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Rating:  Summary: Mosaic that tells the full story Review: Fantastic collection of sources (American, Tory, Whig, British, etc) that tells the chronological tale of the American Revolution. Troop movements, political undertones, the effects on the communities, the horrors and kindnesses of villains and heroes, and the full kaleidoscope of the human experience are generously provided here. The book moves from the ride of Paul Revere to the moving resignation of Washington's commission, a very dramatic narrative pieced together skillfully by a wide variety of independent accounts.
Rating:  Summary: Winning American Independence Review: In this spendid anthology, we learn about the American Revolution through the writings of the participants themselves. The book consists of a collection of source material on the American Revolution. It begins with Paul Revere's account of his famous ride of April 18, 1775, and it concludes with two accounts of George Washington resigning his commission to the Continental Congress on December 23, 1783, and expressing his wish to return to private life.We hear the voices of the famous (George Washington, John and Abigail Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Tom Paine, and many others); the infamous (Benedict Arnold); and the obscure as they reflect upon and describe the events which helped create our Nation. We also hear about virtually every important theater of the Revolutionary War. We learn about Bunker Hill, the British occupation of New York, the War in Canada, fighting on the frontier with George Rogers Clark, swamp fighting in South Carolina, and the Siege of Yorktown. A great merit of the book is that it allows many types of participants to speak. In particular we hear much from the British and from their Loyalist ("Tory") American allies. We here as well about Indians, African-Americans, the French, the Hessians and their varied roles in the conflict. The book shows the reader different perspectives on events. It encourages thought and the avoidance of patterned responses. Some of this material is difficult to absorb and to organize. Thus, the material ancillary to the text is invaluable and should be consulted repeatedly as the reader works through the volume. It consists of a chronology of the years 1774-1783, biographical notes of the authors of the selections, notes on the sources for the selections, and textual notes. As usual with the Library of America volumes, the textual notes are not extensive. A series of maps illustrating the theatres of the war would have been a welcome addition. The ambitious reader might want to supplement this book with an account of the general history of the Revolution, particularly with a discussion of the ideals for which the colonists were fighting. I suggest Bernard Bailyn's "The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution" for those who might wish a detailed account. By reading this volume, the reader will get a good picture of the winning of American Independence. The book will encourage reflection on the value and significance of Independence and of how the principles for which the colonists fought can continue to inform, enrich, and shape our Nation.
Rating:  Summary: Great and Enjoyable Book for American Revolutionary History Review: Recommendation: Whether this is a topic that excites you, or not, I believe this is a must read book (even if in part) for every American to learn the principles for which this country was founded and the great sacrifices made to attain independence. Summary: What greater words for understanding the thoughts and context of the American Revolution than the participants (Revolutionaries, Redcoats and British) themselves! If you have even a nominal interest in their beliefs, causes, commitments, suffering, losses, and successes then this is the book for you! Comments: The book is comprised of the 124 letters, diaries written by the participants themselves (and newspaper articles). While we can discuss some interpretations of some writings, or excerpts, overall it provides clear insights into the motives and principles (sometimes adverse to each other) of the participants and the significance of independence to their ideals. The first letter is from Paul Revere discussing his historical ride for Liberty, including his fear of "having his brains blown out" when captured. (Did you know he never finished his ride due to his capture and having his horse confiscated?) Two very informative letters: John Laurens letter to his father (Henry Laurens - a slave owner) (January, 1778) endorses freeing the slaves for two reasons: first to support the revolution; second, "I have long deplored the wretched State of these men and considered in their history, the bloody wars excited in Africa to furnish America with slaves - the Groans of desparing multitudes toiling for the Luxuries of Merciless Tyrants - I have had the pleasure of conversing with you sometimes upon the means of restoring them to their rights..." George Washington's letter to Henry Laurens (Henry's communication - which supposedly included army intelligence - to Washington is not found in this volume, so we have to speculate on its contents) regarding freeing slaves for the