From the Battlefield to the Stage:
The Many Lives of General Burgoyne
By Norman S. Poser
Published by McGill-Queen’s University Press
Known today chiefly for his surrender to the American forces at Saratoga, New York, in 1777, General John Burgoyne was one of the most interesting figures of the eighteenth century.
In From the Battlefield to the Stage, published to coincide with the anniversary of Burgoyne’s birth (4th February 1723), Norman S. Poser provides a rounded biography, covering not only the Saratoga campaign but also elements of Burgoyne’s eventful life that have never been adequately explored.
The material about Burgoyne’s life is often scarce, probably much of it was destroyed by his descendants to suppress information about their illegitimacy; after his wife died, Burgoyne had four children out of wedlock with actress and singer Susan Caulfield. Whenever the information is missing or incomplete, the author makes it clear to the reader and offers his own interpretation based on the historical context and his personal judgement.
The challenge
In addition to being an important figure in the American war of independence, Burgoyne served as a member of the House of Commons for many years, holding the seats of Midhurst and Preston, and later in life he became a playwright whose plays were staged in the London’s West End. Despite all this, today he is a largely forgotten historic figure, and Prof. Poser’s book, published by a university press, could be mistaken for being an academic essay rather than a more general introduction to ‘Gentleman Johnny’ (George Bernard Shaw’s nickname for General Burgoyne). Last but not least, the book was significantly delayed due to logistics problems; it was published shortly after the Covid as the industry was still recovering.
The solution
Keep all media regularly informed about the repeated delivery delays.
Read the book from cover to cover and work closely with Norman S. Poser to put together several media pitches touching on the many facets of Burgoyne’s eventful life: his military career; North America’s War of Independence; Burgoyne ‘the liberal’; Burgoyne and social opportunism; Burgoyne’s great interest in the arts and the theatre in particular; Georgian architecture… Moreover, contact the local media to the Earls of Derby family in Lancashire. Also get in touch with the relevant associations interested in Georgian history.
The result
National newspapers The Daily Express and The Daily Telegraph run long pieces (the Telegraph’s review was the lead review in the Saturday Telegraph’s book section). The Lancashire Echo featured an article using several images from the book which included photographs of art works by Joshua Reynolds and other contemporary painters.
Several influential podcasts interviewed Norman S. Poser including, The History Club (by historian/ author Saul David) History Hack; Explaining History, and History of European Theatre. Leading military publications such as ‘History of War’ and ‘Soldier’ magazine (official magazine of the British Army, 250K international circulation) also reviewed the book. Prof. Poser was invited to give a talk by The Georgian Group (which he delivered via Zoom since he lives in New York).