About this episode

The episode features a discussion with author Michael Lang about his book on the critical decisions made during the Battle of Antietam.

Author Michael Lang joins co-hosts Tom McMillan and John Banks for a freewheeling discussion about his book, Decisions at Antietam: The Fourteen Critical Decisions That Defined the Battle. We hit on the major leaders — McClellan and Lee — and the other men who shaped America's bloodiest day. This podcast is sponsored by the Michigan Civil War Association and Civil War Trails , which since 1994 has connected visitors with small towns and big stories across a network that now spans six states. Join McMillan and Banks for regular podcasts about Antietam, the Maryland Campaign and the Civil War — the most compelling period in American history. McMillan is author of The Year That Made America: From Rebellion to Independence and four other books . Banks is author of A Civil War Road Trip Of A Lifetime and numerous magazine articles about the Civil War . Find them on Facebook at Author Tom McMillan and John Banks' Civil War Blog . Banks' popular Civil War blog is here .

People in this episode

Hosts: Tom McMillan, John Banks

Guest: Michael Lang

Topics covered

• Antietam
• Civil War
• military decisions
• historical leaders
• battle analysis

Keywords

• Antietam
• Civil War
• McClellan
• Lee
• military history
• battle decisions
• historical analysis

Sponsors

Michigan Civil War Association, Civil War Trails

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Decisions at Antietam: The Fourteen Critical Decisions That Defined the Battle, The Year That Made America: From Rebellion to Independence, A Civil War Road Trip Of A Lifetime

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• Guide Scott Kenepp explores Antietam photos, monuments and battlefield history · July 10, 2026 · 56 min

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