Key Battles of American History
War has played a key role in the history of the United States from the nation’s founding right down to the present. Wars made the U. S. independent, kept it together, increased its size, and established it as a global superpower. Understanding America’s wars is essential for understanding American history. In the Key Battles of American History, host James Early discusses American history through the lens of the most important battles of America’s wars. James is an Adjunct Professor of History at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, TX. He has published one book and two scholarly articles. He is also the cohost (with Scott Rank) of the Presidential Fight Club, Key Battles of the Civil War, Key Battles of the Revolutionary War, and Key Battles of World War I podcasts.
- Update frequency
- every 5 days
- Average duration
- 51 minutes
- Episodes
- 366
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2025
Bermuda Code Breakers
When you think about key centers of code breaking activity in the Second World War, what places come to mind? How about Bermuda? It has been said Bermuda was Britain’s number-one listening post durin…
00:19:58 |
Wed 12 Jun 2024
Masters of the Air Episode 5
The 100th returns from the Bremen mission after taking heavy casualties. Lt. Crosby replaces Captain Payne as the lead navigator and is promoted. Major Egan leads another bombing raid to Münster just…
00:37:58 |
Sat 08 Jun 2024
The Black Hawk War of 1832
In this episode, commissioned by Early's Raiders Col. Matt Schaper, James gives an overview of the 1832 U. S. Army war with Sac and Fox leader Black Hawk and his band of warriors. This war is little …
00:34:50 |
Wed 05 Jun 2024
Masters of the Air Episode 4
In this episode, Sean and James discuss Part 4, a transitional episode. In October 1943, fresh B-17 crews, including Lt. Robert Rosenthal, arrive. The 100th bombs Bremen once again. Feeling the effec…
00:44:18 |
Sat 01 Jun 2024
The Great Lakes Naval Station in the World Wars
In 1911, the U. S. Navy opened the Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, on the shore of Lake Michigan. During the First World War, about 125,000 sailors trained there. Later, during the Second Worl…
00:32:51 |
Wed 29 May 2024
This American President - Presidential Succession Crises
Discover the intricate balance between tradition and vulnerability in America's presidential succession process with legal scholar Roy E. Brownell II in this compelling bonus episode from "This Ameri…
00:53:21 |
Mon 27 May 2024
Masters of the Air Episode 3
In August 1943, the 100th participates in the Schweinfurt–Regensburg mission to destroy aircraft manufacturing plants deep within Germany before traveling to meet the Twelfth Air Force in North Afric…
00:34:56 |
Sat 25 May 2024
Bombing Hitler's Hometown with Mike Croissant
On April 25, 1945, the U. S. 15th Air Force conducted the final major bombing run of an Axis-controlled city. The target was Linz, Austria. Linz was one of Nazi Germany's most vital assets. Not only …
00:47:31 |
Wed 22 May 2024
Masters of the Air Episode 2
Sean and James continue their discussion of Masters of the Air, this time reviewing Part 2, in which the 100th copes with its first combat losses. At a pub, RAF members challenge the American tactic …
00:38:16 |
Sat 18 May 2024
The Battleship Texas with Sean McIver (Part 2)
In this episode, Sean and James discuss the Battleship Texas’ service in World War II, its brief postwar service, its conversion to a museum ship, and the many efforts to refurbish it and keep it ali…
00:52:39 |
Wed 15 May 2024
Masters of the Air Episode 1
In this episode, Sean and James discuss the initial episode of the recently-released Apple TV+ series, Masters of the Air, which tells the story of the 100th Bomb Group, part of the Eighth Air Force …
01:26:26 |
Sat 11 May 2024
The Battleship Texas with Sean McIver (Part 1)
In this two-part topical episode, Sean McIver returns to the podcast! Sean and James discuss the origin of modern battleships, the history-making introduction of the HMS Dreadnought, the first ships…
00:48:37 |
Wed 08 May 2024
G13: Epilogue to Guadalcanal
In this epilogue to the Guadalcanal series, Dave and James discuss the human and material costs of the battle for Guadalcanal. They also evaluate the performance of both sides and the short-and long…
00:56:20 |
Wed 01 May 2024
The Thin Red Line (with Steve Guerra)
During a war, combatants often ponder the deep existential questions of life. These questions form the basis of Terence Malick’s 1998 war drama The Thin Red Line. On one level, The Thin Red Line is a…
01:14:04 |
Sat 27 Apr 2024
G12: The Final Offensive and Operation KE
In January 1943, American forces began slowly but surely pushing west as the Japanese mounted an effort to deceive the Americans into thinking another major offensive was coming. In reality, the Jap…
00:57:49 |
Wed 24 Apr 2024
Guadalcanal Diary
In this episode, Dave and James discuss the 1943 World War II war film Guadalcanal Diary, directed by Lewis Seiler. The film is based on the book of the same name by Richard Tregaskis. The film recou…
00:58:26 |
Sat 20 Apr 2024
G11: The Battle of Tassafaronga and the December Decision
In this episode, Dave and James discuss the Battle of Tassafaronga, the final major naval battle of the Guadalcanal Campaign. They also narrate the Americans’ November Matanikau offensive (yes, anoth…
00:49:35 |
Wed 17 Apr 2024
G10: The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
Undeterred by the failure of their October attempt to capture Henderson Field, the Japanese high command ordered that yet another, still bigger, attempt be made in November. This resulted in two mass…
00:47:06 |
Wed 10 Apr 2024
G9: The Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands and More American Offensives
On October 26, American and Japanese naval forces clashed northeast of Guadalacanal in the fourth carrier battle of the war. Soon after this, General Vandegrift ordered offensives designed to extend …
01:05:16 |
Wed 03 Apr 2024
The Pacific, Part 2
In this episode, Dave and James discuss the second episode of HBO’s The Pacific. This episode deals primarily with the Battle of Henderson Field, especially Sgt. John Basilone’s role in the battle. B…
00:44:47 |
Sat 30 Mar 2024
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