William Tecumseh Sherman, liberation, and race in the Civil War, reflections on the Iraq War, the significance of horses in ancient military tactics, the overlooked legacy of the Byzantine Empire, and more.
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10 thoughts on “A Military Historian’s Omnibus”
Dr. Johnnie Barnes
Professor Hanson,
For the first time in my memory, I find myself in disagreement with one of your assessments. I believe William Tecumseh Sherman was a war criminal who should have faced court-martial and been sentenced to the maximum term of imprisonment. While I recognize that the “rules of war” in the 19th century were different from those we uphold today, the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure and the widespread, indiscriminate destruction associated with his “total war” strategy was, in my view, morally indefensible. The scale and nature of the suffering inflicted on non-combatants cannot be excused by appeals to military necessity. Right and wrong do not change simply because the law lags behind.
Sorry, I forgot to include my info first time.
Ron Nixon
Jack,
You’re all right, mate. Don’t know what some of these people are prattling on about. You bring a depth of knowledge and experience to every podcast that complements Victor’s work nicely. Thanks for all that you do.
Craig Jenkins
Personally, I enjoy Jack’s periodic outbursts of righteous indignation, a counterpoint to Victor’s calm delivery, although Victor seems to be more aggressive in his analysis since Trump’s reelection . Sami also acts as a foil in her own sweet way. It must be difficult to moderate these interviews which cover so many topics in some depth without much time to prepare.
Anonymous
Professor Hanson,
For the first time in my memory, I find myself in disagreement with one of your assessments. I believe William Tecumseh Sherman was a war criminal who should have faced court-martial and been sentenced to the maximum term of imprisonment. While I recognize that the “rules of war” in the 19th century were different from those we uphold today, the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure and the widespread, indiscriminate destruction associated with his “total war” strategy was, in my view, morally indefensible. The scale and nature of the suffering inflicted on non-combatants cannot be excused by appeals to military necessity. Right and wrong do not change simply because the law lags behind.
Howard
Sadly Trump is going down as an indecisive President. Constantly shifting deadlines…..
Dave Shiple
Ditto the comment about Jack letting his ego get in the way. Please listen much, speak little and don’t think we’re interested in what you have to say. You are in the presence of this country’s premier conservative intellectual, one of world’s most extraordinary military historians and a truly great American. Stay humble Jack.
thebaron@enter.net
Jack is the better of the two hosts, Jim Dick.
Anonymous
The Springfield Armory Museum is definitely still there! https://www.nps.gov/spar/index.htm. It is a worthwhile destination! Mark, Longtime Springfield resident.
Jim Dick
Sorry, Victor and Jack, but I really dislike Jack often seeming to try to make the show his own. He should not interrupt Victor. It is Victor’s messages etc that I am paying for…..
Paul Pochunow
Victor mentioned his time embedded with the U.S. military in Iraq. Has he written about those experiences (I haven’t read “Between War and Peace”, so I don’t know if he wrote about it in that book)? If he hasn’t, he should, in my opinion.
Professor Hanson,
For the first time in my memory, I find myself in disagreement with one of your assessments. I believe William Tecumseh Sherman was a war criminal who should have faced court-martial and been sentenced to the maximum term of imprisonment. While I recognize that the “rules of war” in the 19th century were different from those we uphold today, the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure and the widespread, indiscriminate destruction associated with his “total war” strategy was, in my view, morally indefensible. The scale and nature of the suffering inflicted on non-combatants cannot be excused by appeals to military necessity. Right and wrong do not change simply because the law lags behind.
Sorry, I forgot to include my info first time.
Jack,
You’re all right, mate. Don’t know what some of these people are prattling on about. You bring a depth of knowledge and experience to every podcast that complements Victor’s work nicely. Thanks for all that you do.
Personally, I enjoy Jack’s periodic outbursts of righteous indignation, a counterpoint to Victor’s calm delivery, although Victor seems to be more aggressive in his analysis since Trump’s reelection . Sami also acts as a foil in her own sweet way. It must be difficult to moderate these interviews which cover so many topics in some depth without much time to prepare.
Professor Hanson,
For the first time in my memory, I find myself in disagreement with one of your assessments. I believe William Tecumseh Sherman was a war criminal who should have faced court-martial and been sentenced to the maximum term of imprisonment. While I recognize that the “rules of war” in the 19th century were different from those we uphold today, the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure and the widespread, indiscriminate destruction associated with his “total war” strategy was, in my view, morally indefensible. The scale and nature of the suffering inflicted on non-combatants cannot be excused by appeals to military necessity. Right and wrong do not change simply because the law lags behind.
Sadly Trump is going down as an indecisive President. Constantly shifting deadlines…..
Ditto the comment about Jack letting his ego get in the way. Please listen much, speak little and don’t think we’re interested in what you have to say. You are in the presence of this country’s premier conservative intellectual, one of world’s most extraordinary military historians and a truly great American. Stay humble Jack.
Jack is the better of the two hosts, Jim Dick.
The Springfield Armory Museum is definitely still there! https://www.nps.gov/spar/index.htm. It is a worthwhile destination! Mark, Longtime Springfield resident.
Sorry, Victor and Jack, but I really dislike Jack often seeming to try to make the show his own. He should not interrupt Victor. It is Victor’s messages etc that I am paying for…..
Victor mentioned his time embedded with the U.S. military in Iraq. Has he written about those experiences (I haven’t read “Between War and Peace”, so I don’t know if he wrote about it in that book)? If he hasn’t, he should, in my opinion.