Listened as we were hiking in Norway. Was great to get an engaging history lesson!

If you love history you will love this . Sean is an excellent storyteller

Really enjoyed the Russia one

Lots of lesser-known but still unbelievably interesting stories

Entertaining but biased to the left

This podcast is really interesting and I enjoy every episode

These podcasts are so interesting! Really enjoy the subjects and Sean’s voice.

Truly great. Such a fascinating decade and the podcast does an amazing job.

I found this podcast when looking for information about the year without a summer. Those episodes were so good I ended up going to the start of the podcast’s run and listening to all the episodes in order. Highly recommended!

This podcast is so packed with information that I’ve listened to most episodes twice. I always learn something new with each episode, as the topics are incredibly well researched. It’s such a fascinating time period to focus on. It makes me so happy when a new episode pops up! Thank you for the education Sean!

Was never a history buff until this podcast! Thank you

I find the format of focusing on the years between 1809 to 1820 extremely interesting. You get a sense of the individuals that lived through this time and how they felt experiencing these events. I hope to hear about the New Madrid earthquake one day.

I love 19th century history, so this podcast got my attention immediately . Very well researched and told stories.

It's interesting to zoom in on a single decade that seems not-so-important and hear how all these important things happened that impacted the world today. I hope he will pick it up again.

I like the politics and the facts it is also good for both nerds and people that are just wanting to learn something

Women do not “squeeze out puppies”. Since the majority of the women you mention died during childbirth, don’t you think it would behove you to speak of our childbearing with more reverence, seriousness, respect. It is far past time for women’s lives and suffering to be recognized with the same awe men accord other males.

This was one of my favorite podcast discoveries and it is an absolute delight! It is a great podcast for both history buffs and those even mildly curious and the podcast discusses the crucial second decade of the 19th century with a wide array of topics being covered in that range.

Most people go to school, and in history class - just get through. You Hear It.... but you really never “learn” it. It doesn’t stick. Years later as an adult, all these big names from history, you know like Napoleon, Alexandar the Great, King George the nth. And of course there were all these wars and Revolutions ....when? And you wonder when were all these people actually alive? and why were all these wars happening anyway? During the current virus stay at home crisis, extra time on my elliptical machine has allowed me the chance to finally answer these dilemmas. So much of it all happened in the SECOND DECADE of the 1800’s! Who knew why we even fought the War of 1812? Or that while we were - that same year even - Napoleon was marching his army around Russia! WHAT? And where is Waterloo anyway? Belgium! I am so happy I found this pod cast. It has made daily hours of inside exercise so much more tolerable! I even look forward to my workouts - and finding out other historical stuff I am embarrassed to say I had heard of - but never really knew what, why, or when. Thank You Sean Munger. I will keep listening!

No idea about all the criticism as to the politics as being a European he sounds very much in the middle if anything. Well researched and even occasionally pronounces things right despite being North Americans.

I personally think think that he provides decent information. Yes, sometimes he allows his personal viewpoint to color his comments. Who of us doesnt? He also makes sure that you know when he is offering his viewpoint rather than just facts. His education means that those of us without it should listen. Add a grain of salt, research it, he asks you to do so!! Sometimes I agree with those pov’s, sometimes I don’t. Doesn’t mean that any of them are invalid. What i do appreciate is that he’s taken the time to care about all of us through his education and is doing his best to pass it on. Not many people do. I certainly haven’t studied climate science for the last 20+ years as he has nor have i taken the time to completely produce a podcast. I’ve been subscribed for three years now and if i might offer a request? Please keep on! I enjoy your podcast immensely and thoroughly enjoy listening to you Sean!

This could have been a great podcast for history buffs. Unfortunately there is just SO much silly contemporary editorializing that it goes beyond distracting to downright annoying to the point that I could not even finish some of the episodes. There are plenty of great history podcasts that are much more informative and interesting. Again too bad as I am interested in this historical period.

Interesting podcast about a set of years in history I had not given much thought to, but which turned out to have done much more than I would have thought to shape the modern world. The one about Iceland is my favorite so far, but any of the episodes on a topic you like would be an entertaining and informative listen.

