The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War
Seth Paridon, William Toti · Captain William Toti, USN (Ret)
Show overview
The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War has been publishing since 2022, and across the 4 years since has built a catalogue of 226 episodes, alongside 30 trailers or bonus episodes. That works out to roughly 330 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence, with the show now in its 5th season.
Episodes typically run an hour to ninety minutes — most land between 1h 11m and 1h 47m — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language History show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 1 weeks ago, with 25 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2024, with 73 episodes published. Published by Captain William Toti, USN (Ret).
From the publisher
The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War Podcast is the creation of Seth Paridon and Bill Toti. Seth is a World War II historian with over 20 years experience who's many roles also was serving as a chief historian for The National WWII Museum for 15 years. Bill is not a historian, but is a retired submarine commodore and military planner with a special interest in the Pacific War. Bill has a unique perspective to offer as one who spent more than a decade sailing those same waters where the action in “The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War” took place. Each week, Bill and Seth dive deep into topics pertaining to the Pacific War during World War II. We dissect the battles, tactics, strategies, and personalities that drove the United States' victory on the largest battlefront in human history. Seth and Bill bring out the hard facts about the war that resonates deeply today, some 80 years after the war was fought. New episodes are released on this channel every Tuesday, and the audio versions of each episode are released at the same time everywhere you receive your podcasts. Make sure you subscribe to get notifications of every fresh upload and new show! If you prefer an audio-only version of “The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War,” it can be heard here: And for those of you interested in the transition from active duty to industry, Bill’s book “From CO to CEO: A Practical Guide for Transitioning from Military to Industry Leadership” is available in hardback at Amazon and other resellers, in eBook format on Kindle and Apple, and in audiobook format on Audible.
Latest Episodes
View all 226 episodesThe Withdrawal to Bataan with John McManus – Episode 605
Japanese Landings on Luzon-December 1941 with John McManus - Episode 604
Disaster at Clark Field: Air Raid Philippines 1941 - Episode 603
Intro to the Philippine Campaign of 1942 - Episode 602
VMF-221: The Fighting Falcons in the Pacific War with guest Pete Owen - Episode 601
The Fleet That Came to Stay
Appointment in Tokyo
The Battle for Wake Island
Come Hang out Seth and Jon at The National Museum of the Pacific War on October 16-17, 2026.
Attack on Pearl Harbor--The First Wave
Touring the National Naval Aviation Museum
Season 5 Finale--Questions and Answers on the Pacific War
Shipbuilding and Fleet Repair in the PTO with Sal Mercogliano – Episode 549
S4 Ep 48Task Force 58 Under Attack 1943-45 Archival Footage – Episode 548
This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall take a look at some utterly awesome archival footage. Remember when we said that the airspace over Task Force 58 was the most deadly anti-aircraft envelope on the planet in 44-45? Well, after watching this, you will understand why we are right. The sheer amount of lead flying through the air from the likes of USS Washington, USS Lexington, USS Hornet, USS Bennington, USS Quincy, and several Cleveland-class light cruisers is simply mind-blowing. We also delve into some famous footage from Yorktown in 1943, as well as some harrowing images of Ticonderoga in 1945, and USS Essex in 1944. Grisly images of what kamikaze aircraft and flash fires can produce are seen here. Beware. #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #essex #halsey #taskforce38 #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #hollywood #movie #movies #books #mastersoftheair #8thairforce #mightyeighth #100thbombgroup #bloodyhundredth #b17 #boeing #airforce wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #hollywood #movie #movies #books #oldbreed #1stMarineDivision #thepacific #Peleliu #army #marines #marinecorps #worldwar2 #worldwar #worldwarii #leytegulf #battleofleytegulf #rodserling #twilightzone #liberation #blacksheep #power #prisoner #prisonerofwar #typhoon #hurricane #weather #iwojima#bullhalsey #ace #p47 #p38 #fighter #fighterpilot #b29 #strategicstudying #tokyo #boeing #incendiary #usa #franklin #okinawa #yamato #kamikaze #Q&A #questions #questionsandanswers #history #jaws #atomicbomb #nuclear #nationalarchives #nara #johnford #hollywood #fdr #president #roosevelt #doolittle #doolittleraid #pearlharborattack #salvaged #medalofhonor #tarawa #malayalam #singapore #guadalcanal #mob #mafia .
