About this episode

Rick Atkinson discusses the realities of the American Revolution and its implications for understanding American history.

We're celebrating America 250 with three-time Pulitzer winner Rick Atkinson, whose Revolution Trilogy strips the reverence off the founding to show what was actually there: the first American civil war, a continent of human loss, and a republic that has weathered worse than this. Outside of Politics, the most important question of the summer: what's your favorite fair food? Topics discussed:The Revolution as America's first civil warWhy Britain lost a war it was expected to win — and the role of alliesThe human cost: Valley Forge and the letters of Sergeant Oliver ReedThe women of the Revolution and "remember the ladies"Reliable and unreliable narrators in historyAmerican exceptionalism, reconsideredOutside of Politics: the glory of fair foodWant the full America 250 series, including our premium Good Morning and More to Say episodes? Join our community at pantsuitpoliticsshow.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Hosts: Sarah, Beth

Guest: Rick Atkinson

Topics covered

• American Revolution
• Civil War
• Historical Narratives
• Human Cost of War
• Women's Role in History
• American Exceptionalism
• Fair Food

Keywords

• American Revolution
• Rick Atkinson
• Revolution Trilogy
• Civil War
• Valley Forge
• Women's History
• Fair Food
• American Exceptionalism

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: America 250

Books & works: Revolution Trilogy

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