Monday, May 27

Highlights:  

Steve Bannon and Patrick K. O’Donnell talked about the history of Memorial Day and O’Donnell’s historical books.  On Monday the two focused on the book, The Unvanquished, which was just recently released, and his 2018 book The Unkowns is also mentioned.

Full show in segments: 

Patrick K O’Donnell On Why He Started Writing About America’s Greatest Heroes

In a discussion between Steve Bannon and Patrick O’Donnell, author of “Unvanquished,” O’Donnell shares his lifelong fascination with the Civil War, sparked at the age of four. His interest was nurtured by family trips to historical sites rather than typical vacations, and he has always been passionate about collecting artifacts and reading extensively on the subject. O’Donnell explains that Memorial Day has origins linked to Confederate commemorations, with significant locations like Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond.

O’Donnell emphasizes the importance of visiting historical sites to gain a firsthand understanding of events, which enriches his writing by providing authentic descriptions. He aims to transport readers back in time, particularly to the Civil War era, making them feel as though they are experiencing the events themselves.

Bannon talks about the unpredictable and tumultuous nature of the Civil War, noting how it erupted like a storm despite long-standing tensions. O’Donnell illustrates the roles of ordinary and extraordinary individuals who influenced the war, such as Richard Blazer and Harrison Gray Otis. These figures, through their actions and intelligence, significantly impacted the course of the war.

O’Donnell’s dedication to immersive research ensures his books resonate with vivid, novel-like detail, capturing the essence of historical moments

The Sound Of A Whizzing Bullet | Patrick K O’Donnell Recounts Stories Of The 82nd Airborne Division

In a discussion between Patrick O’Donnell and Steve Bannon, O’Donnell talks about his early interest in the Civil War, which began around age four. He recalls being captivated by an American Heritage book on the Civil War, appreciating its illustrations and detailed paintings. Born in 1969, O’Donnell was influenced by the American Heritage series, particularly works by Bruce Catton, a renowned historian who wrote extensively on Lincoln’s Army and the Civil War.

Bannon and O’Donnell discuss the significance of their historical interests and childhood visits to battlefields. O’Donnell recounts family trips from Ohio to significant Civil War sites like Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. These visits deepened his fascination with the war’s history and its battlegrounds.

The conversation shifts to Memorial Day’s origins, emphasizing its roots in honoring fallen soldiers, both in the South and the North. They discuss the immense trauma and destruction of the Civil War, comparing its devastation to European conflicts like Waterloo. The national trauma led to the establishment of Decoration Day (now Memorial Day) as a way to honor and remember those who died, helping the nation cope with its collective grief and loss.

Overall, O’Donnell’s early and deep-seated interest in the Civil War, fueled by family support and historical literature, played a crucial role in his lifelong dedication to researching and writing about the subject.

Honoring The Fallen | Patrick K O’Donnell On Remembering The Civil War And All We Lost

In their conversation, Steve Bannon and Patrick O’Donnell discuss the strategic international dimensions of the American Civil War, particularly focusing on French intervention in Mexico. France, predicting that the United States would become a global power with over 300 million people by 1960, sought to limit America’s influence by invading Mexico under the pretext of a debt issue. They installed Maximilian as the ruler and stationed tens of thousands of troops there.

Lincoln was concerned about this and viewed it as the first proxy war against a European power. The Union sent Jesse Scouts to support the Mexican insurgency against the French. These Scouts were highly effective, conducting special operations like destroying bridges and staging demonstrations to give the impression of a larger U.S. military presence.

O’Donnell highlights the birth of large-scale intelligence operations during this period, mentioning how Sheridan had his men crack transatlantic telegraph codes to anticipate Maximilian’s moves. Additionally, many former Confederate soldiers sought refuge and employment in Mexico, joining Maximilian’s forces as mercenaries, while figures like Jubal Early fled to avoid potential war crime trials.

The conversation also touches on the cultural impact, referencing a scene in “Gone With the Wind” that reflects the desperation of Confederate soldiers considering joining the Mexican army. The Jesse Scouts played a crucial role in arming and supporting Mexican insurgents against the French-installed regime, showcasing a significant, though lesser-known, aspect of the Civil War era’s geopolitical landscape.

Patrick K O’Donnell Breaks Down The French-Mexican Effect On The Civil War

In their conversation, Steve Bannon and Patrick O’Donnell discuss the aftermath of World War I and the impact of previous conflicts, like the Civil War, on collective memory and national commemoration. Bannon notes that the end of the Civil War and World War I were not celebratory because of the immense loss of life and the ongoing questions about the causes and consequences of the wars. He mentions the Zimmermann Telegram, a World War I plot to involve Mexico against the United States, highlighting ongoing geopolitical tensions.

O’Donnell emphasizes the unprecedented destruction caused by World War I, particularly from machine gun fire and artillery, which left many soldiers unidentifiable. This led to the creation of the tradition of honoring unknown soldiers, first initiated by France and England. These nations recognized the need to commemorate the unidentified fallen to address the collective trauma experienced by society.

The conversation also touches on the U.S. response to war casualties. Unlike previous self-organized Civil War commemorations, the U.S. government faced pressure to repatriate the bodies of soldiers killed in World War I. The public demanded that their war dead be buried on American soil, reflecting a national sentiment that war dead should be honored at home. This movement was part of a broader effort to begin national healing and recognize the sacrifices of those who served.

Bannon and O’Donnell explore how the devastating losses of war led to new traditions of honoring the fallen, the challenges of wartime communication and intelligence, and the evolving American approach to memorializing its war dead.

Patrick K O’Donnell On The American Woman Who Honored America’s Lost

O’Donnell and Bannon talk about Marie Melony who was instrumnetal through her role as a journalist, in setting a tone for Memorial Day, and the US Tomb of the Unknown, which is a focal point of Memorial Day.

Patrick K O’Donnell And Steve Bannon Discuss The Breathtaking Tradition Of The Tomb Of The Unknown

Bannon and O’Donnell talk about the orgins of the traditions around the Tromb of the Unknown at Arlington Cementry in Virginina, right outside of Washington DC.