World War II with Tom Hanks

Under Adolf Hitler's leadership, anti-Semitic policies escalate from discrimination to widespread genocide. The state-sponsored persecution features mobile killing squads conducting mass shootings, and then purpose-built death camps, where millions of men, women and children are murdered by poison gas.This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):Waitman Wade Beorn, assistant professor, Northumbria UniversityJadwiga Biskupska, associate professor, Sam Houston State UniversityAlexandra Richie, professor, Collegium CivitasDaniel Greene, adjunct professor, Northwestern UniversityJames Bulgin, Imperial War MuseumRebecca Erbelding, historian and authorSimon Sebag Montefiore, historian and authorRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII Museum

America’s “day of infamy” at Pearl Harbor is the birth of a new Japanese empire. Japan launches unprecedented attacks across Asia, proclaiming “Asia for the Asians” and pushing out Western colonial powers. Fueled by ideology, Japan’s armies are seemingly unstoppable – until a confrontation with the 1st Marine Division of the United States at Guadalcanal becomes a testing ground in a war without mercy.This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):General Wesley Clark, US Army, Ret.Jonathan Parshall, military historian, US Naval War CollegeRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumSaul David, military historian and authorDan Snow, historian and broadcasterChristopher Harding, cultural historian, University of EdinburghDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryTakima Melber, the University of HeidelbergColonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeGeoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North Texas

Driven by their desire for resources and an Asian empire, Japan invades China. The US joins the global outcry as Japanese troops brutally destroy the Chinese capital of Nanking. FDR responds with a crippling oil embargo, but Japan refuses to back down, propelling them towards an attack on Pearl Harbor that will change the trajectory of WWII and the world.This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):Geoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North TexasNoriko Kawamura, professor, Washington State UniversityTakima Melber, the University of HeidelbergRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryColonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeChristopher Harding, cultural historian, University of EdinburghJon Meacham, presidential historianLeah Wright Rigueur, associate professor, Johns Hopkins UniversityJonathan Parshall, military historian, US Naval War CollegeMax Brooks, fellow, Modern War Institute, West Point

In 1940, German U-boats are sinking British hopes of victory. From the sidelines, FDR loans Britain much needed aid and maneuvers US patrols to the edge of an “undeclared war” with Germany. Meeting at a game-changing summit, Churchill and FDR align their goals. But as America and Britain get closer, so do the German U-boats. Once at war, the US will face not only German ships but the might of the Japanese empire. At Midway, America’s young and inexperienced forces will fight for control of the sea.This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):Dan Snow, historian and broadcasterPhillips O'Brien, professor, University of St. AndrewsMax Brooks, fellow, Modern War Institute, West PointRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumJon Meacham, presidential historianLeah Wright Rigueur, associate professor, Johns Hopkins UniversityGeoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North TexasColonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeJonathan Parshall, military historian, US Naval War CollegeDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore History

Operation Barbarossa, Nazi Germany’s surprise invasion of the Soviet Union, launches on June 22, 1941. In what is the largest military operation in history, Hitler aims to capture the Soviet Union’s vast economic resources, enslave its populations, and expand Germany east. It is the beginning of a brutal campaign that will ultimately help decide the war in Europe.This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):Simon Sebag Montefiore, historian and authorSean McMeekin, professor, Bard CollegeColonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeAlexandra Richie, professor, Collegium CivitasRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumJadwiga Biskupska, associate professor, Sam Houston State UniversityDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryGeneral Wesley Clark, US Army, Ret.Sir Antony Beevor, military historian