Greetings: I am an American Civil War buff who is interested in learning more about the American Revolution. I'd like to get a couple of suggestions on where to start my reading. What would be a good one volume overview of the American Revolution? What books that would deal in more specific events would be recommended? And, finally, what would be recommended for the study of the tactics and strategy of the times? Thanks. Charlie
Two excellent books include: Washington's Crossing by David Hackett Fischer and George Washington's Indispensible Men by Arthur Lefkowitz. Washington's Crossing goes into detail about the events that lead up to the Christmas Day crossing of the Delaware. It's one of the best history books I've ever read. George Washigton's Indispensible Men is about his aides de camp. The author also goes into much detail about what it was like to be a member of Washington's military family. I also just purchased The Battles of Trenton and Princeton by William Stryker. It was out of print for years and I just found it at the Visitor Center gift shop in Washington Crossing. You can also order it from the gift shop from the at the Old Barracks in Trenton. I couldn't pass this one up. Linda
Charlie, One I enjoyed was Robert Leckie's George Washington's War, which was a nice one volume overview. Another really good book--an excellent one for a beginner--is A. J. Langguth's Patriots: The Men Who Started the American Revolution was an especially useful one. Finally, one of my favorite Rev War books is the American Heritage volume on the Revolutionary War. I hope this helps. Eric
Linda, Fischer's Washington's Crossing is one of THE finest campaign studies I have ever seen. It's really an outstanding book: thoroughly researched, engagingly written, and filled with good insight and analysis. It's oen of the finest pieces of modern military history in years. Eric
The author, David Hackett Fischer was at Washington Crossing last night and spoke about his book. He's also an excellent speaker in addition to being an excellent author. I really like that fact that he actually walked "the walk" to Trenton and pointed out landmarks in his book, one of which was the Bear Tavern. I was so pleased to learn that the structure is still standing!! I drove "the walk" based on his descriptions and when I got to Jacob's Creek I was amazed that Henry Knox and his boys got those artillery pieces across it. Linda
Charlie, If you're looking for good one-volume histories, I can recommend the following books: American Heritage "History of the American Revolution" with a foreword by Thomas Fleming "A Guide to the Battles of the American Revolution" by Theodore P. Savas and J. David Dameron Both are outstanding studies for those who are just starting out with an interest in the American Revolution. The American Heritage volume is basically a pictorial overview with a wonderful narrative by Bruce Lancaster. I have both books in my personal library and can highly recommend them. Regards, Pam
The best one of I've come across is Rebels and Redcoats: The American Revolutionary War, by Hugh Bicheno. Yes, he's a Bostonian but, it is still a fair and well-balanced piece of work nonetheless. There are some great statistics about state contributions in terms of manpower, money, etc. in the appendices. In my opinion, a must have if you have any interest on the conflict.
I'll reinforce the opinions expressed here about David Fischer's "Washington's Crossing." Probably one of the finest military history books I have ever read. Piers Mackesy's "The War for America", now in reprint, is an excellent book on the British empire at war in the 1770-1780's. I also own "The Historical Atlas of the American Revolution", editors Ian Barnes and Charles Royster. Excellent graphics, good short summaries of events, not just military, but also social, religious, political, ethnic, etc.
Thanks for all the responses. I'll be adding to my library shortly. Still one question on the drill. Are there manuals available that cover the manual of arms, firing positions, company and battalion drill? Thanks again. Charlie
One of my favorite Rev. War books is Partisans & Redcoats by Walter Edgar. This is a fairly short book about the partisan fighting in backwater South Carolina, a theater that does not seem to get as much attention as others. For the same reasons that I enjoy reading the excellent works of Mr. Wittenberg, I enjoyed this book as it involves a very interesting and somewhat obscure aspect of the Revolutionary War. I just finished reading McCullough's "1776" and enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Brad
Charlie There is a "Battlefield Atlas of the American Revolution" by Craig L Symonds, cartography by William J. Clipson. 1986 ISBN: 0-933852-53-3, Library of Congress catalog # 86-063201. The Nautical and Aviation Publishing Company of America Inc. It is so much easier to follow a battle if you have a map. I will look up some info on drill manuals. YMH & OS, Ben Newton Capt Lt Royal Artillery(1776-1783) fourthbnra@hotmail.com
Charlie Here is a good source for drill manuals both British and Doodle. www.kingspress.com Enjoy, YMH & OS, Ben fourthbnra@hotmail.com
Charles, I realize this is an old thread, but if you're still around and looking for a 1 volume history I'm a little surprised no one mentioned Robert Middlekauff's The Glorious Cause. I'll second Eric's recommendation of Languuth's Patriots also. As for specific battles/campaigns, if there are some you are specifically interested in I'm sure everyone can pitch in with recommendations. Regards, Keith
I'll follow up on Charlie's question from some time ago with one directed more to tactical studies of specific campaigns/battles. I can see I'll have to get Hackett. I have Babbits on Cowpens, Ketchum on Saratoga, Buchanan, Pancake, and Lumpkin on the Southern Campaign as a whole, Draper on Kings Mtn. What others would the group recommend? I also have W.J. Wood's Battles of the Rev. War which I enjoy and think has quite good monograph/essays on the battles it covers. I guess what I'm looking for are recommendations on "definitive" works on battles/campaigns. Thanks in advance. Regards, Keith
