WWII, Max Hastings speaking of his many books relating to WWII and other military subjects, and Carlo d'Este talking about Patton.
They now have scores of podcasts in their archives so you can pick and choose what you want to listen to.
After the Ricochet podcasts, this one has become my favorite.
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Jun '11
Re: The Best Podcast for Military History Buffs: Pritzger Military Library
Thanks for the tip! I am going there now...just grinding through 3rd iteration of Shelby Foote's Civil War: A Narrative, which rocks...even though he gives little love to Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and the Irish Brigade (until they are strewn dead across the fields of Fredericksburg.) I am always seeking new content to geek out on, so thanks again!
Oct '11
Re: The Best Podcast for Military History Buffs: Pritzger Military Library
Double that. I have been looking for a great podcast on the Military. Thanks!
May '10
Re: The Best Podcast for Military History Buffs: Pritzger Military Library
What a great tip--thanks, TR!
Aug '10
Re: The Best Podcast for Military History Buffs: Pritzger Military Library
Good to know this Tab, Pritzker's have lately only been noted for the liberal Penny Pritzker, but I have always appreciated their architecture awards and the support for that art. That they have a good military museum is commendable. But then , Chicago gave us Butch O'Hare. General Miegs. (and one Commander in Chief who hasn't quite yet made his mark).
Oct '10
Re: The Best Podcast for Military History Buffs: Pritzger Military Library
Do the works of Bruce Catton ring a bell ?
Jun '10
Re: The Best Podcast for Military History Buffs: Pritzger Military Library
Yes, his history of the Army of the Potomac was the first real civil war history I read (many decades ago).
Sep '10
Re: The Best Podcast for Military History Buffs: Pritzger Military Library
Thanks! I'm a fan of Max Hastings, especially after I read his Bomber Command on a flight to England in 2010.
Mar '11
Re: The Best Podcast for Military History Buffs: Pritzger Military Library
I mentioned these podcasts in response to a Veteran's Day post, and I concur - they are excellent. In addition to the authors, they have interviews with Medal Of Honor recipients, some of which I've listened to. Check out Sammy L. Davis' interview. They used his Medal of Honor presentation from LBJ in the movie Forrest Gump. They also used part of his MOH citation as Forrest's citation - they had to cut it short because the movie was only 2 hours 22 minutes long, and really, nobody would believe a movie that matched the reality anyway.
May '10
Re: The Best Podcast for Military History Buffs: Pritzger Military Library
I used to work across the street from the Pritzger Library. It's a great place, but don't feel too sad about not being able to visit, there's not really that much to see. OTOH if you were doing research of some kind I'm sure it would be invaluable.
They really do make their mark by the podcasts though.
Apr '11
Re: The Best Podcast for Military History Buffs: Pritzger Military Library
Thank you so much for sharing this; I knew it had to be out there somewhere on the web.
They list James D. Hornfischer has a new book out too. His The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors was an excellent read of about the Navy in the Pacific Theater during WWII.
A good podcast that covers the modern military from a vantage point of history is Strategytalk. Of course they cover historical things as well. Awfully funny too.
Jan '11
Re: The Best Podcast for Military History Buffs: Pritzger Military Library
Thanks for the tip! One more podcast added to my list.
May '11
Re: The Best Podcast for Military History Buffs: Pritzger Military Library
Thanks for the pointer.
Oct '11
Re: The Best Podcast for Military History Buffs: Pritzger Military Library
Just was listening to the Atkinson "10 Things to Know" podcast on the way to work this morning. It is a great podcast. Plus, I get great book recommendations out of it too.
Jun '10
Re: The Best Podcast for Military History Buffs: Pritzger Military Library
Drew: If I remember right, Atkinson's last item of the ten was "They died for you." Then Atkinson got a bit emotional. His research on the Americans in WWII has obviously affected him.
Jun '11
Re: The Best Podcast for Military History Buffs: Pritzger Military Library
Nick Stuart: I used to work across the street from the Pritzger Library. It's a great place, but don't feel too sad about not being able to visit, there's not really that much to see. OTOH if you were doing research of some kind I'm sure it would be invaluable.
They really do make their mark by the podcasts though. · Nov 22 at 4:43am
The library recently moved to a very impressive new space on S. Michigan Avenue across from Millenium Park. Aside from a great view and beautiful woodwork in the library space, they have a nice collection of posters and museum items on display. I highly recommend stopping in if you are in the area.
Aug '10
Re: The Best Podcast for Military History Buffs: Pritzger Military Library
Thank you!
Listening to one now- Eileen Welsome on Gen. Pershing and Pancho Villa.
Villa's name is still vilified at our family reunions- he drove my maternal ancestors off their mines and land. They fled for their lives and went from being landed mine owners in Mexico to migratory mine workers in Arizona.
Jun '10
Re: The Best Podcast for Military History Buffs: Pritzger Military Library
Squishy Blue RINO: Thank you!
Listening to one now- Eileen Welsome on Gen. Pershing and Pancho Villa.
Villa's name is still vilified at our family reunions- he drove my maternal ancestors off their mines and land. They fled for their lives and went from being landed mine owners in Mexico to migratory mine workers in Arizona. · Nov 22 at 8:50am
Ambrose Bierce's family had something against him too.
Aug '10
Re: The Best Podcast for Military History Buffs: Pritzger Military Library
tabula rasa
Squishy Blue RINO: Thank you!
Listening to one now- Eileen Welsome on Gen. Pershing and Pancho Villa.
Villa's name is still vilified at our family reunions- he drove my maternal ancestors off their mines and land. They fled for their lives and went from being landed mine owners in Mexico to migratory mine workers in Arizona. · Nov 22 at 8:50am
Ambrose Bierce's family had something against him too. · Nov 22 at 9:59am
That story would make a great movie, I had no idea that is how he met his end. It is like Amelia Earhart's story, shrouded in mystery.
Thanks for tipping me to it.
Jun '10
Re: The Best Podcast for Military History Buffs: Pritzger Military Library
Squishy Blue RINO
tabula rasa
Squishy Blue RINO: Thank you!
Listening to one now- Eileen Welsome on Gen. Pershing and Pancho Villa.
Villa's name is still vilified at our family reunions- he drove my maternal ancestors off their mines and land. They fled for their lives and went from being landed mine owners in Mexico to migratory mine workers in Arizona. · Nov 22 at 8:50am
Ambrose Bierce's family had something against him too. · Nov 22 at 9:59am
That story would make a great movie, I had no idea that is how he met his end. It is like Amelia Earhart's story, shrouded in mystery.
Thanks for tipping me to it. · Nov 22 at 12:02pm
There is an assumption that Villa's people did Bierce in. But as far as I know there is not proof.
Oct '11
Re: The Best Podcast for Military History Buffs: Pritzger Military Library
tabula rasa
Drew: If I remember right, Atkinson's last item of the ten was "They died for you." Then Atkinson got a bit emotional. His research on the Americans in WWII has obviously affected him. · Nov 22 at 7:56am
Yes, I believe his father is a veteran of the war and you can tell that some of it hits close to home.
What struck me was when he described the enormous death toll, saying that the war claimed an average of 27,600 lives every day, or 1,150 an hour, or 19 a minute, or one death every three seconds. Then he counted.....one, two, three, snap......one, two, three, snap.