#171 - Martin Dugard - Taking Midway, Epic History, and the Courage That Changed the World 🚢⚓
Built Not Born
New York Times bestselling author Martin Dugard joins Built Not Born to discuss his latest book "Taking Midway" and how he makes history as exciting as a spy thriller 🕵️♂️. From co-authoring 12+ books in The Killing Series with Bill O'Reilly to his solo Taking Series, Martin reveals his creative process for bringing pivotal moments in history to life ✨.
In this episode, Martin shares the incredible story of the Battle of Midway - the most decisive naval engagement of WWII that shifted global power from the British Empire to the American Empire 🌍. Discover the intelligence breakthrough that changed everything, the courage of pilots who knew they wouldn't survive, and why this battle saved democracy itself 🦅.
Key Topics Covered: 🎯
- ⚔️ The Battle of Midway: Why it was the turning point of WWII🔐 Lieutenant Commander Joseph Rochefort's code-breaking breakthrough👥 Admiral Nimitz vs. Admiral Yamamoto: Contrasting leadership styles🌍 The "Europe First" strategy and its impact on the Pacific War🎉 How Churchill celebrated Pearl Harbor (and why)✍️ The creative process behind The Killing Series📚 Making history accessible to casual readers🔍 Research techniques for bringing historical moments to life
Guest Bio 👨💼
Martin Dugard is a New York Times bestselling author 12-13 times over 🏆 and co-author of The Killing Series, which has sold over 19 million books worldwide 📈. His solo work includes the Taking Series: Taking Paris, Taking Berlin, Taking London, and Taking Midway 🇺🇸. Martin describes himself as "a gateway drug for history's casual readers" and has mastered the art of making historical events as thrilling as modern spy novels 🎬.
Key Quotes 💬"I don't have a research assistant, but I've got a really curious mind and it's like I just don't let go of a fact." 🧠 - Martin Dugard
"If we had lost [at Midway] and the Japanese had taken Midway, they would've been in a perfect position to launch a completely destructive second raid on Pearl Harbor... We would've been completely out of the war in the Pacific." ⚡ - Martin Dugard
"Those sailors, when they came home from the war, if they had seen what we have going on in our country right now, I think they would've been very disoriented. It is just weird to see history repeat itself." 🔄 - Martin Dugard
Episode Highlights ⏰[00:00] 🎬 Introduction and Martin's incredible publishing track record
[05:30] 💡 How Martin developed his "gateway drug to history" philosophy
[12:15] 🤝 The creative process behind The Killing Series collaboration with Bill O'Reilly
[18:45] 🎉 Why Churchill was excited about Pearl Harbor
[25:20] ⚔️ The Battle of Midway: Most decisive naval engagement of WWII
[32:10] 🔐 Lieutenant Commander Joseph Rochefort's code-breaking breakthrough
[38:45] 😄 The "You don't have to be crazy to work here, but it helps" sign
[42:30] 📰 Censorship, propaganda, and the "ghost" USS Yorktown
[48:15] 👥 Admiral Nimitz vs. Admiral Yamamoto: Leadership styles compared
[52:40] 🌍 How Midway marked the end of the British Empire, birth of American Empire
[58:25] 🤔 Why some battles capture popular imagination (Pearl Harbor vs. Wake Island)
[65:10] 📚 Lessons from Midway relevant to today
[70:45] 🦅 The courage of torpedo bomber and dive bomber pilots
[75:20] ✍️ Martin's writing routine and research...