Watch History's Great Military Blunders and the Lessons They Teach

"History's Great Military Blunders and the Lessons They Teach" is an engaging and informative educational series from The Great Courses Signature Collection. Presented by esteemed military historian Gregory S. Aldrete, this series examines some of the most significant strategic blunders in human history and explores the lessons that we can learn from them.

Throughout the course of the series, Aldrete takes viewers on a journey through some of the most famous military campaigns in history. From the disastrous Athenian invasion of Sicily in 413 BCE to the ill-fated Afghan War of the early 21st century, each episode focuses on a specific campaign and the blunders that led to its ultimate failure.

One of the things that sets this series apart is its emphasis on the importance of learning from history. Each episode not only offers a detailed examination of the strategic missteps that led to the campaign's failure but also explores the broader lessons that can be drawn from these events. These lessons are not only relevant to military strategists but also to anyone in a leadership position, from business executives to politicians.

Another highlight of this series is Aldrete's engaging and accessible teaching style. He has a deep passion for military history that shines through in every episode, and his enthusiasm is infectious. He makes even the most complex strategic concepts easy to understand and uses a range of visual aids, maps, and timelines to help viewers grasp the complexities of each campaign.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of "History's Great Military Blunders and the Lessons They Teach" is its breadth of coverage. The series covers a vast range of historical periods, from ancient Greece to World War II and beyond. It also covers a range of different types of military campaigns, from colonial wars to guerrilla warfare.

Some of the campaigns covered in the series include the ill-fated Dardanelles campaign of World War I, the disastrous French invasion of Russia in 1812, and the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War. In each case, Aldrete explores the factors that led to the campaign's failure and offers insights into how things might have been done differently.

One of the underlying themes of the series is the idea that even the most well-planned military campaigns can be derailed by human error. Aldrete is quick to point out that even the most skilled military commanders can make mistakes, and that luck and chance can play a significant role in the outcome of any campaign.

Overall, "History's Great Military Blunders and the Lessons They Teach" is an excellent series for anyone interested in military history or the art of strategy. Its engaging presentations, in-depth coverage, and emphasis on learning from history make it a valuable resource for both military professionals and civilians. Whether you're interested in ancient history or modern warfare, this series offers a fascinating glimpse into some of the most significant military blunders in human history.

History's Great Military Blunders and the Lessons They Teach is a series that ran for 1 seasons (24 episodes) between September 25, 2015 and on The Great Courses Signature Collection