Point of the Spear | Military History

Welcome  "D-Day in 90 Minutes," our 15-part, weekly podcast series that delves deep into the historic Allied invasion that turned the tide of World War II. This is Episode Eleven, "Pointe du Hoc."

Welcome  "D-Day in 90 Minutes," our 15-part, weekly podcast series that delves deep into the historic Allied invasion that turned the tide of World War II. This is Episode Ten, "The Invasion Omaha Beach."

Welcome  "D-Day in 90 Minutes," our 15-part, weekly podcast series that delves deep into the historic Allied invasion that turned the tide of World War II. This is Episode Nine, "The Airborne."

Welcome  "D-Day in 90 Minutes," our 15-part, weekly podcast series that delves deep into the historic Allied invasion that turned the tide of World War II. This is Episode Eight, "Technology and Deception."

Welcome  "D-Day in 90 Minutes," our 15-part, weekly podcast series that delves deep into the historic Allied invasion that turned the tide of World War II. This is Episode Seven, "Planning and Training."

Welcome  "D-Day in 90 Minutes," our 15-part, weekly podcast series that delves deep into the historic Allied invasion that turned the tide of World War II. IThis is episode six "the Leaders."

Welcome  "D-Day in 90 Minutes," our 15-part, weekly podcast series that delves deep into the historic Allied invasion that turned the tide of World War II. In Episode Five, “The British, the Canadians and Everyone Else” we learn in detail about Allied command structure and armaments and the disastrous practice run for D-Day, Operation Jubilee.

D-Day in 90 Minutes,  our riveting 15-part, weekly podcast series that delves deep into the historic Allied invasion from almost every perspective imaginable. In Episode Four, "The Americans," we learn in detail about American involvement in the war, the common soldier’s attitude, armaments and even their impact on women in Great Britain. Over 100,000 British women married American soldiers.

D-Day in 90 Minutes,  our riveting 15-part, weekly podcast series that delves deep into the historic Allied invasion from almost every perspective imaginable. In Episode Three, "The Germans," we learn in detail, more about the defenders; their command structure,  fortifications, equipment, and their state of mind.

Host Robert Child sits down with renowned New York Times bestselling author, Dick Russell to delve into the fascinating life and remarkable journey of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as explored in Russell's latest book, "The Real RFK Jr: Trials of a Truth Warrior."

D-Day in 90 Minutes,  our riveting 15-part, weekly podcast series that delves deep into the historic Allied invasion from almost every perspective imaginable. In Episode two, "Strategy and Sacrifice," we examine the crucial decisions of where and when to attack. A great deal was on the line, as any miscalculations could cost the allies tens of thousands of lives.

One of humanity's greatest achievements—the Apollo 11 mission—and the moon landing are the backdrop to the unsung heroes who played a crucial role in bringing the astronauts back home safely. And we shine a spotlight on the invaluable contributions made by the United States Navy.

Bull Run on July 21, 1861, was the first full-scale battle of the Civil War. The fierce fight there forced both the North and South to face the sobering reality that the war would be long and bloody.

"D-Day in 90 Minutes," our riveting 15-part, weekly podcast series that delves deep into the historic Allied invasion from almost every perspective imaginable. We unravel the logistics, untold stories, strategic maneuvers, and heroic acts that shaped one of the most pivotal events in World War II. In our inaugural episode, "Opening Salvo," we detail the dramatic months leading up to the invasion, examining the painstaking planning, the nerve-wracking anticipation, and the audacious risks taken by the Allied forces. And we recount the harrowing moments that marked the beginning of a mission that would change the course of history.

We commemorate the 27th anniversary of one of aviation's most tragic incidents - the downing of TWA Flight 800. This episode wades into the mystery and controversy surrounding the crash; exploring the unanswered questions that continue to haunt investigators and the public alike.

