The Three Historians: Niall Ferguson, Victor Davis Hanson, and Andrew Roberts | Uncommon Knowledge

[@mickey_rose]

Blessed to have these three scholars keeping us sane, and keeping us from drifting into the void of revisionist history.

[@shanecagney7451]

All history is revisionist, mickey. It's filtered through human beings who live in a certain time and place. There's always an element of subjectivity. You just factor it in. It's a bit dishonest to cherrypick one quotation from one person associated with the 1619 idea and then rubbish the entire idea. How much of what these gentlemen have written stands up to scrutiny, years later? The idea that Reagan defeated the Soviet Union is massively simplistic, what about the lots of Soviet satellites pushing back against Soviet authority for years.

[@cephlo1]

Revisionist history you say, as Niall Ferguson said in this very interview that there was no slavery in Britain.

[@RosoMC]

Just a quick clarification - the Katyn Massacre was perpetrated by the Red Army not the Germans. Not that the German occupation of Poland was a cakewalk for the civilians.

[@Zederok]

As a history junkie let me just say this is going to be epic. Thanks for bringing these 3 together all of whom I admire deeply.

[@YellowLab1]

Dear Mr. Robinson, IMHO you're the finest moderator/educator on the scene in our great country today. You come prepared. Ask insightful, open ended questions that perfectly designed to draw out the thoutful, informational answers from you guest. Then you let them reply without interruption. THANK YOU SIR. These three brillinat, thoughtful and great historians, combined with your unmatched genius at moderating make this, for me, possibly the finest and most educational You Tube video I've viewed in memory. Sir Roberts mentioned we in the US had diminished leadership from A Lincoln to T Rossevelt. IMHO I think we're at the dawn of "The Golden Years of America" with a Bull Moose 2.0 leadership with a historically extraordinary team of brilliant and capable lovers of America.

[@normnielsen]

It is beyond wonderful to have these brilliant minds help us navigate the chaos of popular discourse. Thank you!

[@chrissergeant7798]

BA Campbell University '87, been an Emergency Room RN for over 30 years, pine tree farmer in rural south Georgia, hey it's a long story. Where I went to school it was all essay and or oral exams. Not the best student, I still have a love of politics, and history. I follow these lectures with great interest and love. Thank y'all for preserving Western Civilization.

[@jimdeiner9293]

I have several times posted that Peter Robinson is the hands down best interviewer out there. I always watch his Uncommon Knowledge. In addition, these three amazing historians and just fantastic minds are ... amazing! Wonderful production, thank you.

[@timobanon1865]

Hoover consistently produces content that I would be blessed to pay a large ticket price for, yet offers it for free here. Thank you, again and again. Excellent work, sirs.

[@countalma9800]

At 18:00 min. A. Roberts says "and then they shot 14 thousand polish officers at Katyn". By "they", does he mean the Germans?! The whole conversation before that was about the war crimes the Germans committed. The massacre at Katyn was performed by the Red Army! And the number of executed Polish officers was over 20 thousand.

[@bryanpatrickmchugh]

I thought it was the Soviets who shot the Polish officers at Katyn? (18:00)

[@oddwad6290]

True .

[@CRMWTY]

This is an all-time, amazing lineup. Can’t wait to watch this! Thank you gentlemen.

[@stevenberg9845]

Hasn't the Katyn Massacre been definitively established as having been carried out by the Soviets, that is, Stalin and his NKVD?

[@KellyBarron-c2k]

To the three brilliant gentlemen involved…. thank you. This discussion underscores why I have read history for all of my reading life. Outstanding.

[@strelnikoff1632]

Best KZbin channel on geopolitics by far

[@therezaa.soares4954]

This is such a precious gift. Thanks for keeping critical thinking on history alive.

[@bobgarcia2844]

What a joy to add to the mix of the day. God bless us everyone!

[@valerybazarov2884]

Dear scholars, with all due respect for your expertise in the realm of history, I have to correct your statement regarding about fourteen thousand of Polish officers allegedly shot to death in Katyn by the Nazis. It’s a mundane truth that this heinous crime was committed by the Soviet NKVD by the order of Joseph Stalin, who was at that time a close ally of Adolf Hitler. Thank you.

[@emcc4807]

Deep, but clear an concise. I hope we hear more from this trio.