S5 Ep 47The Dangerous Shore with Sara Vladic – Episode 547
This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall welcome author and historian Sara Vladic to the show to discuss her new book, The Dangerous Shore: How a Motley Crew of Scientists, Mobsters, Double Agents, Retirees, Volunteer Pilots (and a Boy Scout) Stopped the Invasion of America. I bet you never thought you would ever hear the name Lucky Luciano or Meyer Lansky on this show. Well, just sit back and watch. This is our first foray, if you will, into the homefront with our pal Sara, and believe me, it does not disappoint. Check out this absolutely fascinating episode to hear about spies, mobsters, secret plots, sabotage and all kinds of other subjects that you never expected. You’ll love this one, gang #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #essex #halsey #taskforce38 #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #hollywood #movie #movies #books #mastersoftheair #8thairforce #mightyeighth #100thbombgroup #bloodyhundredth #b17 #boeing #airforce wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #hollywood #movie #movies #books #oldbreed #1stMarineDivision #thepacific #Peleliu #army #marines #marinecorps #worldwar2 #worldwar #worldwarii #leytegulf #battleofleytegulf #rodserling #twilightzone #liberation #blacksheep #power #prisoner #prisonerofwar #typhoon #hurricane #weather #iwojima#bullhalsey #ace #p47 #p38 #fighter #fighterpilot #b29 #strategicstudying #tokyo #boeing #incendiary #usa #franklin #okinawa #yamato #kamikaze #Q&A #questions #questionsandanswers #history #jaws #atomicbomb #nuclear #nationalarchives #nara #johnford #hollywood #fdr #president #roosevelt #doolittle #doolittleraid #pearlharborattack #salvaged #medalofhonor #tarawa #malayalam #singapore #guadalcanal #mob #mafia .
S5 Ep 46Pacific War Historians Chat with John McManus - Episode 546
This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall welcome their good friend John McManus to the show to talk research. Jon and I get stacks of emails every week asking where to look, how to look, what to look for, etc when it comes to researching a subject, person, photo, what have you. As we begin the wrap-up of Season 5, we thought it would be a good idea to have our buddy on to discuss that very topic. Hope this helps those budding historians and writers. #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #essex #halsey #taskforce38 #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #hollywood #movie #movies #books #mastersoftheair #8thairforce #mightyeighth #100thbombgroup #bloodyhundredth #b17 #boeing #airforce wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #hollywood #movie #movies #books #oldbreed #1stMarineDivision #thepacific #Peleliu #army #marines #marinecorps #worldwar2 #worldwar #worldwarii #leytegulf #battleofleytegulf #rodserling #twilightzone #liberation #blacksheep #power #prisoner #prisonerofwar #typhoon #hurricane #weather #iwojima#bullhalsey #ace #p47 #p38 #fighter #fighterpilot #b29 #strategicstudying #tokyo #boeing #incendiary #usa #franklin #okinawa #yamato #kamikaze #Q&A #questions #questionsandanswers #history #jaws #atomicbomb #nuclear #nationalarchives #nara #johnford #hollywood #fdr #president #roosevelt #doolittle #doolittleraid #pearlharborattack #salvaged #medalofhonor #tarawa #malayalam #singapore #guadalcanal #china #burma #oil
S5 Ep 45Fast Oilers and Logistics in the Pacific War with Sal Mercogliano – Episode 545
This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall are delighted to welcome Sal Mercogliano from What’s Going on With Shipping to the show to discuss US Navy fast oilers and the logistic issues in the Pacific during 1942. Seth and Jon give Sal the wheel and he drives us through an absolutely fascinating presentation on the US Navy’s oiler situation in late 1941 and through 1942.You guys will be absolutely amazed at how much just a handful of oilers mattered when it came to the overall scheme of making war in the Pacific from Pearl Harbor through Guadalcanal. Sal expertly delivers this awesome presentation that will be sure to make all the logisticians and duly anointed members of the Nerderati gush with joy. This is the first, but certainly not the last time we will be yacking with Sal. Enjoy.
