Join us for our interview with the author, historian, and Emeritus Law Professor, Norman S. Poser about his book, "From the Battlefield to the Stage | The Many Lives of General John Burgoyne". In this special discussion, Professor Poser explains the origins of the book, discusses the character traits of General John Burgoyne, his many interests and assignments all over the world, and his impact on our world today (beyond the defeat at Saratoga).
"Burgoyne is remembered today as the man who 'lost' America. His other roles - dashing cavalry colonel of the Seven Years War, satirical London playwright, reformer Member of Parliament, a gambler in the clubs on St. Jame's Street, conversationalist who graced London society for over thirty years - have been largely forgotten. A century after his death, George Bernard Shaw tried to correct the narrow legacy that history gave him. Recognizing Burgoyne's 'talent, artistic, satirical, rather histrionic, and his fastidious delicacy of sentiment, his fine spirit and humanity.' Shaw gave him...the nickname of 'Gentleman Johnny', which has stuck." - Norman S. Poser
Norman S. Poser's previous historical books are Lord Mansfield: Justice in the Age of Reason and The Birth of Modern Theater: Rivalry, Riots, and Romance in the Age of Garrick. An Emeritus Law Professor at Brooklyn Law Schook, he lives with his wife in New York. Before retiring and becoming a full-time author passionate about the Georgina era on both sides of the Atlantic, he was an internationally respected academic for many years. Prior to this, he was Chief of the Office of Regulation and an Assistant Director at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. He was also a consultant to the World Bank in Central America, the Central Bank of Brazil, and the Ministry of Finance in India. He graduated Class of '49 at Harvard College, and from Harvard Law School in 1958.