Matt Whittaker
@matt-whittaker
Matt Whittaker is an avid history reader, fascinated by the why, how and when. With a B.A. in History and Asian Studies from University of Massachusetts, he does deep dives into medieval, Asian and military history. Matt’s other passion besides family is the long-distance Zen-like runs.
Why Japan’s Costliest Defeat Was Not Midway But Guadalcanal
The Battle of Guadalcanal lasted from 1942 to 1943, as the U.S. invaded Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands following Japanese expansion.
How Ancient Greek Shaped the Way the Western World Thinks
Whether through daily use or more formal settings, Ancient Greek helped mold the West. Examples like mousike (music) or works like Homer's epics are but two examples.
How Did Nancy Wake Lead 7,000 Resistance Fighters Against the Nazis?
Rebel, Ghost, Saboteur, and “White Mouse”. Few people earned titles like Nancy Wake did while fiercely taking on Nazis in occupied France.
How Did British Innovation and American Industry Win World War II?
Wars brutally force countries to confront their deficiencies. Such was the case in World War II for Britain and America, each possessing a resource the other needed.
The Weather Underground: How the 1960s Anti-War Movement Became Militant
By the late 1960s, the American anti-war movement began cracking. Vietnam still raged, and civil rights seemed thwarted. Exasperated, a militant minority split to form The Weathermen.
Terror from the Sea: Why Germany Shelled British Coastal Towns in WWI
On December 16, 1914, German naval shells rained down on three British towns. The attack had a primary goal: to provoke the Royal Navy into a premature, uneven battle.
How America’s Consumer Industry Won World War II
By 1939, the United States possessed massive industrial might. Few predicted how quickly this consumer-based industry would transform into a war-winning weapon.
Why 1942 Was the Most Pivotal Year in the Battle for the Mediterranean
As 1941 ended, 1942 started with the Axis holding the initiative in the Mediterranean. Yet an unmistakable and permanent strategic pivot would occur.
Why the French Military Tried to Assassinate Their Own President
On August 22, 1962, assassins ambushed President Charles De Gaulle but failed. These Algerian War veterans sought revenge for De Gaulle's perceived betrayal of their cause.
How Railroads Turned America into a Superpower
The American Civil War ended in 1865. With that divisive conflict over, America experienced a railroad boom that helped push America to world power status.
The White Russians Lost the War But Their Legacy Haunted the USSR
Militarily defeated, the White Russians found new ways to fight the Soviet Union. Explore their surprising cultural and political victories from abroad.
A Timeline of the Apache Wars (1580–1886)
Few Native American tribes matched the Apache fighting skills and toughness. These were honed by continual clashes with the Spanish, Mexican, and Americans.