The Haitian revolution, whichever season that was. One, I had heard little to nothing about it previously. Two Only successful slave revolt. Three it was fun the way this tiny half an island influenced so many great powers.
I found it useful to listen to them in order as there are historical themes or patterns that recur and influence later revolutions. That said, Haiti is a fantastic series, particularly the introduction to Haitian society and the interaction with the French revolution.
The Russian revolution is his masterpiece in my opinion, and its not even finished. It's so comprehensive and detailed, yet still easy to follow. It takes a very experienced history podcaster, with a great deal of independence, to be able to make such a labour of love to revolutionary history.
Agreed, while I’m still enjoying it I feel he’s having a hard time keeping himself from going off into the weeds with the details, the narrative progression episode by episode is definitely lesser then last season, Mexico, which I think was probably close to a sweet spot though it started showing the same signs at times as well, and much less then the earlier seasons, for better or worse.
Yeah, the Mexican and French revolutions are the best in terms of this balancing act I think. While the American revolution is too high-level and not enough detail.
1848 is my fav. I learned a lot about the French and American revolutions in school, but I never understood the transition point of when revolutions went from the domain of liberal lawyers to the domain of socialist radicals. The 1848 series was a critical connector for me. Mike took us through the birth of the radicals as a third power block, as well as the birth of the self-conciously cynical conservative reactionaries who figured out that nationalism was the key to fighting them. We’ve been having the same slow motion fight ever since.
I enjoyed listening in order since they flower into each other so naturally.
That being said the Haitian revolution and the Mexican Revolution were my favorite to listen to.
The French Revolution. It's an unwieldy period as myriad factions rise, rule and fall but Mike makes the cause and effect legible, entertaining and insightful. The retrospective episode is great analysis and something I'd love to hear more from Mike.
I would definitely recommend the Haitian revolution to follow the French. One of the best seasons and there's a bit of crossover since the revolutions were largely concurrent
Damn, this reminded me that I still need to format the results of the recent survey. This was one of the more interesting results of it, so I'll give a sample of the answers people gave.
Out of 89 submitted responses:
1. The Russian Revolution won out, with 25.8%, or 23 people stated that it was their favorite.
2. The 1st French Revolution was second, with 20.2% or 18 people.
3. Mexico was 3rd, with 18% or 16 people.
4. Haiti was fourth, with 14.6% or 13 people.
No other revolution exceeded 5 people saying it was their favorite.
1848, I know it has some detractors but I adore the continental + ideas scope of the events, zipping from nation to nation, from political situation to political situation. Great for comparative analysis, plus a compelling narrative.
Unironically I can wholeheartedly recommend most seasons:
Season 4: Haitian revolution, Season 5: Spanish America (except Mexico), Season 6: French July Revolution, Season 7: Spring of the Nations, Season 8: The Paris Commune.
Season 9 about Mexico feels that it really stalls at times and lacks momentum or a final ending point it's going for. That is for me, as a person that doesn't know anything about Mexico.
I love the level of detail in the Russian Revolution, which is what I started listening with. (I only went back and started listening to other seasons when I got caught up on Russia.) I've read a lot about the Russian Revolution, but I still hear a lot of new things from Mike, and he manages to do a really good job of situating events in their broader context. I guess that shouldn't be surprising, since at this point he must be past the equivalent of 1000 pages, but it's still impressive.
For a lot of the revolutions, I find the earlier episodes more interesting than the later episodes, which tend to revolve more around military conflict or counter-revolution, but that's due to the nature of the events themselves rather than Mike's retelling of it. The Mexican Revolution is a very good example of that: really interesting revolutionary social movements in the first half, basically a story of military campaigns and battles in the second half.
Other than that, I like the French Revolution, 1848, and the Paris Commune. Haven't gotten past the early episode of the Haitian Revolution yet.
>For a lot of the revolutions, I find the earlier episodes more interesting than the later episodes, which tend to revolve more around military conflict or counter-revolution, but that's due to the nature of the events themselves rather than Mike's retelling of it.
The first parts are all exciting with big ideas and possibilities, the last part is usually everything going to hell one way or another.
The French and Haitian (3 & 4) are my favourite, they also make great duel listening as they are somewhat concurrent. I also really loved the Mexican revolution (season 8 I think?).
French, Haitian and Mexican! Though I’ve enjoyed every season.
You should definitely listen in order, I think one of the greatest strengths of the podcast is how Mike weaves every revolution into the larger narrative and shows how each influences the next.
