Key Battles of American History By cover art

Key Battles of American History

By: James Early
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  • Summary

  • 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.
    Copyright James Early
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Episodes
  • The Thin Red Line (with Steve Guerra)

    The Thin Red Line (with Steve Guerra)
    Apr 27 2024
    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 about a U. S. Army division’s attempt to take a hill on the island of Guadalcanal; however, the film also explores many age-old questions, including “How did evil enter the world?”, “Why are humans at war with nature?”, “Why do humans fight and kill each other?”, and “Given all the evil and suffering in the world, how can there be a loving creator?” Join James and Steve Guerra as they discuss this intellectually and emotionally deep film. Note: this episode originally appeared on Steve’s Podcast Beyond the Big Screen.
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • G12: The Final Offensive and Operation KE

    G12: The Final Offensive and Operation KE
    Apr 24 2024
    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 Japanese were executing Operation KE, a plan to retreat westward and evacuate all survivors from Guadalcanal. In early February, American forces reached the northwestern tip of the island, only to find that the main body of the Japanese army was gone. The Guadalcanal Campaign was over. In this final regular episode of the series, Dave and James narrate the exciting finish to the 6-month struggle for Guadalcanal.
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    58 mins
  • Guadalcanal Diary

    Guadalcanal Diary
    Apr 20 2024
    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 recounts the fight of the United States Marines in the Guadalcanal Campaign, which occurred only a year before the movie's release. While the film has notable battle scenes, its primary focus is on the characters and back stories of the Marines.
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    58 mins
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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Dope podcast.

Been listening to yall for a bit down in brasil and barcelona and sandiego teaching english. All the bus rides, metro rides, walks to/fro work etc that i had your podcasts on made life a bit more interesting. Good work!

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Profile Image for eccoguy

Great Storytelling about real history!

I have been listening to this WW2 Pacific series over the last several weeks. I thought I already knew quite a bit about the Pacific theater, but James and Scott delve into the unfolding events with a conversational enthusiasm that makes each episode a fun, educational listen: Perfect for walking the dog, working in the yard, or working out at the gym. The anecdotes and humorous asides - as well as the interaction between the two hosts - add so much to the factual narrative. It's all about the stories. Their style engages the listener's imagination more that would a dry recitation of facts and events.
I had the privilege to hear the advance "extra episode" on the Marine Raider battalions, including Carlson's Raiders, which was extraordinary!
Even if you have a passing interest in American History or the War in the Pacific after watching old movies, you should check this out on whatever podcast catcher is your favorite and give this a listen!

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