Podcast
World War II with Tom Hanks
Hosted by The HISTORY Channel | Back Pocket Studios | Audacy · EN
For eighty years, the Second World War has remained the most devastating and defining conflict in human history. World War II with Tom Hanks reexamines the war through the lens of a new century. Told over twenty hours and guided by Tom Hanks, whose lifelong passion for this history has shaped some of the most profound screen portrayals of the era, the series captures the full arc of the war — from the rise of fascism in Europe to the fall of Berlin, from Pearl Harbor to Hiroshima, and the uneasy peace that follows. Each episode uncovers new dimensions of the conflict: the decisions that shaped the battlefield, the unseen networks that sustained the war effort, and the aftershocks that still shape our world today. World War II with Tom Hanks is the definitive retelling of that story for a new generation: a sweeping, deeply human portrait of how the modern world was forged in the fires of global war.
20episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Last Days of the Reich
6d ago00:36:04Summary readyIn the winter of 1944, as American and British armies are advancing across western Europe, Hitler plans one last major offensive attempt through the Ardennes forest - the Battle of the Bulge - to swing the tide of the war back in Germany’s favor. Meanwhile, the Soviet Red Army is swiftly moving across Eastern Europe to fulfill Stalin’s ultimate wish of taking Berlin.This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryJames Holland, military historian and authorDr. Peter Lieb, military historian and authorMartin Morgan, military historian and authorGeoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North TexasPaul Woodadge, author and Normandy battlefield guideColonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeMichel Paradis, professor, Columbia UniversitySarada Peri, presidential speechwriter and political analystAlexandra Richie, professor, Collegium CivitasSean McMeekin, professor, Bard CollegeSimon Sebag Montefiore, historian and authorJon Meacham, presidential historianDan Snow, historian and broadcaster
SummaryNo Surrender
1w ago00:38:56Summary readyIn 1944-45, as Allied victory in Europe seems all but assured, the fighting in the Pacific intensifies. The U.S. and Japan suffer terrible losses in the Philippines and on Iwo Jima. Roosevelt understands what ordinary Americans are only beginning to realize: in a clash between a nation which demands unconditional surrender and a nation which refuses to surrender, the worst is still to come.This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):Jon Meacham, presidential historianRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumJonathan Parshall, military historian, US Naval War CollegeDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryA.J. Baime, journalist and authorBradley Hart, military historian, National WWII MuseumNoriko Kawamura, professor, Washington State UniversityChristopher Harding, cultural historian, University of EdinburghDr. Rebecca Grant, national security analystAnand Toprani, military historian, U.S. Naval War CollegeColonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeSarada Peri, presidential speechwriter and political analystMartin Morgan, military historian and author
SummaryResistance
2w ago00:38:04Summary readyResistance to Nazi occupation and oppression has been a constant throughout the war. In the summer of 1944, two cities revolt against the Nazis but meet very different outcomes. And some, living and dying through the Holocaust, take their fate into their own hands and mount organized resistance in the direst of circumstances.This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):Colonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumDan Snow, historian and broadcasterAlexandra Richie, professor, Collegium CivitasMichael Neiberg, professor, US Army War CollegeMarco Aterrano, associate professor, University of Naples Federico IIMartin Morgan, military historian and authorSimon Sebag Montefiore, historian and authorAnand Toprani, military historian, U.S. Naval War CollegeJames Bulgin, historian, Imperial War MuseumRebecca Erbelding, historian, United States Holocaust Museum
SummaryHome Front
2w ago00:38:55Summary readyAs the tide begins to turn against the Axis powers, the leaders of Germany and Japan deploy opposite strategies on their home fronts. Hitler and his propaganda minister do everything in their power to shield the German people from the war, while Hideki Tojo asks the Japanese to sacrifice more and more to support the war effort. But both governments’ demands of their people will grow more intense – and deadly.This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumAlexandra Richie, professor, Collegium CivitasNicholas Stargardt, historian and authorMartin Morgan, military historian and authorColonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeSheldon Garon, professor, Princeton UniversityYuki Tatsumi, senior director, Institute for Indo-Pacific SecurityChristopher Harding, cultural historian, University of EdinburghDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryJonathan Parshall, military historian, US Naval War CollegeJeremy Yellen, historian and authorNoriko Kawamura, professor, Washington State UniversityBradley Hart, military historian, National WWII MuseumLouise Young, professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Summary
How Higgins and His Boats Won the War (from HISTORY This Week)
3w ago00:31:16Summary readyFor more stories just like these, check out HISTORY This Week wherever you get your podcasts.June 6, 1944. As thousands of Allied soldiers prepare to storm the beaches of Normandy, they climb down rope nets into small wooden landing craft bobbing in the dark waters of the English Channel. Within hours, these boats will carry them into the largest amphibious invasion in history.The craft are known as Higgins boats, named for their inventor, Andrew Higgins: a hard-driving New Orleans boatbuilder who built his reputation designing vessels that could speed through swamps, crash through obstacles, and go places other boats couldn't. Higgins was stubborn, abrasive, and relentless. The Navy repeatedly dismissed his ideas. He refused to go away.How does a small-time New Orleans boatbuilder force his way into the military industrial complex? And what exactly is so special about these boxy little Higgins boats?Special thanks to Dr. John Curatola, Samuel Zemurray Stone Senior Historian at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana. His book is Armies Afloat: How the Development of Amphibious Operations in Europe Helped Win World War II.You can find the rest of the books we used to research this episode at historythisweekpodcast.com.
