Customer Reviews

Yankee Doodle Boy: A Young Soldier's Adventures in the American Revolution

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After reading this book, I know that the best way to learn about something is to get the viewpoint from someone who experienced it. Joseph Plumb Martin was a great writer, and told me what it was like to be an average soldier in Washington's army. He writes in a style that's easy to understand, even for a 7th grader like me, and he has a very good sense of humor. By the time I finished "Yankee Doodle Boy," I could have sworn I was there with Joseph. You can't say that you've read about the American Revolution until you read this book!

History doesn't get much better than hearing it first-hand from someone who lived it. Joseph Plumb Martin has paid us an invaluable service by recounting his seven years of enlistment in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. This is a great book which should be read by all Americans. Highly recommended.

This book is not for the serious history buff nor for those who are seeking a macro view of historical events. But what this book does provide is the insite into an individual solder's life during our darkest hour. Other books on the Revolutionary War delve deep into the problems faced by Washington when the initial 6-month enlistments were to expire. Those Continental Troops who did not re-up are now viewed with scorn. However, Joseph was one of those troops who left after his enlistment was up and returned home without regret. The viewpoint from this individual solder provides balance from those Officers who were sustained in relative comfort. However, one has to begin to question some of the stories such as seeing Molly Pitcher in battle and his personal meeting with General Washinton near Yorktown. Regardless of the accuracy of his saga, Yankee Doodle Boy is easy reading and adds a sense of what it was really like to battle fatigue as much as the redcoats.

This account of our Revolutionary War should be read in every school and by any American who wants to have a first hand account of our fight for independence. The author, Joseph Plumb Martin will become like a friend to you as you read this book. He'll tell you about the exciting as well as the boring times, along with the heartbreak of fallen comrades. As far as we know, this is the only day to day account of an Revolutionary solider, from the beginning to end. As Joseph Plumb Martin bids you a farewell, it's like saying goodbye to a close friend. Read this book. You'll never forget it.

This is a great book! It's written in an easy-to-read style. It's almost like reading a letter written by a Continental soldier. Joseph Plumb Martin experienced many major moments of the Revolutionary War - he spent time at Valley Forge, met George Washington, was at many battles, etc - and he describes them all here.