George Washington’s Military Genius

By: Dave R. Palmer

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

George Washington’s military strategy has been called bumbling at worst and brilliant at best. So which is it? Was George Washington a strategic genius or just lucky? So asks Dave R. Palmer in George Washington’s Military Genius. An updated edition of Palmer’s earlier work, The Way of the Fox, George Washington’s Military Genius breaks down the American Revolution into four phases and analyzes Washington’s strategy during each.

“The British did not have to lose; the patriots did not have to triumph,” writes Palmer as he proves, beyond a doubt, that Washington’s continuously changing military tactics were deliberate, strategic responses to the various phases of the war and not the result of his lacking a plan of action.

Confronting the critics who say Washington’s battlefield success and ultimate victories were a function of luck, George Washington’s Military Genius proves once and for all that Washington deserves the title of America’s preeminent strategist.

©2012 Dave R. Palmer (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“This is military history in the grand style.” (Joseph J. Ellis, author of His Excellency: George Washington)

Illuminating

The book provides a useful perspective on Washington and on the war itself. Somewhat reminiscent of "The Grand Strategy of the Roman Empire," the author breaks the war down into different phases which demanded different strategies and argues that Washington correctly adapted his strategic posture to the balance of forces and the progress of the war.

Washington is often seen as a merely mediocre general, and this book provides a useful counter to that narrative. While Washington wasn't Bonaparte, I think this provides a convincing argument that his generalship, particularly his grasp of strategy and his political acumen, were instrumental in winning independence.

Washington discovered in detail

This book lays out the military strategies that George Washington employed to win the American Revolution.

More than just battlefield tactics

George Washington's Military Genius, by Dave R. Palmer (2012, 7 hr 45 min audiobook). This was a refreshing relook at and reassessment of General Washington and his military leadership during the Revolutionary War. The author won me over when he took the time to describe 18th century military practices, knowledge of which are critical to understanding how and why rebel and British armies acted the way they did. Additionally, this is as much a look at the numerous internal and external political calculations made by Washington as at his battlefield or strategic decision-making. Loved it!

good analysis

Takes a long time to set the table for GW's military strategy, but is a good analysis of his overall prowess once he gets there

A good overview of Washington’s strategy

Good listen, a good overview of the war, the strategy on each side and the limits the state of infrastructure placed on each side.