Family comes first. A once a week quality podcast is plenty.

Otherwise great podcast, but on 6/3/2023 aired a leftist partisan political episode without an conservative response.

Zack always has interesting things to say and a level of detail that adds depth to my knowledge of history, even for events I thought I understood. I find his delivering more relaxing than stimulating. I wish he would find less intrusive ways to mark quotes and asides.

WDF fails features solid, frequently surprising, examinations of diplomatic and military history. He uses primary sources in great quantity and quality to illustrate his claims. He fits these sources seamlessly with the narrative. In this way the listener feels immersed in the emotions and motivations of the major players. It is entertaining and adds depth to my knowledge of the issues he investigates. The Korean War series is not to be missed. His conclusions are solidly supported and illuminating.

Dense in facts and engaging all the while. Really fantastic work. Also an amazing and gutsy revision of the Korean War with (again) a lot of facts to back his claim

Drove from NC to Texas to the tune of the Korean War series, and then drove back listening to Versailles. Just wonderfully quality content, well researched and explained, and interesting perspectives to say the least. Can’t speak highly enough about this podcast - it deserves to be held in similar regard to popular historical-based podcasts such as The History of Rome, The History of Byzantium, and the legend Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History. That last name should be praise enough for history podcast fans.

Zack Twamley is ferociously productive. While getting a history PhD, he's turning out scads of high-quality, meticulously-researched content on European (mostly) history. Tour de force is too modest by half to describe such series as the ones on the Versailles Treaty (along with an audience participation game) and the 30 Years War. And while he's doing those, he's also writing historical novel series. I'm giving him Patreon $$$ not because I want the extra stuff (even more content) so much as by way of encouragement and pats on the back. And while he does mention fund-raising he's also careful not to harrangue the listeners. On the contrary, he assures us that just listening and reviewing is plenty of support.

But unfortunately I can’t. The monotone, full steam ahead delivery means that what should be a fascinating subject sounds like a lecture Ferris Beuller is about to skip.

Really enjoying the show and the well researched material. Appreciate the more nuanced information and deeper dive you get here.

If you, like me, are a bit apprehensive about diplomatic history, fear not! Zach’s thorough, well researched, and enthusiastic tellings of how and why diplomacy failed never fail to deliver. Even areas of history that I never though I would be interested in (like the Korean War) end up as fascinating and though provoking series

Great podcast, Zack, that somehow gets better. I like how you go into great details, and your not afraid to approach history from different sides. As a total history nerd myself, I’ve found the best way to approach history is being as neutral as possible and I think that means presenting history from different angles. You do a great job of that.

I fell in love with Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History, and I’ve sampled half-a-score of other history podcasts for one I enjoy as much. Despite the wealth of interesting information each brings, many lack an equally interesting voice. This is where Zach steps up and stands out. I love his voice, his perspective, and his approach. Not the same as Carlin, but near his equal in captivating enjoyment. Check it out; I doubt strongly you’ll be disappointed.

Zack's unique take on these historic events is fantastic. He is a legitimate historian but not bound to the preexisting prejudices of the Industrial History Complex. WWI was GREAT, the 30 Years War was totally awesome, but The Korean War was TOTALLY REVOLUTIONARY! Turns the establishment opinion on its head. Then backs up His REVOLUTIONARY THESIS with primary sources. I wouldn't be surprised if Zack speaks too much truth for the establishment to accept him. This is History for the Truth Seeker. Be careful, all listeners will likely be put on a list...

I love listening to this podcast. I always look forward to it coming out. the narrator has a soothing voice and he very insightful when it comes to a certain matters of European history. I recommend it to everyone.

Zach’s enthusiastic narration of a wide range of European history in tremendous detail is entertaining.

I have never left a review for anything, but since discovering Zack I simply had to. This pod takes the time to hit the finer points of a narrative that tie the loose ends together in a way that turns history into reality. I know these “characters” because of the time and effort Zack puts into his expositions of them. Well done good sir.

Organized, detailed look at periods of history that are often neglected.

Zach T and history go together like..... I can’t think of anything witty but great host and great show.

I stumbled on this podcast and I’m so glad I did. I know this podcast isn’t for everybody but Zach brings a point of view and a narrative that I have not encountered anywhere else. I love the style, the cadence of his voice and all the detail this podcast goes into.

Zack has a genuine love for history which comes through in the podcast. He is sincere and unassuming and passionate in his love for the subject. He really has a strong grasp of 17th-century diplomacy and politics, and since I’m a history teacher, his podcast has been a goldmine in my own research into the era.

I’ve just spent a good 40 minutes hearing about book releases and mixed-up scheduling, only to get about 30 seconds of actual history in. As someone trying to make a decision on a new history podcast, I’m unsubscribing and walking away from this one with nothing more than a book release advert.

Zach has such a pleasant voice and makes history really facinating. I listen on the way home from work to wind-down.

