Revolution, Rebellion, and the Fight for Freedom: Andrew Lawler on the Untold Story of 1776
The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates Interview Series
Welcome to the Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates 6oth anniversary Interview Series, where history comes alive and challenges everything we thought we knew. I’m Paul Vogelzang, and today we have a truly electrifying conversation for you.
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We all know the story of the American Revolution—patriots fighting for freedom against the might of the British Crown. But what if I told you that one of the most pivotal moments in that fight didn’t happen in Boston or Philadelphia but in Virginia? And what if the spark that helped push the colonies toward independence wasn’t a tea party or a midnight ride, but an act of emancipation?
Our guest today, New York Times bestselling author and journalist Smithsonian Associate Andrew Lawler, is here to tell us about his new book, available at Apple Books, A Perfect Frenzy: A Royal Governor, His Black Allies, and the Crisis That Spurred the American Revolution. Andrew Lawler will be appearing at Smithsonian Associates coming up so please check out our webstie for links and details.
Smithsonian Associate Dr. Andrew Lawler’s new book, available at Apple Books is A Perfect Frenzy: A Royal Governor, His Black Allies, and the Crisis That Spurred the American Revolution. In it, he uncovers the untold story of Lord Dunmore, Virginia’s last royal governor—a man who, in desperation, issued a proclamation offering freedom to enslaved people who joined the British fight. The result? Chaos, fury, and the kind of political firestorm that changed the course of history.
Thomas Jefferson himself admitted it: Dunmore’s actions sent the patriots into a perfect frenzy, leading directly to the burning of Norfolk and Virginia’s push for independence. But what about the people who answered Dunmore’s call—the men who risked everything to fight for a different kind of freedom? What happened to them? And how does this forgotten chapter of history still shape the America we live in today?
Andrew Lawler has spent years unraveling this remarkable story, and today, he’s here to share it with us. Get ready for an eye-opening conversation about revolution, race, and the myths we’ve built around our nation’s founding.
This is history like you’ve never heard it before—right here, on the Smithsonian Associates 60th Anniversary Interview Series.
My thanks to Andrew Lawler. Andrew Lawler is a journalist and author who has written about history, science, religion, and politics from dozens of countries. Check out Andrew Lawler’s upcoming Smithsonian Associates presentation with details in our show notes. My thanks to the Smithsonian team for all they do to support the show and my thanks to you our wonderful audience here on radio and podcast. Be well, be safe and let’s talk about better, The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates 60th Anniversary interview series on radio and podcast. Thanks, everybody and we’ll see you next week.