Key Battles of American History

In this episode, James and Michael Troy, host of the American Revolution podcast, kick off a discussion of the 2026 film Young Washington.

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In the concluding episode of our Revolutionary War series, James and Audrey follow the remarkable postwar lives of the conflict's most important figures on all sides—from George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and John Paul Jones to Cornwallis, Tarleton, Rochambeau, and Lafayette. Discover how these men shaped the new United States, the British Empire, and revolutionary France long after the guns fell silent at Yorktown. Some rose to even greater heights, others fell into obscurity or disgrace, and a few met tragic ends. Join us as we bring the Revolutionary War to a close by exploring what became of the pe...

In this episode, James interviews Richard Lim, host of the excellent podcast This American President and author of the recently-released book Refusing a Crown: How George Washington Changed the World. In the interview, Richard discusses some of the key points he makes in his book regarding the crucial importance of Washington's fight to prevent the fledgling United States of America from becoming an autocracy and to keep the new nation a democratic republic.

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In this penultimate episode of their overview of the American Revolution, James and Audrey examine what happened after Yorktown, from the Treaty of Paris and the Newburgh Conspiracy to the financial and political challenges facing the new United States. We explore how the Revolution reshaped American government, society, religion, and ideas about liberty while also confronting the painful realities of slavery, Native American dispossession, and the Revolution's unfulfilled promises. Along the way, we consider the Revolution's influence on abolitionism, republican government, and democratic movements around the world, drawing on the insights of historians such as Gordon Wood and Jeffrey...

What happened to soldiers after they laid down their arms during the American Revolution? In this episode, James and Audrey follow the journey of both British and American prisoners of war, from the moment of capture through imprisonment, parole, escape attempts, prisoner exchanges, and ultimate release. Along the way, we explore the daily realities of life in prison camps and aboard the infamous British prison ships, where disease, hunger, and despair claimed thousands of lives. By examining captivity from both sides of the conflict, this episode sheds light on one of the Revolution's most overlooked—and most human—stories.

In this episode, Audrey and James explore the shadowy world of Revolutionary War espionage and discover how intelligence gathering became one of the conflict's most powerful weapons. We examine British spy networks, George Washington's remarkably sophisticated approach to intelligence, and the courageous exploits of figures such as Nathan Hale, the Culper Spy Ring, and Sergeant Major John Champe. Along the way, we uncover the ingenious methods spies used to transmit secret information, from invisible ink and numerical codes to dead drops and covert signals. The Revolution was won not only by soldiers on the battlefield, but also by ordinary...

In this concluding episode of their mini- series on the Revolutionary War at sea, Audrey and James explore how the conflict expanded into a global struggle involving France, Spain, and the Dutch Republic, stretching British naval power to its limits. We examine the decisive French victory at the Battle of the Chesapeake, which trapped Cornwallis at Yorktown and made the American triumph possible. We then conclude with the Battle of the Saintes, the Treaty of Paris, and the dissolution of the Continental Navy, while assessing the lasting contributions of American privateers and French sea power. Although the Continental Navy...

In this episode, the second of a three-part miniseries on the naval war, James and Audrey examine how the Continental Navy and hundreds of American privateers waged a relentless campaign against British commerce, forcing the Royal Navy to divert valuable ships to protect merchant convoys. We then explore the dramatic impact of the American victory at Saratoga, which persuaded France to enter the war and transformed the Revolution into a global conflict. Finally, we follow the extraordinary exploits of John Paul Jones, from his daring raids on the British Isles to his legendary victory over HMS Serapis in one...

The Revolutionary War was fought not only on the battlefields of North America but also across the world's oceans, where Britain's mighty Royal Navy faced an unlikely challenge from a fledgling American naval force. In this first installment of a three-part series, James and Audrey explore the harsh realities of life aboard British and American warships, the rise of privateering, and the birth of the Continental Navy under leaders like John Adams, George Washington, and Esek Hopkins. We'll examine the first American naval operations, including Washington's "secret navy," the raid on Nassau, and the creation of a force that...

In this episode, James interviews author James Giesler about his book Francisco de Saavedra’s American Revolutionary War: The Spanish Contribution to the Battle of Yorktown. Saavedra is little-known among twenty-first century Americans, in spite of the fact that he played an outsized role in helping the Patriots win the Battle of Yorktown. You will almost certainly enjoy listening to this captivating interview about this fascinating 18th century figure.

