War for America: The Fight for Independence 1775-1783 [Paperback]

Jeremy Black (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 25, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0750928085 | ISBN-13: 978-0750928083

By reference to a wide range of previously unpublished source material this book conveys vividly the immediacy of events such as the Battle of Bunker Hill and Saratoga and the sieges of Charleston and Yorktown.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

"A German officer, who has served in America of high rank, has assured the King that if the coast of America . . . was burnt, and reduced to desert, a thing entirely practicable, the war would soon be over." This quote, repeated in War for America , is indicative of the mentality that would help foster colonial American anger at an overbearing British government. Such anger allowed early Americans to continue a prolonged, sometimes agonizing fight and drowned out the voices of moderation in England. Black contends--as others have before--that had negotiation been the tactic, America would not have become the United States, at least not in such a violent birth. Black traces the evolution of the disastrous British policy in a straightforward, readable style, but fails to examine personalities in any detail. He has distilled a great deal of information, given much background material, and in general been successful, but there is relatively little consideration of the far-reaching precedents being created. This is a supplementary text, primarily British in orientation.
- Katherine Gillen, Mesa P.L., Ariz.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Jeremy Black MBE is Professor of History at the University of Exeter. He has written extensively on the eighteenth century and military history, with titles including 'The English Press', 'Culloden and the' 45' and 'War: Past, Present and Future.

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Sutton Publishing (July 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0750928085
• ISBN-13: 978-0750928083
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,878,539 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good British-point of view description of the American Revolution, January 21, 2006

By 

S. J. Snyder "De gustibus non disputandum" (Various, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: War for America: The Fight for Independence 1775-1783 (Paperback)

The only reason I didn't give this five stars is that I wish it had more depth. But, on the other hand, that does make it an easy read, and also, as more of a popularizing than academic historian, that's more Black's style.

As it is, Black goes more in depth into the Southern theater of operations than many American historians do. Without toppling Washington from any rightful pedestal, as part of this, he gives adequate coverage to Nathanial Greene and other American Continental Army and militia commanders.

With a little more depth/length, I probably would have liked to see more review and analysis of British Cabinet discussions and such, along with a British analysis of the negotiations that led to the Treaty of Paris.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Consumate Jeremy Black, March 29, 2005

By 

An Historian (Houston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: War for America: The Fight for Independence 1775-1783 (Paperback)

War for America is another well written, documented and researched piece by Jeremy Black. His description and explanation of battles, maneuvers and strategy provide even novice military historians with a clear picture of the events. Black includes only vital non-military information in order to explain why events occur here they did and how. Excellent companion to other American Revolution books.