I found this podcast through the recommended podcasts on the Apple podcast app. I was hooked from the first episode. Sean Munger could not have picked a more interesting and important decade to explore through this format; or, more likely, his enthusiasm for this era is contagious and now I’ve caught it. I started at the beginning and now I’m about halfway through the available episodes. I’ve enjoyed all the episodes so far, but I would especially recommend those episodes that deal with the impact of natural disasters and environmental changes: Mr. Munger’s interest in this specific aspect of history is evident. I would especially recommend his episode on the explosion of Mount Tambora in 1815.

If you want to hear about History and ideas that are new and original, this will be a wonderful surprise. Fascinating content with original perspectives provide the foundation for exploring the rich context of its genre. Great work and well researched. Thanks Sean!

I listened to the pilot with every intention of subscribing to a factual, objective history podcast. I became extremely disappointed by the host’s 3rd or 4th denigration of “Rich white guys,” “pasty white faces,” and other ignorant stereotypes. I’m not signing up for any more and definitely wont recommend. Another perfect example of liberal, academics’inability to leave their own biases out of their historical narratives.

Great podcast enjoyed it immensely I have a under grad in history would love to have Shaun as a instructor.

This is a well researched and produced podcast on an era which generally receives little attention. Unfortunately (see, e.g., episode one or the latest offering) the producer's anti-Republican agenda and stultifying political correctness is both unprofessional and off putting. Although claiming to be a historian, one wonders why each episode is interspersed with comments about “rich white men“, “cultural imperialism“, etc. Less ideology and more history and this will be a far more effective podcast.

90% of the series is great, but then he includes comments like “pasty white faces” and “26 rich white guys in a room.” As a former academic, I left the ivory tower because of crap like this. If you’re an historian, stick to history. It’s fine to draw parallels to today, but “perish the thought” of Mitt Romney being a republican candidate, really? This podcast came highly recommended as “Dan Carlin-Esque.” It is not.

highly informative and entertaining. Dr Sean Munger has done tremendous research for his episodes and delivers them in a very enjoyable manner. I've listened to most of them since I discovered this 2 months ago. My favorite is the one on Tambora. Keep it up Sean. Thank you

This podcast just came across my radar. I listen to a lot of shows in this genre and not only does Munger pull off historical narrative quite admirably, but I’ve listened to six or seven episodes and I haven’t once heard him A) drone on about picking up Mike Duncan’s baton B) over-pre-apologize for mis-pronunciation of foreign language terms or C) bore us with his plans to make podcasting his primary source of income (the promotional bits are presented very tastefully). I also see that he has kept up his pace over a couple of years. I’m looking forward to catching up and keeping The Second Decade in my regular rotation.

Podcast talks about events I’ve never heard of. It’s in a story-like format so it’s easy to listen to and not boring. Host is fun and personable.

Great for history fans! I recently stumbled on this podcast after looking for history podcast recommendations on Twitter. It has quickly become a favorite. I really appreciate that the podcast covers a wide range of world history - especially regions in Africa and Asia that often doesn’t get the same attention. I feel like it has a really great production quality and I plan to work my way through the archive as soon as I can.

I chose to skip the first episode. I started to listen and read the reviews and knew exactly what was coming. Therefore by skipping it, my view of the host is not as tainted as it would be if I had listened. I’m still giving it 5 stars because the host clearly does his research and is very intelligent. There seems to be a major disconnect with podcast hosts and reality. I’m talking about the majority of history podcasts out there. They seem to know exactly how to alienate half of the listeners out there. Just give us a good episode and keep your personal opinions out of it. How are you going to give an unbiased narrative of historical events if you are constantly arguing your own personal political agenda? The good thing is, after listening to numerous episodes I’ve only heard one shot taken at the President. The comment was “well we all know who won” said in an extremely condescending way. Please please don’t ruin this podcast for everyone. Just keep your opinions to yourself or make another podcast. This podcast is great so far.

The narrator weaves an interesting story! One of my favorites!!!

