The American Revolution: Writings from the War of Independence (Library of America) [Hardcover]

John H. Rhodehamel (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 29, 2001

Drawn from letters, diaries, newspaper articles, public declarations, contemporary narratives, and private memoranda, The American Revolution brings together over 120 pieces by more than 70 participants to create a unique literary panorama of the War of Independence. From Paul Revere's own narrative of his ride in April 1775 to an account of George Washington's resignation from command of the Army in December 1783, the volume presents firsthand all the major events of the conflict-the early battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill; the failed American invasion of Canada; the battle of Saratoga; the fighting in the South and along the western frontier; and the decisive triumph at Yorktown.

Famous figures-Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Benedict Arnold, John and Abigail Adams-are here alongside lesser known participants like Samuel Blachley Webb describing courage and panic at Bunker Hill or Sarah Hodgkins writing longingly to her absent soldier husband. American Loyalists and British officers and officials serving in America provide provocative insights into the losing side of an epochal conflict.

The American Revolution includes a chronology of events, biographical and explanatory notes, and an index.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This is the newest volume from the Library of America, which aims to make major classics of American literature available in reasonably priced, archival editions. Editor Rhodehamel, the Norris Foundation Curator of American History at the Huntington Library in San Marino, CA, has assembled a comprehensive collection of over 120 pieces by more than 70 Revolution-era writers from both sides of the War of Indepedence. The book begins with Paul Revere's personal account of his famous ride in April 1775 and ends with a description of George Washington's resignation from the command of the Continental Army in December 1783. Other selections include letters, speeches, and newspaper articles. The authors range from the famous (Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Thomas Paine) to more obscure American and British observers of signal events. The collection contains eyewitness accounts of just about every significant development during the Revolution. At the book's end one can find a long section that includes a chronology, biographical sketches of the authors, and other notes on the texts. Highly recommended for all academic and public libraries. T.J. Schaeper, St. Bonaventure Univ., NY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Editor Rhodehamel is the Norris Foundation Curator of American History at the Huntington Library in San Marino, California. He has compiled a comprehensive collection of primary source documents that cover numerous facets of the Revolution. From the British side, readers can learn from General Gage how frustrating he found patriot hit-and-run tactics. Scholars interested in the plight of Native Americans during the Revolution will find the "Appeal of the Continental Congress to the Iroquois" very instructive. In a fascinating exercise in self-serving arrogance, Benedict Arnold justifies his betrayal to the citizens of New York. This work will serve as a marvelous research tool for specialists, but general readers with an interest in American history will also find fascinating gems in this latest volume from the Library of America. Jay Freeman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 874 pages
• Publisher: Library of America (March 29, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883011914
• ISBN-13: 978-1883011918
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 5.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #441,227 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Compilation of Letters and Writings (1775-1783), May 13, 2001

By 

T. B. Vick "T.B.V." - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The American Revolution: Writings from the War of Independence (Library of America) (Hardcover)

The Library of America has done it again! This book is a wonderful compilation of letters and writings (diaries, newspaper articles, public speeches and documents, etc.) by such famous people as Paul Revere, Frederick MacKenzie, Thomas Gage, George Washington, Letters from John Adams to his wife Abigail, Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, George Washington to John Hancock, Alexander Hamilton to John Laurens, writings by Thomas Paine, John Peebles diary entries, and many, many more.

The book is 878 pages, and is edited by the same author, John Rhodehamel, who put together the Library of America classic titled "George Washington: Writings."

The declaration of Independence is included in this book, along with Washington's address to accept command of the Continental army in June 1775, a letter of correspondence between Daniel Morgan to Nathanael Greene regarding the battle of Cowpens, Thomas Jefferson's "Narrative of Arnold's Raid," Jan. 13, 1781, and even a letter between Lord Cornwallis and Henry Clinton regarding the surrender of Cornwallis, Oct. 20, 1781. The writings are very informative, fascinating, and fun to read. This book is one of, if not the greatest collection of writings which occurred between 1775 and 1783. It is a 'must read' for anyone who has an interest in American Revolutionary history. I am pleased to say that this is one of the better books in my collection of American History texts. I highly recommend it!!

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Priceless Accounts of a Nation's Difficult Birth, June 3, 2001

By 

Robert Morris (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The American Revolution: Writings from the War of Independence (Library of America) (Hardcover)

This is one in a series of "classics" which comprise The Library of America collection. John Rhodehamel selected the contents and created the eloquent as well as informative notes which accompany them. The selections range from Paul Revere's "Memorandum on Events of April 18, 1775" when the American War of Independence began to James McHenry's letter to Margaret Caldwell (dated December 23, 1783) in which he discusses "The revolution just accomplished." Here in a single volume are primary sources (many of them otherwise inaccessible) which are essential to a full understanding of that war, written by those who experienced it firsthand. No brief commentary such as this can possibly do full justice to the quality and diversity of the material. At best, all I can is to give some indication of its scope. Selections include George Washington's address to the Continental Congress when he accepted command in 1773, Peter Oliver's perspective as a Tory on the significance of what happened at Bunker Hill (1775), John Bowater's account to the Earl of on the British evacuation of Boston, Benjamin Franklin's letter to Lord Howe in which Franklin explains why "it is impossible we should think of Submission" (1776), Jabez Fitch's discussion of American prisoners in New York (1777), John Andre's perspectives on the British retreats to New York and New Jersey (1778), Nathaniel Greene's letter to Alexander Hamilton in which he comments on the plight on forces in South Carolina, and Washington's speech to his officers in which he expresses concern about "The flood gates of Civil discord" (1783). Obviously, not all readers will be interested in all selections. Hence the importance of Rhodehamel's excellent notes. Wisely, he has also preserved many of the original stylistic devices which enrich the sense of the selections' authenticity. Those who regard this volume as highly as I do are urged to check out David McCullogh's John Adams, Joseph Ellis' Founding Brothers, and John E. Ferling's Setting the World Ablaze.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Source Documents of our Revolution with great helps, April 25, 2005

By 

Craig Matteson (Saline, MI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The American Revolution: Writings from the War of Independence (Library of America) (Hardcover)

No matter what you have learned about the American Revolution, this terrific volume from the wonderful Library of America will give you a richer understanding of how it happened and who was involved and when. It is full of documents that are contemporary with key events of the Revolution from various points of view. They are from diaries, newspapers, letters, speeches, key official documents, excerpts from books, and so on.

Of course, part of the problem of reading contemporary documents is that the non-specialist will need some helps to put them in context, understand who wrote them, who the key participants are, and so on. The editor has provided a very fine chronology of the War, Biographical Notes, Notes on the Texts, Explanatory Notes, an index, and a surprisingly helpful table of contents.

The documents are presented chronologically with the dates along the top of the page. You can read it front to back or jump into it here or there. While this volume will enrich your understanding of and appreciation for our Founding, it will also provide a jumping off point for further study. Since these are all source documents that historians use in their writings, having read them will allow you to read secondary writings on our founding with more authority and their biases and any agenda they have will stand out more clearly as your read their work.

A must have for your American History shelf.