I love history and know a lot of history, but Zack brings incredible research and a new perpsective on each topic. I've learned so much. My favorite is the July Crisis on the lead up to WWI. I was totally in the Germans started it end of story camp when I started the podcast. But the day by day events and sources that Zack brings have enabled me to see how complex the realy story is.

Every episode is well constructed and informative, very entertaining as well. My only complaint is that sometimes the host almost seems to have the mic on his lips because every p, t, b, or other hard consonant sounds like they're going to blow out my speakers.

The host is so prolific, it is hard to keep up. He has even come up with a unique way for the listener to get up close and personal with the historical subject. I still have a lot to learn and I think I want to learn it from Zack Twamley.

Focusing on diplomacy is a way of looking at history from a different perspective. Zach finds his voice about 25 episodes in. His remasters episodes are fantastic.

I heard Zach first on History of England and followed him to his own podcast. I have listened to a lot of them over a short period of time and have been really impressed.

A great podcast that illuminates all the wonderful bankroll dealing and politics that goes into diplomatic relations. Highly recommend the July Crisis, Easter Rising, the Korean War and the current Versailles Anniversary project

This is one of the most well researched and entertaining podcasts out there

This is a groundbreaking podcast, and not only does it have some of the most thorough and interesting history content there is, Zack's bookending of WW I with the July Crisis and his Versailles series is a scholarly effort with a poetic elegance. The "day by day" production is a real breakthrough and is very moving. He does not shy away from revisionist historiography WHERE NEEDED, which is exactly what should always be done. Myself having been given the "it's complicated" answer to who started WW I in my own high school history class, I was very surprised to hear that across the Atlantic, the "Gerries did it all!" explanation was still considered gospel by serious people. But such controversy is perfect grist for a great podcast. The balance of narrative and analysis here is so finely tuned as to be seamless in an interesting way. Carlin, while untouchable in his singular genius, does tend to shift between narration and analysis modes in his presentation. Someone like Mike Duncan will do narrative only, and do it very well, and then write a paper book of analysis. Zack manages to get analytic in a way that overlays narrative continuously and therefore lets those even totally unfamiliar with a topic keep up, while even experts will find a perspective worth hearing. I felt as much at home in the WW I store of which I knew a lot, as I did in the Anglo Dutch Wars series, of which I knew next to nothing going into it. This scholar demonstrates the benefits of the best academic rigor without ever being blunted by the smallness of intellectual ambition or over-caution that pervades so much of "respectable" history. This is well-worth a listen, and if we don't destroy our civilization too badly in times ahead, I think people will be listening to this podcast 200 years from now. These words and ideas run that deep.

Aside from the early audio issues (seems standard for start ups)Twamley’s “I am not gonna talk about battles, this is diplomacy” stance is a little annoying. Not a play-by-play, but battles inform the diplomatic situation. He doesn’t come across as likable but the info is good, and I don’t mind malcontents.

If you’re only going to subscribe and listen to one podcast then When Diplomacy Fails need to be that podcast.

I expect a history show to know the difference between “communism vs democracy” rather than “communism vs capitalism.”

I've listened to a few other podcasts on history (History of English, Podcast History of the World, and Agora) over the last few years and decided to give this one a try on recommendations from the other podcasts. I've been a voracious reader of history for most of my life but never went much into the diplomatic aspect of it. Like all students in history class we want to get to the exciting parts that make a great story and not the boring parts about treaties, alliances, economics, or Supreme Court decisions. I gave it a try because the podcast originally had some short episodes I could listen to and decide. It was a very good investment. It became obvious that there was a good deal of research involved in these episodes going into complex stories with a good deal of lucidity. What really impressed me was his willingness to tackle not only popular familiar subjects like the American Revolution, World War I, Seven Years War, and the Napoleonic Wars, but obscure conflicts that the general public only vaguely know or rarely ever hear of (Russo-Japanese War, Crimean War, and the Boxer Rebellion). To this flashlight into the obscure shadowed corners of diplomacy and history I tip my hat to him. Many of these were in easily digestible chucks of one or two episodes for a history novice. For those of us with larger and more complex appetites such main courses as the July Crisis, The Long War, and now the Korean War were quite filling (it’s getting lunch time as I write this). I do appreciate his willingness to take a controversial viewpoint on a subject such as the 1916 project and the Korean War. Even though they were revisionist retellings he still gave a very balanced argument for his case and noted his sources. I can’t speak for the 1916 project having really never studied that part of Irish history, but Korea I did know something about. I know he has gotten a lot of flack from some listeners about President Truman’s possible motivations and actions (judging by other reviews), but he himself said he just went with the evidence. I find that fair enough and will be checking out his source material. I did find his presentation of Stalin’s manipulations very compelling and jives well with what reading I’ve had of him before. He also shed light on one part of the Korea story I always found puzzling that is the continued absence of the Russian Ambassador after the start of North Korea’s invasion when he could have stopped the UN resolution. There is a lot more I could go on about Truman (I lived a mile from his home when I was a kid) and the capabilities of US intelligence gathering at that time but that would be a very long discussion and this is after all just a review. I highly recommend this podcast for both the history novice and the long time expert. You may not agree with some conclusions on all the large amount of content here but you have to admire the volume of scholarship and research involved and the marvelous cheery presentation.

