I came to this podcast seeking information concerning the ship building and navies of medieval times, but was delighted to see multiple episodes on the Phoenicians and Carthage. I’ve learned more about Phoenician culture in a few episodes than I ever did with my cursory web searches. The podcast author takes the time to delve into historical sources, relate what they say AND how likely it is that they are true. This in addition to looking at archeological findings is what I look for when finding information regarding early history. We have to take into account the biases, culture, and political landscape of sources and Mr. Heubner clearly does that. Thank you for all of your hard work on this podcast!
long time listener, first time reviewer. i listen to sports pods, info pods, history pods, all types of pods & i love this one the most. very relaxing, informative, & calming. looking forward to the updates hopefully to come.
update: where are you at buddy? would love some more pods
Update2:now subscriber of the pod keep ‘em coming 😎
Brandon does a great job of making the subject interesting. He has a wonderful voice that I could listen to all day. I have listened to the entire series of podcasts twice. I’m a big fan of history podcasts not so much a fan of Maritime history. But I am beginning to be. Keep them coming!
This is a must listen if you enjoy history podcasts. Often we get bogged down into localized politics, movements and the like. However, these are often adjusted, readjusted and motivated by external changes. These changes come via technology, networking and expansion. In many cases, this is linked inexplicably to maritime activities of various parties. Often, we only get a name and a landing point, perhaps a few notes or a narrative of the misadventures of a journey of some or another representative of a nation. This wonderful podcast adds in all the strokes and fills in the holes as much as current knowledge can provide.
A different look at how maritime commerce war and exploration have shaped our world. A solid companion to Mike Duncan’s the history of Rome or Ryan stits the history of Ancient Greece and more. Well done and I need some new episodes
If you are tired of other history podcasts, give this a try. I like the pace and story telling. I like the topic, no other history podcasts really mention maritime history. I am only on segment 12, but cannot wait time catch up to current episodes.
I found this gem of a podcast about two weeks ago and I've since devoured at least 2/3 of the episodes. It's literally all I am listening to these days. I love travelling back in my imagination to ancient times, especially the Ancient Mediterranean. Brandon “navigates” (cheesy pun intended) through the sea of historical information in a way that keeps you engaged and interested. He doesn’t just throw a bunch of facts at you, but weaves them with serious academic questions, balancing opposing views and weighing the evidence that has come down to us. Very enjoyable.
One of the top podcasts our family listens too. Brandon gives great details of the naval battles that my grandkids enjoy. Really like the trireme construction episode and hope to hear many more. Thanks Brandon.
I found this looking for podcasts that discussed ancient civilizations. This is so well done and I appreciate the podcasters pace, production quality and touch of humor.
Highly recommended. Brandon does an incredible job of finding the balance between depth of detail and moving the narrative along. Very well researched. The show is highly “bingeable”, as Brandon’s voice and the format of the show make for a nice listen.
As a 64 year-old still amazed at technology that allows almost immediate access to information, this podcast helps keep us history fans focused in the technological candy store that replaced yesterday’s card catalogue.
I’m a Naval officer and I was looking to a pod to enhance my knowledge of maritime history from ancient times to modern. Brandon is very thorough while keeping it interesting. He looks at subjects with an attorney’s detailed eye. He’s essentially digesting huge amounts of maritime history and distilling it into narrative form for those of us who don’t have time to read all the source material. Great stuff!
It’s taken quite a while to get to the more interesting bits of maritime history — far too much time is taken on side topics — but overall this is a great exploration of maritime issues. The speech is painfully slow (I comfortably listen to it at 2x speed), but every word, phrase, and sentence is clearly enunciated and complete. Many great references and good books that I’ve become aware of through his research. Hoping for lots more and especially more on ship construction, naval tactics, maritime technology, and stories of sailors!
The narration is understated, and the content appealing - especially for those who value good research and consistency of quality. No ads, no jokes...it’s a carefully scripted series of talks, all around an hour each.
I've always been a follower of recent naval and maritime history, post WWII. Was looking for a podcast that had something to do with that and stumbled on this one. I am glad that I did as this podcast has provided a refreshing "fleshing" out of how we got to where we are today, not just nautically but politically as well, and how this has affected all of history.
