Almost A Miracle: The American Victory in the War of Independence Illustrated Edition
by
John Ferling
(Author)
ISBN-13:
978-0195382921
ISBN-10:
0195382927
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"Comprehensive and engaging...Grand stuff and sweeping themes...Ferling is particularly strong in recreating the relentless misery of the war in Georgia and the Carolinas, an essential theater that is overlooked in many popular recountings."--Washington Post Book World
"In his richly detailed battle-by-battle account of the war, Ferling succeeds where other military histories fail by providing helpful background for those who don't know their flanks from their feints. He also brings the military leaders to life, exploring their backgrounds, their dispositions,
their willingness to take risks."--Christian Science Monitor
"Monographs on the military history of the American Revolution are beyond count, but Ferling (emer., Univ. of West Georgia) has put together new and old materials in a compelling way...Upon finishing the book, readers will understand how true the title is. George Washington's flaws, the intricacies
of congressional relations with the army and navy, the tactics of guerilla warfare, and the horrors of the battlefield--all are presented in a readable and academically sound manner. The vignette and brushstroke fit together flawlessly. General readers and specialists alike will applaud this work.
Highly recommended."--CHOICE
"John Ferling is a national resource, and Almost a Miracle is a splendid combination of subject with a superb historian writing at the peak of his powers. Ferling's brilliant book makes an important contribution to the scholarship of the Revolution while telling a gripping story that every American
must know."--Michael Beschloss, author of Presidential Courage: Brave Leaders and How They Changed America, 1789-1989
"Highly recommended. This very thoughtful book is informed by many years of teaching on the subject. Its judgments are balanced, mature, and enlightening."--David Hackett Fischer, author of Washington's Crossing
"No event in our nation's history is more important than the Revolution, and no historian has grasped this epic drama better than John Ferling. This fast paced narrative, anchored in exhaustive research reminds us that the American victory was never certain. A fragile, fractious coalition of
thirteen weak states could easily have succumbed to Britain's might had it not been for the persistent courage and determination of the soldiers and sailors who fought in the patriot cause. Ferling is right our triumph was 'almost a miracle.'"-- William Fowler, Northeastern University and former
Director of the Massachusetts Historical Society
About the Author
John Ferling brings to this book nearly forty years of experience as a historian of early America. He is the author of nine books and numerous articles on the American Revolution and early American wars, and has appeared in four television documentaries devoted to the Revolution and the War of
Independence. His book A Leap in the Dark won the Fraunces Tavern Book Award as the year's best book on the American Revolution. He and his wife live in metropolitan Atlanta.
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Product details
- Publisher : Oxford University Press; Illustrated edition (March 1, 2009)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 696 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0195382927
- ISBN-13 : 978-0195382921
- Item Weight : 2.15 pounds
- Dimensions : 9.2 x 1.6 x 6.1 inches
-
Best Sellers Rank:
#114,826 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #85 in Military History (Books)
- #205 in U.S. Colonial Period History
- #310 in U.S. Revolution & Founding History
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
516 global ratings
How are ratings calculated?
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2016
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I have read numerous books on the American Revolution but Ferling's book is one of my favorites. Ferling goes into great detail about how decisions were made to develop war strategy, the personalities of major figures, battle plans, and most poignantly describes the terrible hardship and sacrifice that was made on both sides. The book takes one from the opening of the war in 1776 to the final peace treaty with England. He intersperses anecdotal accounts from the dairies of soldiers and officers and includes pictures of individuals that bring their stories to life. I found his description of the final stages of the war in the south particularly intriguing. His in depth look at the critical decisions that were made by both sides helps one to appreciate less recognized heroes like Nathaniel Greene and the southern militia men. What a fascinating read! This may not be your starter book for the American Revolution but if you're interested in a deep delve into the war, this is the book. It will require some time to get through but if you love the period as I do, you will be constantly intrigued by the unfolding of events.
