The events that shape our world, and our future, take many turns.
What If World History? explores an alternative timeline to the events that molded our lives.
Take a trip with us.
Historical Blogs on Key Podcast Subjects
Alexander then marched triumphantly into the Persian capital of Persopolis to assume his place as ruler of the largest empire in the world. But conquest is a thirst that cannot be quenched, and in a matter of years, he set out to invade India and topple its King Porus.
In the 17-minute period between 8:46 and 9:03 A.M. on September 11, New York City and the Port Authority mobilized the largest rescue operation in the city's history. Well over a thousand first responders had been deployed, an evacuation had begun, and the critical decision that the fire could not be fought had been made.
Caesar was older and more experienced in all aspects of life than Cleopatra, but the two nevertheless had much in common. Both were ruthlessly ambitious and both were prepared to take prodigious risks to achieve their ambitions. Both had a knack for persuading ordinary people to love them, yet both were to a certain extent lonely and insecure. Caesar needed Egypt’s wealth, while Cleopatra needed Rome’s protection. So who seduced whom?
The two men met on the shores of the Hudson River in Weehawken, New Jersey at dawn on July 11, 1804. At the turn, Hamilton shot first and deliberately put his shot above Burr’s head. Burr, with all the time in the world to decide his next actions, took deliberate aim and put his shot directly into Hamilton.
Two bicycle mechanics who never attended college, or even obtained a high school diploma, would reinvent the science of aviation and aerodynamics on their own. As innovative as ever, they built a miniature wind tunnel in a spare room of their bike shop. And field-tested their designs on the wind-strewn beaches of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, and the cow-dotted fields in Huffman Prairie, Ohio.
For thirteen days in October of 1962, the United States and Russia played a game of brinkmanship that brought the entire globe to the brink of nuclear Armageddon. Declassified recordings of Kennedy’s security council, and later interviews with Nikita Khrushchev, revealed just how close the world’s superpowers came to a global nuclear confrontation.
Napoleon was well into planning an invasion of Britain, and sent an expeditionary force of 40,000 to put down a revolution in Santo Domingo, led by Toussaint Louverture. Once that was quickly done, they would fortify a military presence in New Orleans, and set up France to be a colonial power in North America.
The short-lived ascension and dominance of the Huns was driven by the leadership of Attila, whose name means “Little Father.” He was a man born into the world to shake the nations, the scourge of all lands, who in some way terrified all mankind.
The decisive factor in Stauffenberg’s conversion to killing Hitler appears to have been the atrocities perpetrated by the SS against enemy civilians, and especially the Jews
Union General Buford recognized the importance of the high ground, where Meade would consolidate his troops later that day. He knew that if the Confederates could gain control of the heights, Meade's army would have a hard time dislodging them.
Listen to our latest episode…
In our What If? scenario Alexander is able to outlast the fever and is ready to launch his next campaign. The target? The Mediterranean shipping empire of Carthage. If he is successful, he will rule more than 60 percent of the Mediterranean coastline and capture a monopoly on global commerce, shipping, and trade. The world’s economy hangs in the balance.
In this episode, we will look back through time, on the 20th anniversary, at missed signals that led to the unimaginable tragedy of September 11th, 2001. And we will look at the heroes who prevented a greater tragedy on that day. We will also ponder a history in which the terrorist threat is extinguished before the horrific attack. And as result, the lives of millions of men, women, and children in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia are altered forever.
In our What If? scenario, Herod’s well-trained navy, and formidable army bolster Antony’s legions and Cleopatra’s ships to swing the tide of battle. And leading the navy to victory would be an athletic, tall, 17-year-old commander Caesarion, the progeny of one of Rome’s greatest military leaders, and Julius Ceasar’s only biological son.
In our What If? scenario both Hamilton and Burr throw their shots wide and spare the possibility of wounding one another. In a rare show of congeniality between two bitter rivals, the men quietly shook hands and acknowledged an end to hostilities. Perhaps Hamilton will never know how close he came to an agonizing death, but the new timeline will deliver significant changes to the direction of the United States.
In this episode, we will look at Wilbur and Orville Wright’s relentless pursuit of powered flight. And we ponder a history in which Orville Wright does not survive a crash. As a result, a brilliant, driven member of the Wright family, their sister Katharine, will make history and keep America on track to maintain aerial superiority.
In this episode, we will look at the Cuban Missile Crisis. And we ponder a history in which Russian nuclear missiles are in fact planted 90 miles from US borders. Only a daring and dangerous midnight raid will stave off nuclear holocaust and a third world war.
In this episode we will look at the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the United States in 1803. And we will ponder a history where Louisiana is assimilated, not by treaty, purchase or annexation, but by force. And in the process the fledgling United States Army must fight the European powers on native soil to unite the country from coast-to-coast.
We will look at the rise and untimely death of Attila the Hun. And we will ponder his death at the ancient age of 65, not from a drunken stupor and a bloody nose. Instead he will die in his bed, in Rome. And with his extended life, millions more would die under the sword of his army and much of Europe would fall under his rule.
In this BONUS episode, Mark interviews Killing Hitler author Roger Moorhouse. They discuss the failed assassination plots, Hitler's somewhat lax security, and the possible aftermath of a "successful" assassination. Plus, Moorhouse discusses his approach to finding history's forgotten heroes, villains and events.
We will detail a successful plot to assassinate Adolph Hitler at his Wolf’s Lair headquarters on July 20. And we will muse how his death would save 10 million lives and lower the heat of the coming Cold War.
-
In our What If? scenario Alexander the Great is ready to launch his next campaign. The target? The shipping empire… https://t.co/XsxTAKnQtM
-
New episode marking the 20th Anniversary of 9/11. We ponder a history in which the terrorist threat is stopped and… https://t.co/nZNKAHtrEg
-
RT @OhioHistory: The Patterson Homestead housed Colonel Robert Patterson, founder of Lexington, KY, and Cincinnati, OH, and industri… https://t.co/u0oxN0kI1j