What If World History?

In this episode, we will look back through time, on the 20th anniversary, at missed signals that led to the unimaginable tragedy of September 11th, 2001. And we will look at the heroes who prevented a greater tragedy on that day. 

We first look at Rick Rescorla, who foresaw the attack and led more than 2,600 Morgan Stanley employees to safety, even at the expense of his own life.

What If World History looks at the...

She has remained the standard for beauty for more than 2,0000 years, but history's original bombshell was a lot more than a pretty face. In fact, she may have been history's most intelligent leader who outsmarted the Roman empire, twice. 

In this episode, we discuss the life and death of Cleopatra. In our first interlude, we witness the boat ride where Cleopatra and Ceaser join forces and join lips......

In this episode,  we look at the life of a founding father whose name might be ringing in your ears...Alexander Hamiton!

In our first interlude, we meet a teenage, business-savvy Alexander, and see how he runs an international shipping empire. 

Next, Mark walks us through Hamilton's fascinating and turbulent life. Mark touches on Alexander's soul-crushing struggles as a boy, his friendship with George Washington, and his vi...

In this week's episode, we take to the skies! In our opening diary, we travel to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, where a lifeguard witnesses flight history while helping the Wright brothers. Mark then discusses the brother's strong bond, ingenuity, and obsession with flight. We also witness triumph and tragedy during the world's first aerial exhibitions. 

In our What if? scenario, Mark imagines the tragic death of Orville...

In this week's episode, Mark Discusses the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Our first interlude involves a Russian staff captain who overrides a nuclear launch order in the heat of battle. 

 In our historical overview, Mark probes the head of Nikita Khrushchev to learn why he wanted to station nuclear missiles 90 miles off the US coast. Next, He walks us through some of the retaliatory measures that were contemplated by...

In this episode, Mark discusses the Louisiana Purchase.  We start with an interlude and listen as the governor of the Louisiana territory prepares to transfer it to the US.  Next, Mark walks us through the international intrigue, high stakes diplomatic gambles, and plain American luck that lead Napolean to sell the territory to the scrappy, young USA. 

In our "what if" scenario, Mark details General Andres Jackso...

Attila the Hun is perhaps one of History's most ruthless and feared leaders. Apart from his larger-than-life reputation, what do we really know about him?

In this episode, Mark discusses Attila's upbringing,  his various battles, and his untimely death at age 47. Next, Mark imagines a world in which Atilla gets to live in his palace, in Rome, well into his golden years. What other lands would have Atilla conquere...

In our last episode, we discussed numerous failed attempts to assassinate Hitler and envisioned a world in which he had been successfully disposed of. One book that featured prominently in the episode,was Killing Hitler by Roger Moorhouse.

In this BONUS episode, Mark interviews  Killing Hitler author Roger Moorhouse. They discuss the failed assassination plots, Hitler's somewhat lax security, and the possi...

A lot of people tried to kill Hitler. As we already know, none of those people succeeded. In this week's episode, we start with an audio story depicting one of those failed attempts. Next, Mark walks us through some of the many failed plots to kill one of history's greatest villains. And then we ask: What if? 

We'll hear a short audio interlude where we meet Hitler's replacement. Finally, Mark gives us ...

We muse how a Rebel victory at Gettysburg would affect the ascension of Ulysses S. Grant and the pace of the final chapter of the Civil War. It’s stunning to think but Lee’s victory would actually end the war 8-12 months earlier than our history books write.

With the success at Vicksburg in July of 1863, Lincoln sees a rising military genius, who is hawkish and unafraid to aggressively pursue, and attack, the Confederate a...

History tells us that over the course of 500 years from 1000 CE to the 1500s, Norse presence in North America dwindled to nothing. And ultimately, their impact on the history of North America is fleeting. 

But What If the Vikings grew their settlements over the first five centuries here. What If they ultimately grew their presence to 30,000 or more in warmer areas like New York, Massachusetts, or even the Carolinas?