Episode 15 << Click to Listen

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Dan Carlin, host of the Hardcore History podcast, joins us to discuss the history of the future, the origins of the centaur legend, and what the Black Death can teach us about postapocalyptic fiction.

Panel Topic: History and Fantasy

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Introduction

0:00 Introduction by Tor.com

0:38 Dave and John introduce the show

Interview: Dan Carlin

04:56 Interview begins

05:02 Some of Dan’s science fiction and fantasy influences, and the connection between science fiction and history

06:23 How Dan got interested in history and his favorite history resource: Will Durant’s History of Civilization

07:45 The dinner table idea that became the podcast, and Dan’s philosophy on making history interesting

10:24 The origin of Centaurs

11:54 Imagining a distant post-racial future, and using that perspective to reexamine history

13:45 Controversial history!

14:49 The Black Death as a source of post-apocalyptic fiction

18:00 Dan’s view of some of the historical blockbuster films of recent years

20:53 Hollywood has nothing on reality: the untouchable violence of history

23:56 The imaginary histories of fantasy fiction

26:25 Time travel and “counterfactual” history

28:52 Dan speculates on the people of the past, and whether humans are becoming ‘better’

33:42 Audience feedback on the Hardcare History podcast

35:07 What lies ahead for Hardcore History?

36:42 End of interview

Dave and John discuss history, anachronisms, and curing the king’s headache

36:47 Things that were invented long before they were ever used

39:02 How much do we really know about the things we take for granted?

41:12 Regarding Braveheart, and An Utterly Impartial History of Britain by John O’Farrell

42:52 Do not complain about historical films to Dave. Seriously. Just don’t.

43:36 Things that seem inaccurate in films but actually aren’t, and Donald Kagan’s lecture on Sparta

47:46 Oliver Stone’s Alexander

48:41 Anachronistic movies: A Knight’s Tale and Romeo + Juliet

50:23 The inspiration for Harry Turtledove’s The Guns of the South

52:16 Where it’s easy to run into trouble with historical fiction

54:04 Mike Duncan’s The History of Rome podcast and HBO’s Rome

57:53 The kidnapping of Caesar and Empire of Blue Water

01:00:14 The Twelve Byzantine Rulers podcast and Norman Centuries

01:01:43 Educate yourself through podcasts! Because your history class probably sucks.

01:04:56 Show wrap-up

Next week: Musician Jonathan Coulton

Thanks for listening!

Show notes compiled by podtern Christie Yant. Friend us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.