Washington's Revolutionary War Generals

Campaigns and Commanders Series, Volume 68

By: Stephen R. Taaffe

Narrated by: John Burlinson

Length: 16 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

When the Revolutionary War began, Congress established a national army and appointed George Washington its commander in chief. Congress then took it upon itself to choose numerous subordinate generals to lead the army’s various departments, divisions, and brigades.

How this worked out in the end is well known. Less familiar, however, is how well Congress’s choices worked out along the way. Although historians have examined many of Washington’s subordinates, Washington’s Revolutionary War Generals is the first book to look at these men in a collective, integrated manner.

A thoroughgoing study of the Revolutionary War careers of the Continental Army’s generals - their experience, performance, and relationships with Washington and the Continental Congress - this book provides an overview of the politics of command, both within and outside the army, and a unique perspective on how it affected Washington’s prosecution of the war. Stephen R. Taaffe weaves a narrative in the grand tradition of military history.

Against this backdrop, his depiction of the complexities and particulars of character and politics of military command provides a new understanding of George Washington, the War for Independence, and the US military’s earliest beginnings.

The book is published by University of Oklahoma Press. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.

“As comprehensive as it is unsparing...a welcome contribution to our understanding of the Continental military.” (Mark Edward Lender, coauthor of Fatal Sunday)

“This book is an important contribution to the field.” (Joseph F. Stoltz III, author of A Bloodless Victory: The Battle of New Orleans in History and Memory)

©2019 University of Oklahoma Press (P)2020 Redwood Audiobooks

Evan's Review

Good book to see how the Generals interacted with one another. Was surprised how the Contental Congress hinder George Washington in the selection of Generals during the early years of the war. Like all good leaders Wasington understood the strengths and weakness of his Generals an was able to place each in positions of need.

Well balanced, well done

Very informative and detailed history. I liked the balance of personalities, everyday details and the ability to pull back and give larger context. Well balanced, well done.

A great learning opportunity!

American Rev-War, military history

Disclaimers: I am not a military historian nor an academic. Our family used to be Rev War Re-enactors with the Northwest Territory Alliance.
As a Publish or Perish tome it makes for a long but very interesting lecture. It demonstrates the strengths and weaknesses of each of these generals as well as their achievements and failures. There is a slant to the political choices made by the congress with a nod to cronyism and a kind of praise for MOST of Washington's choices. All in all I learned much and feel that this book should probably be on reading lists for historians of several varieties.
John Burlinson, narrator, does improve the lecture and keeps away the possibility of snoozing.
I won this audiobook in a giveaway and my sons cannot snatch it from me (LOL).

Washington's Revolutionary War Generals

Enjoyable and interesting I also found this very educational.It felt like a school course in book form. Narration by John Burlnson was done well.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'

Horrible Narrator

The narrator sounds was recording in a bathroom. Take a listen to the sample, that's what it sounds like. Was a struggle to get to the end. Overall content was interesting but dry. Horrible narration definitely distracted from the story.