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The American Revolution

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Many Americans know the American Revolution only as a war in which George Washington defeated the British and, thereby, won American Independence. The true story, which we read in this book, is much more than that.

The "American Revolution" provides an interesting survey of the military aspects of our War for Independence. The background political factors which lead to the Declaration of Independence, both American and British, are presented, but once the Continental Army is established the book tends to focus primarily on military matters. One of the things I like about is book is that it gives thorough coverage to American, British and French personalities and initiatives in the war.

Another thing which I like about this work is its ability to impart an understanding of the outline of the War, both chronologically and geographically. The main events and characters are revealed both in their successes as well as in their flaws. While illustrating his greatness, errors committed by Washington are not overlooked.

This book places the pieces of the story which we have often heard into their proper places in the puzzle. All of it, from the early British evacuation of Boston through the Northern campaigns to the shift of action to the Southern theatres to the final evacuation of New York, now seems to make sense. The campaign of George Rogers Clark which won the West (now Midwest) for the new republic is also given fair coverage.

This book makes clear that, not withstanding the immense sacrifice of the Americans, victory was possible only because of the intervention of the French army and fleet.

We are repeatedly reminded that American sentiment was not totally in support of the war. military actions by Tories in support of the Crown, although largely ineffective, are given adequate attention throughout the narrative.

All in all, I enjoyed this interesting introduction to this crucial, but all too little known war.

Following a recent visit to Yorktown, I wanted to know why it warranted so much attention. Bruce Lancaster has done an exceptional job of building a picture that helped me truly appreciate the significance of Yorktown.

I love Lancaster's clear, rapid narrative of the war and surrounding events. Sure, he has some flare that may not be in vogue these days, but that is one reason why this book is so good. He writes with conviction and style, bringing the characters in the war to life. He also does an outstanding job of helping the reader piece together the critical events in the war. This is a book that makes you want to read more about the period.

Recently, there have been a number of histories released on the founding of our nation, including the books "Founding Brothers," and "John Adams." Both books cover, in detail, the intellectual revolution, i.e., the great experiment in liberty and self government. Many books on another seminal event, in our history, the Civil War, focus on military history, i.e., the history of military battles and campaigns. Prime examples of such authors of Civil War military history are Shelby Foote and Bruce Catton. This great history of the revolution is primarily a military history. It's true that the revolution of ideas and democracy makes for fascinating reading but, it's great to have a book such as this one which brings forth the drama of the great battles such as Monmouth, Saratoga, Trenton, etc.

Lancaster brings these battles to life and tells fascinating stories about the generals and miltary personel involved. The war might well have been lost if it had not been for the help of the French. I found, particularly interesting the tale of French general Rochambeau who arrived in Newport, RI with his troops but, due to a lack of coordination, no role was assigned to them. While the Continetal armies were in Virginia, Rochambeau languished in Newport. However, when the situation got straightened out, and the French troops were on the move to join the Continentals, that pretty much signaled the end as the mere threat of the French was nearly enough to end the war. As Corwallis hunkered down in Yorktown, the French presence along with the Continentals made the end a foregone conclusion.

Another fascinating story is the Battle at Monmouth in which General Washington received word that General Charles Lee was retreating. Washington hastened to Monmouth, sent Lee to the rear, thereby relieving Lee of his command, and took over command of the troops himself. Lancaster's account of this event is lively and makes for wonderful reading. He truly brings to life the personalities involved. I recommend this book which has recently been re-released.

The war that created the United States of America neither started nor ended with a bang. Only gradually, and very reluctantly, did the British Colonies embrace independence. Likewise, no one single battle decisively ended fighting. True, Yorktown did represent a major defeat for the British in 1781, but it did not bring the conflict to a sudden and dramatic close. Skirmishes continued and only petered out following the 1783 Treaty of Paris. As such, the American Revolution didn't really have a Waterloo or an Agincourt. This may explain why it inspires relatively few novels or motion pictures.

Despite the lack of a Hollywood ending, the American Revolution remains one of the world's most vital conflicts. Not only did it lead to the creation of a major superpower, but it also heralded the final diluted stage of monarchy in the western world - in the words of Schoolhouse Rock, "No more King!" "The American Revolution" provides a good standard narrative of this David and Goliath struggle that ultimately turned the world upside down.

The book begins with an introductory chapter by J.H. Plumb. This provides some background information on the times leading up to the Revolution. Plumb discusses King George III, the Versailles Court, Rousseau, French salons, French vs. English tastes, and some general observations on the implications of the successful rebellion. The chapter stands on its own and doesn't really flow into the succeeding narrative by Bruce Lancaster. "Introduction" would have made a better title than "Chapter I." Nonetheless, the essay effectively sets the stage.

Lancaster's narrative, comprising Chapter two onward, begins in 1759 and runs to the war's end. First, the French get defeated at Quebec. This made North America almost exclusively British, and would have drastic consequences for the Thirteen Colonies. In an attempt to boost revenue, warfare had depleted England's coffers, Parliament passed numerous Acts that progressively stung the colonies into a furor. These included the Sugar Act, the Stamp Act, the Townsend Acts, and the "Intolerable" Acts. Frustration swelled from 1765 onwards, culminating in the 1770 "Boston Massacre." The Boston Tea Party then directly challenged the East India Company's legal monopoly in 1773. To quell unrest, in 1774 Britian essentially took over the rebellious state of Massachusetts by appointing a Crown friendly government. This simply infuriated the Colonists, who called the First Continental Congress and began reluctantly experimenting with that dangerous word "independence." When American militas fired upon British troops at Lexington in 1775, there was no turning back. The war had begun. Lancaster provides a page-turning exposition of these famously dramatic events leading up to war. All of the big names appear: Sam Adams, Paul Revere, John Hancock, George Washington, John Adams, and countless others, including some lesser known but important names such as Israel Bissel.

The remainder of the book follows the ensuing war. Lancaster also scatters the workings of Congress throughout, including the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation. But the main focus remains on the war itself. That war had enough ups and downs to inspire nausea. Victories at Breed's Hill and Fort Ticonderoga in 1775 raised morale but did not slow the ferocious onslaught of British troops. Then the newly appointed Commander-in-Chief, George Washington, quickly lost New York City. Following this huge disappointment, Lancaster inserts the opinions of the day concerning Washington's military abilities. Some people were not impressed. Throughout the book, Lancaster also indicates where the armies went wrong. He singles out the loss of New York in 1776 as one of the General's greatest blunders. But the British also had their share. Ultimately, Washington may have saved his command by decisive actions and victories at Trenton and Princeton. At this point the Americas start looking for help abroad. France seemed the likliest candidate, and they began sending aid discreetly under the "Hortalez et Cie" company. Benjamin Franklin would later pull off a diplomatic masterpiece by securing an Alliance with France. Before the victory at Saratoga, though, the French weren't convinced that the Americans represented a good investment. That big break finally came in 1777 when British General Horatio Gates surrendered to American General John Burgoyne. Inbetween laid the dread of Valley Forge and the battle of Brandywine. 1778 closed with the last battle between the main armies at the battle of Monmouth (which also led to General Charles Lee's court-martial based on a possibly treacherous retreat). As Lancaster states, "For the rest of the war, all the fighting would be carried out by subordinate armies or by detachments from them." This statement turns out accurate, as skirmish after skirmish rattled on while the main armies continued to dodge and miss one another. Then, around 1780, the war moved to the south. Daniel Morgan met the British at the Battle of Cowpens in 1781, and Nathaniel Greene lost battles but won a campaign to significantly divide the British holdings in the Carolinas. The remainder of the year led up to the climax at Yorktown. No longer distracted by battles in the West Indies, the French redoubled their support for the Americans. By sending troops under Rochambeau and gaining control of the sea from the British, which Lancaster calls "the one decisive engagement of the war" though no Americans were involved, the French made the defeat at Yorktown possible. Regardless, as already mentioned, fighting continued until 1783. Without the American-French alliance, one wonders how the war may have ended. Lancaster believes that French involvement was vital.

Lancaster reiterates an important point throughout the book: the American Revolution took place within the context of a World War. The British and French were fervent enemies at the time, and this likely accounts for France's entry more than sympathy for the American cause. They did deliver a mighty blow to the British empire, after all. Spain and Holland also joined in the fray. Regardless, this World War distracted the British and probably helped the rebels defeat the mightiest army in the world.

"The American Revolution" tells the standard story of the War of Independence. The common people and their culture rarely receive mention. Nor do the biographies, nuances, and details of the figures who loomed large in the struggle. In the end, the book provides an accessible high-level survey, and, as such, remains a great introduction to the origins of the United States.

