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Artwork for World War 2 LIVE

World War 2 LIVE

Mark Fastoso
World War II
Eisenhower
Guadalcanal
George Patton
Sicily
Operation Husky
Kasserine Pass
George S. Patton
Okinawa
Battle Of Sicily
Operation Mincemeat
Rommel
US and Soviet Forces Clashes
With the Old Breed
D-Day
Mussolini
Airborne Warfare
Casablanca Conference
M1 Garand
Springfield 03

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes43Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for World War 2 LIVE

Latest Episodes

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

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

John Fallon
Lieutenant, member of the 36th Engineer Combat Regiment at Anzio
US Army Engineers (Anzio)
Episode: Was the Invasion of Anzio Worth It?
Lowell Hughes
Member of the 120th Engineer Combat Battalion, 45th Infantry Division (Thunderbirds), interview subject on Salerno
U.S. Army
Episode: Salerno: The Invasion That Nearly Failed
John Parshall
Historian and author known for Shattered Sword
Historian, Pearl Harbor conference attendee
Episode: Behind the WWII Photos You See in History Books
Henry Sledge
Author and son of Eugene Sledge, WWII veteran and author of 'With the Old Breed'
Episode: The Truth Behind With The Old Breed: Henry Sledge Talks with John C. McManus

Hosts

John C. McManus
Host of World War II LIVE; Professor of U.S. military history, author; historian
Kevin Hymel
Co-host of World War II LIVE; Historian and author; consults on films and documentaries

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 90 ratings
  • WW2 was not funny

    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

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    LFox12
    United Statesa month ago
  • Educational and Entertaining

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    USAFCCF
    United States3 months ago
  • Be Aware

    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

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Jumpy Johnny
    United States3 months ago
  • 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.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    HeadShrinkerRex
    5 months ago
  • Bad Audio

    These guys really know their stuff and can be very entertaining but really do need sort out their audio equipment / production techniques

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    not_hotdog
    United Kingdom7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Educational and entertaining; learn new things and be entertained.
Audio quality can be improved; production issues noted by listeners.
Great for history buffs; deeply detailed without sacrificing accessibility.
Be aware of the host's energy and humor; some listeners find the banter too chatty.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#157
Netherlands/History
Apple Podcasts
#206
South Africa/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Italian Campaign Debate | WW2 Hot Takes
Q: What would have happened if resources were redirected to Burma/China instead of Italy?
There is speculation that more air power and supply lines could have altered the course in the China-Burma-India theater and possibly influenced Asian theater outcomes, though it remains hypothetical and contingent on broader strategic choices.
The Italian Campaign Debate | WW2 Hot Takes
Q: Are the Italian campaigns worth the cost in civilian and Allied casualties, or could resources have been better spent elsewhere?
The hosts acknowledge the heavy price but argue that keeping the Allies engaged in Europe and tying down German divisions was a strategic necessity; they also consider the tradeoffs with other theaters and long-term global implications.
Patton vs. Rommel: Who Was the Better General?
Q: From Jim Steele in Chevy Chase: how many other US Navy or Army figures from the Pacific attended Potsdam, and did they contribute substantively to the conference outcomes?
The presenters note that most key Pacific commanders did not attend Potsdam; the conference centered on strategy from DC-area leadership, with attendees like Ernie King taking a naval perspective, but not a broad roster of Pacific theater commanders.
Patton vs. Rommel: Who Was the Better General?
Q: Gentlemen, Captain Graham Ticklemire from the 28th Infantry Division asks about different infantry divisions a few episodes ago and how they compared; what would you say about that topic?
The discussion suggests comparing divisions is tricky; focus tends to be on notable actions, organizational differences, and how public narratives shape any simple, memorable take rather than a precise apples-to-apples comparison.
WWII Hot Takes: Should the Allies Have Raced for Berlin?
Q: For all the officers fired or reassigned after Pearl Harbor, who were the officers the service was most glad to have gotten rid of, and who were the ones missed?
The hosts suggest there wasn't a large-scale culling; while some high-profile figures like Kimmel and Short faced criticism, there was broad mobilization and a belief that leadership changes were needed, though many believed those removed were not entirely incompetent and that loyalty to the overall war effort remained important.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About World War 2 LIVE

What is World War 2 LIVE about and what kind of topics does it cover?

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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Which podcasts are similar to World War 2 LIVE?

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

How many episodes of World War 2 LIVE are there?

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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What guests have appeared on World War 2 LIVE?

Recent guests on World War 2 LIVE include:

1. John Fallon
2. Lowell Hughes
3. John Parshall
4. Henry Sledge

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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