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Nathanael Greene's brilliant campaign in the Carolinas left Charles Cornwallis with little choice but to carry the war into Virginia, setting in motion the chain of events that would decide the American Revolution. As George Washington, the Comte de Rochambeau, Admiral de Grasse, and the Comte de Barras coordinated one of the war's most daring and complex campaigns, the Franco-American allies trapped Cornwallis's army at Yorktown. After a relentless siege, Cornwallis surrendered more than 7,000 troops in one of history's most decisive military victories. Join James and Audrey as they  examine the strategy, leadership, and international cooperation that secured American i...

In this episode, Michael Troy, host of the American Revolution Podcast, joins James to discuss and review the controversial 2000 film The Patriot. Is The Patriot so historically inaccurate that it is not worth watching? Or does it have enough positive traits to merit a viewing? Join Mike and James as they discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of this much talked about film.

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In this episode, James and Audrey follow the British Southern Campaign from its stunning victories at Savannah, Charleston, and Camden to the beginning of its dramatic unraveling. Your hosts then take a brief detour to examine Benedict Arnold's infamous treason, and then they introduce the brilliant commanders who would shape the fighting in the South, while also discussing the brutal civil war that erupted between Patriots and Loyalists. Finally, we turn to the pivotal Battles of King's Mountain and Cowpens, where determined Patriot forces shattered British hopes of quickly subduing the Carolinas. These remarkable victories transformed the course of...

The British occupation of Newport, Rhode Island, in late 1776 set the stage for one of the Revolutionary War's most important—and most overlooked—campaigns. In this episode, James and Audrey examine the American attempts to recapture the strategic port, culminating in the first major combined military operation between the United States and its new French ally under Admiral d'Estaing. We follow the campaign from its promising beginnings through the devastating storm, the diplomatic crisis that nearly shattered the Franco-American alliance, and the hard-fought Battle of Rhode Island. Although the campaign failed to retake Newport, it marked a turning point in t...

In this episode, James and Audrey examine the Philadelphia Campaign of 1777–78, as British General William Howe captured the American capital but failed to destroy George Washington's army. We follow the campaign through the Battles of Brandywine, Germantown, White Marsh, and Monmouth, while also exploring the dramatic defense of Forts Mifflin and Mercer and the Marquis de Lafayette's daring escape at Barren Hill. Along the way, we discuss the hardships of Valley Forge, the Conway Cabal's failed attempt to undermine Washington, and Baron von Steuben's transformation of the Continental Army into a more disciplined fighting force. Although the British won mo...

In this episode, James and Audrey examine the Saratoga campaign of 1777, in which British General John Burgoyne led an army south from Canada in an effort to cut New England off from the rest of the rebelling colonies. As Burgoyne’s supply problems mounted and the promised support from Barry St. Leger, William Howe, and Henry Clinton failed to materialize in time, American forces under Horatio Gates, Benedict Arnold, John Stark, and Daniel Morgan steadily gained the advantage. The hard-fought battles of Freeman’s Farm and Bemis Heights trapped Burgoyne’s army near Saratoga and forced its surrender on Octobe...

In this special episode, James is joined by Michael Troy, host of the American Revolution Podcast, to review the 2000 film The Crossing, starring Jeff Daniels as George Washington. Together, we discuss the film's historical accuracy, memorable performances, and its portrayal of one of the most pivotal moments of the American Revolution, separating cinematic drama from the historical record.

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By Christmas 1776, the American Revolution stood on the brink of collapse. In this episode, we follow George Washington's daring crossing of the ice-choked Delaware River, his stunning victory over the Hessians at Trenton, and his masterful escape from Cornwallis before delivering another decisive blow at Princeton. Along the way, we separate fact from legend, explore the courage and hardships endured by both sides, and examine the leadership and operational brilliance that made these ten days one of the greatest military turnarounds in history. Discover how Washington's bold gamble revived the Patriot cause and gave a struggling army—and a yo...

In this episode, James and Audrey follow George Washington and the Continental Army through the disastrous New York and New Jersey campaign of 1776, as the British launch the largest overseas expedition in their nation's history to crush the rebellion. We examine the pivotal Battle of Long Island, Washington's remarkable nighttime escape from Brooklyn Heights, the loss of New York City, and the desperate retreat across New Jersey that brought the American cause to the brink of collapse. Along the way, we explore the failed Staten Island Peace Conference, Nathan Hale's famous mission, the capture of Fort Washington, and the...

