A Respectable Army: The Military Origins Of The Republic, 1763-1789 (American History Series) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Mark Edward Lender (Author), John Hope Franklin (Author), A. S. Eisenstadt (Author)

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Product Description

When the first edition of this highly successful volume appeared in 1982, the proponents of the "new" military history were just gaining full momentum. This group of scholars sought to reach beyond the traditional focus of military studies—the flow of guns, combat, and tactics that influenced the immediate outcome of battles and martial conflicts, often with little reference to broader historical contexts.

Believing that one cannot fully appreciate the Revolution without reckoning with the War for Independence and its influence in the shaping of the new American republic, Martin and Lender moved beyond the deeply ingrained national mythology about the essence of the war effort, so neatly personified by the imagery of the embattled freehold farmer as the quintessential warrior of the Revolution. Then they broke with tradition again by integrating—instead of keeping separate—the fascinating history of the real Continental army into the mainstream of writing about the nation making experience of the United States.

In the process of revising their now-classic text, Martin and Lender drew on their own work as well as the invaluable outpouring of new scholarship that has emerged over the course of the last two decades. Wherever necessary, they questioned previous arguments and conclusions to render a meaningful new edition that is certain to receive the same kind of positive reception—and widespread acceptance—enjoyed by its predecessor. Also new to the second edition is a new map, a bank of illustrations, a Note on Revolutionary War History and Historiography, and a fully revamped Bibliographical Essay, making A Respectable Army essential reading for anyone enrolled in the U.S. history survey or specialized courses in colonial or military history or the American Revolution.

About the Author

James Kirby Martin

Product Details

• Paperback: 241 pages
• Publisher: Harlan Davidson; 2 edition (January 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882952390
• ISBN-13: 978-0882952390
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #69,733 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Respectable Continental Army, May 22, 2000

By	inthesouthwest "inthesouthwest" (Albuquerque, NM United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Respectable Army: The Military Origins of the Republic, 1763-1789 (American History Series) (Paperback)

James Martin and co-author Mark Lender demonstrate that the Continental Army--more so than the militia--won the Revolutionary War. After the battle of Breed's Hill (AKA Bunker Hill) in which the militia surprised the British Regulars, the Continental Army became increasingly important to the revolutionary cause. Without a decisive victory against Washington and the Continental Army the British could not win the war. Martin and Lender repeatedly drive this point home with well researched facts and quotes that tell a compelling story of the 'Continentals.' "A Respectable Army," however, isn't just about battles and military strategy, it also describes the character (i.e. socioeconomic background) of the men who comprised the ranks of the Continental Army. It also demonstrates the significance of Washington's leadership to the American military tradition. Overall, Martin and Lender do a fascinating job of fusing military history with modern "social history" in creating a brilliant history of the Continental Army. If you like John Keegan's "Fields of Battle" and PBS's "Civil War," you'll enjoy "A Respectable Army."