Mick chats with revisionist historian and author James Ellman about the character of, and myths surrounding, General George S Patton Jr. They discuss James' new book, Patton Reconsidered. Mick and James also discuss the importance of understanding the flaws and true characters of famous historical generals such as Patton.

James uses a caveat when answering the show's defining question.

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Mick chats with author Bruce McCandless III about the experiences of a naval commander during the Second World War. They discuss Bruce's new book, an edited memior, Iorn and Fire. Mick and Bruce also discuss the importance of learning from the expereinces of those who fought in major conflicts.

Bruce also sneaks in two answers when answering the show's defining question.

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Mick chats with journalist and author Jeffrey E Stern about the development of the Paveway guided bomb. They discuss Jeffery's new book on the subject, The Warhead: The Quest to Build the Perfect Weapon in the Age of Modern Warfare. Mick and Jeffrey also discuss the paradox of developing powerful weapons to end war.

Jeffrey provides a lesson in brevity in answering the show's defining question.

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Mick chats with academic, war veteran and author Dr Andrew Maher about proxy warfare and interstate competition. They discuss Andrew's new book on the subject, Riding Tigers The Strategic Logic of Proxy Warfare. Mick and Andrew also discuss the perceptions of coming conflicts and what lessons we can learn from history on the prediction of the 'next war'.

Andrew provides a cracking answer to the show's defining question.

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Mick chats with academic, official war historian and author Dr Rhys Crawley about the experiences of Captain Orlo Williams as a staff officer in General Headqarters during the Gallipoli Campaign in the First World War. They discuss Rhys' new book, Inside GHQ: The Gallipoli diary of Captain Orlo Williams. Mick and Rhys also discuss common experiences between staff officers from the First World War and the modern battlefield. Rhys also provides insight into the importance of making primary source material widely available.

Rhys provides also provides an answer to the show's defining question.

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Mick chats with scholar, military officer, and writer Colonel Nathan K. Finney, PHD about mobilisation and how nations generate and deploy military power. They discuss Nathan's new book on the subject, Orchestrating Power, published by Cornell University Press. Mick and Nate also discuss how the speed with which the United States of America mobilised for the First World War and compared it to similar efforts in modern militaries.

Nathan provides also provides an answer to the show's defining question.

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Mick chats with scholar, military officer, and writer Lieutenant Colonel Sean 'Nick' Blas, PhD, about strategic narratives. They discuss Jonathan's article on Beyond Storytelling: Strategic Narratives in Military Strategy. Mick and Nick also discuss how modern militaries can ensure integration between military actions and strategic narratives.

Nick provides an answer to the final question.

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Mick chats with military theorist, USMC veteran, and author Jonathan Hackett about irregular war. They discuss Jonathan's book on this concept, The Theory of Irregular War. Mick and Jonathan also discuss how modern militaries can address the challenges of preparing for irregular war.

Jonathan provides an answer to the final question.

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