[@siege5075]

Hang on, at 18.04 it is implied that the Nazi's shot 14000 Polish officers at Katyn by Andrew Roberts. That is incorrect, that particular massacre was carried by the Soviet Union under Stalin orders.

[@csanglican9596]

At 18:03, Roberts says "they shot the 14,000 Polish officers at Katyn" which. absent any antecedent in the immediately preceding conversation except the Germans, implies that the Katyn massacre was by the Germans rather than by the Soviets. I expect, or at least hope, that this mistake was inadvertent.

[@kruanne]

I hope Andrew Roberts did not say at 18:00 min that the Germans killed 14 thousand Polish officers at Katyn. It was the Soviets and the count was around 22 thousand.

[@Smoked93POL]

18:00 The Katyn massacre was a series of mass executions of nearly 22,000 Polish military and police officers, border guards, and intelligentsia prisoners of war carried out by the Soviet Union, specifically the NKVD (the Soviet secret police), at Stalin's order in April and May 1940.

[@sisiphas]

Such a pleasure to listen to these men, a pleasure that is comparable, but less challenging, than reading their books. Thank you.

[@srzar]

Katyn was done by soviets, right? What is this about 12000 polish officers?

[@csanglican9596]

As someone two months younger than VDH, who majored in history (but spent my professional life in I.T.), this conversation was close to Nirvana for me. I must add that it takes someone of Peter Robinson's caliber to marshal and shape such a collection of wisdom. Thank you, gentlemen, and thank you, Hoover Instituion.

[@modelenginerding6996]

Thank you for hosting this. We badly need long form discussion, and I think it is making a difference. Kotkin and McMaster have done a great service too. Great arguments for unifying Americans despite our flaws.

[@thomassenbart]

The Katyn massacre[a] was a series of mass executions of nearly 22,000 Polish military and police officers, border guards, and intelligentsia prisoners of war carried out by the Soviet Union, specifically the NKVD (the Soviet secret police), at Stalin's order in April and May 1940. Though the killings also occurred in the Kalinin and Kharkiv NKVD prisons and elsewhere, the massacre is named after the Katyn forest, where some of the mass graves were first discovered by German Nazi forces in 1943. "The Katyn Massacre - Mechanisms of Genocide". Warsaw Institute. 18 May 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2024.

[@robertwrightson6455]

I thought the Soviets were found guilty of the Katyn Wood massacre, Andrew said it was the Nazis..? Have I missed something here?

[@BozoVazic]

Wasn't Katyn forest massacre done by the Soviets!? Andrew Roberts should know that!

[@elioxman8496]

I lived in USSR and remember the changes in the society from 1970 till 1990 when I left USSR thanks to Gorbachev's liberal policy. I am certain that the major cause of collapse of the Soviet Empire was the stupidity and inability of the old post-ww2 government. Thus a naïve romantic like Gorbachev came to power and destroyed the Empire to his own astonishment to the joy of my own and many others. If they were able to produce strong leaders like China or North Korea or Iran , we would still have a much more powerful enemy today. Sure the star wars thriller stressed the weak-minded Soviet leadership even more but I do not believe it had the same effect on more powerful and imperially-patriotic Russians if they were brought to the leadership positions.

[@frankagliotti3626]

So grateful for the exceptional wisdom and character in these great thinkers of history - an insightful and wonderful conversation - thank you.

[@jbudd032003]

What a company! Pleasure and honor to listen to such accomplished and fruitful American historians.

[@ianshaver8954]

Something I’d like to add: naval power is more complicated than more ships = better. You have to consider: 1. How good are your aircraft? 2. What munitions are you equipping your aircraft with? 3. How many aircraft can you bring to the field of battle? 4. How much ground/sea launched anti air can you assist your aircraft with. Naval war is not land war. In land warfare, the enemy having air superiority is a crippling disadvantage, but you can still go on. In naval war, the enemy gaining air superiority is the end for any ship not a submarine. A destroyer is no match for the dozen or so fighters that are equal in cost to it, and the same goes for any non carrier surface ship. You can’t just look at number of ships.

[@richardmiller5456]

I thought the Katyn massacre was committed by Stalin, not the Germans?

[@tb8865]

This crowd is still seething hard about that Tucker interview. Looking forward to Martyr Made's WW2 series for sure.

[@mathieustafford9586]

I don’t know how anyone could make contrary arguments to historians of this caliber, love to see them standing against rabid historical narratives.

[@lizgichora6472]

Great Historical Analysis; thank you Niall Ferguson, Victor Davis Hanson, Andrew Roberts and Peter Robinson. "Studying the past."

[@CommonSwindler]

David Starkey absolutely needs to be here. Good on Neil on coming out with daggers at Darryl Cooper.

[@robertbollert7375]

When I worked with publishers 30 years ago only 10 percent of Americans read one book a year. I doubt the majority of those books were worth bothering with. These three great men just stated that Cooper had 33 million views. They have not sold 33 million copies of all of their books combined. We all must learn to use this history on the new platforms in a much more powerful way. Good luck to us all.

[@CharlesB147]

"Those who do not learn from history, are doomed to repeat it." And for those who forget it, that repetition is inevitable.

[@MrBAchompBAchomp]

I'm not a historian who romanticizes everything about world War II but I do understand if my leader takes me into war there's been a failure. World War II ending with the dropping of two nuclear bombs is arguably the worst thing to ever happen to humanity. If we can't blame our leaders who are we supposed to blame

[@plahota]

18:09 I thought the Katyn atrocity was a doing of the Soviets.

[@abubaca2683]

"this is kind of the imbecile level of argument that I am kind of impatient to have to deal with." Best way I've ever heard of calling something dumb as hell."

[@sabinafung688]

VDH, looking forward to your second book for Trump's stunning political comeback. Brilliant conversations and insights. Kudos to all of you!

[@BigEyeGuy]

Thanks for helping me keep sane.

[@kaustabhkalita2476]

The resurgence of reality deriven historical reviews begins

[@lynnthomason6589]

Excellent conversation Thank you. 😎

[@azlandpilotcar4450]

Imagining Steven Kotkin's response to Cooper.

[@PrimarchX]

I would of loved to of heard Kotkin's response on the US starting the Cold War vs Stalin doing so.

[@arcadiuslucas]

I went to school in Poland in the 90s, and just find it amusing that it takes three distinguished historians to explain what I thought to be as clear as the Sun when I was 10 years old 😅. And I don't mean the WW2 part, but the Declaration of Independence part. That school teacher of mine deserved more credit than he was getting 😂 The Katyn remark, much appreciated!!!

[@karenparker5748]

Wow! Great podcast. I could have listened to these 3 all day. Thank-you!

[@thisisthecall]

What a trio. Excellent work.

[@jonathanayres6005]

These conversations cleanse my mind.

[@krompkap09]

What a treat.

[@francishales7116]

The value of history made flesh once again

[@vryc]

Roberts' "Napoleon" and "Churchill" are remarkable biographies.

[@ashleyburns6752]

I consider myself very lucky I got my BA History degree in 2014 and my Masters in 2016, right before the madness took over Western universities.

[@PistolPete144]

@Andrew Roberts I am not a historian or a Podcaster, but even I know that the polish officers in katyn were murdered by the russians. And while we are on the topic: Speaking about starvation tactics of the germans during Barbarossa without mentioning the murder by starvation of 3 mio ukrainians by the russians is sth not even Podcasters should do. Thats not an excuse for german starvation tactics at all, but it puts it into perspective of the time. Its easy to explain history whilst living on an Island and posessing the Worlds Biggest empire.

[@imnotmadjoemadd9124]

Ecclesiastes Chptrs 1+2.....that is some good stuff..!.Thanks Peter and all...!

[@jesuslovesaves2682]

VDH, unfortunately many on the left do not agree on the human nature condition. Many seem to believe they are more evolved, they know better and moral that all human history. Its nice to have experts who are well informed and not propagandists. Thanks for the conversation.

[@77klinok]

Excellent and very educational conversation, Gentlemen! Thank you very much!

[@DipyamanMajumderUEE-xu5ne]

Stephen Kotkin missing?

[@trumpius_maximus47]

He was filming the Joe Pesci biopic. 🤷🇵🇰

[@oddwad6290]

Absolutely.

[@westnash]

We need Kotkin on his own for a better show

[@zibanorman3394]

William Wilberforce in Britain predates this, with abolition of the right to own slaves being abolished.

[@enriquepollack6821]

And victor Davis Hansen, you were spot on about Reagan’s involvement in bringing down the eastern block and especially the Soviet Union! Kudos to you. I noticed you stayed quiet about the Polish forest massacre.

