America250! Day in the Life of a Soldier
About this episode
Historian Alan Taylor discusses the harsh realities faced by soldiers during the American Revolution.
Subscribe now for ad-free listening, early access, and bonus content. This is the eighth episode in a series marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, America's semiquincentennial. By the time the delegates at the Continental Congress formally declared independence in July 1776, the armed rebellion had been underway for more than a year. General George Washington had been in the field since the summer of '75. The men of the Continental Army saw little glory throughout a bloody, prolonged conflict during which they were often half-naked and hungry. More men died from disease than from enemy bullets. In this episode, historian Alan Taylor tells us what it was like to be a soldier fighting the British and fellow Americans who stayed loyal to the crown. Recommended reading: American Revolutions, A Continental History, 1750-1804 by Alan Taylor Further listening (America250 series): Episode 1 w/ Lindsay Chervinsky Episode 2 w/ Kate Carté Episode 3 w/ Alan Taylor Episode 4 w/ Lindsay Chervinsky Episode 5 w/ Jim Oakes Episode 6 w/ Sean Wilentz Episode 7 w/ H.W. Brands
People in this episode
Host: Martin Di Caro
Guest: Alan Taylor
Topics covered
- American Revolution
- Continental Army
- soldiers' experiences
- historical analysis
- George Washington
- Declaration of Independence
Keywords
- American Revolution
- Continental Army
- George Washington
- soldiers
- historical analysis
- Declaration of Independence
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: American Revolutions, A Continental History, 1750-1804
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