James and Sean discuss the outstanding 2018 Peter Jackson documentary They Shall Not Grow Old, which combines interviews with British World War I veterans with colorized and slowed-down footage from the war.

James and Sean discuss the outstanding 2018 Peter Jackson documentary They Shall Not Grow Old, which combines interviews with British World War I veterans with colorized and slowed-down footage from the war.

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.

Take back your personal data with Incogni! Use code battles at the link below and get 60% off annual plans: https://incogni.com/battles

War has played a key role in the history of the United States from the nation&rsquo;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&rsquo;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&rsquo;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.
Take back your personal data with Incogni! Use code&nbsp;battles&nbsp;at the link below and get 60% off annual plans:&nbsp;<a href="https://incogni.com/battles" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://incogni.com/battles&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1760039583390000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0ULMfaBXofZRuz38AK_g5b">https://incogni.com/battles</a>

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...

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.

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.

They Shall Not Grow Old (ENCORE)

In this episode, Sean and James step away from battles and politics to focus on the daily lives of the ordinary men who fought in World War I. They explore what soldiers from the major powers wore, ate, and carried into battle, as well as the terrifying wounds and diseases that claimed millions of lives. The episode traces dramatic advances in medical care, from battlefield triage and antiseptic surgery to the first blood transfusions and reconstructive surgery. It also delves into the psychological toll of trench warfare, the spread of illnesses like trench fever and influenza, and the grim realities of capture and imprisonment. Through it all, listeners gain a vivid sense of the endurance, suffering, and humanity of the common soldier.

In this episode, Sean and James step away from battles and politics to focus on the daily lives of the ordinary men who fought in World War I. They explore what soldiers from the major powers wore, ate, and carried into battle, as well as the terrifying wounds and diseases that claimed millions of lives. The episode traces dramatic advances in medical care, from battlefield triage and antiseptic surgery to the first blood transfusions and reconstructive surgery. It also delves into the psychological toll of trench warfare, the spread of illnesses like trench fever and influenza, and the grim realities of capture and imprisonment. Through it all, listeners gain a vivid sense of the endurance, suffering, and humanity of the common soldier.

GW5: The Common Soldier

While the Western Front quickly descended into trench warfare, the fighting in the East remained highly mobile, spanning vast distances across Eastern Europe. In this episode, Sean and James discuss Austria-Hungary’s failed invasions of Serbia, Russia’s disastrous defeats at Tannenberg and the Masurian Lakes, and the massive but costly Russian victory over Austria at Galicia. Listeners will learn how poor leadership, logistical chaos, and ethnic divisions crippled the Austro-Hungarian and Russian armies alike. By year’s end, both sides were bloodied and exhausted, setting the stage for a long and brutal struggle in the East.

While the Western Front quickly descended into trench warfare, the fighting in the East remained highly mobile, spanning vast distances across Eastern Europe. In this episode, Sean and James discuss Austria-Hungary&rsquo;s failed invasions of Serbia, Russia&rsquo;s disastrous defeats at Tannenberg and the Masurian Lakes, and the massive but costly Russian victory over Austria at Galicia. Listeners will learn how poor leadership, logistical chaos, and ethnic divisions crippled the Austro-Hungarian and Russian armies alike. By year&rsquo;s end, both sides were bloodied and exhausted, setting the stage for a long and brutal struggle in the East.

GW4: The Eastern Front in 1914

In this episode, Sean and James explore Jean Renoir’s The Grand Illusion (1937), a World War I masterpiece that examines class, nationalism, and the bonds that form even among enemies. They discuss the film’s unforgettable characters—from working-class Maréchal and aristocratic Boeldieu to the dignified German officer Rauffenstein—and the ways their relationships reveal a fading old order. Finally, they reflect on the film’s themes of humanity, hope, and the futility of war, which still resonate powerfully nearly ninety years after its release.

In this episode, Sean and James explore Jean Renoir&rsquo;s The Grand Illusion (1937), a World War I masterpiece that examines class, nationalism, and the bonds that form even among enemies. They discuss the film&rsquo;s unforgettable characters&mdash;from working-class Mar&eacute;chal and aristocratic Boeldieu to the dignified German officer Rauffenstein&mdash;and the ways their relationships reveal a fading old order. Finally, they reflect on the film&rsquo;s themes of humanity, hope, and the futility of war, which still resonate powerfully nearly ninety years after its release.

They Shall Not Grow Old (ENCORE)

In 1 playlist(s)

Key Battles of American History

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips