I recently published part 3 (of 4) of my epic Dangerous History series, "The Mad Dream of Conquest," about the Athenian expedition to Sicily to attack Syracuse, the largest city on that island, during the Peloponnesian War in the 5th century BC. This story has a shocking (& unfortunate) amount of relevance to current events: an imperial democracy, high on hubris & at the urging of far-away states, launching an unnecessary, aggressive war of choice against a faraway land that, it turned out, was much better able to defend itself than the Athenian proto-neocons said it would be. The Athenians learn the hard way that logistics & geography matter a lot, that wars rarely go according to plan, that having an unclear strategy doesn't help, & that escalation of an ill-conceived war only makes things worse & doesn't increase your odds of success. Check it out here, or look up the Dangerous History Podcast on your preferred podcast platform. (And be sure to check out the first 2 parts if you haven't already!)

Fountain: Podcasts & Music

The Dangerous History Podcast • Ep. 0290: ‘The Mad Dream of Conquest,’ Pt. III • Listen on Fountain

Here it is, FINALLY — the third installment of ‘The Mad Dream of Conquest’ series, about the Athenian expedition to Sicily during...

FINALLY, it's here! Part 3 of "The Mad Dream of Conquest," my Dangerous History miniseries about the Athenian expedition to Sicily during the Peloponnesian War. I've been KILLING myself working on this thing for a while, & I think it might be the longest DHP episode ever! Check it out on Fountain at the 🔗⏬, or search for the Dangerous History podcast on your preferred audio podcast venue.

Fountain: Podcasts & Music

The Dangerous History Podcast • Ep. 0290: ‘The Mad Dream of Conquest,’ Pt. III • Listen on Fountain

Here it is, FINALLY — the third installment of ‘The Mad Dream of Conquest’ series, about the Athenian expedition to Sicily during...

My epic labors on pt 3 of “The Mad Dream of Conquest” continue - I’ve got the first segment recorded & edited, & my notes (currently ~40 pgs) are almost complete- just a few more things to add in the latter parts. Doing my best to get it all done by Friday! 🤞🥵😅💪

Gee, the first paragraph of the prologue of the book Hubris: The Tragedy of War in the Twentieth Century by Alastair Horne (published 2015) sure is interesting.🤔

"So thoroughly had the present prosperity persuaded the Athenians that nothing could withstand them, and that they could achieve what was possible and what was impracticable alike, with means ample or inadequate it mattered not. The reason for this was their [prior] extraordinary success, which made them confuse their strengths with their hopes." -Thucydides, The Peloponnesian War, Book IV

Whether in Sicily in 415-13 BC or the Persian Gulf today, these 5 factors are still the top determinants of success or failure in war: 1. Understanding geography 2. Understanding logistics 3. Having a clearly defined & realistically achievable goal 4. Having a well-thought-out strategy to attain that goal with the resources available 5. Prudently adapting that strategy as necessary due to changing circumstances I’m currently hard at work on Pt 3 of “The Mad Dream of Conquest,” my Dangerous History series on the Athenian expedition to Sicily during the Peloponnesian War - stay tuned!

In honor of the 12th anniversary of the Dangerous History Podcast, I published an episode in which I reminisce a little about the journey, and share & analyze 12 of my favorite quotes from HL Mencken, including the quote that inspired the name of the DHP. Check it out!

Fountain: Podcasts & Music

The Dangerous History Podcast • Ep. 0289: A Dangerous Dozen: 12 H.L. Mencken Quotes for the DHP’s 12th Anniversary • Listen on Fountain

Believe it or not, CJ has been doing the Dangerous History Podcast for 12 years now! Despite many trials & tribulations that have caused him to be ...

It's here - the 2nd part of my epic Dangerous History mini-series, 'The Mad Dream of Conquest,' set during the Peloponnesian War in 5th century BC Greece! Check it out!

Fountain: Podcasts & Music

The Dangerous History Podcast • Ep. 0288: ‘The Mad Dream of Conquest,’ Pt. II • Listen on Fountain

Here it is — the 2nd installment of CJ’s already-epic mini-series, ‘The Mad Dream of Conquest,’ set in the Peloponnesian Wa...

I fought & won The War of Art yet again today. After putting in another LONG day working on part II of ‘The Mad Dream of Conquest,’ I managed to record all remaining segments & edit half of them. I’m throwing in the towel for the day & will definitely finish & publish tomorrow.

I’m continuing to put a ton of time & effort into Pt II of ‘The Mad Dream of Conquest.’ I’ve had some slowdowns for family reasons, & (as often happens) the episode has continued to grow in prospective length as I’ve worked on it, but I’m making progress & nearing completion!

3 years & a few months since I adopted him, & I’m happy to report that Errol is still excellent & still my best pal.

Today is the 59th anniversary of the deliberate & unprovoked Israeli attack on the USS Liberty, an electronic surveillance ship that was in international waters at the time. 34 Americans were killed, 171 wounded, & the ship nearly sunk. For a detailed explanation of the event & its context, check out my 4 hr+ Dangerous History Podcast episode on it: https://fountain.fm/episode/hMuZZSj2tslFFLswUqYI

The decline of the American Empire is really pulling down the standard of living for all of us — even the elites. I mean, just a few generations ago our rulers were dining on fine wine & caviar, but now they mostly just eat pizza & grape soda.

Those who 🍇 minors should be 🍇ed to death by miners.

I lost my stepfather - who was a very good guy with whom I was pretty close- yesterday. I’ll be heading up to NC on Thursday to spend some time with my mom so she’s not alone her first week without him. Apologies ahead of time that I’ll probably be even more incommunicado than usual for the next week or so.

Today = 2 & 1/2 years 🥃-free for me.

Happy REAL declaration of independence day! 250 years ago, on 4/19/1775, thousands of average Americans, acting on their own local initiative, confronted the Redcoats & declared their independence with blood & bullets. (The fancy powdered-wig guys in Philly would take almost 15 months to catch up & declare it with ink & parchment.) To commemorate, I've just reissued Dangerous History Ep. 59 (made a decade ago!), which is part II of my American Revolution series.

Fountain: Podcasts & Music

The Dangerous History Podcast • Reissue: DHP Ep. 59: The American Revolution, Part II: 1775 • Listen on Fountain

April 19th, 2025 marks the 250th anniversary of the REAL American Declaration of Independence, when thousands of average, non-elite Americans decla...

“There are twenty million Germans too many.” -French PM Georges Clemenceau, Dec.1918, on keeping the starvation blockade against Germany despite the armistice I just can’t imagine why the Germans would be spoiling for revenge a generation later. 🤷‍♂️