Skip to content
Back to Hardcore History
Book mentions
15 book mentions in this episode.
Jump to books
Tip: Click “Mentioned at …” to copy a timestamp.
Tip: Click a cover image to open a book link.

Books Mentioned

The History of the Persian Empire cover

Will Durant in 1930s. A great historian writing an outdated history did a wonderful job. And by the way, taking it at face value, giving you the traditional Cambysi story.

Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: Cambyses and power
For: Historians and readers interested in ancient history
Key quote: One great defect had sullied his character, meaning Cyrus's character, occasional and incalculable cruelty.
The host discusses the complexities of Cambyses' reign and the historical interpretations surrounding his mental state. Will Durant's book is referenced as a traditional account that captures the dramatic and often horrific aspects of Cambyses' rule.
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Will Durant cover

They might have had to rely on, you know, witness testimony back in the day of Will Durant in 1935.

Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: Cambyses and power
For: History enthusiasts and students of ancient empires
Key quote: Will Durant in 1930s. A great historian writing an outdated history did a wonderful job.
The host references Will Durant to illustrate the historical narrative surrounding Cambyses II and his controversial reign. Durant's work provides a traditional perspective on Cambyses, which has been debated by modern historians regarding his sanity and actions.
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Persian Fire cover
Persian Fire
Tom Holland

Tom Holland, the historian, pointed it out in his book Persian Fire, but there may be a connection to the fact that this is a really sort of hard to believe story.

Sentiment: Passing Reference
Trigger: historical storytelling
For: listeners interested in historical narratives
Key quote: Tom Holland, the historian, pointed it out in his book Persian Fire, but there may be a connection to the fact that this is a really sort of hard to believe story.
The host briefly mentions Tom Holland's book 'Persian Fire' to highlight its connection to a difficult-to-believe historical narrative. This reference serves to underscore the complexities involved in interpreting historical events.
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
The Magus cover

the magus you know the false bardia galmatah

Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: Herodotus and assassination
For: Readers interested in historical narratives and storytelling techniques
Key quote: So the force 10 from Navarone group get past the first level of defense.
The host discusses how Herodotus transforms the historical account of Darius and the assassination of the false king into a dramatic narrative. This comparison highlights the storytelling techniques used by Herodotus, akin to modern action films, which is why 'The Magus' is referenced.
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
The Histories cover
The Histories
Herodotus

It was also spread throughout the empire, in Aramaic translation on papyri, and possibly Herodotus used one of these as the basis for the story he told in his histories.

Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: historical legitimacy of rulers
For: Historians and students of ancient history
Key quote: Our main source of information about events is the description by the final victor, Darius, who was not a legitimate successor to the throne.
The host discusses the complexities surrounding the legitimacy of Darius's claim to the throne and the various historical interpretations of events. This leads to a mention of Herodotus's 'The Histories' as a crucial source that reflects the biases of the victor in historical narratives.
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Discovering Cyrus cover
Discovering Cyrus
Risa Sargami

Risa Sargami in his book Discovering Cyrus says we shouldn't be so quick to throw out the official story.

Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: historical interpretation of events
For: Historians and readers interested in ancient history
Key quote: Heck, Risa Sargami in his book Discovering Cyrus says we shouldn't be so quick to throw out the official story.
The host references 'Discovering Cyrus' to highlight the complexities and uncertainties surrounding historical narratives, particularly regarding the legitimacy of Darius's claim to the throne. Sargami's work suggests that the official story may not be easily dismissed and encourages a deeper examination of the historical context.
ASIN: B00QMJPYTU
Buy on Amazon
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
A New Foundation for the Empire cover

Historian Pierre Bryant runs down Darius' qualities a bit and then points out how much of a change, the period that he inaugurates in Persian history is.

Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: Persian Empire leadership
For: Historians and students of ancient empires
Key quote: Historian Pierre Bryant runs down Darius' qualities a bit and then points out how much of a change, the period that he inaugurates in Persian history is.
The host discusses the strategic and organizational qualities of Darius, emphasizing how his leadership marked a significant transformation in Persian history. The mention of Pierre Bryant's book highlights the foundational changes Darius implemented during his reign, particularly in governance and military strategy.
ASIN: B08BT82QF5
Buy on Amazon
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
The Persian King of Kings cover

The term 'king of kings' is used in the context of the Persian Empire's ability to call upon a diverse range of troops, showcasing its vastness.

Sentiment: Critical Analysis
Trigger: Cambyses and Egyptian culture
For: Historians and those interested in Persian history
Key quote: But the modern day investigators, the Colombo's, the Joe Fridays, have more tools at their disposal and more information at hand than the early investigators did.
The host discusses the historical portrayal of Cambyses and how modern historians have reevaluated his actions, particularly regarding the sacred Apis bull. This leads to a mention of 'The Persian King of Kings' as a significant work that provides insight into Cambyses' reign and the complexities of historical narratives.
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Problems on the Greek frontier cover

Historian A.T. Olmsted has a chapter. I love the title. It's Problems on the Greek frontier.

Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: Persian Wars and Greek city-states
For: Historians and students of ancient history
Key quote: Historian A.T. Olmsted has a chapter. I love the title. It's Problems on the Greek frontier.
The host mentions A.T. Olmsted's book to highlight the complexities of the Greek city-states' interactions with the Persian Empire. Olmsted's insights into the Greek frontier provide a nuanced understanding of the historical context surrounding the Persian Wars.
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
The Greek Wars cover
The Greek Wars
George Cockwell

Historian George Cockwell entitled his whole book, The Greek Wars, instead of the Persian Wars, because the Persian Wars makes it sound, you know, like the Greeks are talking about it.

Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: Persian Wars and Greek city-states
For: Historians and enthusiasts of ancient Greek history
Key quote: Historian George Cockwell entitled his whole book, The Greek Wars, instead of the Persian Wars, because the Persian Wars makes it sound, you know, like the Greeks are talking about it, because to them, that's what this was.
The host discusses the significance of the Greek city-states' interactions with Persia, emphasizing how Athenian democracy and the threat from Persia shaped their political landscape. The mention of 'The Greek Wars' by George Cockwell highlights the perspective that these conflicts were primarily about Greek agency rather than merely Persian aggression.
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Herodotus cover

Purvis translation of Herodotus says, quote. From Thassos, the fleet crossed over and sailed close to the shore of the mainland...

Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: Cambyses and power
For: Historians and students of ancient history
Key quote: Herodotus basically says Cambysi's lost his mind.
The host discusses the complexities of Cambyses II's reign and how historical narratives have been shaped over time. Herodotus's account is referenced to highlight the enduring debate about Cambyses's sanity and the nature of his rule.
ASIN: 1918121001
Buy on Amazon
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
Greek Warfare Myths and Realities cover

The speaker mentions a fascinating book by Hans Van Weiss that challenges traditional beliefs about Hoplight Warfare, indicating its complexity and the ongoing debate among historians.

Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: Greek city-states warfare
For: Historians and enthusiasts of ancient military history
Key quote: Van Wies says that everything we know about Hoplight Warfare comes from a later period than this, 50, 75 years afterwards, and that the armies we're talking about here are much more rustic even than the ones, you know, from classical Greece.
The host discusses the contrasting views of historians on Spartan warfare, referencing Hans Van Weiss's book to challenge traditional beliefs. Van Weiss argues that much of what is known about Hoplite warfare is derived from a later period, suggesting that the Spartans' reputation may be overstated compared to other city-states.
ASIN: 0715630466
Buy on Amazon
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
On Killing cover
On Killing
Dave Grossman

In his book on killing, Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman discusses the proximity to the victim that determines how resistant people tend to be to killing.

Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: military training and culture
For: Military professionals and historians
Key quote: Grossman, along with a lot of other historians, goes on to point out how most historians think that the idea that there was ever bayonet fighting... is that one side always runs before having to get stuck by the other.
The host references 'On Killing' to explore the psychological barriers soldiers face when it comes to close combat. Grossman's insights provide a historical context for understanding modern warfare's aversion to direct violence.
ASIN: B008AU3SAQ
Buy on Amazon
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
the Iliad cover

Historians often use the book, the Iliad, the stories of Homer, as a tool to understand kind of how these weapons, you know, what kind of wounds that they inflicted and how people reacted.

Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: ancient warfare and fear
For: Historians and students of military history
Key quote: Historians often use the book, the Iliad, the stories of Homer, as a tool to understand kind of how these weapons, you know, what kind of wounds that they inflicted and how people reacted and whatnot because the weapons are the same even if maybe how they used them was different.
The host discusses the psychological impact of ancient battles, referencing 'the Iliad' as a historical tool to understand the brutality of combat. This book provides insights into the experiences of soldiers and the horrors they faced, which are still relevant in understanding warfare today.
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.
The Battle of Marathon cover

Herodotus says like 6400 persians died at marathon at about 200 greeks which shows you how one-sided ancient battle could be if those numbers are correct.

Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: Battle of Marathon significance
For: History enthusiasts and students of ancient warfare
Key quote: According to Herodotus, who's the, you know, one of the closest earliest sources, about 70, 75 years later, he says, he said, says there's a disagreement amongst the commanders, these democratically elected generals of whom Miltaiades is one.
The host discusses the complexities and uncertainties surrounding the Battle of Marathon, emphasizing its historical significance and the various interpretations by historians. Herodotus's account is highlighted as a crucial source that sheds light on the strategic decisions made by the Athenian generals.
Click the book cover image to open the affiliate link.