277 episodes

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.

Key Battles of American History Parthenon

    • History
    • 4.7 • 797 Ratings

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.

    FIW 1: Britain and France: Centuries of Conflict

    FIW 1: Britain and France: Centuries of Conflict

    By 1754, Great Britain and France had been fighting each other off and on for centuries. In the early seventeenth century, both empires began establishing colonies in North America, and both empires’ presence in the region grew over the next 150 years. As the British colonies looked to expand west and the French pushed south and east, conflict became inevitable. Join Jacob and James as they explore the roots of the French and Indian War.

    • 48 min
    FIW 0: Introduction to the French and Indian War

    FIW 0: Introduction to the French and Indian War

    In this episode, James and new cohost Jacob Herr kick off a new series on the French and Indian War. You’ll want to catch every action-packed episode of this narrative of a little-known but crucial war for control of the region that later became the United States of America.

    • 17 min
    Oppenheimer (Part 2)

    Oppenheimer (Part 2)

    In this episode, Sean and James conclude their discussion of the epic 2023 biopic Oppenheimer.

    • 50 min
    Oppenheimer (Part 1)

    Oppenheimer (Part 1)

    In this episode, James and Sean discuss the first half of the epic 2023 biopic Oppenheimer. 

    • 1 hr 1 min
    Masters of the Air Episode 9

    Masters of the Air Episode 9

    In February 1945, Major Rosenthal's plane is shot down over Berlin; he parachutes into no man's land and is rescued by the Red Army. The Germans evacuate Stalag Luft III, forcing the prisoners to march in freezing conditions; they are taken via train to Nuremberg before being interned at Stalag XIII. Cleven and two other officers escape, and Cleven makes it to Allied lines. Egan and the other prisoners are taken to Stalag VII and are liberated soon after. In Poznań, Major Rosenthal enters Żabikowo prison camp (which replaced Fort VII) where he sees the bodies of prisoners, as well as signs of the earlier Jewish inmates. Majors Cleven, Egan, Rosenthal and Crosby reunite at Thorpe Abbotts; they participate in Operations Manna and Chowhound to supply food to the Dutch population stricken by Hongerwinter. After the German surrender, the 100th departs for home. The series ends with a montage explaining the future lives of its central characters.  Join Sean and James as they discuss this epic and heart-warming episode.

    • 1 hr 6 min
    The Manhattan Project

    The Manhattan Project

    In this episode, James and Sean McIver briefly tell the story of the Manhattan Project, the history-changing effort to develop an atomic bomb and end the Second World War.

    • 39 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
797 Ratings

797 Ratings

wolfie/wolf ,

Masters of the Air

Very good review of the shows I had just read the books and had heard of the show But after reading both books I watched the series It was a very good series But had same issues with the shows I was a little disappointed that it could have been as good as Band of Brothers But think like you The budget and Covid help rush the show to finish I hope the people who did watch Now read the books

Historymom17 ,

Band of Brothers

Thank you for your show, but specifically the episodes breaking down Band of Brothers. I’ve listened to these episodes twice now and I’m grateful for the time and detail you give to this show. Your podcast is by far the best out there!

The new kid on the old block ,

Very well done

Every episode is very well done. It goes into detail without bogging the listener down. It gives facts that the common person can easily digest without making them feel dumb. I’m no historian, but I do like history and learning about topics I didn’t know a lot about and this podcast does that. I hate waiting for new episodes to come out!

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