Great podcast! Very informative and entertaining look at some less often explored parts of global history around the 1810s. I still remember being very impressed with the first episode I listened to and eagerly await new episodes as they launch.

This podcast is well written and well presented! The host is clearly very knowledgeable when it comes to history! I’ve learned so much from listening to this show!!! A must listen for all history buffs!

Sean is a great host who presents well-organized bites of 1810s history in an engaging way. Several other reviewers noted too many "current events" and "ideology" in the podcast but I disagree. Sean is on topic and an entertaining storyteller. The topics he focuses on are really diverse and always fascinating. I'm learning a ton from listening to this and recommend it highly.

Excited to have found this good history narrative to listen to with my homeschool kids was disappointed in multiple uses of bad language throughout the first episode we listened to. Decided to unsubscribe. You could easily up your game with your talent in writing and explaining history and be a good resource for the homeschool community to listen to.

I've never thought of "the second decade of the 19th century" as a historical era I wanted or needed to know more about, but dang if this podcast hasn't changed my mind about that! Great host with an actual PhD in history who really knows his stuff.

I love this podcast and this whole approach to history podcasting. Through a full immersion in a narrowly defined period, the host is able to cover topics that usually only get a quick mention (if that), and the show's broad, global reach lets you understand the context of what was happening in the world at that time. We might have a familiarity with Napoleon, for example - but what was happening in America at the same time? In Hawaii? In Australia? A fascinating deep dive for history lovers and casual fans alike!

The idea of having a show focused on a single decade in history seems like it would get old after a while. But Sean has a great way of bringing topic and topic to bear, all interesting and which relate to each other. You can truly watch the world evolve!

What a great idea to focus on the history of one single decade! I didn't stop to realize how much was going on during those ten years. Very well researched, delivered and produced. As far as injecting the occasional political slant...doesn't bother me. Those thin-skinned Republicans who can't put up with other opinions can unsubscribe. Well done Mr. Munger.

I’ve always been fascinated by this era, and I can’t wait to dig into this back catalog. Thanks!

Wow the host leads with 2016 election to his first podcast and a Trumper gets bent. Must have been the WaPo ref. Tip - its free. Don’t listen. Stick w Fox & O’Reily for your ‘history’.

This podcast is my current favorite. I've binged through every episode, and I feel I really get the feel of an era through this wide ranging podcast.

I've been searching for another great history podcast and this is it! The narrator tells a great story about many often skipped over historical topics. I just finished the series on Napoleon in Russia and can't wait to listen to the episodes on the War of 1812. The production quality is great, I can only hope this podcast will continue to release new episodes!

I loved this History Podcast. It's a topical look at roughly1807 to 1822. (Decades tend to sprawl.) I particularly liked the content on environmental history (because it gets undersold). Other reviews complain of a partisan bias. FWIW, I didn't hear one and don't think it's a fair critique.

The podcast is well put together and the quality is great. But current event politics are injected way too much into the podcast. This maybe ok with a captive audience at a University, but it is not professional with a more diverse clientele.

This is a surprisingly interesting look at a decade that is fairly obscure today, despite the big figures in it (like Napoleon for starters). So far, my favorites are the War of 1812 and Napoleon in Russia episodes. Munger does a pretty straightforward Mike Duncan-esque presentation, with the occasional zinger thrown in. I do wish he would do more tie-ins of context and comparison drawn from other things happening in the same decade, which is what I originally thought this podcast would be about. There's room to grow. P.S. Another reviewer refers to an "anti-Republican agenda" in the first episode, but I don't know what they could be talking about. The first episode featured the Democratic Republican party and the Federalist party, neither of which bear any resemblence to today's Republicans. I suspect this small but huge fact may have been overlooked.

Good show: solid content, research, writing, production. Munger is a pro, both a historian and novelist. So he knows how to tell a story. He makes historical stories personal via characters and narrative. And he presents them in an informed context. Imagine a small-scale version of Hardcore History. Episodes average around 40-45 minutes, so they’re nice & bite-sized. Quality stuff.