In the first half of 1776, the Patriot cause gained momentum as Thomas Paine's Common Sense inspired thousands, Patriot forces repelled a British assault on Charleston, and the Continental Congress debated the question of independence. In this episode, James and Audrey follow the events that transformed thirteen rebellious colonies into the United States of America. Your hosts also examine the drafting and meaning of the Declaration of Independence. From Sullivan's Island to Philadelphia, this episode explores one of the most consequential periods in American history.

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In the aftermath of Bunker Hill, both Britain and the Continental Congress took decisive steps that pushed the colonies closer to a complete break with the mother country. Meanwhile, American forces under Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold launched a daring invasion of Canada, only to suffer a devastating defeat before the walls of Quebec. As the northern campaign collapsed amid disease, hunger, and retreat, George Washington searched for a way to break the British hold on Boston. The answer came in the form of Henry Knox's remarkable "Noble Train of Artillery," which allowed the Americans to fortify Dorchester Heights...

In this episode, James and Audrey follow the American Revolution from the meeting of the Second Continental Congress to the bloody Battle of Bunker Hill. We explore the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, the growing siege of Boston, and the desperate struggle on Breed's Hill that proved colonial militiamen could stand against Britain's professional army. We also examine the staggering cost of Britain's victory and the profound impact the battle had on both sides of the conflict. Finally, we trace the creation of the Continental Army and the appointment of George Washington as commander-in-chief, setting the stage for the war's...

What was life really like for the men who fought in the Revolutionary War? In this episode, James and Audrey step away from the battlefield narrative to explore the everyday experiences of British redcoats, Patriots, Loyalists, Hessians, Native Americans, and Black Americans who served in the war. From enlistment and training to uniforms, weapons, food, discipline, and camp life, they examine the realities of eighteenth-century military service. Along the way, they separate myth from fact and reveal the human stories behind the armies that fought for the future of North America.

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In this episode, James and Audrey follow the mounting crisis in Massachusetts as General Thomas Gage attempts to crush growing colonial resistance. James and Audrey trace the dramatic events of April 18–19, 1775, from Paul Revere’s famous ride to the first shots fired at Lexington Green and the fierce fighting at Concord’s North Bridge. Your hosts also recount the brutal British retreat back to Boston, as thousands of Patriot militiamen attacked the exhausted redcoats along the road. By the end of the day, the political conflict between Britain and its colonies had exploded into open war — the beginning of the Amer...

In this premiere episode of The Revolutionary War, James Early and cohost Audrey Rogers explore the roots of the American Revolution, from the founding of Britain’s North American colonies to the growing tensions between Parliament and the colonies after the French and Indian War. The episode examines how new British taxes, including the Sugar Act and Stamp Act, sparked fierce resistance and ignited the debate over “taxation without representation.” James and Audrey also trace the escalating conflict through the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, and the harsh Intolerable Acts imposed by Parliament. By the end of 1774, both Britai...

During the American Civil War, around 100,000 southern Unionists served in the Union Army, with every southern state except South Carolina raising official organizations of white troops.In this episode. In addition, many thousands of southern civilians remained loyal to the Union. In this episode, frequent cohost Sean McIver returns to join James in discussing the fascinating story of southerners who remained loyal to the Union during the Civil War.

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In this episode, James interviews noted author, podcaster, and history professor Greg Jackson about his recently released book Been There, Done That. In this excellent book, Jackson points out that our nation’s past is full of massive upheaval, disagreement, and departures from the moral high ground. The political gentlemanly conduct of yesteryear is no more than a myth. But that reality never allowed our worst historical selves to defeat our better angels. Jackson looks back in time to eight examples from our nation’s history and shows that some of the hottest issues of our day are, in fact...

In this episode, James interviews retired U. S. Navy Admiral William Fallon, former commander of U. S. Central Command (CENTCOM), about his recently published book Decisions, Discord, and Diplomacy: From Cairo to Kabul." In the interview, Fallon gives an overview of U. S. involvement in the Middle East from the 1980s to the present, including on his own involvement in actions that include the Lebanese Civil War, Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Provide Comfort, the 9/11 attacks on the U. S., and the subsequent U. S. wars against Iraq and Afghanistan. Fallon concludes with his own reflections on America's mi...

In this episode, James welcomes back Dave Holland, a U. S. Marine veteran and independent scholar who has spent much of his life studying the Guadalcanal Campaign of the Second World War, including several years walking the battlefields themselves. In his new book Guadalcanal's Longest Fight, Dave provides in-depth accounts of the oft-forgotten but critical Battles of the Matanikau River, which together comprise the campaign's longest and bloodiest ground fight.

