Customer Reviews

Swamp Fox

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

 

 

The book "The Swamp Fox" is a easy-to-read account of General Francis Marion. The detail presented is fascinating as it describes the intense struggle in the South during the Revolutionary War. Against all odds, Marion and his ragged forces keep the spirit of the revolution alive when fighting the British and their allies the Tories. In the end the irregular forces of Marion and the conventional forces of Gen. Nathaniel Greene succeed in a series of brilliant victories. (Drew Shifley/Historian)

I would rate this a high four or a low five.

This book was fascinating. It brought home to me how much was sacrificed during the fight for independence. Although about one person, there are many fascinating stories that are included in this book.

The author is obviously a large fan of Francis Marion. On one page alone he is described as heroic, strong, honest, trustworthy, quick thinking, witty, and so on.

I would have appreciated a larger map.

However, overall this book is a good read.
Enjoy.

Bass is a good storyteller; unfortunatley he is not as good of a researcher. Overall this book is an easily readable retelling of the life and Revolutionary War campaigns of Francis Marion. There's nothing new or particularly insightful here, and unfortunatley Bass gets several military details wrong (such as the numeric designations of British regiments) and provides a one dimensional portrait of Tarleton and other British leaders.

Swamp Fox minutely details many of Gen, Francis Marion's campaigns and battles. It also provides us with many biographical details of Marion before and after the American Revolutionary War.

We see in Marion not only a cunning strategist and tactician (the bane of the harsh British Lt. Col. Tarleton), but also a man of high principles who refused to compromise them when he stood nearly alone on them. For example, we see him opposing cruelty when it was shown either by the enemy or to them.

To read the book is to be convinced that Francis Marion is one of the most underrated of the American generals during the revolutionary war and one of the finest examples of the patriots.

This is a great book to sink your teeth into. It deals with major battles as well as the multiple skirmishes fought by the southern militia. I felt as if I was there in the swamps, and hovering over the battlefield fighting along with these men. In the end you are almost kinda sad that you are no longer a part of these men's lives. Bass does a great job of putting you right amidst the action. You feel as if you know these men personally. This book also made me want to know more about Nathaniel Greene. (next book!) Angie

This book might not be up the scholarly standards of some, but it still is worth reading for most. It is entertaining, and provides some information into the biggest aspects of Marion's life. It does not go into more obscure episodes of the Swamp Fox's life, but mentions them and moves on. For most general readers, this is all that is needed to gain a picture of the horrible conditions associated with the American Revolution in the South. Marion was someone who is worthy of our attention, as he was responsible for pushing South Carolina to accept American independence, as well as the cost of fighting for it. Bass offers a masterstroke of a book that captures this episode of American history, but without mentioning the subject's motivations for doing what he did. At any rate, get this book and enjoy a tale of the American Revolution.

One of the real heroes of the Revolution - underscores the difficulties that Gen. Greene had in the Southern campaign and highlights much of the cruelty we forget about. Author gets carried away with geography, however, and loses the reader in minutiae.

Bass' book is stuffed to the gills with details about battles and personalities surrounding the campaigns of Francis Marion, but, as a newcomer to the subject, I found that to be more problematic than helpful. If one does not already possess a working knowledge of the subject, the amount of detail and Bass' constant jumping from event to event is somewhat overwhelming. I also found that the lack of a consistent narrative gave the book a text-book quality.