The Real History of the American Revolution: A New Look at the Past (Real History Series) [Hardcover]

Alan Axelrod (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2007 | Series: Real History Series

Ask most Americans why their forefathers started the Revolution, and they’ll likely mention “no taxation without representation” or the belief in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as inalienable rights. But that’s just the start of the story, as historian Alan Axelrod so brilliantly shows in this eye-opening book. Axelrod offers a fascinating examination of what really caused the breach across the Atlantic and how the revolutionary movement began. The American Revolution brought something unique to the world: an entirely new kind of nation, founded on a set of ideas. In engrossing, conversational prose, Axelrod brings the birth of America to life by digging beneath the classically taught history to explore everything from little-known facts to alternate realities, along with the eyewitness testimony, pop culture, and art of the period. From the seeds of dissent through the long fight to glorious victory, the astonishing story of America’s revolution finally comes fully to light.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Prolific author Axelrod (Patton on Leadership; Elizabeth I, CEO) tackles the American Revolution in this breezy popular history. Despite the subtitle, this nonacademic treatment of the revolution is straightforward, if not traditional, and the conclusions are familiar. Axelrod argues that the revolution was not a class struggle and left the American people unambiguously better off. He points out that the colonists weren't actually terribly oppressed, and that Gen. George Washington's triumph was in outlasting the British. The key players are portrayed rather conventionally, from the cautious British commander, Gen. William Howe, to the stoic Washington. The sprightly narrative is lavishly illustrated, and intriguing sidebars, such as Forgotten Faces, Reality Check and Alternate Take, are interspersed throughout the text. If the narrative is largely traditional, these features introduce some unfamiliar figures and surprising facts. Even with few notes and a scant bibliography, this lively narrative with its informative supplementary material makes for an excellent introduction to the revolution for general readers. (Jan.)
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About the Author

Alan Axelrod is the author of more than 60 books, including the best-sellers Profiles in Audacity (Sterling, 2007); Patton on Leadership (Prentice Hall Press, 2001); Elizabeth I, CEO (Prentice Hall, 2000); and What Every American Should Know About American History: 200 Events That Shaped the Nation (with Charles Phillips). He has appeared on MSNBC, The Discovery Channel, CNN, Fox, and numerous radio news and talk programs, including NPR. Axelrod and his work have been featured in BusinessWeek, Fortune, Men’s Health, Cosmopolitan, and many newspapers, including USA Today.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (November 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402740867
• ISBN-13: 978-1402740862
• Product Dimensions: 1.5 x 7.2 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #482,068 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars wonderfully entertaining; a wealth of knowledge., March 30, 2008

By 

Michael Meisel (Encino, California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Real History of the American Revolution: A New Look at the Past (Real History Series) (Hardcover)

Recently bought this book as i had not read anything about the American revolution in many years. This almost could qualify as a school textbook with regard to the information but certainly more fun to read than most textbooks. Great pictures and side bars help bring the stories to life. Everything's chronologically ordered from the years leading up to the war to post-revolutionary time. A really interesting part was the "whatever happened to" section where we learn what became of many of the leading figures.
On balance, a very well researched work and written in a manner to bring this most important time in our nation's history to life.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy read, great overview, April 10, 2008

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Brian Brown - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Real History of the American Revolution: A New Look at the Past (Real History Series) (Hardcover)

If you're a student of American history from the Revolution to the Constitutional Convention, there won't be too many surprises for you in this book, but it's a terrific overview of the Revolution and the complicated motivations that led up to it. Very good for that friend with an interest in history who wants to dip their toe in this period.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful read, February 27, 2008

By 

Joshua L. Cannon (Florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Real History of the American Revolution: A New Look at the Past (Real History Series) (Hardcover)

Excellent book. Concise and an easy read. The facts about history are presented in order and the author reveals "behind the scenes" stories of what really happened during this pivotal point in our history.