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In this episode, James interviews historian Edward Hagerty about his new book Soldier of the South: Lieutenant General Richard H. Anderson at War and Peace. Richard Anderson was one of the highest-ranking generals in the Confederate Army, but he is little known today. Despite this relative anonymity, Anderson's life and career are fascinating and merit a retelling. In this interview, Hagerty gives James a brief overview of Anderson's compelling story.

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In this episode of Key Battles of American History, James speaks with Jenny Chan, director of Pacific Atrocities Education, about the often-overlooked human dimension of the Pacific War. We explore how events like the Nanjing Massacre, the Bataan Death March, and atrocities in the Philippines and Okinawa complicate traditional narratives of American military victory by highlighting their humanitarian consequences. We discuss the challenges of combating denialism and how her organization uses education and digital archives to preserve these histories. Finally, Chan makes the case that the most urgent “battle” today is educational: ensuring these stories are remembered and understood in a...

In this episode, Sean and James tell about the postwar lives and careers of the major political and military leaders on all sides of the Great War.

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In this episode, Sean and James examine the far-reaching legacy of the First World War, from its devastating human cost and psychological impact to the profound economic, political, and geographic changes it unleashed. They explore how the war reshaped nations and empires, altered the role of government and ideology, and set the conditions for continued violence, revolution, and instability across Europe and beyond. The episode concludes by grappling with the most difficult question of all: whether the Great War was worth the staggering price it demanded, and whether anything positive ultimately emerged from the conflict.

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In this episode, Sean and James discuss the 2022 film adaptation of the classic novel All Quiet on the Western Front.  The film depicts the Great War through the experience of a young German soldier on the Western Front, charting his rapid disillusionment as patriotic fervor gives way to mechanized slaughter. The film juxtaposes brutal front-line combat with detached armistice negotiations, underscoring the indifference of political leadership to human cost. Visceral and unsparing, the film presents the First World War as an industrialized process of annihilation rather than heroism.

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In this episode, Sean and James discuss the Paris Peace Settlement and the series of treaties that formally ended the First World War. They explore the goals and clashing priorities of the “Big Four” leaders, the key terms of the Treaty of Versailles, and the dramatic territorial, military, and economic consequences imposed on the defeated powers. The discussion also covers the lesser-known treaties with Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire, as well as the creation—and inherent weaknesses—of the League of Nations. Together, the episode explains why the peace of 1919 reshaped the world while planting the seeds for futu...

James and Sean discuss the 2001 made-for-television movie The Lost Battalion, in which an American battalion becomes isolated and surrounded by German forces during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of 1918.

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In this episode, Sean and James return to the Western Front to examine the Hundred Days’ Offensives—the relentless Allied campaign that finally broke the German Army in 1918. From the stunning combined-arms victory at Amiens to the grinding battles against the Hindenburg Line and the massive American-led offensives at St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne, the episode traces how coordinated Allied attacks shattered German resistance. The discussion highlights the decisive roles of tanks, airpower, unified command under Ferdinand Foch, and the growing impact of American forces. Together, these operations forced Germany to seek an armistice and brought the First World War...

James and Sean discuss the epic, multi award-winning 1962 film Lawrence of Arabia, based on British Colonel T. E. Lawrence’s autobiographical book The Seven Pillars of Wisdom. Lawrence assists a group of Arab tribesmen in their effort to break free of Ottoman rule.

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In this episode, Sean and James examine the dramatic final campaigns of World War I in the Caucasus, the Balkans, and Italy before turning to the decisive 1918 Allied offensive in the Middle East. They focus on General Edmund Allenby’s brilliantly executed victory at the Battle of Megiddo, where British, Indian, Australian, and Arab forces shattered the Ottoman armies. The discussion explores the use of deception, airpower, and fast-moving cavalry that turned Megiddo into one of the war’s most complete operational victories. Finally, the hosts show how the fall of Damascus, the collapse of Ottoman resistance, and the Armi...

In this episode, Sean and James review the 2017 film Journey’s End, a claustrophobic World War I drama set in a British dugout on the Western Front in 1918. There a small group of officers await an expected German offensive. As the days drag on, mounting tension, exhaustion, and trauma—especially in the shell-shocked Captain Stanhope—expose the psychological toll of prolonged trench warfare. The film emphasizes endurance and comradeship in the face of near-certain catastrophe.

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