Key Battles of American History
Listen on Your Favorite App

Key Battles of American History

James Early
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.
Listen on Your Favorite App

The Sioux Wars
January 3, 2024 - 24 min
In this topical episode, commissioned by Early’s Raiders Major Alex Calabrese, James discusses the various Sioux Wars, including the Dakota War of 1862, Red Cloud’s War (1866-68), the Great Sioux War (1876-77), and the Ghost Dance War (1890). If you would like to commission an episode on a topic of your choosing, you can do so by joining Early’s Raiders at the Major level or higher. For more information, go to Patreon.com and search for Key Battles of American History.
Band of Brothers, Episode 5: Crossroads
December 30, 2023 - 49 min
In this episode Sean and James discuss Band of Brothers Episode 5: Crossroads. Winters writes an after-action report on Easy's actions during a German counter offensive on the Nijmegen salient; he is troubled by the fact that he shot an unarmed, teenage Waffen-SS soldier during the battle. Winters is promoted to battalion executive officer, and command of Easy is given to "Moose" Heyliger. Winters, Nixon, Heyliger and Sink meet Lt. Col. David Dobie of the British Parachute Regiment and 1st Airborne Division, who enlists Easy's help in Operation Pegasus to rescue 140 of his comrades. The operation succeeds, and the rescued British Paras celebrate with Easy and toast them. Heyliger is badly wounded, and command of the company passes to Norman Dike before they are rushed to Bastogne when the Germans break out in the Battle of the Bulge.
Medical Care in World War II
December 27, 2023 - 25 min
In this topical episode, commissioned by Early’s Raiders Major Ana Concepcion Castro, James discusses medical care in World War II, including the crucial role of combat medics, the various types of hospitals, and medical advances made during the war. If you would like to commission an episode on a topic of your choosing, you can do so by joining Early’s Raiders at the Major level or higher. For more information, go to Patreon.com and search for Key Battles of American History.
Band of Brothers, Episode 4: Replacements
December 23, 2023 - 42 min
In this episode Sean and James discuss Band of Brothers Episode 4: Replacements. Replacements join Easy Company and struggle to be accepted by the veterans who fought at Normandy. Winters is promoted to captain, while Sobel becomes the regiment's new supply officer. The company parachutes into the Netherlands as part of Operation Market Garden and liberates Eindhoven. During combat in Nuenen, the replacements integrate themselves with the company, but Easy is forced to retreat. Denver "Bull" Randleman is left behind. Wounded, Randeman hides in a barn and engages in hand-to-hand combat with a German soldier. He is reunited with the rest of the company the following day.
History of the Papacy Sample: The Septuagint
December 20, 2023 - 21 min
The Septuagint is the most important Bible translation you’ve never heard of. In this episode of the 10th Anniversary of the History of the Papacy series, Steve Guerra and his special guest Garry Stevens lay out the basics of the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament. They talk about the issues of translation and the process of translation.
Band of Brothers, Episode 3: Carentan
December 16, 2023 - 39 min
In this episode Sean and James discuss Band of Brothers Episode 3: Carentan. Easy fights in the Battle of Carentan and loses several men. Rumors begin to circulate that Ronald Speirs killed a group of German prisoners. Private Albert Blithe, who has been struggling with shell shock, is finally spurred into action by Winters during the Battle of Bloody Gulch. Several days later, Blithe is shot through the neck by a sniper while on patrol.
Revolutionary War Artillery
December 13, 2023 - 22 min
In this topical episode, commissioned by Early’s Raiders Major Doug Pergram, James discusses Revolutionary War artillery, including types of artillery and shot, how artillery were fired, and how they were used by both sides during the war. If you would like to commission an episode on a topic of your choosing, you can do so by joining Early’s Raiders at the Major level or higher. For more information, go to Patreon.com and search for Key Battles of American History.
Band of Brothers, Episode 2: Day of Days
December 9, 2023 - 44 min
In this episode Sean and James discuss Band of Brothers Episode 2: Day of Days. On June 6, 1944, Easy Company parachutes into Normandy but is scattered and many land miles away from their designated drop zones. Most of Easy reconnects, but its company commander, First Lieutenant Thomas Meehan, is missing and presumed dead, so Winters assumes command as its highest-ranking officer. He successfully leads a small group of men in destroying German artillery emplacements firing on Utah Beach from Brécourt Manor despite the German defending force being larger. Winters also captures a map of all German artillery emplacements in Normandy. Winters and several other Easy Company members earn combat decorations for their part in the attack.
The Fighting Darlings - Prisoners in the Philippines
December 6, 2023 - 61 min
After the fall of the Philippines to the Japanese in May 1942, many Allied servicemen became prisoners. Those who survived their captivity would remain prisoners of the Japanese for nearly three years. One of these prisoners, George Darling of Deming, New Mexico, went on to write a memoir of his and his brother Gerald’s captivity in the Philippines. In this episode, James is joined by Jay Robison, a retired Air Force colonel, surgeon, and history buff…as well as James’ first cousin and a first cousin once removed to the Darling brothers. You will be fascinated by the Darling brothers’ story as Jay and James tell it.
Band of Brothers, Episode 1: Currahee
December 2, 2023 - 90 min
In this episode Sean and James introduce the award-winning Band of Brothers series and discuss Episode 1: Currahee. In 1942, Easy Company trains at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, under First Lieutenant Herbert Sobel, a strict disciplinarian who goes out of his way to find fault with his men. The company is shipped to England in September 1943, and as training progresses, Sobel's inadequacy as a leader in the field becomes evident. Now a captain, Sobel initiates a dispute with Lieutenant Richard "Dick" Winters, leading to Winters requesting a trial by court martial. These factors lead all of Easy's non-commissioned officers to resign en masse. Colonel Robert Sink, the regiment's commander, reassigns Sobel to command of a parachuting school for essential non-infantry personnel. With new leadership, Easy Company prepares for Operation Overlord. William Guarnere learns that his older brother Henry, a medic in the 1st Armored Division fighting in Italy, has been killed at Monte Cassino.
Previous
3 of 24
Next
Meet Your Host
Meet Your Host
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.
Podcasts About Us Contact Us Newsletters