A crucial turning point in the American Revolutionary War, the Battle of Saratoga boosted the morale of the Continental Army; influenced the opinions of the French, Spanish and Dutch; and closed the door to possible invasions from the Canadian front. Kevin Weddle is in the studio to discuss the strategic lessons of this important battle as he has outlined them in his book The Compleat Victory. He joins podcast editor Ron Granieri to examine the interplay of strategic leadership, politics, personal ambition, and battlefield strategies. Their conversation visits familiar names like Washington and Howe, Gates and Burgoyne, Arnold and Morgan. It’s a great discussion for those already familiar with Saratoga’s importance but equally interesting to those who would like to learn more.
[Gates] was also a particularly good fit because the situation he found himself in fit his set of skills, almost perfectly, like a glove almost.
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Kevin Weddle is Professor of Military Theory and Strategy and the Elihu Root Chair of Military Studies at the US Army War College. He is a retired Army colonel and a veteran of Operation DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. His second book, The Compleat Victory, has won the Gilder Lehrman Prize for Military History, the Fraunces Tavern Museum Book Award, and the Society of the Cincinnati Prize.
Ron Granieri is Professor of History at the U.S. Army War College and the Editor of A BETTER PEACE.
The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense.
Photo Description: Cannons overlooking the Hudson River
Photo Credit: Photo by form PxHere