The Historical Atlas of the American Revolution [Hardcover]

Ian Barnes (Author), Charles Royster (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 3, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0415922437 | ISBN-13: 978-0415922432 | Edition: 1

Detailing the history of the struggle for independence, from colonial government to the early days of the American republic, this book uses full-colour maps and illustrations in two-page spreads to tell the story of the founding of the United States of America. It focuses on the land and sea battles of the Revolutionary War, but attention is also paid to the society at large and the international impact of the war for independence.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School-Clear, colorful maps and a thorough, yet concise text make this a work to be considered wherever colonial American history is studied. Although the emphasis is on the Revolution, the scope is much broader-from settlement to 1820. Chronologically arranged, each chapter opens with an overview, followed by readable double-page spreads on the time periods, specific battles, pertinent individuals or peoples, and other relevant issues. Maps are large enough to show troop movement. Legends are clear with dissimilar symbols. Portraits, illustrations, and other graphics are clearly identified. A concluding section provides brief biographical sketches. An excellent presentation of the era.-Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

[Barnes] has produced an atlas of high quality that examines one of the critical periods of US history.
–Choice

Barnes presents the American theater of war as one component in a worldwide series of conflicts between England and its European rivals.
–Choice

Clear, colorful maps and a thorough, yet concise text make this a work to be considered wherever colonial American history is studied....An excellent presentation of the Era.
–School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (August 3, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415922437
• ISBN-13: 978-0415922432
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.8 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,195,547 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars A Horrible Disappointment August 20, 2000

By Maurice Read

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

In the middle of reading a wonderful book on the American Revolution recently (Setting the World Ablaze--Washington, Adams, Jefferson and the American Revolution) I found myself wanting more geographic details than my modern atlas provided, so I sent off for the newly published Historical Atlas of the American Revolution.What a waste of money and fine printing.

The format of the book is generally to have a two-page spread on each topic with copy (plus some inane, barely relevant graphic) on the left and a map on the right. Good idea, bad realization.

The person who wrote the boring, stiff, choppy copy apparently never talked to the person who did the maps. As a result sometimes the words are relevant to the maps and sometimes not. For instance, the spread on Density of Population Settlement has a rambling, oblique discussion of settlement, while the map shows areas settled by 1700, 1740, and 1760. I guess we are to assume that the areas settled the longest are the densest, but that is hardly enlightening. It also shows two mysterious areas to the west of Virginia labeled Vandalia and Transylvania, but there is nary a word in the book about either.

Even when the copy is somewhat germane to the map at hand there are maddening lapses. For instance, the spread entitled King George's War discusses its European causes and events in Nova Scotia, but ignores George Washington and his capture at Fort Necessity (though the map does show it). But this map, and all the others I looked at have glaring omissions. The copy mentions the Mohawk Indians but they're not shown on the map. That might be ok if you knew the Mohawks were part of the Iriquois which are listed. Likewise the Cherokee nation country is mentioned in the copy but not listed on the map; ditto the Ohio Valley. This goes on and on. As I said before, it's like the writer and cartographer never met or talked. A good editor should have straightened that out. Maybe there was no editor. I quit reading after I got to the battle of Lexingon and Concord and the text mentioned, but the map left out, Punkatasset Hill and Harvard College.

Perhaps it got better later on. But, for 40 bucks I expected something a lot more accurate, exciting and informative.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice maps...somewhat inaccurate history March 25, 2001

By Matthew S. Schweitzer VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

I have been looking for a book like this for some time and I was indeed pleased with much of what this one has to offer. However, as mentioned by several other reviewers, the text and the maps often don't seem to go together with the text often omitting information that is displayed on the maps. My biggest problem with the book stems from several glaring errors in the history being presented. For example, the Battle of Fort Necessity is presented in the section about King George's War instead of the French and Indian War where it should be. Also, several maps show errors in locating certain places and events, such as showing Forts Presque Isle and Le Boeuf on maps pertaining to a time period before they even existed. It may not be a big deal, but the little things they get wrong do tend to annoy at times. Otherwise it is indeed a very nicely illustrated book with informative and colorful maps to help visualize the many locations and events presented.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars A Sloppily Prepared Book December 3, 2007

By E. Perkins

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Instead of heeding the comments of earlier reviewers, I bought this book. It was a case of hope trumping good sense and I made a mistake. I admit it. My objections to the book's quality and accuracy agree with all those before me who gave it poor reviews. Here are some other examples the reviewers might have warned about: 1) Though this book is titled "The Historical Atlas of the American Revolution", there are maps and articles for periods and events beyond the geographic and temporal scope of the revolution. The space could have been better devoted to the revolution; 2) H. Charles McBarron's picture of the Battle of Guildford Courthouse is captioned as being a painting by Howard Pyle that shows the American line at Bunker Hill; 3) There's no map for the important Battle of Long Island; 4) The map for First Battle of Trenton is grossly inaccurate. It shows large numbers of Hessians seemingly escaping to the east while ignoring American envelopment of the Hessians south and east of Trenton; and 5) There's no overview map for the southern campaigns. I could go on but why waste good time on a poor book?