Customer Reviews

The Complete Idiot's Guide to the American Revolution

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Alan Axelrod's finest book. He, In only 352 pages, explains early colonialism, commerce, trade, the growth of the colonies, 18th century American's mindset, and the entire war for their independence. His storybook style is so engaging, detail is never sacrificed for fear of reader runaway. I loved Part 1. In only 60 pages I learned more about early colonialism, along with England's, France's and Spain's stake in it, than in 13 years of public schooling. Does that make me an idiot or public school a joke? Either way, I was completely hooked. Axelrod takes each phase of the revolutionary process America and England fought for (and against) and gives it it's own personality. He explains how, as each event unfolded, mindsets changed or solidified. Both in America and in England. His expositions on famous battles, stratagies and results are the best part of the book. You can feel the pulse of each army and become a part of it. What's special though, is that he then lifts you into an omnipresent position where you see the blunders or genius of each side. I often asked myself, "Why did they do that?", or "How could they think that way?" That added a lot of fun to the reading of the book. Hindsight, what a tool! He also brings historical figures to life. Expect much more than, 'Washington crossed the river'. Benedict Arnold, Ethan Allen, General Cornwallis, King George III, Paul Revere, and John Paul Jones are only some of the many principal figures eloquently exposited without bogging the narrative down. I came away from the book with a deeper appreciation of how incredibly difficult it is for any nation, past or present, to form, complete and follow through with a revolution. The birth of a nation is nearly impossible. The American Forefathers were brave, visionary, intelligent, pragmatic and had a bulldog's resolve. Being an American is a mindset, not an ethnic background. Seeing what came of it all, I'm proud to be of their lineage.

This book and the one on the Civil War, both are excellent books. If only Complete Idiot's Guide could come out with books on the 100 Years War, History of Holy Roman Empire, History of Rome, Greece, Germany, Russia, and Persia ... You get the idea.

This is such an easy reference book on the subject! The book starts with ancient American history and goes through Y2K. Pretty comprehensive.

It's written in an easy-to-read format, with chapters and sections clearly outlined, so one can just pick it up and start just about anywhere and read a section.

It's pretty condensed, but a great starting point for lots of basic information. It's also not just about wars and other political incidents, but addresses things like the Constitution, Ross Perot, how Rockefeller got started, the end of slavery, the Right to Life movement... like I said, it's really comprehensive.

I highly recommend this to anyone who likes history, but doesn't need or want a scholarly tome on the subject.

I really must be part of the target market for this publisher! I got this book expecting, on the basis of its own promotional blurb, to find unsettling new interpretations and lots of attention to aspects of the Revolution not covered by the traditional New Englandish historiography, such as the importance of anxiety about anti-slavery activity in England, the role of colonial debt especially in the Southern colonies, the lure of western land speculation, English policies concerning colonial expansion into lands acquired from France, etc. But here's the surprise: there's nothing new or iconoclastic about this book at all, except a general tenor of pandering to the fringe readers who buy these publications. You'll find much more revolutionary insights into the American Revolution in almost any recent high school textbook. And you'll find more up-to-date statements of the causes of the Revolution in the words of the committee that wrote a well-known document beginning "When, in the course of human events..."