Zack Twamley provides well-researched diplomatic history in an interesting (and at times funny) format. If you have an interest in diplomatic history and how wars start, then I highly recommend WDF. Zack’s recent history of the Korean War was very well done. I particularly like the historiographical detail that Zach presents, quoting well-respected historians and presenting their views and theories even as he synthesizes and presents his own research. Zach also has the academic integrity to correct himself when he makes that rare error (hey, nobody’s perfect). Finally, the audio is professional-grade. Keep up the good work.

I’ve been listening to Zack and WDF for several years now. I am so glad I have found this podcast because it has opened a world I, as an American know little about. It’s a big world and it’s easy to brush off what has come before in a world I have only recently been able to get too. The wars of centuries ago in a land thousands of miles away seem so far and insignificant, but as a person interested in history, these stories help me understand our world today. Zack has done a superb job explaining the details of conflicts past and how these conflicts help explain our world today. Zack's skill as a story teller is wonderful. He has done the research I wish I had the time to do. His presentation and interpretation of events keeps me tuned in and eager to hear more. I don’t know how he does it, research, formulation, script write up and production, let alone have time to advance his degree, teach and have a family. Best to you Mr. Tawmley. I love your work, wish you continued success and look forward to your next podcast. Phil

I’ve listened to nearly the entire series and enjoyed all but the Korea episodes. They were entirely too clever by half. I know as a history commenter you want to give a fresh take on a topic. That’s why the opinion of historical figures changes every generation. You don’t need to do that. It’s annoying. Coming on and telling us that all the smart people in the past were wrong. Only the smart people now understand the issue, even though we’re farther away from the actual events and people who survived them. Stick to the style of your earlier work. The Korea series was frustrating because of the one sided nature of the arguments. Even I could have poked large holes in your arguments, but I can’t have that dialogue in a podcast so I often just stopped listening or skipped those episodes out of frustration. You had a great style already. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. Don’t stray into issues that make me want to argue with you, because I’ll turn it off since I can’t do that.

I went into this thinking Zack was going to provide a well balanced and reasonable point of view. However, then he presents a scenario where the US and Truman lured the communists into attacking South Korea, by keeping it weak, that Truman wanted to massively increase defense spending. The Truman administration had become increasingly inept in its handling foreign affairs during his second term. Truman had become an indecisive leader. The presenter gives them too much credit, but I’m sure the leftist conspiracists will eat it up. Utter nonsense.

Zach is well informed, entertaining, and presents a very well done show. I recommend.

I think Zach is a good podcaster but I don’t think he trusts his audience enough. I don’t think he needs to hammer the same exact points literally half a dozen times (like in the early parts of the Franco-Dutch war, where this is really egregious). Still, it’s good overall and I recommend it to anyone interested in history

Just started this a couple weeks ago, working on catching up. (On 22.5 right now) and I am loving this. I can get through 5-10 episodes a week depending on other podcasts I’m listening and how much driving I do. If you want an understanding of diplomacy, this podcast reviews how things failed to avoid war. It’s crazy to see how many small things made such a huge difference in the end results of each point in history. Keep it up!

The detail and accuracy are just what you need to avoid repeating the histories talked about in the podcast

Best podcast ever.

Zack does an amazing job, especially considering the amount of content he puts out. Seriously, the guy is a machine. His current series on the Korean War is top notch. If you are looking for a podcast that is interesting and entertaining, this is it. Keep up the good work!

This man has clearly put a ridiculous amount of time and effort into this thing, and it shows. Polished, professional, and able to capture the weight of the moment without diving into the weeds.

Great pod, well researched!

I’ve enjoyed the back catalogue and am now really looking forward to those season with the Korean War. It is an easily digestible and fun podcast that manages to get into some deep detail without derailing the main narrative. Great job and thank you!

My only complaint is how addicting it is. I makes my commute short and inspires me to read more on the subjects covered.

Very easy to listen to, very informative...Love the Mash music, it gets me in the mood for the podcast...Keep up the good work, it is important!

I cannot rate this podcast highly enough! Zack does a phenomenal job of cover all aspects of history. The best part? He brings a fresh perspective. The July Crisis special taught me to look at the breakout of WWI in a new way. Then there's the Thirty Years War and the Irish Rebellion, two more topics I had little knowledge about before listening to this podcast. Zack goes in-depth at WHY wars happened. He's a big proponent of the fact events cannot be plucked out of thin air to be studied. If you want to truly understand any war/major historical event you need to know about the years leading up to it. Listening to Zack makes me want to get a history degree. The first few episodes are a little rough but he soon hits his stride. Soon you see the how each war covered leads up to the next one. Again I can't recommend this podcast enough. Please check it out. You wont' be disappointed.