Best Thomas Herman Podcasts (2025)

1
S5E11: Jean Monnet and the Strategy of International Defence Cooperation 40:10

3d ago40:10

40:10

Jean-Marc Lieberherr examines Jean Monnet’s vital role in securing US arms for Britain and France during the Second World War and in driving international cooperation. A committed internationalist, long before becoming one of the founding fathers of the EU, Jean Monnet played a crucial role in enabling cooperation between countries in two world war…

1
275: Herman Melville's "Bartleby the Scrivener" 1:03:32

4d ago1:03:32

1:03:32

I would love to give you a summary of the episode, but I prefer not to.By Nippers, Turkey, and Ginger Nut

1
S5E10: Creating Destruction: US Industrial Mobilisation in the Second World War 32:48

18d ago32:48

32:48

Professor Mark Wilson explains how governments, industry and the military collaborated to forge the US’s ‘arsenal of democracy’ during the Second World War. The prevailing myth is that the miracle of US industrial production was achieved by individual business leaders who were freed from the dead hand of government. The truth is more nuanced. The i…

1
274: The Lord of the Flies 56:24

26d ago56:24

56:24

So I MAY have missed that Satan is sometimes called the Lord of the Flies. I see that now. I admit I make mistakes. But hey, at least I caught on to the rest of the biblical imagery.By Three guys who would mostly go swimming if left on a desert island.

1
273: Against Christian Civilization 58:32

1M ago58:32

58:32

In this episode, we discuss Paul Kingsnorth's lecture about Christian civilization. Some are for it. Some against it. Settle it with a boxing match? Yes please.By Three men who have retreated from society

1
S5E9: Empress Matilda: Chess Grandmaster of Siege Warfare with Dr Catherine Hanley 33:52

1M ago33:52

33:52

Fighting for her rightful inheritance of the English crown, Empress Matilda (1110–1125) proved to be a grandmaster in the Anarchy’s bloody chess game. The war of dynastic succession in 12th century England and Normandy is known as the Anarchy. (1135-1154). Barons and nobles of all ranks joined in the family quarrel over the succession to Henry I. M…

1
S5E8: Transforming a Nation: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk 34:42

2M ago34:42

34:42

Modern Turkey was forged by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk from the Ottoman Empire’s collapse. In this episode, Dr Mesut Uyar joins us to discuss Atatürk’s legacy of strategic leadership. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was the most important Turkish political leader since the Ottoman Empire’s expansion was checked at Vienna in 1683. A career officer educated from th…

1
272: Sir Thomas More 1:01:09

2M ago1:01:09

1:01:09

"Oh? And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned 'round on you, where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat?"By Because the law almost saves you sometimes.

1
271: The Socratic Method 58:44

2M ago58:44

58:44

In this episode, you get a semi-faithful reproduction of the talk AJ did on the Socratic Method. TLDR: just ask questions and try not to be obnoxious.By IT IS A DELUSION

1
S5E7: H.R. McMaster on National Security Strategy Making 39:49

2M ago39:49

39:49

H.R. McMaster shares his extensive experience of strategy-making and strategic leadership as a military officer, academic and former United States’ national security advisor. ‘The Iconoclast General’, H.R. McMaster has a distinguished record serving his country. Commissioned from West Point into the armoured cavalry, he retired as a Lieutenant Gene…

1
S5E6: Trenchard and the Royal Air Force: Creation, Innovation and Power with Dr Harry Raffal 34:00

3M ago34:00

34:00

The world’s first independent air force owes its survival and shape to its ‘father’, Hugh Trenchard. We explore how with the RAF Museum’s Dr Harry Raffal. Described as ‘the architect and patron saint of modern air power’, Marshal of the RAF Viscount Hugh Trenchard (1873–1956) was the first Chief of the Air Staff (January–April 1918 and 1919–1930). …

1
270: Phaedo 55:14

3M ago55:14

55:14

Ever wonder what Socrates discussed with his buds before he drank the poison? Well, it was the soul. Now you know. You can skip the episode I guess.By No, I didn't misspell Play Doh (tm)

1
269: Plato v. Aristotle 1:01:12

3M ago1:01:12

1:01:12

Aristotle and Plato have very different approaches to epistemology. In this episode, we discuss the implications of each.By THIS SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY

1
S5E5: Santa Cruz De Marcenado - Spain's Clausewitz 30:27

3M ago30:27

30:27

The 3rd Marquess of Santa Cruz de Marcenado (1684–1732), soldier, diplomat and scholar, pioneered humanist ways to prevent or suppress insurgencies in his Military Reflections. In his time, Marcenado was the most widely read Spanish author on war. He drew on his own rich experiences of the Spanish War of Succession to complement his erudition based…

1
S5E4: Turning Around a Defeated Army: Field Marshall William Slim, with Dr Robert Lyman MBE 36:54

4M ago36:54

36:54

Voted Britain’s ‘greatest general’ by the National Army Museum in 2011, ‘Uncle Bill’ Slim led the XIVth Army from defeat to victory. Dr Robert Lyman tells us about Slim’s strategic leadership. Field Marshal William Slim (1891–1970) is famous for transforming troops who had retreated almost 1,000 miles through Burma pursued by the Japanese Army into…

