
Welcome to World War II Live!
Join historians John C. McManus and Kevin Hymel each week for an entertaining, informal, and cutting-edge dive into the history of the Second World War.
These aren’t just any hosts—John is a professor of U.S. military history, author of fifteen award-winning books, and one of the nation’s top experts. Kevin has written five acclaimed books (including a trilogy on Patt... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 43 | Founded | a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | History | |||

Was the Italian Campaign Worth It? John McManus and Kevin Hymel Debate
Was the Allied campaign in Italy a necessary step toward victory in Europe—or a costly strategic mistake?
In this special debate episode of World War 2 Live, Dr. John C. McManus... more
Most accounts of the Pacific War treat Guadalcanal and New Guinea as two separate campaigns. But from the Japanese perspective, they were part of the same desperate struggle—and understanding that connection changes how we view the turning point of t... more
Why did one of the boldest Allied operations in Italy turn into months of brutal stalemate?
In this episode of World War 2 Live, Dr. John C. McManus and Kevin Hymel examine the Battle of Anzio, one of the most controversial campaigns of the Italian ... more
What makes a great leader in combat?
In this episode of World War 2 Live, Dr. John C. McManus and Kevin Hymel explore one of the most moving stories to emerge from World War II: the bond between famed war correspondent Ernie Pyle and the soldiers of... more
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McManus provides some interesting commentary but overall it's pretty shallow coverage. Hymel is irritating with his glib and sarcastic comments and constant interruptions. The back and forth happy talk is so inappropriate. WW2 was a worldwide catastophe in which millions were slaughtered. This does not make it fodder for half-baked comedy. I wish the hosts would take their topic much more seriously and stop trying to turn it into a "Cartalk" radio program or semi-serious pop-history. It's g... more
I enjoy these episodes because I learn new things and entertained. Both the podcasts and YouTube channel are great and you should subscribe. You will not be disappointed.
The show is educational and entertaining but the Hymel guy is a beating. He chatters all the time and giggles a lot, tries to be a comedian but isn’t funny. He knows the topic but needs to calm down.
On this show, Kevin confused the
Amazing podcast! If you have any interest in history, this podcast is a treasure trove. The only downside is that you are going to spend a ton of money on books that these gentlemen reference.
These guys really know their stuff and can be very entertaining but really do need sort out their audio equipment / production techniques
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
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Apple Podcasts | #206 |
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History-focused discussions on World War II, led by two seasoned historians who blend deep research with accessible storytelling. Episodes explore strategic debates, leadership decisions, archival finds, and how visual and documentary materials shape public understanding of the war. A hallmark is lively back-and-forth banter, audience engagement through Q&As, and occasional promotional segments tied to tours and books. The format seems to mix rigorous analysis with light humor, making dense history approachable for dedicated enthusiasts and professionals alike. Notably, the show often revisits major campaigns (European and Pacific theaters), leadership personalities, and historiography, offering fresh perspectives through new archives and c... more
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These podcasts share a similar audience with World War 2 LIVE:
1. The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War
2. The WW2 Podcast
3. WW2: Both Sides of The Wire
4. The History of WWII Podcast
5. WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
World War 2 LIVE launched a year ago and published 43 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on World War 2 LIVE include:
1. John Fallon
2. Lowell Hughes
3. John Parshall
4. Henry Sledge
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