Professor Barry Strauss and Dan talk about Cleopatra, Mark Antony, Julius Caesar, Augustus Caesar and a host of historical luminaries in a tale worthy of Shakespeare as the Roman Republic goes down with the ships at Actium. Show Notes: 1. “The War That Made the Roman Empire: Antony, Cleopatra, and Octavian at Actium” by Barry Strauss 2. “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu 3. Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History “Death Throes of the Republic”  

Author, actor and senior fellow at the Modern War Institute Max Brooks joins Dan to discuss asymmetrical warfare and related societal issues. 1. "On War" by Gen. Carl von Clausewitz 2. “The Art of War” by Sun Tsu 3. "War and Anti-War: Survival at the Dawn of the 21st Century” by Alvin and Heidi Toffler

Iranian-born historian John Ghazvinian's new book is about the history of the U.S.-Iranian relationship. He and Dan discuss coups, oil, religion, history, arms deals, Shahs, U.S. presidents and wars. 1. “America and Iran: A History, 1720 to the Present” by John Ghazvinian.

Elon Musk and Bill Riley from SpaceX join Dan to discuss the underappreciated role of science and engineering in war. As you might imagine, military aircraft feature prominently in the conversation. 1. The Wages of destruction by Adam Tooze2. The Art of War by Sun Tzu 3.The Wages of Destruction: The Making and Breaking of the Nazi Economy by Adam Tooze 

Historian Dan Jones’ specialty is the Middle Ages. Dan Carlin adores the Middle Ages. Normans anyone? 1. Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages by Dan Jones 2. The Templars: The Rise and Spectacular Fall of God's Holy Warriors by Dan Jones 3. The Wars of the Roses: The Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors by Dan Jones 4. The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens Who Made England by Dan Jones 5. Crusaders: The Epic History of the Wars for the Holy Lands by Dan Jones