1
S5E3: Katsu Kaishū and the Foundations of the Modern Japanese Navy 33:00

4M ago33:00

33:00

In this episode we discuss Admiral Katsu Kaishū’s transformation of the modern Japanese navy into a force that defeated the Russians in 1905. For 200 years, Japan was largely isolated from the world. By the 19th century, as countries in Europe and North America were expanding into its neighbourhood, Japan’s military capability had atrophied. In res…

1
S5E2: Radical Reform of the US Marine Corps: General Alfred Mason Gray 28:40

5M ago28:40

28:40

Lieutenant General George Flynn describes how his friend and former boss General Gray, the 29th Commandant, transformed the US Marine Corps’ warfighting, ethos and capabilities. General Alfred Mason Gray Jnr (1928–2024) was not the most obvious choice to lead the US Marine Corps when he became its 29th Commandant in 1987, but he succeeded in transf…

1
268: Hamlet and Socrates and Death 59:41

5M ago59:41

59:41

In this episode, we discuss the views of two famous dudes on Death. One is old and makes everyone else overthink everything. The other is young and overthinks everything himself.By Hamlet, Socrates, and Death I guess

1
S5E1: Leading a Defence Startup: NATO’s First Secretary General, Lord Ismay 32:26

5M ago32:26

32:26

NATO’s first Secretary General, Hastings Ismay, profoundly shaped today’s Alliance. Join us to discuss his legacy with his latest biographer, Lieutenant General Sir John Kiszely. Hastings (Pug) Ismay was a general who never commanded beyond lieutenant colonel, rising through the ranks as a staff officer. This brought him into contact with politicia…

1
267: Plato's Dialogues: Meno 57:46

5M ago57:46

57:46

In this episode, you'll recall (not learn) how Socrates and Meno try to figure out if Virtue can be taught. You'll remember that it can't.By Meno, Socrates, and Anytus

1
266: A Parley with Youth 1:06:14

6M ago1:06:14

1:06:14

In this episode, Thomas talks us through the new book by Josh Gibbs: A Parley with Youth. If I remember anything from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, "Parley" means something about booty.By Three loophole artists. We nail it every time.

1
265: The Great Gatsby 1:09:04

6M ago1:09:04

1:09:04

In this episode, we talk about how the American dream will leave you dead in your swimming pool.By Old money, you know, we stay in the background.

1
264: An interview with Davies Owens and Keith McCurdy 35:39

7M ago35:39

35:39

Thomas interviews Davies Owens and Keith McCurdy. Davies is the current host of Basecamp Live, and Keith is the founder of Live Sturdy, LLC. Both have various other credentials. Oh heck, just listen to the episode already.By Keith, Davies, Bees, and God, who is present everywhere.

1
263: The Ballad of the White Horse and Some Dudes Who Sing 1:03:52

7M ago1:03:52

1:03:52

We revisit a book we've done an episode on already. But here's the thing, folks: the book is so dang good, and Graeme walks us through the intricacies of a specific scene in this one. And it's good. Soooooo good. In my humble opinion.By Elf and whoever the other two guys are

1
262: The Wrath of Khan 57:22

8M ago57:22

57:22

KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!By Picard, Riker, Data

1
261: Montessori 1:03:11

8M ago1:03:11

1:03:11

In this episode we play the game of Life, explore notions on education, and interact with each other. But we do these things in a carefully cultivated environment designed to guide our inclinations toward growth and improvement.By Three men in full charge of their own education

1
260: The Plantagenets 13: A Fairytale 1:00:47

10M ago1:00:47

1:00:47

Uh, yeah, we're obviously big fans of good ol' Tudor. Just come this way. No cops.By Three big fans of the new king

1
259: Genghis Khan 4: Anda Undone! 1:00:36

10M ago1:00:36

1:00:36

In this episode, the Khan sees his most cherished relationships deteriorate. Anda? Nah. More like dead.By Three wrestlers

1
258: Plantagenets 12: Three Kings in Three Months 1:01:10

11M ago1:01:10

1:01:10

This is the penultimate episode of Graeme's series on the war of the roses. There's only one more. It's the end of an era. I, for one, grieve.By Kings one two and three

1
S4E21: Strategy’s Human Dimension, with Baroness Neville-Jones 34:27

11M ago34:27

34:27

To conclude Season Four of Talking Strategy, we talk to long-serving diplomat, policy adviser and politician The Rt Hon Baroness Neville-Jones. With intimate experience of the functioning of governments and the EU, Lady Neville-Jones compares the respective organisational cultures and human side of strategy, drawing on lessons from her career. Paul…

1
S4E20: Moshe Dayan, Master of Emergent Strategy? With Professor Eitan Shamir 31:29

12M ago31:29

31:29

Moshe Dayan (1915-1981) is a controversial figure in Israeli politics. Revered by some as a master strategist, he is criticised by others for his failure to foresee Egypt’s attack in 1973, and then for ‘giving up’ the Sinai in return for a peace treaty. Strategy-making can take two approaches. The first, ‘Deliberate Strategy’, is formulated and imp…

1
257: Plantagenets 11: Bleeding to Death from a Broken Heart 1:05:43

12M ago1:05:43

1:05:43

Turns out that a king who is good at war sometimes wins wars. Sometimes that means kids beg for their lives. Sometimes that mean someone gets bludgeoned. BUT WE JUST HAVE TO LET THE KING LIVE HIS LIFE OKAYBy DONT ASK HOW IT HAPPENED

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