May 31, 2019
This week at In The Past Lane, the American History podcast, I
speak with Pulitzer Prize winning military historian, Rick
Atkinson, who’s just published the first of a 3-volume history of
the American Revolution:
The British Are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to
Princeton, 1775–1777. This project represents a new focus
for Atkinson, as it follows a prize-winning trilogy on the history
of World War II. This new book examines the first two years of the
American war for independence. It’s a fascinating conversation that
I’m sure you’re going to love.
In the course of our conversation, Rick Atkinson explains:
How George Washington had to learn on the job how to organize,
manage, and command the Continental Army.
How one of George Washington’s key leadership insights was his
awareness that American soldiers could not simply be driven. Rather
they needed to be led.
How George Washington was not only effective on the field of
battle, but also in managing the politics surrounding the American
revolutionary effort.
How vital but unlikely figures emerged during the war, like Henry
Knox, Benedict Arnold, and Nathaniel Greene.
How the British both overestimated the percentage of colonists who
remained remain loyal to the Crown,
and underestimated the fighting effectiveness of the Continental
Army.
How and why the Continental Army enjoyed a lot of success in 1775,
but then nearly lost the war in the summer and fall of 1776.
How George Washington’s bold decision to cross the Delaware River
into New Jersey to surprise attack the British at Trenton and later
at Princeton in late December 1776 and early January 1777, stopped
British momentum and boosted American morale.
Recommended reading:
Rick Atkinson, The British Are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775–1777 (Holt, 2019)
Andrew O’Shaughnessy, The Men Who Lost America: British Leadership, the American Revolution, and the Fate of the Empire
Robert Middlekauff, The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789
Dean Snow, 1777: Tipping Point at Saratoga
Alan Taylor, American Revolutions: A Continental History, 1750-1804
Related ITPL podcast episodes:
017 Alan
Taylor, American Revolutions
023 Stephen Knott on the relationship between Alexander Hamilton
and George Washington
028 Carol Berkin on the Crisis of the 1790s
041 Dean Snow on the pivotal Battle of Saratoga
049 Gordon Wood on the relationship between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson
065 Andrew O’Shaughnessy on “The Men Who Lost America: British
Leadership, the American Revolution, and the Fate of the
Empire.”
More info about Rick Atkinson - website
Follow In The Past Lane on
Twitter @InThePastLane
Instagram @InThePastLane
Facebook: InThePastLanePodcast
YouTube: InThePastLane
Music for This Episode
Jay Graham, ITPL Intro (JayGMusic.com)
Kevin McCleod, “Impact Moderato” (Free Music Archive)
Andy Cohen, “Trophy Endorphins” (Free Music Archive)
Andy Cohen, “Bathed in Finest Light” (Free Music Archive)
Jon Luc Hefferman, “Winter Trek” (Free Music Archive)
The Bell, “I Am History” (Free Music Archive)
Production Credits
Executive Producer: Lulu Spencer
Technical Advisors: Holly Hunt and Jesse Anderson
Podcasting Consultant: Dave Jackson of the School of Podcasting
Podcast Editing: Wildstyle Media
Photographer: John Buckingham
Graphic Designer: Maggie Cellucci
Website by: ERI Design
Legal services: Tippecanoe and Tyler Too
Social Media management: The Pony Express
Risk Assessment: Little Big Horn Associates
Growth strategies: 54 40 or Fight
© In The Past Lane, 2019
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