I've read this book maybe four times now - that's how much I thoroughly enjoy the writing. Great sense of place and of the times. I can picture myself in the middle of the action - despairing, thinking what the HELL are we doing, and soldiering on with no shoes over stumps of newly downed trees. Ouch. Love it. And I'm a chick. Highly recommended.

This is a solid history of the American Revolution, written by Bruce Lancaster. The narrative begins with the background to Revolution. And, step by step, battle by battles, event by event, takes us through the time period. From the first conflicts to "The world turned upside down" at Yorktown, the literate history unfolds.

An example of the detail here. Chapter XII, focusing on Yorktown, begins with the French General Rochambeau's appearance in Rhode Island--with no one there to greet him on this stunningly important occasion. A large number of French troops, ready to march under George Washington's leadership, sitting around with little to do! We see the Marquis de Lafayette with a force in Virginia trying to contain English forces, at various times under the leadership of Benedict Arnold and Lord Cornwallis. The normally active Cornwallis turned rather indolent, confident of his ability to maintain himself and his forces with English control of the seas. The debate between Rochambeau and Washington over where to deploy the troops. The great news that a large French fleet was on the way with transports filled with more French regular troops. With that news, the march by the allied forces to trap Cornwallis began. The tale of the battle, once joined, is well told.

The same with the description of the battle at Saratoga. And other clashes as well. This book is well written and accessible to the general reader.

Wow. This book has done something truly amazing, it has made me more patriotic. I highly recommend it. I wandered into the bookstore looking for an unlikely find, a book that would discuss the American Revolution comprehensively, without assuming that the reader was familiar with all of the previous works that had been published on that topic (which I wasn't). I got lucky with this book. It brings to life the attitudes and circumstances surrounding the war, with an insight and depth that flows naturally from an author who must have spend thousands of hours accumulating this knowledge. Most importantly of all, this book paints the picture of the incredible bravery of the American people, both political and military, in their struggle against their powerful father country. As others mentioned, it does not hide the weaknesses of the Americans, nor does it paint the British as ultimate villains. It pays credit to either side when due, and its honesty makes the picture of American bravery all the more moving. For a regular person looking to learn more about the founding of their country, this book simply cannot disappoint.

Like many Americans, before reading this I knew only of the Revolution as a war in which the Americans defeated the British and therefore gained independence. However, after reading this, I was correctly informed of the true story of the American Revolution.
The book takes us back to when America was not a great and powerful nation. Lancaster does not sugarcoat anything. Within the first chapter, he lets the reader know that America was somewhat helpless and Britain had complete control over us. In the introduction, we also see that we were merely just another one of their possessions. This book also does an excellent job of depicting the characters- the military and political leaders. Lancaster illustrates the greatness as well as the flaws of many characters. For me, this helps reveal the leaders entirely and you can understand their decisions and actions better. What I most appreciate about Lancaster's writing is that he is not afraid to share the imperfections of a much honored American hero- George Washington.
The book focuses mainly on military matters. It showed the political factors that lead to the Declaration of Independence, but after that it went into mostly military happenings. The book created a good outline of the events of the war. It gave thorough coverage of not only American, but also French and British initiatives in the war. Again Lancaster is not afraid to show that America was not as strong as we like to think. He shows that we clearly would not have obtained victory if it wasn't for the involvement of the French troops.
I thought the book did a good job illustrating the American Revolution. However, if you're not into a book with complete military coverage, it is probably not for you. I definitely think Lancaster wasted too much time specifying names rather than covering the big idea. Overall though, I enjoyed the book and learned a lot from it.

This is a decent survey of the American Revolution, with an emphasis on the military history. There is a little discussion of the diplomatic history, and almost nothing about the politics, economics or social history of the time. Lancaster covers all of the battles, but rarely in enough detail to satisfy anyone wanting an in depth treatment of the tactics employed. Of course, a comprehensive account would be much longer. In lieu of better description, he is often content to name generals or other military leaders, and the book is chock full of the names of military units and, for the American units, their state of origin. It's a celebratory style of writing about American history that's a little dated now, and ultimatately is not a adequate substitute for a thicker account of what happened. Another irritation that the publisher could fix: the maps are next to useless, containing either too much or too little information. More detailed maps of specific battles would be nice, too.

Wow