James Taub
@taubhistory.bsky.social
Associate Curator at the Museum of the American Revolution and a public historian. Focused on France and America during WWI and the 18th century.
(All views my own)
(All views my own)
Successful southern trip.
November 28, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Successful southern trip.
Chickamauga and Chattanooga visit.
November 27, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Chickamauga and Chattanooga visit.
It can also be argued that Joffre, the CinC of the French Army played a much larger role than he is given credit for, even with his failures before the battle. It's Joffre who sends leaders and men into the fight, and it's also him who moves Pétain in May due to the latter's notorious pessimism.
November 19, 2025 at 4:04 PM
It can also be argued that Joffre, the CinC of the French Army played a much larger role than he is given credit for, even with his failures before the battle. It's Joffre who sends leaders and men into the fight, and it's also him who moves Pétain in May due to the latter's notorious pessimism.
The next, General Nivelle, is remembered primarily for his offensives of 1917, which saw him removed from command. He takes over command of the French forces at Verdun in May, 1916. Meaning for the vast majority of the battle, HE was in command. It was also Nivelle who said "Ils ne passeront pas!"
November 19, 2025 at 3:52 PM
The next, General Nivelle, is remembered primarily for his offensives of 1917, which saw him removed from command. He takes over command of the French forces at Verdun in May, 1916. Meaning for the vast majority of the battle, HE was in command. It was also Nivelle who said "Ils ne passeront pas!"
In the panoply of French generals of #WWI, other men can and should claim that title, and I argue they should do so with stronger arguments than Pétain. The first is de Castlenau, the man on the spot in the first days of the battle. Rushing reserves in his direction saved the east bank of the Meuse.
November 19, 2025 at 3:45 PM
In the panoply of French generals of #WWI, other men can and should claim that title, and I argue they should do so with stronger arguments than Pétain. The first is de Castlenau, the man on the spot in the first days of the battle. Rushing reserves in his direction saved the east bank of the Meuse.
Historians today are of the opinion that Pétain himself was not the savoir of Verdun as his PR team would claim. I HIGHLY suggest reading the below chapter in the 2025 released ‘Les dramaturgies de Verdun’. If you need translation help let me know.
editionspierredetaillac.com/products/les...
editionspierredetaillac.com/products/les...
November 19, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Historians today are of the opinion that Pétain himself was not the savoir of Verdun as his PR team would claim. I HIGHLY suggest reading the below chapter in the 2025 released ‘Les dramaturgies de Verdun’. If you need translation help let me know.
editionspierredetaillac.com/products/les...
editionspierredetaillac.com/products/les...
There was recently mass to commemorate Maréchal Pétain in Verdun. The key argument of the organizers is “one must separate the Pétain of 1916 from that of 1940”. Apart from overlooking his collaboration with the Nazis, it very much overstates his importance in 1916. This needs to be discussed.
November 19, 2025 at 3:38 PM
There was recently mass to commemorate Maréchal Pétain in Verdun. The key argument of the organizers is “one must separate the Pétain of 1916 from that of 1940”. Apart from overlooking his collaboration with the Nazis, it very much overstates his importance in 1916. This needs to be discussed.
Somehow made it into Ken Burns' new American Revolution series on PBS.
November 16, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Somehow made it into Ken Burns' new American Revolution series on PBS.
Yeah, no. This is great. I’m sure it won’t backfire at all. Who needs real historians anyway? Let’s go off a database of crowdsourced and un-curated information and push it to the masses.
October 31, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Yeah, no. This is great. I’m sure it won’t backfire at all. Who needs real historians anyway? Let’s go off a database of crowdsourced and un-curated information and push it to the masses.
#TIL one of the last Lafayettes was killed as a cavalry platoon leader in 1945.
#WW2
Here is Marie Xavier Jean Bureaux de Pusy Dumottier de Lafayette, holding the sword of his ancestor, the Marquis de Lafayette. When he died near Saint-Nazaire he was serving as a lieutenant in the 8ème Cuirassiers.
#WW2
Here is Marie Xavier Jean Bureaux de Pusy Dumottier de Lafayette, holding the sword of his ancestor, the Marquis de Lafayette. When he died near Saint-Nazaire he was serving as a lieutenant in the 8ème Cuirassiers.
October 30, 2025 at 4:16 PM
The medical staff of the RCIM awaits trucks to take them to rest areas. Standing at the left is médecin auxiliaire Le Gall, who had cut the skirts off of his capote so he could move more easily in the mud and water of the Verdun battlefield.
October 30, 2025 at 1:49 PM
The medical staff of the RCIM awaits trucks to take them to rest areas. Standing at the left is médecin auxiliaire Le Gall, who had cut the skirts off of his capote so he could move more easily in the mud and water of the Verdun battlefield.
Men of the Régiment colonial du Maroc (Colonial Infantry Regiment of Morocco) descending down to Verdun after heavy combat, 30 October 1916. The previous few days had seen them fighting to recapture Fort Douaumont.
#WWI
#WWI
October 30, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Men of the Régiment colonial du Maroc (Colonial Infantry Regiment of Morocco) descending down to Verdun after heavy combat, 30 October 1916. The previous few days had seen them fighting to recapture Fort Douaumont.
#WWI
#WWI
Me when I see a pretty sunset.
October 29, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Me when I see a pretty sunset.
The internal struggle between having a proud Scottish education and a deep love of French history.
October 28, 2025 at 2:42 PM
The internal struggle between having a proud Scottish education and a deep love of French history.
A collection of my favorite French signs
October 24, 2025 at 12:38 PM
A collection of my favorite French signs
Truly highlights of French architecture, history, and culture.
October 23, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Truly highlights of French architecture, history, and culture.
Me in my 2014 Subaru crosstrek
October 23, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Me in my 2014 Subaru crosstrek
The reason I brought an empty backpack…
October 22, 2025 at 8:33 PM
The reason I brought an empty backpack…
Public ceremony in Strasbourg
October 22, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Public ceremony in Strasbourg
1779 produced howitzer.
October 22, 2025 at 5:02 PM
1779 produced howitzer.
Officer of the Royal Alsace
October 22, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Officer of the Royal Alsace
Officer of the Royal Deux-Ponts (one of the regiments under Rochambeau).
October 22, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Officer of the Royal Deux-Ponts (one of the regiments under Rochambeau).