| sneakgun | 15 Jan 2016 2:00 p.m. PST |
Any books that cover the relative leadership abilities of the commanders involved? Books that discuss the military battles/campaigns? Thanks
Brian |
| Dan Beattie | 15 Jan 2016 2:13 p.m. PST |
Christopher Ward, "The War of the Revolution." 2 volumes. (1952) |
| vtsaogames | 15 Jan 2016 3:12 p.m. PST |
Agree. My only qualm (a small one) is that Ward's take on the battle of Monmouth is the standard one of Lee making a complete mess that had to be rescued by Washington. While Lee was no genius, he seems to have been made a scapegoat for political reasons. But Ward's history is an excellent study of the campaigns and officers. |
79thPA  | 15 Jan 2016 4:38 p.m. PST |
Battles of the Revolutionary War 1775-1781 by W.J. Wood is a nice overview. The Book of the Continental Soldier by Harold Peterson. |
| coopman | 15 Jan 2016 4:52 p.m. PST |
"Almost a Miracle" by John Ferling. |
| rmaker | 15 Jan 2016 5:47 p.m. PST |
Lee was no genius, he seems to have been made a scapegoat for political reasons. Lee funked it, ordered an unnecessary retreat, and had already repeatedly displayed questionable judgment. He wasn't made a scapegoat for political reasons. In fact some in Congress wanted to reappoint him and only desisted when every other Continental general threatened to resign if he did. Including Washington's political rivals such as Gates. |
| Winston Smith | 15 Jan 2016 7:08 p.m. PST |
Boatner's Encyclopedia is invaluable. In my opinion the best modern AWI book is Fischer's "Washington's Crossing". |
| DOUGKL | 15 Jan 2016 8:21 p.m. PST |
Agree with Washington's Crossing and Battles of the Revolutionary War.
I also liked The War for America 1775-1783 by Piers Mackesy. |
| JasonAfrika | 15 Jan 2016 9:30 p.m. PST |
This is the best for what you are looking for:
link |
| nevinsrip | 16 Jan 2016 12:04 a.m. PST |
Buchannan's "Road To Guildford Courthouse" is the best book about the AWI, that I have ever read. Especially if you're interested in the Southern Theater. And I've probably read over 200 AWI books. |
| JimDuncanUK | 16 Jan 2016 7:01 a.m. PST |
This will be the book you mean. link Note the spelling, I get it wrong too! |
| Hafen von Schlockenberg | 16 Jan 2016 7:13 a.m. PST |
Ward is a readable and enjoyable overview,but keep in mind that he relied mostly on secondary sources.
I strongly second the Fischer recommendation for how to do history. And in the same vein, Saratoga,by John Luzader,for some eye opening revisions of received history. |
| Virginia Tory | 19 Jan 2016 11:14 a.m. PST |
The Men Who Lost America by O'Shaughnessey is well worth reading for evaluating British leadership. link |
| Old Contemptibles | 20 Jan 2016 9:32 a.m. PST |
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