Historian David Head joins our Screening Room series on Wednesday, September 16th, at 7pm. David follows up his Sept. 9th Lit Chat A Crisis of Peace: Washington, the Newburgh Conspiracy, and the Fate of the American Revolution with a discussion on George Washington’s command of the army and British military surrender as told through Great Courses Military History documentary series on Kanopy. Register here to be a part of the discussion.
Watch: For this Screening Room program, watch two 28 minutes episodes on Great Courses- American Military History: From Colonials to Counterinsurgents with Gen. Wesley Clark as he explores America’s armed conflicts on Kanopy. Learn military history the military way!
Episode 2: George Washington Takes Command: This film covers the years after the colonies began their struggle for independence and they chose their greatest war hero, George Washington, to lead the army. We follow his brilliant defense of Boston and his defeat in holding New York.
Episode 3: Redcoats Fall to the Continental Army: Pick up the story of the American Revolution with Washington’s army in dire straits and his command in question. He revived his reputation with the famous crossing of the Delaware and win at the Battle of Trenton, followed by four years of British military failure and ultimate surrender at Yorktown.
Read: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington by Brad Meltzer is a story of leaders, liars, counterfeiters, and jailhouse confessors which takes place during the most critical period of our nation's birth. It recounts a remarkable and previously untold piece of American history that not only reveals George Washington's character, but also illuminates the origins of America's counterintelligence movement that led to the modern day CIA. In 1776, an elite group of soldiers were handpicked to serve as George Washington's bodyguards, but some of them were part of a treasonous plan. In the months leading up to the Revolutionary War, these traitorous soldiers launched a deadly plot against the most important member of the military: George Washington himself. The story shows just how hard the battle was for George Washington--and how close America was to losing the Revolutionary War.
Explore: The soldiers of the revolution did not eat so well, but the parties and celebrations officers participated in did offer some scrumptious treats. Try a recipe from one of these colonial inspired cookbooks in our collection.
The Colonial Williamsburg Tavern Cookbook In April 1772, George Washington, writing about one of the taverns in Williamsburg, noted, “Dined at Mrs. Campbells and went to the Play-then to Mrs. Campbell’s again”-twice in a single week.
American Cake: From Colonial Gingerbread To Classic Layer, The Stories And Recipes Behind More Than 125 Of Our Best-Loved Cakes by Ann Byrn “Tracing cakes chronologically from the dark moist gingerbread of New England to the elegant pound cake, the hardscrabble Appalachian stack cake, war cakes…Byrn shares recipes, stories, and a behind-the-scenes look into what cakes we were baking back in time.” –Back cover
Join: Historian David Head hosts a discussion on George Washington’s military career on Wednesday September 16, 7 p.m. as part of Jacksonville Public Library’s Screening Room series. David will share his expertise on the topic of the documentary films and answer questions and comments from attendees. Click here to register and attend.
