Publication
Library of America (2001), 912 pages
Original publication date
2001-03-29
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Description
This volume contains writings drawn from letters, diaries, newspaper articles, public documents, contemporary narratives, and private memoranda from more than 70 participants--American and British, Patriot and Loyalist, military and civilian. The writings describe the most dramatic events of the War of Independence: the early battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill, the failed invasion of Canada, the 1776 campaign in New York and New Jersey, the battle of Saratoga, the bitter cold of Valley Forge, the fighting in the South and along the Western frontier, the treachery of Benedict Arnold, and the triumph at Yorktown.
User reviews
LibraryThing member wildbill
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 surprise in my new understanding of what this struggle meant to the participants as
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.
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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.
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LibraryThing member JBD1
A very decent collection of writings from the Revolutionary period.
LibraryThing member JVioland
Immerse yourself in the American Revolution by reading letters and eye-witness accounts from the combatants and civilians, merchants and farmers, men and women who endured it. A great reading experience.
LibraryThing member mcola
"The American Revolution: Writings from the War of Independence", brings the American Revolution to life. The daily life of many of the participants is told. An excellent collection of journals, proclamations, speeches, letters and correspondence of the famous characters and the not so famous,
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involved in this conflict. The daily life of soldiers, officers, citizens and prisoners of war, on both sides is detailed. The horrors of this war were not less than those of modern warfare. The weapons were as deadly as 20th and 21st century weapons, but perhaps less efficient. The suffering just as real. A long book, but an easy read as the writings make "chapters" that lend themselves to good break points to stop and return to the book. A fascinating compilation of writings on the struggle to make America. Show Less
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
1883011914 / 9781883011918
Physical description
912 p.; 5.26 inches
Pages
912