Join Robert Child for a conversation with author Marv Truhe. Marv served as a Navy JAG lawyer and military judge during the Vietnam War. Following his military service, he was an Assistant Attorney General for South Dakota before entering private practice. He defended six of the Black sailors charged with rioting and assaults in the USS Kitty Hawk incident.  His book is called Against All Tides: The Untold Story of the USS Kitty Hawk Race Riot.

Join Robert Child for a conversation with author Matthew Black. Matthew is a labor and crime historian who was recruited by James P. Hoffa’s office in 2016 to author Dave Beck - A Teamsters Life. He has also worked as a staff writer for the San Diego Union-Tribune and has published dozens of articles on History101.com, He is a graduate of the University of Washington with an honors degree in history. His book is called Operation Underworld: How the Mafia and U.S. Government Teamed Up to Win World War II. 

Join Robert Child for a conversation with Chloe Gavin Beatty. Chloe is the youngest daughter of legendary WWII general James Gavin and made the decision recently to publish her father’s WWII diary as a book. The book is called, Gavin at War: The WWII diary of Lt. General James M. Gavin. 

We’ve got some outstanding guests coming up in January as we launch Season Four of Point of the Spear. Click that follow button so you don’t miss a moment. Kicking off the month we discover the covert relationship the US Government had with the Mafia to Win WWII in Operation Underworld with author Matthew Black. Then, learn the untold story of the USS Kitty Hawk race riots in Against All Tides with the author, Marv Truhe.  And later the memoir and service of a sailor on one of America’s WWII Liberty Ships in Armageddon in the Arctic Ocean with author Paul Gill. All this and more coming your way as we kick off Season Four this January. Click that follow button and join us on Point of the Spear.

Join Robert Child for a Special Holiday Episode Christmas 1942. We feature radio news reports from the time and clips from, Command Performance, a War Department radio broadcast to American troops around the world on Christmas Eve 1942. Our main feature is an interview with Danish author Peter Harmsen. Peter is the author of the New York Times best seller Shanghai 1937: Stalingrad on the Yangtze and other works. He studied history at National Taiwan University and has been a foreign correspondent in East Asia for two decades  His latest book is called, Darkest Christmas: December 1942 and a World at War. 

Join Robert Child for a conversation with author and living historian John Koopman III. Koopman is the most sought after living historian for his portrayal of General George Washington. In this episode Robert Child and Koopman discuss General Washington’s wartime service prior to and following the American Revolution.

Since 2006 John has had the honor of portraying General George Washington in many National Parks, State Parks and other historic sites all along the East Coast. He has also appeared in documentaries in the role. His impression is unique in that he owns the most authentic reproduction made to date of the uniform worn by the General. Koopman’s uniform, horse tack and other accoutrements were made by the same artisans who produced the new exhibit at the Mount Vernon Museum. According to research conducted for the new exhibit, which includes three life-size figures of Washington that were made based on the most up-to-date and accurate historical information available, his physique and dimensions are almost identical to that of George Washington. 

Join Robert Child for a conversation with author Kevin Ferris. Kevin spent more than thirty years at the Philadelphia Inquirer, the last ten as a columnist. His freelance work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Hill, The Weekly Standard, and the Christian Science Monitor. His book with coauthor, John Siegfried is called No Greater Love: The Story of Michael Crescenz, Philadelphia’s Only Medal of Honor Recipient of the Vietnam War.

Join Robert Child for a conversation with combat veteran and author Ben Kesling. Ben is a Midwest correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, where he focuses on domestic security and veterans issues. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School, and previously served as a Marine Corps infantry officer in Iraq and Afghanistan. His book is called Bravo Company: An Afghanistan Deployment and Its Aftermath.

Join Robert Child for a conversation with authors David and Margaret White. David White studied history at Harvard and worked as a reporter for The New York Times. Margaret White is a freelance researcher and editor of nonfiction book projects about scientific breakthroughs and how they have changed the course of history. Their book is called Wings of War: The World War II Fighter Plane that Saved the Allies and the Believers Who Made It Fly.

