In the years after independence, military coups overthrew civilian governments in many new African countries and tried to transform their societies into martial utopias. In this episode of the Strategy Bridge podcast, we talk with Samuel Fury Childs Daly about the ideology of militarism, military dictatorships, and how law both enabled and challenged them. Daly is Associate Professor of History at the University of Chicago and is the author of “Soldier’s Paradise: Militarism in Africa after Empire.”   

Nicholas Lambert, author of "The Neptune Factor: Alfred Thayer Mahan and the Concept of Sea Power," discusses the significance of Mahan's ideas on sea power for national strategy and economic development. He explores Mahan's maritime strategy and its roots in late 19th-century economic theories. Lambert unravels Mahan's connections through archival research, revealing his correspondence with influential figures like Halford Mackinder. The conversation highlights the interplay of military strategy, trade, and geopolitical considerations that shaped America's historical landscape.

Michael Finch, author of "Making Makers: The Past, The Present, and the Study of War," dives into the significant historical impact of "Makers of Modern Strategy" edited by Edward Mead Earle. He discusses Earle's insights on totalitarianism and his role in shaping military history as a discipline. The conversation highlights the evolution of American security seminars and the intricate relationship between academic and military strategy. Finch also touches on Earle's blend of military, political, and societal elements in grand strategy, revealing its relevance across various historical contexts.

From June 3-30, 1863, the Army of Northern Virginia and the Army of the Potomac moved from their positions along the Rappahannock River at Fredericksburg, VA north to Pennsylvania where they met in battle at Gettysburg. In this episode of the Strategy Bridge Podcast, we talk with Scott Mingus and Eric Wittenberg about some of the key events of this movement. They are the authors of the two-volume series: “If We Are Striking for Pennsylvania”: The Army of Northern Virginia and the Army of the Potomac March to Gettysburg - Volume 1: June 3–21, 1863 & Volume 2: June 22 - June 30, 1863.  

Between September and November of 1777, the Continental Army and Pennsylvania State Navy fought to deny the British access to the Delaware River to prevent the Royal Navy from supplying British troops in Philadelphia. In this episode, James McIntyre joins the Strategy Bridge Podcast to talk about the Delaware River Campaign and his book “A Most Gallant Resistance.” McIntyre is an associate professor of history at Moraine Valley Community College.

In this insightful discussion, Jeremy Black, Emeritus Professor of History at Exeter University, explores the compelling interplay between geography and military strategy. He delves into the evolution of mapmaking and its historic influence on warfare, highlighting how technology has transformed military tactics. Black also analyzes the strategic mobility of Genghis Khan’s forces and the intricate dynamics between continental and maritime powers. Additionally, he connects historical mapping practices to contemporary conflicts, emphasizing the importance of geopolitics and environmental factors in military history.

In this episode of the Strategy Bridge Podcast, we talk with Wayne Lee about his book “The Cutting-Off Way: Indigenous Warfare in Eastern North America, 1500-1800.” Lee is Bruce W. Carney Professor of History and the University of North Carolina.  

Eileen Bjorkman joins the Strategy Bridge Podcast to talk about her book “Fly Girls Revolt: The Story of the Women Who Kicked Open the Door to Fly in Combat.” The book tells the story of how women fought for equality in the armed services and for the right to serve on flight crews in combat. Bjorkman is a retired Air Force colonel and flight test engineer.  

In this episode of the Strategy Bridge Podcast, we are joined by Anders Engberg-Pedersen to talk about his book “Martial Aesthetics: How War Became an Art Form.” He is Professor of Comparative Literature at the University of Southern Denmark and the University of Copenhagen.  

Dr. John McManus returns to the Strategy Bridge Podcast to talk about the final book in his trilogy on the U.S. Army in the Pacific War, “To the End of the Earth: The US Army and the Downfall of Japan, 1945.” McManus is the Curator's Distinguished Professor of US military history at the Missouri University of Science and Technology.