Whirlwind: The American Revolution and the War That Won It

by John Ferling

Hardcover, 2015

Status

Available

Call number

973.3

Collection

Publication

Bloomsbury Press (2015), 432 pages

Description

Written in the authoritative and narrative-driven style that has made his books critical and commercial successes, John Ferling's Whirlwind will become the definitive history of the American Revolution for our time. This master historian illuminates the years 1763 to 1783--from the end of the French and Indian War that left England triumphant in North America to the signing of the Treaty of Paris and the final departure of British troops from New York City. Embracing characters both celebrated and unknown, Ferling chronicles the myriad and complex events and contentious viewpoints that drove Americans in their insurgency against Great Britain and sustained them in the seemingly quixotic belief that they could win their independence. He takes us to the halls of power in Parliament and the streets of London to view the Revolution from British perspectives. He presents the individual battles--from Lexington and Concord to Yorktown---in a fresh and dramatic new light. With a wide scope and insight, John Ferling brings the most important event in America's long history to a new generation of American readers.--From publisher description.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member 4bonasa
Professor Ferling telling of the Revolutionary War is so full of suspense you believe the British will win the war right up to the Battle of Cowpens in January 1781.
LibraryThing member Karlstar
An excellent overview of the entire Revolutionary War, including the events of the 1770's that led up to the war itself. It covers everything from English politics to American politics and the major battles of the war itself. I don't think a book of this length can be anything more than an
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overview, but this is an excellent one!
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LibraryThing member Waltersgn
Excellent overview of the American Revolution.
LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
This history of the American Revolution is very succinct, and it may be too succinct. I would have appreciated more details in some places of the narrative, although I'm certain I may find some of those details in the author's other works. John Ferling displays his expertise throughout this book
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and has a more critical approach than other historians towards some of the major figures involved in the revolution. In particular, I liked his inclusion of some of the British politicians and the up and downs of Parliament, as that played a huge role in why the war ended when it did and is a perspective I often missed in my very American-centered history classes.
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Awards

Kirkus Prize (Finalist — Nonfiction — 2015)

Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

2015-05-05

Physical description

432 p.; 6.4 inches

ISBN

162040172X / 9781620401729
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