Washington and Cornwallis: The Battle for America, 1775-1783 (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this engaging military history of the American Revolution, journalist Patterson (Harold and William) covers all the major campaigns and battles of the conflict, from the American siege of Boston in 1775 to the climactic surrender of Yorktown in 1781. The personal rivalry implied in the title is somewhat mythical, since Washington and Cornwallis rarely faced each other, but the contrast in character between the two generals is instructive. His army perpetually outnumbered and outclassed by the Redcoats, Washington struggled with shortages of money, weapons, food and men (who simply went home when their brief enlistments expired) while fending off plots by enemies in the Continental Congress and soothing his touchy French allies. Yet he managed to win enough victories—and put enough positive spin on his defeats—to keep a credible force in the field and Patriot spirits buoyed until French aid and British war-weariness tipped the scales. By contrast, Cornwallis and the British largely squandered their advantages with aimless strategy, sluggish campaigning and internal dissension. Patterson goes easy on the psychobiography. He gives a straightforward account of his protagonists’ performances as commanders, while offering vivid thumbnails of secondary characters like Benedict Arnold and Lafayette, the whole embedded in a detailed but well-paced and often rousing campaign-and-battle narrative. The result is both vigorous history and an illuminating study of the tenacity that made Washington so indispensable to the revolution. Photos.
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Product Description

A gripping narrative of the defeats and narrow victories that won the State's independence from the English crown.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing (April 25, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589790219
• ISBN-13: 978-1589790216
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #385,588 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Readable history, July 24, 2005

By	Average reader (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This is a good book for those of us who remember only slightly the history of the American Revolution from high school or college. It's highly readable, informative and, if you're an American, even inspirational. It's history that has been made enjoyable to read.

2 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Skip this one..., July 21, 2005

By	Scholar "18th century student" (USA) - See all my reviews

There's absolutely NOTHING new here, and it is based only on secondary sources. Folks should read Middlekauf's GLORIOUS CAUSE instead, and leave this one on the shelves.