History's Great Military Blunders and the Lessons They Teach

By: The Great Courses, Gregory S. Aldrete

Narrated by: Gregory S. Aldrete

Military history often highlights successes and suggests a sense of inevitability about victory, but there is so much that can be gleaned from considering failures. Study these crucibles of history to gain a better understanding of why a civilization took - or didn't take - a particular path. Full of dramatic reversals of fortune and colorful characters, this course examines some of the world's most notable examples of military misfortune, from the humiliating destruction of a Roman army at Carrhae in 53 BC to the tragic landings at Gallipoli in World War I. Success and failure, as you'll learn, are two sides of the same coin.

These 24 lectures reveal how the trajectory of history hangs in the balance of individual battles; even a single person's actions in a particular moment have made drastic and irreversible impacts. From ancient Greece through global war during the first half of the 20th century, you'll delve into infamous conflicts such as the Charge of the Light Brigade and the Battle of Little Bighorn as well as lesser-known battles.

How could an army equipped with cannon be wiped out by Zulu warriors wielding spears and outdated firearms? How could armored French knights be vulnerable to the crude weapons of a band of Flemish shopkeepers? Why would a savvy Chinese general fall victim to a tactic he had previously used himself? Unpredictable twists of fate abound, demonstrating that when it comes to war, there are no givens. Sheer numbers, superior weaponry, and skilled leadership are never a guarantee of success.

Take a fascinating journey through some of the most gloriously inglorious wartime encounters. Along the way, you'll get to know some of the most legendary characters in world history.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2015 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2015 The Great Courses

interesting views of battles

I really enjoyed this course! I have heard dozens of these Great Course lecture courses and this is one of the most interesting. Takes you all over the world, with battles on four continents and from ancient Greece thru WWII . Highly rec this one!

Really a great experience

Easy to listen to, very clear points with captivating stories to explain them. Definitely worth the read.

Great presentation; excellent lessons

I thoroughly enjoyed this course. It could easily have been a boring history lecture but instead it was highly engaging, thought- (and emotion!) provoking, and insightful. The case studies illustrate clearly how failures in planning, leadership, execution, and adaptation can have dire consequences.

Could not stop reading

Needing to travel three hours round trip almost daily for a month, I chose this thinking it would be a slow read. I, instead, burned through it in only three days.

Engaging, and insightful.

If you're looking for not just a history lesson, but an interesting listen, this is it.

Great listen!!!

great look at some of histories biggest blunders. was a bit disappointed the author did not move into some of the modern errors. this book or lectures could have been doubled but overall still very good for what it covered

Great for the most part but..

I really like these lectures. Listen to them over and over again. I will say though later on there is waffling about Imperialism and talk of bad white man. Not here to get woke.

very good read

Great historical perspective! highly recommend! its very easy to listen to on long road trips

Outstanding course content

Zulus, Custer's last stand, charge of the light brigade, great military blunders, or victories, depending on your perspective, all are the stuff of legends.

Very solid piece of history

a solid piece of History. It worked quite well in Illuminating the topic. pacing was a bit slow at times. but all in all well worth it.