revolution. Washington responds in March 1779, "The policy of arming slaves ... is .... a moot point..." because the enemy would follow with the same action. "then.... who can arm the fastest, and where are our arms? Besides, I am not clear that a discrimination will not render Salvery more irksome to those who remain in it; most of the good and evil things of this life are judged of by comparison;" Since both Henry Laurens and George Washington owned slaves, it is inciteful to learn of their ongoing discussions of this issue as they fight and sacrifice for their own freedoms. We gain some idea of the conflicts with the total goal of freedom, with the near term exigencies of war and revolution. Slavery was not fully accepted by some who had slaves, so the question seems a matter of when and/or how slaves should be freed. (This is challenging for us to comprehend today) Other Representative Contents: Paul Revere: Memorandum on the Events on April 18, 1775 "The war begins: Massachusetts, April, 1775" John Adams to Abigail Adams: "Congress Votes for Independence, July, 1776" Benjamin Franklin to Lord Howe: "It is impossible we should think of submission" George Washington to Lund Washington, December 10-17, 1776 "American Retreat, Pennsylvania, December, 1776" Thomas Paine: "The American Crisis, Number 1, December 19, 1776" Philadelphia, December, 1776 Peter Oliver: "The Origin and Progress of American Rebellion" "A Tory View of Frontier Warfare, Summer 1778" Nathaniel Green to Alexander Hamilton "Plight of the Southern Army: South Carolina, January, 1781" Nathaniel Green to Thomas Jefferson, April 28, 1781 "Appeal for Support from Virginia, April, 1781" George Washington: Circular to the State Governments "An Appeal for New Troops: October, 1780" Also, includes Chronology Biographical Notes Notes on the Text Notes Index. Negatives: The book is volumous, with 800 pages of letters, making it difficult for many people to get through, or just challenging to begin. However, as the reader goes through the book, they may wish for a specific letter that was not included. So, this is not really a negative. The old English writing and some word usage can be difficult to read until the reader adjusts to it. Overall, a great, great book to understand our countries origins that I would very highly recommend to any person with the slightest interest in the truth of American Revolutionary History.
Rating:  Summary: Excellent Compilation of Letters and Writings (1775-1783) Review: The Library of America has done it again! This book is a wonderful compilation of letters and writings (diaries, newspaper articles, public speeches and documents, etc.) by such famous people as Paul Revere, Frederick MacKenzie, Thomas Gage, George Washington, Letters from John Adams to his wife Abigail, Benjamin Franklin to William Strahan, George Washington to John Hancock, Alexander Hamilton to John Laurens, writings by Thomas Paine, John Peebles diary entries, and many, many more. The book is 878 pages, and is edited by the same author, John Rhodehamel, who put together the Library of America classic titled "George Washington: Writings." The declaration of Independence is included in this book, along with Washington's address to accept command of the Continental army in June 1775, a letter of correspondence between Daniel Morgan to Nathanael Greene regarding the battle of Cowpens, Thomas Jefferson's "Narrative of Arnold's Raid," Jan. 13, 1781, and even a letter between Lord Cornwallis and Henry Clinton regarding the surrender of Cornwallis, Oct. 20, 1781. The writings are very informative, fascinating, and fun to read. This book is one of, if not the greatest collection of writings which occurred between 1775 and 1783. It is a 'must read' for anyone who has an interest in American Revolutionary history. I am pleased to say that this is one of the better books in my collection of American History texts. I highly recommend it!!
Rating:  Summary: Get to know everyone who was there for the Revolution... Review: This book not only has a lot of important names in it (I won't repeat them here), it also has letters from people of lower ranks, or townsfolk. You not only get to know what the generals and officers were thinking, but you also get to know what the people in the soon-to-be United States were doing and thinking. There is an incredible diary from a 14 year old girl included in the collection. She recounts the officers who were quartering in her home and what she thought of them and what she thought in general. Her original orthography is preserved as much as possible. Also included are various diaries of people who lived in the areas where battles or troop movements were taking place. Much insight into what life must have been like during the Revolution can be gleaned from these. There are also glimpses of the violence of warfare in those days through the letters and diaries of the people who were surrounded by it. This collection is made doubly valuable by its comprehensiveness. You'll read the big names, but also quite a bit of the lesser known ones. Each author also has a biography which can be referenced in an appendix of notes, so you know what happened to them. An amazing collection of the famous and the not so famous of the American Revolution.