S5 Ep 43Campaign in Burma 1942: The Fall of Rangoon to The End in 42 - Episode 543
This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall wrap up the campaign in Burma with the fall of Rangoon, and the subsequent Japanese advance north into central Burma. British General Harold Alexander takes over for the fired Thomas Hutton and we also see the introduction of two of the more famous allied characters of the war, British General William Slim and American General Joseph “Vinegar Joe” Stilwell. The Japanese literally walk into Rangoon and then spin north and launch an offensive that smacks Stilwell and Slim right in the mouth. The remaining actions in the oil fields and Stilwell’s destruction of two Chinese armies highlights the low light that is the remainder of the 1942 campaign for Burma. #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #essex #halsey #taskforce38 #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #hollywood #movie #movies #books #mastersoftheair #8thairforce #mightyeighth #100thbombgroup #bloodyhundredth #b17 #boeing #airforce wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #hollywood #movie #movies #books #oldbreed #1stMarineDivision #thepacific #Peleliu #army #marines #marinecorps #worldwar2 #worldwar #worldwarii #leytegulf #battleofleytegulf #rodserling #twilightzone #liberation #blacksheep #power #prisoner #prisonerofwar #typhoon #hurricane #weather #iwojima#bullhalsey #ace #p47 #p38 #fighter #fighterpilot #b29 #strategicstudying #tokyo #boeing #incendiary #usa #franklin #okinawa #yamato #kamikaze #Q&A #questions #questionsandanswers #history #jaws #atomicbomb #nuclear #nationalarchives #nara #johnford #hollywood #fdr #president #roosevelt #doolittle #doolittleraid #pearlharborattack #salvaged #medalofhonor #tarawa #malayalam #singapore #guadalcanal #china #burma
S5 Ep 42The Burma Campaign: Japanese Invasion to Sittang Bridge - Episode 542
This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall bring the Burma campaign, or the beginning of it anyway, to the table. The guys get into the strategic setup for the campaign, and talk about the British defensive forces, or lack thereof. Jon dishes on Iida Shojiro, Japanese CO of the 15th Army, and the guys get into the series of defenisive battles fought by the Commonwealth forces that occur in the beginning of the Japanese invasion. The fate of the heroic 17th Indian Division at Sittang Bridge will make you want to pull your hair out. This one is an interesting, if not often told, tale. #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #essex #halsey #taskforce38 #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #hollywood #movie #movies #books #mastersoftheair #8thairforce #mightyeighth #100thbombgroup #bloodyhundredth #b17 #boeing #airforce wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #hollywood #movie #movies #books #oldbreed #1stMarineDivision #thepacific #Peleliu #army #marines #marinecorps #worldwar2 #worldwar #worldwarii #leytegulf #battleofleytegulf #rodserling #twilightzone #liberation #blacksheep #power #prisoner #prisonerofwar #typhoon #hurricane #weather #iwojima#bullhalsey #ace #p47 #p38 #fighter #fighterpilot #b29 #strategicstudying #tokyo #boeing #incendiary #usa #franklin #okinawa #yamato #kamikaze #Q&A #questions #questionsandanswers #history #jaws #atomicbomb #nuclear #nationalarchives #nara #johnford #hollywood #fdr #president #roosevelt #doolittle #doolittleraid #pearlharborattack #salvaged #medalofhonor #tarawa #malayalam #singapore #guadalcanal #china #burma
S5 Ep 41Japanese Archival Footage from 1942 - Episode 541
This week Seth Paridon and Jon Parshall take a fascinating look at some Japanese archival footage from 1942 (and a bit from 43). The guys look at footage, that for the most part, they have never seen before. There are some really amazing shots of Japanese aircraft including, Jakes and Mavis', as well as some glorious shots of Japanese heavy cruisers like Tone, Haguro, and the Mogami class, as well as carriers Junyo and Zuiho at sea. Japanese camermen take us from Indonesia, Burma, and Rabaul to Tulagi, and Guadalcanal. Previously unseen footage of the Battle of Santa Cruz through Japanese eyes is incredibly cool, shots showing Enterprise and South Dakota through a Japanese camera lens on October 26, 1942 are a highlight. Incredibly cool stuff. The Nerderatti will eat this up! #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #essex #halsey #taskforce38 #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #hollywood #movie #movies #books #mastersoftheair #8thairforce #mightyeighth #100thbombgroup #bloodyhundredth #b17 #boeing #airforce wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #usnavy #usa #usarmy #medalofhonor #enterprise #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #cv6 #midway #wwii #wwiihistory #ww2 #worldwar2 #usnavy #usnavyseals #usmc #usmarines #saipan #usa #usarmy #aircraft #aircraftcarrier #battleship #battleships #ussenterprise #aircraftcarriers #museum #hollywood #movie #movies #books #oldbreed #1stMarineDivision #thepacific #Peleliu #army #marines #marinecorps #worldwar2 #worldwar #worldwarii #leytegulf #battleofleytegulf #rodserling #twilightzone #liberation #blacksheep #power #prisoner #prisonerofwar #typhoon #hurricane #weather #iwojima#bullhalsey #ace #p47 #p38 #fighter #fighterpilot #b29 #strategicstudying #tokyo #boeing #incendiary #usa #franklin #okinawa #yamato #kamikaze #Q&A #questions #questionsandanswers #history #jaws #atomicbomb #nuclear #nationalarchives #nara #johnford #hollywood #fdr #president #roosevelt #doolittle #doolittleraid #pearlharborattack #salvaged #medalofhonor #tarawa #malayalam #singapore #guadalcanal