Customer Reviews

Nathanael Greene: A Biography of the American Revolution

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is amazing that after hundreds of years of review and many factual accounts being written that an author can bring new life and perspective to the American Revolution....but Gerald Carbone has done it with this book.

This review of the General Nathanael Greene's personal life and war time thoughts and actions are documented in letters to his family, friends, General Washington, and other major military players. These letters are woven into historical accounts of this war providing a play by play to the game of cat and mouse he played with British Generals in both the northern and southern fronts over many years. The race to victory over the second half of the book is especially exciting for a story which we already know the outcome.

Over and above the insight into Greene's thoughts and never ending planning for the war, the book provides an interesting perspective of the communication, travel and logistics of operating a war in that time period. His personal thoughts of balancing the responsibility of leading an army in war time and family duties are also intriguing.

Definitely worth reading for the whole family.

In "Nathaneal Greene: A Biography of the American Revolution", Gerald Carbone provides the reader with an outstanding view of the American struggle for independence, at the same time providing tremendous insight into one of our country's most significant (and perhaps tragic) figures.
The author's skillful use of the subject's own writings, as well as those of his contemporaries, provides the reader with an exceptional insight into both the characters and the tenor of the times. Exceptionally well researched and well written! An excellent read!

This is a well written account of one of the most important figures in the American victory in the revolutionary war. Nathanael Greene (Nate the Great) is often overlooked because his post war contributions were cut short by his early death.

The author uses Greene's military career as a guide for understanding the revolutionary war and the many hardships the continental army faced. If you've not read much about this part of American history this would be a good book to provide an overview of the conflict. But, if you consider yourself well read I think you'll also find the book to be entertaining. I was personally fascinated by Greene's life after the war. I was unaware of his involvement with slavery, his mountainous debt, and the circumstances of his death.

In summary, I think the best aspect of the book is that it made me want to know even more about General Greene. Any book that opens new interests is a good book by me. Now, I need to order "Caty", the story of Greene's wife!

After reading Mr. Carbone's Nathaniel Greene series in the Providence Journal, I contacted him and asked if he had plans for a book. I felt that it was extremely well written. It kept my interest so much that I was anxious for the next morning's paper to arrive. It was written in such a way that you feel that you are there. As a big history buff and with the success of HBO's John Adams, I think that this book should be made into a major movie. Congratulations, GED!
I highly recommend this book for all that are interested in American history.

Gerald Carbone writes that Nathanael Greene's involvement throughout the entire war results in the general's biography being quite similar to that of the American Revolution itself. This is a good summary for the book. In fact, Carbone even provides a refresher on the litany of acts imposed by Parliament that precipitated the war and discusses some of the battles in which Greene was never even involved.

The writing is succinct and moves quickly through the events. Largely, based on Greene's Letters (but, unfortunately, not those of many others), Carbone describes Greene as a meticulous tactician and fervent patriot. The reader learns exactly how Greene was so successful in battle. After initial defeats in New York and Pennsylvania, perhaps due to over-optimism, Greene distinguished himself in New Jersey - at Springfield and in a victory of sorts at Monmouth. His ability to impose discipline and thoroughly understand local geography and use it to his advantage was extraordinary.

The second part of the book deals with Greene's Southern command leading to the British surrender at Yorktown. This is quite a thrilling read about partisan warfare and daring tactics. For a further account of the less discussed, but highly important Southern Campaign, refer to Walter Edgar's Partisans and Redcoats.

Through all the battles, however, the reader learns little about Greene's character. Why was this man, raised as a Quaker, so intent on leaving his new wife and family and successful business to fight against the British? Was it ambition and glory that propelled him to seek positions of authority? Or was it genuine support for the Patriot cause? And if so, what had turned him against the British?

Furthermore, Greene commanded the first segregated regiment in Rhode Island and he was not an insignificant slaveholder himself; however, there is scant discussion of his views about slavery. We know that most of the other Founders were against it, many of whom were from a Southern society dependent on slavery, yet they vehemently renounced it (at least in writing) and declared it to be opposed to the egalitarian principles of the Revolution.

The author pays homage to Greene's military successes, but Greene, despite his absence from politics, was an important leader and deserves further analysis. Fittingly, the author notes that Greene was buried in an unmarked tomb - after reading this book we still don't really know who he was.

Carbone writes in an easy to understand manner. The flow of his narrative is easy follow. However, it lacks some of the finer literary style points of other, more experienced history writers. He writes in an informal style, not hesitant to use contractions and informal speech ("It's said that...." pg. 42 et al). He also interchanges written numbers and Ariabic at random: ""twenty-eight cannon" (pg 58) but "the barrels of 2 regiments" (pg 61). Fun reading overall. I wish the paper had been of higher quality, however, as my pen bled through when underlining. Overall, considering that Greene is my relative, it is an excellent report.

I found this book to be a real disappointment.There is almost nothing in the book about Greene's life prior to the Revolutonary War. We are told little more than that Greene had no real military experience prior to the war. There is also little to explain Greene's quick rise through the ranks to attain his position as General and right hand man for Washington. Nor is there much analysis of Greene's decisions in the major battle's in the south which did much to seal his reputation as a military leader. All in all you can learn much more about Greene by reading a good account of the Revolutionary War.

Gerald M Carbone, brings out a true American hero in Nathanael Greene. A man who fought for his country in the American Revolution from the begining to the end. He fought against a stronger British army with more men and equipment. Greene had to change American army mind set and bring new ideas and show the way how to change the thinking of a defeated army with his leadership & great mind and skills. He turned a small army with skill that drove the British out. A truly great man and book. If you like the American Revolution period you will love this book.

Thanks to Carbone for bringing to life one of the unsung heroes of a much-sung war. We know there must be countless more, so it is a pleasure to find a historian willing to expose new material, rather than rehash the old, if likeable, cast of characters. This type of history truely adds to the real picture, rather than a mere re-telling of the old story line. I found Greene intereting and admirable, nonetheless for the fact that good fortune did not befall him for his many great efforts, which makes the story all the more poignant and real. A pleasurable, suspenseful, and illuminating read. I look for more!

Perfect subtitle. If you want to learn more about the early patriots and the american revolutionary war, you could read this book and pass a very enjoyable few hours.