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Dear Reader:
If you live in central New Jersey (or even beyond), please be aware that from April 15 through July 12, Princeton University’s Firestone Library will host a special exhibit—replete with some really intriguing Rev War artifacts—to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence. Here’s more information.
Speaking of Princeton, the 2026 battlefield tour program there will start in May, and more information is available here for those interested. In addition to the regular tour that introduces visitors to the subject and an extended tour that covers the entire battlefield, this year’s program will feature three talks on specific topics that relate to the 1777 engagement and the context in which it occurred. The latter will be given by award-winning author and historian Larry Kidder, and they include: Princeton: A Battle and a Community, Why Did the Battle Happen Here?, and The People Who Experienced the Battle.
More information is available here about the 2026 Fraunces Tavern Museum Book Award and its recipient, Rick Atkinson (for The Fate of the Day), as well as the three honorable mentions—one of which is near and dear to my keyboard.
I’ve just finished John Ferling’s latest work, Shots Heard Round the World, and recommend it to readers looking for a comprehensive account of the struggle for independence that leans into the machinations associated with foreign intervention in the war (France, Spain, and Holland). This is something like his 16th book; the man is nothing if not prolific.
And last, I’m continuing work on a manuscript that represents an extension of my last article in the Journal of the American Revolution—Washington’s Ten Best Military Decisions. In addition to exploring his most critical decisions and the actions taken to implement them (including others besides those covered in the article), the narrative will examine other factors that impacted the outcome of the conflict—particularly how they figured into the odds of Great Britain winning the war, and if so of its winning the peace.
Meanwhile, bring on baseball!
Best regards,
dp