THE LEADERS - Mini Series Coming 3rd March

Why do we, as humans, allow such individuals to hold such power over us? And at what cost? Our world is shaped by choices—some calculated, some reckless, most irreversible. From Kennedy and Khrushchev stepping to the brink of nuclear annihilation to Putin’s recent invasion of Ukraine, leaders have made decisions that have altered the course of humanity. Never was this more true than in the Second World War—the deadliest conflict in human history. WWII transformed the world, reducing ancient cities to rubble, displacing millions, and ushering in the atomic age. At the centre stood six men: Adolf Hitler, Winston Churchill, Benito Mussolini, Joseph Stalin, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Emperor Hirohito. Their decisions—some brilliant, others catastrophic—reshaped nations and decided the fate of millions. In this gripping mini-series, Dan steps inside the war room and breaks down the key strategic moves made by these infamous leaders, with the help of Phillips O’Brien (esteemed professor of strategic studies at the University of St Andrews). They examine Hitler’s fateful invasion of Russia, Churchill’s attempts to preserve the British Empire, as well as Roosevelt’s quiet manoeuvring and Hirohito’s cautious influence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

Speaker names marked ? are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.

• 0:00Dan Snow?

  The fate of the world was decided in war rooms, on battlefields, and in the minds of a handful of powerful men. Hitler gambled everything on an invasion of the Soviet Union. Churchill stood alone against the Nazi war machine. Roosevelt armed the Allies before America even entered the fight. And Hirohito, was he ever truly in control? Throughout March, you can hear my newest podcast series that examines the choices made by World War II leaders and their decisions that shaped history. Some brilliant, some catastrophic. The Leaders starts on March 3rd in this feed on Dan Snow's History Hit.

• 0:40Dan Snow?

  Six leaders, six episodes, their biggest decisions, boldest moves, and fatal miscalculations. Make sure you don't miscalculate. Listen wherever you get your pods.