Key Battles of American History

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  RW12: The War Moves South 16.09.2026 59мин

  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 Southern Campaign and set the stage for the decisive events that would ultimately lead to Yorktown.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  RW11: The Rhode Island Campaign 09.09.2026 46мин

  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 the war by demonstrating the growing strength of the Continental Army and the profound strategic impact of France's entry into the conflict.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  RW10: The Philadelphia Campaign 02.09.2026 55мин

  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 most of the campaign's major battles, they ultimately abandoned Philadelphia, marking the beginning of a strategic stalemate in the North and a shift in British attention toward the southern colonies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  RW9: The Tide Turns: Saratoga 26.08.2026 48мин

  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 October 17. The victory persuaded France to enter the war as an American ally, transforming the Revolution from a colonial rebellion into a global conflict.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Crossing with Michael Troy 22.08.2026 1ч 8мин

  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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  RW8: Ten Crucial Days: Trenton and Princeton 19.08.2026 40мин

  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 young nation—new reason to believe victory was still possible.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  RW7: The New York and New Jersey Campaign 12.08.2026 50мин

  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 leadership lessons Washington learned through defeat. By Christmas 1776, with enlistments expiring, morale at its lowest point, and the Revolution seemingly on the verge of failure, Washington knew that one bold stroke might be all that stands between American independence and total defeat.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  RW6: Common Sense, Charleston, and Independence 05.08.2026 1ч 2мин

  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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  RW5: Quebec and the Noble Train of Artillery 29.07.2026 48мин

  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 and force the British evacuation of the city. Join James and Audrey as they discuss these exciting Revolutionary War events of late 1775 and early 1776.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  RW4: Bunker Hill; Washington Takes Command 22.07.2026 54мин

  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 next chapter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  RW3: British and Continental Soldiers 15.07.2026 52мин

  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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  RW2: The Shot Heard Round the World: Lexington and Concord 08.07.2026 39мин

  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 American Revolution itself.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  RW1: The Roots of the Revolutionary War 04.07.2026 58мин

  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 Britain and the colonies were moving steadily toward a confrontation that would soon erupt into open war.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Southern Unionists in the Civil War 01.07.2026 27мин

  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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Been There, Done That with Greg Jackson 24.06.2026 56мин

  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, American traditions that stand firmly beside another deeply American trait: the will to push back on these demons, prevail, and overcome.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Decisions, Discord and Diplomacy with Admiral William Fallon 17.06.2026 55мин

  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 military campaigns in this volatile corner of the globe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Guadalcanal's Longest Fight with Dave Holland 10.06.2026 58мин

  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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Soldier of the South with Edward Hagerty 03.06.2026 57мин

  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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Japanese War Atrocities with Jenny Chan 27.05.2026 46мин

  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 way that informs present-day global tensions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  GW24: Epilogue to the Great War 20.05.2026 1ч 11мин

  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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.