10 surprising facts about the French hero of the American Revolution.

In many respects it was a sobering testament to Britain’s mounting resolve to suppress the Revolution at all costs. “It is his Majesty’s resolution,” explained Lord George Germain, “that the most vigorous Effort should be made, and every means employed that Providence has put into His Majesty’s Hands, for crushing the Rebellion.” The vigorous effort […]

Every American schoolchild learns the same facts about the American Revolution that their parents and grandparents learned, but teachers can’t tell their students everything. Some of the most interesting stories to come out of the Revolution are the ones that don't have a definite ending---and some probably never will. 10 Jane McCrea Born in 1751

I was recently asked to speak about Elizabeth Burgin, an American woman who risked her life helping prisoners of war during the American Revolution. I’d never heard of her, but thanks to the magic of the internet I was quickly able to locate the key primary sources about her, and a large number of articles […]

New Stills from Outlander Episode 2×10 ‘Prestonpans’ See more after the jump – Source

In a letter to Patrick Henry recounting the events of the Battle of Monmouth, George Washington included information about losses on both sides and the death of a young Virginia officer: “…Capt. Fauntleroy of the 5th was unfortunately killed by a random Cannon Ball.”[1] What was the connection between the commander in chief and the […]

Press release (6 June 2013) from the New-York Historical Society: From Colony to Nation: 200 Years of American Painting New-York Historical Society, New York, 7 June — 8 September 2013 Curate…

After reading David McCullough's John Adams (and crying over much of the HBO miniseries based on the same), I found myself curious a...

Patience Wright remained independence-minded in her correspondence with Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson

You'd think as leader of the free world, the president of the United States wouldn't have the time or interest for a menagerie of exotic pets. But the combined allure of their love for animals and the deep pockets of the American taxpayer made the urge of having more than just a dog impossible to

Explore the lives of 10 daring and intriguing covert agents you might not have read about in history books.

Loyalists, those Americans who openly supported the British Government during the American Revolution, have been largely assumed to have had unchanging allegiance during the conflict; once a Loyalist, always a Loyalist. Similarly, those supporters of Congress and the new United States are assumed to have been constant in their beliefs throughout the war, with one […]

I owe you all I good post, not only because I have been so remiss in updating lately, but because I am likely to remain a little less prolific for the next few weeks while I'm working on several shows that open around the same time. When I'm designing a show I like to put movies on in the background, especially if it's late at night because it makes me feel like someone else is awake. In no particular order (because I just couldn't decide how to rank them) here are my top ten favorite 18th-century inspired films/mini series'. 1) Marie Antoinette (2006) 2) The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934 &2000) Okay, I cheated here, I like them both. 3) The Lady and the Duke (2001) 4) Ridicule (1996) 5) The Duchess (2008) 6) Amazing Grace (2006) 7) Catherine the Great (1995) 8) Dangerous Liasons (1988) 9) Amadeus (1984) 10) The Madness of King George (1994) Honorable mentions go to Plunkett and Macleane, Perfume, and the HBO series John Adams. So what are your favorites? Any to add to the list?

British history posts by authors of British historical fiction.

“What enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men, is FOREKNOWLEDGE.” – Sun Tzu, …

This painting of a Connecticut clockmaker’s wife was meant to hang to the right of her husband’s portrait, preserving their images and values for subsequent generations.

Leading the AMC 2014 programming lineup includes new series Turn, Better Call Saul and Halt and Catch Fire, as well as returning favorites like Mad Men and The Walking Dead.