When the Revolutionary War began, Congress established a national army and appointed George Washington its commander in chief. Congress then took it upon itself to choose numerous subordinate generals to lead the army’s various departments, divisions, and brigades.

How this worked out in the end is well known. Less familiar, however, is how well Congress’s choices worked out along the way. Although historians have examined many of Washington’s subordinates, Washington’s Revolutionary War Generals is the first book to look at these men in a collective, integrated manner.

A thoroughgoing study of the Revolutionary War careers of the Continental Army’s generals - their experience, performance, and relationships with Washington and the Continental Congress - this book provides an overview of the politics of command, both within and outside the army, and a unique perspective on how it affected Washington’s prosecution of the war. Stephen R. Taaffe weaves a narrative in the grand tradition of military history.

Against this backdrop, his depiction of the complexities and particulars of character and politics of military command provides a new understanding of George Washington, the War for Independence, and the US military’s earliest beginnings.

The book is published by University of Oklahoma Press. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.

“As comprehensive as it is unsparing...a welcome contribution to our understanding of the Continental military.” (Mark Edward Lender, coauthor of Fatal Sunday)

“This book is an important contribution to the field.” (Joseph F. Stoltz III, author of A Bloodless Victory: The Battle of New Orleans in History and Memory)