Battle of Brooklyn 1776 [Hardcover]

John J. Gallagher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2003

This popular 1995 work is now available in trade paperback for all those who have still not read a vivid, exciting account of the largest battle of the American Revolution (albeit a crushing American defeat) and for all those who continue to refer to the clash as “The Battle of Long Island.” At Brooklyn, George Washington commanded the largest army that he would handle throughout the Revolution, and though he did not at first succeed, the fighting that day set the stage for victories to come. “In his shot-by-shot account of the largest and bloodiest battle of the American Revolution, Gallagher recreates the fierce encounter of 27 August 1776 in which twenty thousand British, Hessian and Loyalist troops defeated ten thousand patriot soldiers. . . . the book offers many perceptive observations and the author succinctly summarizes the lessons derived . . . this book is recommended reading for those who cherish the heritage of the gallant ‘rabble in arms’ that risked all for American independence.” —Long Island Historical Journal“Long neglected . . . the Battle of Brooklyn is given comprehensive coverage . . . using a lively writing style Gallagher makes it easy to visualize the actual skirmishes by providing interesting details.” —Flintlock and Powderhorn

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Gallagher, a Brooklyn-based forensic historian, here addresses an important subject. Brooklyn, once known as Long Island, constituted one of the American Revolution's first, largest and most neglected actions. His thesis-that the battle's style reflected the Revolution's nature as "democratic warfare," freed from conventional restrictions-is provocative. However, Gallagher undermines his case by dawdling in the effort to establish background information for the battle and armies; his account of real warfare is anticlimactic. Moreover, informed readers will wince at his factual errors: the British army, for example, possessed no green-coated rifle regiment in 1776. Illustrations not seen by PW.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

In Brooklyn, in 1776, the destiny of the U. S. hung by a thread in a battle which was very nearly the deciding loss for this country. Gallagher's exploration of this little-revealed event charts a series of key actions which were very nearly a catastrophe for American forces. -- Midwest Book Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 206 pages
• Publisher: Book Sales (April 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785816631
• ISBN-13: 978-0785816638
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,267,050 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great History of Both the Battle and (Really) Old Brooklyn, June 6, 2002

By 

L. Sabin (Hudson Valley NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Battle of Brooklyn, 1776 (Paperback)

John Gallagher's narrative in this short book is very comprehensive while still being easy to read. It is interspersed with great little historical tidbits and teasers as well, and provides some great detail to the old 18th century villages that make up the City of Brooklyn today.

The reader gets the impression that Gallagher fully enjoyed writing on The Battle of Brooklyn and conveys this sense of historical importance very well.

In addition to the great narrative, there are many facts revealed about both the Revolutionary War and different parts of Brooklyn that both professional historians and casual history readers may not have known.

A highly recommended, quick and insightful read.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Winning does not come easy, August 30, 2001

By 

Robert B. Makinson "Robert B. Makinson" (Brooklyn New York United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Battle of Brooklyn 1776 (Hardcover)

In most history books, it is usually called The Battle of Long Island. But since it took place in Brooklyn, it is more recently referred to as The Battle of Brooklyn...It took place in August of 1776. General Howe, the winner, versus General Washington, the loser (he won later)...The book relates that American counter attacks in the vicinity of Old Stone House created time for Washington to save the remainder of his army...The men involved here were primarily "The Maryland 400." and they are well remembered. Old Stone House was rebuilt and stands near 5th Ave. and 3rd St. An American Legion Post at 9th St. honors the area where most of them are believed to have been buried. They are also honored by a monument in Prospect Park.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brooklyn under siege, 1776, September 4, 2004

By 

Rocco Dormarunno (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Battle of Brooklyn 1776 (Hardcover)

In spite of one or two glaring mistakes in John Gallagher's book, BATTLE OF BROOKLYN, 1776, the author has provided us with a glimpse into a little known confrontation that had an enormous impact on our nation. When most people think of the significant battles of the Revolutionary War, they think of Bunker Hill, Saratoga, Yorktown, or Trenton. But New York City, and Brooklyn specifically was the scene for the first great battle.

Unfortunately, as Mr. Gallagher sympathetically conveys, the battle was a disaster from beginning to end. Over a thousand of Washington's troops were injured, captured, or killed. It was only with the brave and selfless assistance of the Marylanders, that the American troops were able to evacuate. Mr. Gallagher, with the skill of suspense novelist as well as historian, describes Washington's daring escape from Brooklyn, at night, in an intense fog.

I'm just scratching the surface here. This is a fascinating account of an undeservedly overlooked event of the American Revolution, and Mr. Gallagher deserves utmost credit for preserving its memory.