Customer Reviews

The War of the Revolution

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Sixty years ago, Christopher Ward penned this gem of a history of the Revolutionary War.

In two volumes at almost 1,000 pages, this book is thorough. It presents a traditional military campaign history of the Revolution. What the reader gets are clear descriptions of battles and the ebb and flow of the war between the British and our side.

It's easy to read and well-organized format make this an ideal reference work, also. Although maps are simply drawn, they convey a clear picture of troop dispositions and identities at major battles.

There is a romance to this book that perhaps harks back to an earlier time. Although our side is portrayed faults as well as triumphs, Ward has a simple eloquence that imparts to reader a sense of wonder and patriotism at the perseverance of our troops and leaders. Richard Ketchum comes to mind as a comparison in his more recent accounts of Revolutionary War battles (although Ketchum makes more use of diary entries as he is focusing on single battles as opposed to the entire War).

This is out of print and will only be found on Z-shops or at antique bookstores. Ward's contemporary book, "The Delaware Continentals," was recently reprinted by the Delaware Heritage Commission. That book covers much of the same ground, although with a focus on the activities of the Delaware troops throughout the war. One hopes that a publisher will someday reprint Ward's "The War of the Revolution" so that current readers may enjoy this gem of a history.

I purchased this book after seeing it repeatedly cited and commended by other authors. Their enthusiasm is not misplaced. Ward illuminates every battle of the war and devotes a short chapter to each. While this takes away somewhat from the feel of the campaign the book makes up for it by making the individual actions incredibly tangible. I havent read a military history of the war that really compares. Also, its written in a very mature voice that never waxes poetic or hysterical.