SummaryLong Road to Tokyo
3w ago00:38:42Summary readyThe B-29 bomber is the Allies’ best chance to strike Japan, and they turn to China as a potential air base. But Japan launches its largest land offensive of the war to gain control of Asia, leading to brutal fighting in the jungles and plains of South Asia. All the while, the U.S. Navy is speeding through the Pacific towards the Mariana Islands, another potential future B-29 base.This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):Colonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeDr. Rebecca Grant, national security analystA.J. Baime, journalist and authorRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryGeoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North TexasJames Holland, military historian and authorDan Snow, historian and broadcasterSarada Peri, presidential speechwriter and political analystJon Meacham, presidential historianJonathan Parshall, military historian, US Naval War CollegeChristopher Harding, cultural historian, University of EdinburghNoriko Kawamura, professor, Washington State University
SummaryOverlord
3w ago00:37:46Summary readyAfter years of discussion over how to take the fight directly to Germany, the Allies set a target for a cross-channel invasion: Normandy, spring of 1944. But the road to Operation Overlord is no easy journey, with Hitler lying in wait. For the Allies, it’s a race to pull off one of the most complicated operations in military history.This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):Dan Snow, historian and broadcasterRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumCraig L. Symonds, military historian and authorSarada Peri, presidential speechwriter and political analystDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryJon Meacham, presidential historianMichel Paradis, professor, Columbia UniversityGeoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North TexasDr. Peter Lieb, military historian and authorJames Holland, military historian and authorColonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeDr. Rebecca Grant, national security analystMartin Morgan, military historian and authorPaul Woodadge, author and Normandy battlefield guide
SummaryBattle for the Skies
4w ago00:39:46Summary readyIn 1942, the Allies are eager to challenge the Luftwaffe’s superiority in the air. The RAF and U.S. Army Air Forces combine operations to bomb the industrial heart of Germany and destroy German air power ahead of the upcoming Allied invasion of France. Airmen on both sides will suffer grievous losses – and so will civilians below.This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):Robert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumDan Snow, historian and broadcasterA.J. Baime, journalist and authorMartin Morgan, military historian and authorJohn Curatola, military historian, National WWII MuseumColonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeDr. Rebecca Grant, national security analystDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryJon Meacham, presidential historianAnand Toprani, military historian, U.S. Naval War College
SummaryItaly
4w ago00:38:20Summary readyIn the summer of 1943, after a successful campaign in North Africa, Churchill convincesRoosevelt that the best way forward is an invasion of the island of Sicily. But what is thought to be a quick and decisive attack instead becomes a months-long slog up the Italian peninsula, as Hitler has no intention of giving up this key part of his empire without a fight.This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):Dan Snow, historian and broadcasterRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumSarada Peri, presidential speechwriter and political analystJon Meacham, presidential historianSimon Sebag Montefiore, historian and authorDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistorySaul David, military historian and authorColonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeMartin Morgan, military historian and authorMarco Aterrano, associate professor, University of Naples Federico IIAlexandra Richie, professor, Collegium Civitas
SummaryStalingrad
Jun 2300:39:51Summary readyIn 1942, Hitlers launches his second offensive in the Soviet Union: Operation Blue. Quickly becoming impatient, Hitler splits his force in an attempt to capture both the Caucasus oil fields and Stalingrad.Initially successful, the German Sixth Army captures up to 90% of the city until they are trapped by General Zhukov’s men. The Soviet attacks and the unforgiving Russian winter steadily wipe out the German troops until their leader, General Paulus, surrenders. Furious, Hitler launches his final attack, ending all hopes for a German victory on the Eastern Front.This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):Colonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumSir Antony Beevor, military historianAlexandra Richie, professor, Collegium CivitasSean McMeekin, professor, Bard CollegeSimon Sebag Montefiore, historian and authorDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryGeoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North TexasJadwiga Biskupska, associate professor, Sam Houston State University
Summary