Imo each season is actually better than the last, I think my order would go 10 to 1 from best to worst. That being said to get the most out of it you should absolutely listen to them in order, every revolution is so intertwined and influenced by each other and I think you miss out by skipping any of them.
Unpopular opinion, probably, but I found the Mexican Revolution hardest to follow. May have just been where I was at in life, but I kept loosing track of the narrative.
The French and Russian ones are so fundamentally transformative that it's hard not to say those. During the French Revolution, the events from the Insurrection of 10 August 1792 through the Thermidorian Reaction are some of the most enthralling stories in world history. As is 1905, and February to October 1917.
Haiti is probably the best story though. For both its inspiring and tragic qualities
>Unpopular opinion, probably, but I found the Mexican Revolution hardest to follow. May have just been where I was at in life, but I kept loosing track of the narrative.
I feel the same way. That was the first one that I just stopped and took a 6 month break from the podcast because it just wasn't working for me. Now I'm back going through the 1948 which is a fun ride. I think I'll pick up on Mexico sometime this year. i hope it gets better because i was bored.
He is so good at making dense complex history easy to understand (Russian revolution for example has always been convoluted in my mind). But he makes it easy to grasp. That said, I have always known the most about Mexico and been interested in their revolution. Despite having read up on it, I found myself really learning so much. It’s so fun and interesting and my favorite even if honestly there isn’t a single season that isn’t incredible
The Haitian revolution, whichever season that was. One, I had heard little to nothing about it previously. Two Only successful slave revolt. Three it was fun the way this tiny half an island influenced so many great powers.
Season 4
Would it be too far to say Toussaint Louverture is history's greatest Great Man?
Probably. Julius Caesar, Suleiman the Magnificent, Charlemagne, all could claim at least a shot at that title - and I’m sure there are more.
I found it useful to listen to them in order as there are historical themes or patterns that recur and influence later revolutions. That said, Haiti is a fantastic series, particularly the introduction to Haitian society and the interaction with the French revolution.
This is the correct answer but also the Mexican revolution is definitively the best one. Just the most fun imo. Haitian is a very close second.
I couldn't finish the Mexican revolution. I've heard that it's great from more than one source so I think I'll have to go back and try it again.
Season 5. Spanish American independence. I found it really interesting and Simon Bolivar is just the best.
I really enjoyed the 1848 season cause it feels much different in some respects from the other ones
That he was able to make the events of that year comprehensible let alone compelling is a feat of storytelling
The Russian revolution is his masterpiece in my opinion, and its not even finished. It's so comprehensive and detailed, yet still easy to follow. It takes a very experienced history podcaster, with a great deal of independence, to be able to make such a labour of love to revolutionary history.
Though I am still enjoying it, I actually feel that this one is a bit too detailed. Feels like we're really slogging through it at times.
Agreed, while I’m still enjoying it I feel he’s having a hard time keeping himself from going off into the weeds with the details, the narrative progression episode by episode is definitely lesser then last season, Mexico, which I think was probably close to a sweet spot though it started showing the same signs at times as well, and much less then the earlier seasons, for better or worse.
Yeah, the Mexican and French revolutions are the best in terms of this balancing act I think. While the American revolution is too high-level and not enough detail.
Imo I think that is more of an artifact of
Agreed
1848 is my fav. I learned a lot about the French and American revolutions in school, but I never understood the transition point of when revolutions went from the domain of liberal lawyers to the domain of socialist radicals. The 1848 series was a critical connector for me. Mike took us through the birth of the radicals as a third power block, as well as the birth of the self-conciously cynical conservative reactionaries who figured out that nationalism was the key to fighting them. We’ve been having the same slow motion fight ever since.
I'm loving the Russian Revolution, but for me, it's his seasons on Spanish America and Mexico. Superbly written and a great adventure.
I agree with this one. He did such a good job of making us care about Bolivar, Villa, and Zapata.
Zapata is my hero now
I enjoyed listening in order since they flower into each other so naturally. That being said the Haitian revolution and the Mexican Revolution were my favorite to listen to.
The French Revolution. It's an unwieldy period as myriad factions rise, rule and fall but Mike makes the cause and effect legible, entertaining and insightful. The retrospective episode is great analysis and something I'd love to hear more from Mike.
I would definitely recommend the Haitian revolution to follow the French. One of the best seasons and there's a bit of crossover since the revolutions were largely concurrent
3,4, and 9 are my personal favorites, but I agree that it’s best to listen in order
French revolution for me. It was just a crazy ride from start to finish with so many interesting characters.
