"Book Suggestions?" Topic

I'm looking for suggestions for two related topics:

1. A good overall look at the American Revolution. Single volume or multi-volume is fine, but I would like it to still be available if at all possible.

2. A good look at the creation, and signing, of the Declaration of Independence.

I've been grateful to folks here, since I've gotten some really great suggestions on the various sections of TMP.

With zeal and with bayonets only (british perspective )

Fusiliers by Mark Urban (follows 23rd Welsh throughout the war)

Both from the British perspective? Coincidence. They are the last ones i read and recall.

+1 on With Zeal and with Bayonets Only by Matthew Spring. Concentrates on how the British forces actually conducted battle. (Possibly not what you are after.)

The veritable 2 volume The War of the Revolution by Christopher Ward (1952) is a very good primary military history. Looks like it is only available 2nd hand. Not sure how it stands up with modern research. Seems to get lots of readers' stars on the online sites.

For the event itself, the movie 1776 (yes, the musical) is a good place to start, with caveats. It omits some important considerations like the need for French help. And it makes into bad guys (or non-entities) two very important men, John Dickenson and James Wilson (because the movie needed a villain). But nevertheless, most of it is historically correct; the portraits of Adams and Jefferson and Franklin are accurate (except for the singing and dancing, maybe!) It should amaze that fifteen months after the fighting began it was STILL controversial and politcally difficult to declare independence.

The CONTENT of the Declaration is Lockean, and there are various older analyses of the Declaration that emphasize that. If you want something brand new (ahem) see THE TEACHERS GUIDE to LAND OF HOPE in which John McBride explains how to understand and teach the Declaration.

link

With Zeal and Bayonetawesome book..

Rick Atkinson has started a trilogy, the first volume The British Are Coming is available and simply outstanding. Covers up through Princeton.

War of the Revolution by Christopher Ward. It is two volumes (but I have heard of it being in a single volume). It is a definitive set covering the entire war.

Thanks,

John

For an overall look, may I recommend Almost a Miracle: The American Victory in the War of Independence by John Ferlling.

link

I thought it was a well balanced look at the whole conduct of the war, although it is limited to just the action in the Thirteen Colonies and Canada.

Jim

What Stosstruppen said!

Ward's history was published in a softcover edition in 2011. Abebooks has many copies for sale.

For an overall account try:
A Few Bloody Noses: The Realities and Mythologies of the American Revolution by Robert Harvey

If you like audio books like me, bc who has time to read…
The Great Courses series has a 24 lecture on the AWI. It's very good. Kinda like taking a college course.

Agree on Ward

Yes, I love Ward, been reading him for the past 50 years.

Cool. Thanks for the suggestions. I'll be searching for these books.

The Ward books are excellent, even if written fifty years ago. Probably leans more towards the military aspect than political.

Forrest MacDonald's E PLURIBUS UNUM is excellent on the creation of the Constituytion.

I only just reread my copy of Ward (both musty volumes). It's an oldy, but a goody and was my first choice to survive the great library cull of 2012.

Zeal & With Bayonets is the best book I have read on the AWI and another ‘must have' for anybody interested in the period. Certainly kept me occupied after my stent was fitted!

Just ordered 'With Zeal and with Bayonets'- thanks for the recommendations, as I really want to get into this period!

Ward also wrote The Delaware Continentals which is also excellent.

It omits some important considerations like the need for French help

John Adams, in the movie, mentions the idea of French and Spanish help for independence.

Rick Atkinson's first volume of his new trilogy is excellent, as is With Zeal and Bayonets Only.

Robert Wright's The Continental Army is also highly recommended.

Dave Palmer's 1794 is excellent for the Constitution.

Hi Brechtel,

What are good suggestions for good overviews in the Elting Haythornwaite school that give good overall military narratives combined with compelling tactical stories for various AWI battles?