25 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2020
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There are plenty of good-excellent reviews of this book already, but I want to add my own opinion of it as an excellent re-telling of the American War for Independence. Professor Ferling uses a great mix of details of battles and personalities, but I especially appreciate the occasional chapters titled "Choices ____." Each one was an overview of the choices felt by significant geopolitical participants in the war at the start of each year. It wasn't just the colonies and England facing choices, but also the French and the Spanish, the latter two which helped the United States eventually win the war. The description of their deliberations from each group's self-interests was fascinating to me.
The author is also very fair, in my view....especially in his assessment of George Washington's leadership of the Continental Army. Although Ferling does land on the side of Washington being the "indispensable man" of the Revolution (and I agree), he wasn't without his failings and shortcomings as a military man and commander. But Ferling makes the case, that no other general could have led the army as effectively as Washington did had he lost his life early in the conflict. It wasn't just military skills---and unbelievably luck sometimes---that was needed to win the war. Administrative skills and character were just as important and Washington had no equal among the available generals in those important regards.
The sourcing and bibliography were also excellent.
The author is also very fair, in my view....especially in his assessment of George Washington's leadership of the Continental Army. Although Ferling does land on the side of Washington being the "indispensable man" of the Revolution (and I agree), he wasn't without his failings and shortcomings as a military man and commander. But Ferling makes the case, that no other general could have led the army as effectively as Washington did had he lost his life early in the conflict. It wasn't just military skills---and unbelievably luck sometimes---that was needed to win the war. Administrative skills and character were just as important and Washington had no equal among the available generals in those important regards.
The sourcing and bibliography were also excellent.
5 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2016
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I have lately become infatuated with the American Revolutionary War, and this book has to be the best one-stop all-inclusive history of this pivotal moment in American history. The style is light, yet detailed, and not pedantic or intellectual. In reading it, I discovered that I was short on general knowledge of the war and its major players. It has also been a springboard to other books, including biographies of our founding fathers and books of specific battles. In short, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and will reread it in the future. I purchased this on Kindle, and I may actually buy this in hardback to have on my shelf. It's that good. Highly recommended. I will be reading more John Ferling.
14 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2016
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Have read quite a few John Ferling's books and this one is a must for anyone studying this part of our History, as he goes into details of some of the Battles and the thinking of the civilian leaders back in London and Philadelphia.
He did his research from letters and diaries of both American and British infantry men who searved.Plus he gives a good insight of what the French feeling about our conflict and the reasoning for helping the colonies gain their Independence from England which is skipped by a lot of authors writing about the War. At times the book gets slow and he wonders a bit but then gets moving faster. I
He did his research from letters and diaries of both American and British infantry men who searved.Plus he gives a good insight of what the French feeling about our conflict and the reasoning for helping the colonies gain their Independence from England which is skipped by a lot of authors writing about the War. At times the book gets slow and he wonders a bit but then gets moving faster. I
10 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2019
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Shocking how many battles our Revolutionary War ancestors lost or came close to losing. We cover 1776 a small bit in school but most people aren't aware of just how long and fraught with pain and death this war was. And just how close we came to being overcome by the might of England and their war making ability to hire Hessians (Germans) to join the fight. Our band of Patriots had to fight for years on end, their wives had to manage to raise the kids, get the crops in, keep their families from starving and worry about the British burning their homes over their heads for being Patriots. Very readable and I learned a lot.
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Top reviews from other countries
Peter Kimberley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not a book for the beach
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 6, 2015Verified Purchase
This is the type of book that needs to be read when you are quiet and on your own . It is very deep and can be difficult to read if you do not know all the facts . Especially if you are not American . I have found it very interesting and have had great enjoyment going through all the facts even though I am still on the third chapter !!
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lily
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 31, 2018Verified Purchase
Its good book too.
Jack Grimes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 26, 2017Verified Purchase
Very good. Well researched and well written.
niall phillips
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly recommended.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 10, 2015Verified Purchase
Engrossing from start to finish. Highly recommended.
Jonathan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good book!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 13, 2015Verified Purchase
Last very interesting book, very detailed and definitely a must have for any historian.
4 people found this helpful
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