Great job on the delivery and the supporting materials provided on the associated website as well.
The small details that are available throughout his videos are incredible. These facts which he presents to us during each episode, It’s a roller coaster ride of emotions, when one feels the history as this young man talks.
So why not? If this Assyrians and Hittites were competing for hegemony, And the Trojans were allies of the Hittites. So why wouldn’t the Assyrians entice the Agamemnon and the boys to attack the Trojans
This might not be so, this might not be true, but this man’s videos tease the mind, in asking oneself these questions!
This show represents one of the most unique approaches to history podcasting that has come out in the past five years. Who knew that the sea played such an integral role in the development of human civilization? Every episode is a journey – a mini Odyssey – led by a great host whose research is impeccable and whose narration flows beautifully. A true pleasure to listen to.
Brandon Huebner has pulled together a very well-researched and in-depth review of a very important topic. As a retired State Department economic officer, I have always seen trade as one of humanity’s greatest creations. Our great advances in maritime technology over millennia are how we both developed our commerce and spread ourselves around the planet. I do hope he will also include episodes on the earliest examples of maritime excellence, about which we admittedly know little. These were the peopling of the Americas which likely had a major maritime component. But, far earlier, was the peopling of Australia as early as 50,000 years ago. And then there are the Polynesians, the greatest sailors in human history. Great job and I am looking forward to this wonderful podcast.
Thus far, it is mostly dealing with a gradual progression through ancient history with a focus on naval pursuits. There is some interesting stuff here, and I learned a lot. I love the mix of history and archeology woven into stories about the bronze and iron ages, but I hope that someday it gets around to naval activities in the age of exploration and beyond. 2/3rds of the earth is covered in water, and most histories ignore that for the most part. This one doesn’t. Glad I found this.
While acess to the maritime history of the last four hundred years is easy, dedicated information about the murky origins of maritime history is far more difficult to find, let alone listen to. Mr. Huebner's concise methodical approach to it is very informative, and reading out translations of the surviving tales rather than merely referencing them is a very nice bonus as well.
After a dozen or so episodes I am totally hooked. I am a big ancient history buff and I have been highly impressed by Brandon's detailed understanding of the earliest civilizations far beyond his knowledge of the maritime aspects. What the focus on boats has done for me is provide a new perspective on the value of navigation of waterways to the development of these civilizations. Great stuff!
The recent discoveries and the ability to read the ancient texts have collectively "Blown Up" the minds of Archaeologists, Naval Historians , and Facinated Listeners (like me).
Sitting in the cabin of my little sailcraft composing song and story about the sea.....And realizing that it's a thread common to humans through the ages...
He said it all when he said: "...There is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats" ...And I guess it has always been.
Please keep up the great work on this podcast ..I'm anxiously awaiting the classical period.
"The Lords of the Sea" by John R. Hale was a tantalizing look at the Athenians...But the latest information available on their world...And Mr. Huebner's take on it ....Makes me check ITunes every day!! Thank You for all the hard work
Gorgo Petron
I never thought I could be this interested in maritime history, of all things. Sure, I am a history nerd, but maritime history is fairly niche. Yet Brandon Huebner makes it not only accessible but also absolutely fascinating to learn about what the mariners of the past were up to in their social, political, and technological contexts. I'm still catching up from the beginning but hope it keeps going so I can keep enjoying this podcaster's great delivery and sense of storytelling.
Thank you for your dedication to this project and efforts. You work is greatly appreciated. Very informative and entertaining. I enjoyed every minute of it.
Just found this pod and it’s fascinating. Bodies of water connected humanity and their history should be explored. His engagement with the primary sources is thorough and comprehensive!
This podcast is well researched and informative while packaged in an easy to listen to and appealing format. I hope to listen through much more history from such a unique perspective. Crushed the whole thing in less than a month and anxiously await the next release
This podcast is extremely well done. I greatly appreciate Mr. Huebner’s dedication to providing the context around the major events in maritime history, and his narration is excellent.
Mr Huebner does a fine job relating the not only historical but human aspect of the maritime narrative, a subject that is pivotal to any human history. Well done!