Rating:  Summary: Priceless Accounts of a Nation's Difficult Birth Review: This is one in a series of "classics" which comprise The Library of America collection. John Rhodehamel selected the contents and created the eloquent as well as informative notes which accompany them. The selections range from Paul Revere's "Memorandum on Events of April 18, 1775" when the American War of Independence began to James McHenry's letter to Margaret Caldwell (dated December 23, 1783) in which he discusses "The revolution just accomplished." Here in a single volume are primary sources (many of them otherwise inaccessible) which are essential to a full understanding of that war, written by those who experienced it firsthand. No brief commentary such as this can possibly do full justice to the quality and diversity of the material. At best, all I can is to give some indication of its scope. Selections include George Washington's address to the Continental Congress when he accepted command in 1773, Peter Oliver's perspective as a Tory on the significance of what happened at Bunker Hill (1775), John Bowater's account to the Earl of on the British evacuation of Boston, Benjamin Franklin's letter to Lord Howe in which Franklin explains why "it is impossible we should think of Submission" (1776), Jabez Fitch's discussion of American prisoners in New York (1777), John Andre's perspectives on the British retreats to New York and New Jersey (1778), Nathaniel Greene's letter to Alexander Hamilton in which he comments on the plight on forces in South Carolina, and Washington's speech to his officers in which he expresses concern about "The flood gates of Civil discord" (1783). Obviously, not all readers will be interested in all selections. Hence the importance of Rhodehamel's excellent notes. Wisely, he has also preserved many of the original stylistic devices which enrich the sense of the selections' authenticity. Those who regard this volume as highly as I do are urged to check out David McCullogh's John Adams, Joseph Ellis' Founding Brothers, and John E. Ferling's Setting the World Ablaze.
Rating:  Summary: A New Understanding of Our Past and Many Surprises Review: When I finished this book I had a new understanding of the Revolutionary War. The book contains writings from all perspectives about all aspects of our fight to be born as a nation. At the end I felt a real sense of suprise in my new understanding of what this struggle meant to the participants as it was occurring. The Library of America makes an excellent book with first class binding and paper. They also get the highest marks for scholarship. The editors of this volume used all contemporary sources and documented them carefully. At the same time they produced an entertaining book on a subject that has been covered in thousands of volumes. As I read the accounts from privates and generals and everyone in between I was suprised by the high level of literacy of all parties. They all expressed different points of view with a level of articulateness that is missing in most of the writing of today. I learned a new appreciation for the letter as a means of communication. An amusing suprise was the spelling of that era, which was not was not near as uniform as today. Reading this book gives an insight into the experience of the revolutionary war that is unique. I have read many volumes on the political and military history of that era without gaining the understanding of the events I gathered from this book. If you are interested in the subject at all reading this volume is an investment of time well worth the effort.
Rating:  Summary: A New Understanding of Our Past and Many Surprises Review: When I finished this book I had a new understanding of the Revolutionary War. The book contains writings from all perspectives about all aspects of our fight to be born as a nation. At the end I felt a real sense of suprise in my new understanding of what this struggle meant to the participants as it was occurring. The Library of America makes an excellent book with first class binding and paper. They also get the highest marks for scholarship. The editors of this volume used all contemporary sources and documented them carefully. At the same time they produced an entertaining book on a subject that has been covered in thousands of volumes. As I read the accounts from privates and generals and everyone in between I was suprised by the high level of literacy of all parties. They all expressed different points of view with a level of articulateness that is missing in most of the writing of today. I learned a new appreciation for the letter as a means of communication. An amusing suprise was the spelling of that era, which was not was not near as uniform as today. Reading this book gives an insight into the experience of the revolutionary war that is unique. I have read many volumes on the political and military history of that era without gaining the understanding of the events I gathered from this book. If you are interested in the subject at all reading this volume is an investment of time well worth the effort.
Rating:  Summary: An excellent insight into our fight for independence Review: Yes, these are writings from the War for Independence, but it isn't the whole catalogue, just a sampling. The American Revolution was the first major event to happen in American history and on American soil. This should be two 1200 page volumes of primary documents, from the front and from the generals headquarters and from most importantly, American citizen's diaries, both American and British alike. The tactics employed were very European, still tuilizing the same old firing line: fire until more of them fall. Canonballs were there to roll along the ground or hit someone in mid-air and leave a three foot hole coming, so there is no real need for battle descriptions. But maneuvers and tactics taken on the road to battle is the most fascinating topic. How close did two passing armies get to encountering one another? What happened to the prongs of the Burgoyne, St. Leger and Lord Cornwallis in the attack? We know they never made it, but how do they feel about it? This has so much potential. The funny part is seeing how the language was used back then and the gross spelling errors, spelling words how they sound which makes too much sense, that has changed into complexity today. However, the range of documents is excellent, both soldier and civilian alike, because obviously everyone is at war. It is an especially excellent read because when writing was the only form of communication, that is when people had a better grasp on it, writing in a such better language and style than anyone does today. Yes, this recieves my highest recommendation and I wish everyone would read it, but don't stop here. Start with this wonderful collection and move on to The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution by Bernard Bailyn so you know how it started, excellent use of primary documents, then The Glorious Cause by Robert Middlekauf to get a better understanding of the events from a secondary document point of view. This receives my highest recommendation.
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