Customer Reviews

Rebels And Redcoats: The American Revolution Through The Eyes Of Those That Fought And Lived It (Da Capo Paperback)

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having read the Oxford History of the US volume on the American Revolution many years ago and being bored to tears, I was reluctant to tackle another book on the subject. My children purchased this for me while at the Concord Bridge Museum this summer and I felt an obligation to try another book on the subject. What a great work! The narrative is clean and flows smoothly. Numerous and often lengthy quotations from contemporary figures--some well known, some just your everyday foot soldier--are deftly interwoven throughout the volume to create a hughly entertaining, yet historical document. I found it very readable and would highly recommend this book.

If a book on the American Revolution has the names Scheer and Rankin on it, buy it.

This superb work by two noted historians tells the entire tale of the Revolution, interpersed with myriad first hand accounts from those who marched and fought the breadth of a continent and defeated the greatest military power in the world at the time, albeit 'with a little help from out friends.'

I have found this volume extremely helpful in doing my own historical research, and have recommended it many times to my students. It is clear and concise, informative, and is an excellent read. It is one of the best books in print on the American Revolution, and is easily also one of the most accurate representations of the period that has ever been written. Accurate, compelling, with a definite epic story to tell, it is invaluable for all students of the period and will stand the test of time, as it already has.

An complete history of the American Revolution told in fluid style. What I really liked about this book was the first hand accounts individuals from both sides involved in this conflict; from ordinary soldiers and citizens to generals and statesmen. I also found some tidbits of history that I had not encountered in other histories of the American Revolution. However, if one( for those armchair generals out there!!) is looking for more detailed accounts of some individual battles I would recommend "Battles of the Revolutionary War" but W.J. Wood as supplement to this book.

Couldn't put this one down once I started reading it. Detailed without becoming tedious, and with extracts from letters by the people who actually fought the war. If you have always wondered how it was won and why, and where it was fought, this is the book you want to read. Covers the important battles in the North, and even better, the battles in the South. This is good stuff, read it and enjoy.

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I'VE READ ON THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. I ACTUALLY FOUND MYSELF ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT MORE THAN ONCE. VERY WELL WRITTEN, THE PERSONAL ACCOUNTS GIVES IT HEART AND SOUL AND PUTS YOU THERE WITH THE MEN WHO DIED, AND IT'S ALL HELD TOGETHER WITH A SUPERB NARRATIVE!!

A fine read, exciting, lively. This book shows the men who fought the Revolution for what they were: patriots who risked all they had for an ideal greater than selfish pleasure and safety. The book, however, does not paint over the faults and weakness of the many militiamen who fled the field in the face of the enemy or at the end of their enlistment. All together it shows the shakers and movers of the Revolution to be honorable men rather than "racist, white, opportunistic slave owners," as they are so often portrayed (and betrayed). Most of all the book is just great fun.

This book was very detailed. It took me a while to get going while reading the book because I found it a little difficult reading at first. However, after sticking with it, the book started to flow much easier and the book went from being a dry history book to a more easier and readable book that made you feel like you were more closer to what was happening. I learned a great deal about the war that I never knew before. Like most of us, we know generalities about the war, but the detail of the battles and the people who fought them were fascinating. The struggle of the American Army with poor supplies, cold winters, lack of food, and at times low moral and insubordination was made real to me. The actions of Benedict Arnold, the invasion of Canada, the stay at Valley Forge, and the battles around New York and Philadelphia were interesting parts of the book. Also, I did not know that Yorktown was not considered by everyone to be the end of the war but rather the American Army was making plans for attacking other British forces in the South and not everyone in England took the surrender at Yorktown as the end all of the war. I felt that some general information was left out about the war, however the level of detail made the book very interesting and I highly recommend it!

If you have any interest in the American Revolution, READ THIS BOOK! Rebels and Readcoats covers every significant military action in the eastern colonies from Lexington to Yorktown. The book is superbly researched and beautifully written. I first read this book as a teenager forty years ago and loved it. I read it for the fifth time last year, and I still love it.

Most books on history tend to be dry, detailed narratives. This book brings the story of the American Revolution to life through first person accounts of the experiences of men and women from both sides of the conflict. These first hand accounts give the reader a real sense of what the participants thought and felt at the time the events took place. I highly recommend this book.

With the lack of great titles on this subject this is the one book all great history readers must check out. I have learned a great deal from this book, and realized how little I knew about our War for Independence. The author takes you through each battle/segment with actual participants, which makes the book come alive.