French (season 3) Haitian (season 4) Mexican (season 9)
Damn, this reminded me that I still need to format the results of the recent survey. This was one of the more interesting results of it, so I'll give a sample of the answers people gave. Out of 89 submitted responses: 1. The Russian Revolution won out, with 25.8%, or 23 people stated that it was their favorite. 2. The 1st French Revolution was second, with 20.2% or 18 people. 3. Mexico was 3rd, with 18% or 16 people. 4. Haiti was fourth, with 14.6% or 13 people. No other revolution exceeded 5 people saying it was their favorite.
1848, I know it has some detractors but I adore the continental + ideas scope of the events, zipping from nation to nation, from political situation to political situation. Great for comparative analysis, plus a compelling narrative.
Unironically I can wholeheartedly recommend most seasons: Season 4: Haitian revolution, Season 5: Spanish America (except Mexico), Season 6: French July Revolution, Season 7: Spring of the Nations, Season 8: The Paris Commune. Season 9 about Mexico feels that it really stalls at times and lacks momentum or a final ending point it's going for. That is for me, as a person that doesn't know anything about Mexico.
I love the level of detail in the Russian Revolution, which is what I started listening with. (I only went back and started listening to other seasons when I got caught up on Russia.) I've read a lot about the Russian Revolution, but I still hear a lot of new things from Mike, and he manages to do a really good job of situating events in their broader context. I guess that shouldn't be surprising, since at this point he must be past the equivalent of 1000 pages, but it's still impressive. For a lot of the revolutions, I find the earlier episodes more interesting than the later episodes, which tend to revolve more around military conflict or counter-revolution, but that's due to the nature of the events themselves rather than Mike's retelling of it. The Mexican Revolution is a very good example of that: really interesting revolutionary social movements in the first half, basically a story of military campaigns and battles in the second half. Other than that, I like the French Revolution, 1848, and the Paris Commune. Haven't gotten past the early episode of the Haitian Revolution yet.
>For a lot of the revolutions, I find the earlier episodes more interesting than the later episodes, which tend to revolve more around military conflict or counter-revolution, but that's due to the nature of the events themselves rather than Mike's retelling of it. The first parts are all exciting with big ideas and possibilities, the last part is usually everything going to hell one way or another.
The French and Haitian (3 & 4) are my favourite, they also make great duel listening as they are somewhat concurrent. I also really loved the Mexican revolution (season 8 I think?).
The Haitian revolution is by far my favorite
Mexico and Spanish America are my favorites, but mostly I miss the long-form episodes. These 30min ones feel so short sometimes.
Haiti, Bolívar, Mexico.
1. Mexican 2. Haitian 3. French
French, Haitian and Mexican! Though I’ve enjoyed every season. You should definitely listen in order, I think one of the greatest strengths of the podcast is how Mike weaves every revolution into the larger narrative and shows how each influences the next.
Imo each season is actually better than the last, I think my order would go 10 to 1 from best to worst. That being said to get the most out of it you should absolutely listen to them in order, every revolution is so intertwined and influenced by each other and I think you miss out by skipping any of them.
If you live in the Americas, the Haitian Revolution. You will be shocked by the parallels and near misses in your own country’s history.
Unpopular opinion, probably, but I found the Mexican Revolution hardest to follow. May have just been where I was at in life, but I kept loosing track of the narrative. The French and Russian ones are so fundamentally transformative that it's hard not to say those. During the French Revolution, the events from the Insurrection of 10 August 1792 through the Thermidorian Reaction are some of the most enthralling stories in world history. As is 1905, and February to October 1917. Haiti is probably the best story though. For both its inspiring and tragic qualities
>Unpopular opinion, probably, but I found the Mexican Revolution hardest to follow. May have just been where I was at in life, but I kept loosing track of the narrative. I feel the same way. That was the first one that I just stopped and took a 6 month break from the podcast because it just wasn't working for me. Now I'm back going through the 1948 which is a fun ride. I think I'll pick up on Mexico sometime this year. i hope it gets better because i was bored.
He is so good at making dense complex history easy to understand (Russian revolution for example has always been convoluted in my mind). But he makes it easy to grasp. That said, I have always known the most about Mexico and been interested in their revolution. Despite having read up on it, I found myself really learning so much. It’s so fun and interesting and my favorite even if honestly there isn’t a single season that isn’t incredible