[@angusdesire]

Wooa Dr Roberts. I think if you do your research properly you will find that it was the Soviet Communists who executed the Polish officers at Katyn, not the Germans. We expect a tad more from such an eminent historian as yourself!!

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

58:22 *American power is more resilient than its critics understand." As of November 5, 2024, very prescient words.

[@kinnjohn]

Great conversation! Thank you!

[@michaelhollinshead6945]

Considering his book A Financial History of the World you would think that Ferguson would say something about the gargantuan government and private debts of the US and the West in general and the threats to stability in the West they represent and its capacity to mobilize sufficient resources to counter the BRICs.

[@ycloon]

Another excellent conversation! Thank you gentlemen!

[@anuraagt]

Bit of an awkward lovefest, but I happen to like all four individuals, and enjoyed this. It was entertaining seeing three eminent historians and commentators, widely sought after for their views, engage in mutual affirmation when they're often more oppositional in other contexts.

[@adamsmith3242]

If good historians always agree with each other then how come AJ Taylor and Hugh Trevor Roper, who were both outstanding historians, disagreed with each other on subjects like the Second World War?

[@stevenwonnacott3669]

Fantastic discussion on a variety of highly interesting historical topics by these three distinguished gentlemen....great video Hoover Institution!

[@14docmurph]

Its embarrassing there arent 20 million views for this video...Imagine if it were shown in classrooms.

[@oddwad6290]

" Humans have Paleolithic emotions , Medieval institutions and G od like technological power . " - E.O. Wilson . Basically confirming what Victor said about human nature . To bad Jefferson is under attack , because he understood human nature extremely well . He wasn't for Slavery , he wanted it to end peacefully using principled methods agreed upon by the States ?

[@niguel4438]

Excellent as always. Thanks all.

[@marchess286]

Alan Guelzo definitely ranks in this group

[@romankrucki2222]

Excellent and engaging talk. Thank you. By the way 40tsd Polish officers have been murdered in Katyn by the Russians not Nazis. I do not want to diminish signiffficance of the Nazis crimes with this comment in any way.

[@i.m.gurney]

Thank you all.

[@elizabethallemong1446]

This conversation is for me like the chocolate for my brain! Thank you.

[@georgeorwell3573]

The story of Moses was the first example of abolishing slavery.

[@idou2]

The depth of knowledge and talent in this panel is incredible! That said, the format feels a bit off. Why are these brilliant historians discussing figures like Darryl Cooper? It seems like there's zero overlap between audiences who engage deeply with their work and those tuned into Tucker Carlson or Darryl Cooper. I'd much rather hear more of their insights on history and current events.

[@tnndll4294]

Sequel. Bring Kotkin in too.

[@MichaelJPartyka]

I can't believe we get all three of these gentlemen together on a video released today, and it's not about Trump's victory.

[@batjackjohnson252]

Thank you

[@GraveDigger7045]

Amazing minds collaborating about history and academia. I throughly enjoyed this conversation

[@jeor1450]

Epic line up. Thank you!

[@charlesmackey8179]

Wonderful as usual!

[@Ballas56]

Brilliant discussion - please do it more often.

[@AnnaMishel]

People can’t agree on what happened “down the hall yesterday”. Why would Zi think that any of these history books are true?

[@sherimerriman8859]

Love it!

[@HarnessedPlains]

Thanks you for that conversation

[@srzar]

They should have mentioned Dan Carlin!

[@markschwartz7480]

Liz Schwartz: I've been thinking the same thing lately, and I'm no historian. There is this idea that humanity has matured over time, much as an individual human matures from childhood into adulthood. It seems obviously untrue if you really look. We're still the same children in our nature that we were 6000 years ago. Interesting that these historians think the same. I love it when a new idea I have is confirmed.

[@vixcontango]

This is epic stuff!

[@rishotube]

Its gonna be good

[@falldog9]

Wow what a treat.

[@clncarpets]

Tucker I tell the truth Carlson is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He should be not taken seriously anymore.

[@bhuddy1832]

Hoover is the brand I use....

[@greattraveler3779]

A request to all three discussants: Please read "Gerd Schultze-Rhonhof 1939 - Der Krieg, der viele Väter hatte: Der lange Anlauf zum Zweiten Weltkrieg". I can not believe that you are ignorant of the many facts which you do not take into account in your statements in this discussion.

[@williambowen7365]

Way to go, Niall!

[@cephlo1]

He said there was no slavery in Britain. Do you like slavery?