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! https://fountain.fm/episode/WPj45Z7dqaSsjZfAILsj