This is Dan from FMHY, and these are the books I recommend reading, and podcasts I recommend also.


Books

Ancient History

  • A Rome of One's Own by Emma Southon: Focuses on the roles and lives of women in Ancient Rome.
  • Cicero: The Life and Times of Rome's Greatest Politician by Anthony Everitt: A biography of the famed Roman statesman and orator.
  • Messalina by Honor Cargill-Martin: A biography of the Roman Empress Messalina, wife of Claudius.
  • Greek Fire, Poison Arrows, and Scorpion Bombs by Adrienne Mayor: Explores the history of ancient warfare, specifically unconventional weapons.

Medieval History

  • Powers and Thrones by Dan Jones: A broad history of the Middle Ages.
  • The Greatest Knight by Thomas Asbridge: A biography of William Marshal, a prominent English knight in the Middle Ages.
  • Crusaders by Dan Jones: Focuses on the religious wars of the Crusades.

Modern History & Contemporary Issues

  • The End is Always Near by Dan Carlin: Explores historical societal collapses and existential threats, connecting them to contemporary concerns.
  • Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick: Provides an account of life in North Korea through the stories of defectors.
  • Destiny Disrupted by Tamim Ansary: Presents a history of the world from an Islamic perspective.
  • How The Word Is Passed by Clint Smith: Examines the legacy of slavery in America and how it is remembered.
  • Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe: Investigates a murder during The Troubles in Northern Ireland and its lasting impact.

Science & Natural History

  • The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs by Steve Brusatte: Chronicles the history of dinosaurs, their evolution, and extinction.

Podcasts

Crime

  • Darknet Diaries: Hosted by Jack Rhysider, this podcast features true stories from the dark side of the internet. It delves into tales of hacking, data breaches, cybercrime, and the people involved, offering a fascinating and sometimes unsettling look into the digital underground.
  • Empire City: Award-winning host Chenjerai Kumanyika takes listeners on a journey to uncover the hidden history of the largest police force in the world – from its roots in slavery, to rival police gangs battling across the city, to everyday people who resisted every step of the way.

General Interest

  • The Joe Rogan Experience: A long-form conversation podcast hosted by comedian Joe Rogan. It features a wide array of guests, including scientists, comedians, athletes, authors, and public figures, discussing diverse topics from current events and science to philosophy and comedy.
  • The Louis Theroux Podcast: Renowned documentary filmmaker Louis Theroux engages in in-depth, candid conversations with a variety of fascinating and often controversial figures, bringing his signature curiosity and insightful questioning to the podcast format.
  • The Shawn Ryan Show: Hosted by former Navy SEAL Shawn Ryan, this podcast features long-form interviews with individuals who have extraordinary stories, often from military special operations, intelligence agencies, or other high-stakes professions, focusing on their experiences and lessons learned.

Comedy

  • Beach Too Sandy, Water Too Wet: Hosted by siblings Christine and Alex Schiefer, this podcast features dramatic readings of one-star reviews for various locations and products, finding humor in the often absurd and overly critical comments.
  • Off Menu: Comedians Ed Gamble and James Acaster invite a special guest each episode to choose their dream meal – starter, main course, side dish, dessert, and drink – leading to hilarious conversations and culinary fantasies.
  • Elis James & John Robins: Comedians Elis James and John Robins share humorous anecdotes, observations, and tackle listener correspondence, often delving into themes of shame, social awkwardness, and everyday life with their distinctive Welsh and English comedic styles. (Note: This podcast has had different iterations and availability over time).
  • RHLSTP (Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre Podcast): Comedian Richard Herring interviews a different guest, usually another comedian or celebrity, in front of a live audience. Known for its often absurd "emergency questions" and Herring's anarchic interview style.
  • Crowley Time! with Tom Crowley: An improvised, character-driven comedy podcast by Tom Crowley, often featuring surreal scenarios and quick-witted humor.
  • Three Bean Salad: Comedians Mike Wozniak, Benjamin Partridge, and Henry Paker engage in rambling, often absurd, and highly entertaining conversations loosely based on a theme suggested by a listener.
  • Beef and Dairy Network Podcast: A surreal and hilarious mockumentary podcast presented as a trade publication for the beef and dairy industries, created by Benjamin Partridge. It features bizarre news, interviews, and segments from a fictional world obsessed with beef and dairy.

History

  • Dan Carlin's Hardcore History: Known for its epic scope and Carlin's engaging storytelling, this podcast offers deep, multi-hour dives into dramatic historical events and figures, presented with a unique and powerful narrative style.
  • Revolutions: Hosted by Mike Duncan (also known for "The History of Rome"), this podcast provides detailed narrative histories of various political revolutions from around the world, from the English Civil War to the Russian Revolution.
  • The Rest is History: Historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook discuss a wide range of historical topics with enthusiasm, humor, and academic insight, making history accessible and entertaining.
  • The History of Rome: A landmark podcast by Mike Duncan that chronologically details the entire history of the Roman Empire, from its mythical founding to the fall of the West.
  • Empire: Hosted by William Dalrymple and Anita Anand, this podcast explores the stories, personalities, and legacies of empires throughout history, with a particular focus on the British Empire and its impact.
  • In Our Time: Hosted by Melvyn Bragg, this BBC podcast features a panel of academic experts discussing a specific topic from history, philosophy, science, religion, or culture in a concise and informative manner.

Science

  • Lex Fridman Podcast: Lex Fridman hosts long-form conversations with leading figures in science, technology, artificial intelligence, philosophy, and other fields, exploring complex ideas and diverse perspectives.
  • Huberman Lab: Neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman discusses neuroscience and how our brain and its connections with the organs of our body control our perceptions, our behaviors, and our health. He also provides science-backed tools for everyday life.
  • Radiolab: A Peabody Award-winning podcast that uses innovative sound design and investigative journalism to explore big questions in science, philosophy, and the human experience.
  • The Infinite Monkey Cage: Hosted by physicist Brian Cox and comedian Robin Ince, this BBC podcast brings together scientists and comedians to discuss scientific topics in an accessible, witty, and often irreverent way.

Education

  • Stuff You Should Know: Hosted by Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant, this podcast explores a vast range of topics, explaining how things work and providing interesting facts and stories in an engaging and conversational style.
  • Lateral: Hosted by Tom Scott, this is a quiz podcast where contestants try to connect seemingly disparate pieces of information to arrive at a hidden theme or answer, testing lateral thinking.
  • 99% Invisible: A podcast about all the thought that goes into the things we don't think about — the unnoticed architecture and design that shape our world. Hosted by Roman Mars.
  • Life Kit: An NPR podcast offering practical advice and actionable tips on a wide range of topics, including personal finance, health, parenting, relationships, and more, designed to help listeners navigate life.
  • What You Will Learn: Hosts Adam Ashton and Adam Jones discuss the best bits and key takeaways from popular non-fiction books, aiming to distill actionable knowledge and insights.
  • Making Sense with Sam Harris: Neuroscientist, philosopher, and author Sam Harris hosts conversations about important and often controversial topics, including science, spirituality, ethics, current events, and the human mind, often featuring expert guests.
Edit Report
Pub: 15 May 2025 16:25 UTC
Edit: 17 May 2025 01:15 UTC
Views: 32