Customer Reviews

Revolutionary Soldier: 1775-1783 (Illustrated Living History Series)

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

 

 

I first checked this book out five years back at the locallibrary. All books in Dr. Wilbur's series on early American life areimmensely enjoyable and a work of art in themselves, with painstakingcaligraphy and illustrations. It is plain to see that the author has created a series of books that have informed and entertained generations of Americans, young and old alike. I picked my hardback copy up at the Monticello Visitor Center. I aim to collect every single volume. Dr. Wilbur's books are a must for those interested in living history. END

I had originally purchased this book in hopes that it would be similiar to the OSPREY soldier series and provide a basic overview of the American Revolutionary Soldier so that I would have some familiarity with the terminology as I worked on other books about the subject. WHILE NOT AN OSPREY BOOK, it is really worth having in your collection.

The b&w drawings are great - they cover things from uniforms (even how to make a standard hunting shirt with pattern information) to buttons to weapons. It is a great book to have near by when you are reading through a detailed history that may make reference to a military item that you don't know. For the price a great investment.

I purchased this book a long time ago when I went intellectually wandering through the American revolution. It does justice in describing the american soldier of the revolutionary war.

An excellant refurence on his cloths and equipment as well as his life in service. Much better thant the book produced by Osprey.

I have recently received this amazing book and love it. The sketches are amazing and give accurate pictures and diagrams. It has step by step diagrams and instructions from loading and firing a cannon to a musket and rifle. All in all it is a amazing book sure to satisfy. Sam, 12, Serious American Revolutionary War Historian

If you think this is a new title, beware. It is a new title on an old text: Picture Book of the Continental Soldier (Stackpole Books, 1969). The contents are dated, i.e, the hunting shirt pattern bears no resemblance to the original at Newburgh, NY Washington's HQ, research shows the cooking gear was more like tin buckets than iron pots, the cartridge pouches became standardized during the war, enlisted mens tents are not as they are pictured, the Pickering musket tool was probably never made as none have ever been found, etc... For the 1960's this book was pretty good, but 30+ years of research contradicts much of what this book pictures as being typical Continental soldier equipment.

I had hoped that this book would be like one of the OSPREY type on soldiers and uniforms. While it is not like that at all, it is still a good book with a lot of information in it. It is all artists black and white sketchs and those are really done well. The book covers uniforms, buttons, weapons, etc. It's a nice reference to have near by if you are trying to understand the everyday aspects of a soldier's life.