We’ve got some outstanding guests coming in December, plus Christmas Week Specials on Point of the Spear. Click that follow button so you don’t miss a moment. Kicking off the month we follow an 82nd Airborne Division Company through their deployment and return to civilian life with author Ben Kesling. Then, the story of Philadelphia’s only Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient, Michael Crescenz, with author Kevin Ferris. And later, mark your calendar for our Christmas Week Specials. First, we’ll speak with a George Washington historian. Then on Christmas Eve it’s Christmas 1942 all over again and we'll feature author Peter Harmsen. Finally, we close out the month and the year strong with Lt. General James Gavin’s youngest daughter, Chloe Gavin Beatty. who’ll discuss, Gavin at War: The WWII Diary of Lt. General James M. Gavin. All this and more in a jam-packed December to remember. Click that follow button and join us on Point of the Spear.

Join Robert Child for a conversation with author Buzz Bissinger. Buzz is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of four books, including the New York Times bestseller Three Nights in August and Friday Night Lights, which sold two million copies and inspired the film and TV franchise. His latest book is called, The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II. 

Join Robert Child for a conversation with author Ethan Chorin. Ethan is a former diplomat, senior political analyst, author, and environmental entrepreneur. From 2004 to 2006, he was one of a handful of US diplomats posted to Libya to help set up a US mission. He was in Benghazi on the night of the attack in 2012 and was nominated to succeed Christopher Stevens as ambassador to Libya. His book is called, Benghazi!: A New History of the Fiasco that Pushed America and its World to the Brink. 

Join Robert Child for a conversation with author Tom Clavin. Tom has worked as a newspaper editor, magazine writer, TV and radio commentator, and a reporter for The New York Times. He has received awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, and National Newspaper Association. His latest book co-written book with Bob Drury is called, The Last Hill: The Epic Story of a Ranger Battalion and the Battle That Defined WWII.

Join Robert Child for a conversation with author Damien Lewis. Damien is a former war correspondent and one of the Britain’s "twenty favorite authors" as declared by World Book Day. He’s an acclaimed and award-winning author topping bestseller lists worldwide. Many of his books are currently being produced for film and television. His latest book is called, SAS Brothers in Arms: Churchill's Desperadoes: Blood-and-Guts Defiance at Britain's Darkest Hour. 

Join Robert Child for a conversation with author Samuel De Korte. Samuel is a graduate of Utrecht University, where he received an MA in the Cultural History of Modern Europe. He wrote his thesis about the representation of Black Americans during the Second World War in contemporary media, indicating that although they formed a substantial part of the American armed forces, they don't receive an equal share in the representation.  His book is called, The 614th Tank Destroyer Battalion Fighting on Both Fronts. 

We’ve got some outstanding guests coming up in November on Point of the Spear. Click that subscribe button so you don’t miss a moment—kicking off the month the story of Churchill’’s desperadoes, the British SAS in WWII with author Damien Lewis. Then, the epic tale of a WWII Army Ranger Battalion ordered to seize a hill from the Germans and hold it till the last man in The Last Hill with author Tom Clavin. And later in the month the extraordinary untold story of two Marine regiments who battled each other on the football field on Christmas Eve 1944 in the Mosquito Bowl. Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Buzz Bissinger will tell us about his new bestselling book. All this and much more coming your way in November. Click that subscribe button and join us on Point of the Spear.

Join Robert Child for a conversation with author Andrew Dubbins. Andrew is an award-winning journalist and author, based in Los Angeles. His work has appeared in Alta, Los Angeles magazine, The Daily Beast, Slate, and other publications. He was named “Journalist of the Year” by the Los Angeles Press Club in 2021, and several of his narrative non-fiction stories have been optioned for film and Television His book is called, Into Enemy Waters: A World War II Story of the Demolition Divers Who Became the Navy SEALS.