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Nathanael Greene: A Biography of the American Revolution
When the Revolutionary War began, Nathanael Greene was a private in the militia, the lowest rank possible, yet he emerged from the war with a reputation as George Washington's most gifted and dependable officer--celebrated as one of three most important generals. Upon taking command of America's Southern Army in 1780, Nathanael Greene was handed troops that consisted of 1,...more
Hardcover, 235 pages
Published
June 24th 2008
by Palgrave Macmillan
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The subtitle is ambiguous: "A Biography of the American Revolution." A personal history of a revolutionary figure, or a history of the revolution itself? It may be deliberate, because the book covers both subjects quite thoroughly: Greene was indeed a major figure of the revolution, and as for the other meaning, on p. 214 the author admits
"Of all the generals in the Continental Army only three had served since the 1775 siege of Boston: Washington, Knox and Greene. Of these Greene had seen far...more
Most of the men who get all the press for the American Revolution are Washington, Adams, Jefferson, maybe Hamilton, Lafayette and of course the infamous Benedict Arnold. Greene started as a private, and moved all the way up to Major General - taking control of the Southern Army during the final stages of the war. He also served as quartermaster under Washington. He was successful in defeat, well known in his lifetime, and had accumulated a huge debt during the war. He died of possibly heatstroke...more
Nathaniel Greene was a surprisingly portly Quaker from Rhode Island. He inherited a foundry business from his father in 1770. In 1774 he married a local girl named Catherine “Caty” Littlefield. He also organized a local militia in 1774 called the Kentish Guards.
When the British seized Boston Greene was appointed General by the Rode Island Government. In 1776 the Continental Congress appointed him a Brigadier General. He arrived at Boston after the Boston Massacre and after the British evacuated...more
When the British seized Boston Greene was appointed General by the Rode Island Government. In 1776 the Continental Congress appointed him a Brigadier General. He arrived at Boston after the Boston Massacre and after the British evacuated...more
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Mar 06, 2011
Mike Prochot
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A well written biography of a now forgotten hero of the American Revolution. A typical American story in many respects. A self-made man with no military training, save reading military books, overcoming obstacles that would have sidelined a lesser individual to form himself into one of the most trusted officers of Washington.
Too often, histories of the Revolutionary war overlook the fact that Washington's army was in fact organized and was staffed by some very capable men. Nathanael Greene was...more
Too often, histories of the Revolutionary war overlook the fact that Washington's army was in fact organized and was staffed by some very capable men. Nathanael Greene was...more
I can't say much for the biography itself, except that this is a good start at getting Greene's name in the history books, along with George Washington's, where it belongs. And for someone interested in getting to know more about Nathanael Greene, I would suggest this, seeing as how accounts of the forgotten general are few and far between.
It boggles my mind how absent Greene's name is from accounts of The American Revolution. People don't realize there would have been no Yorktown if not for Gre...more
It boggles my mind how absent Greene's name is from accounts of The American Revolution. People don't realize there would have been no Yorktown if not for Gre...more
The book begins with a gruesome but fascinating account of the search for Greene’s missing bones in 1901. Carbone is a journalist, not an historian, but he is a widely recognized authority on Greene’s life, and this biography is painstakingly documented. As he points out, Nathanael Greene - one of the great generals of the Revolution, more talented perhaps than Washington himself - has been neglected in popular history. An overweight, asthmatic son of a pacifist Quaker preacher, Greene’s talents...more
Since I live in eastern Connecticut, and am walking distance from Westerly, RI, I felt a personal familiarity while reading about most of the landmarks and communities described in this biography of Nathanael Greene by Gerald Carbone. My initial enthusiasm while starting it soon evolved into a sense that the author was rushing through certain details. Carbone could have added about another 50 to 100 pages, at least, to describe in more detail most of the major instances in Greene's life, especia...more
A good short biography and much needed for an individual who has not been given the respect and due he has earned. I would only wish that it was longer and more detailed. I feel like alot of things were either passed by or ignored entirely and while this covers his early years in the army well, it runs through the latter half as if it has a train to catch.
Having read several biographies of Washington and other notable officers that reported to him (Hamilton and Arnold), I was intrigued by the praise for Greene and wished to know more about him. I found Carbone's book very satisfying. Fortunately for the author most of Greene's voluminous correspondance has been collected and organized in 13 volumes. Sadly, like many other heroes of the Revolution, Greene's military career ends with him being in deep financial distress and without the thanks and a...more
A truly magnificent biography of Greene, one of the greatest heroes of Rhode Island and the American Revolution (second only to Washington with regard to the latter, I should think).
A highly readable and engaging biography. As is often the case the author tends to cast his subject in the most favorable light (and his critics the worst). Greene is one of the overlooked giants of the American Revolution and well deserves this particular treatment.
Sep 23, 2010
Craig J.
added it
Nathanael Greene: A Biography of the American Revolution by Gerald M. Carbone (2008)
The book was informative but felt shallow at times. I would have preferred more depth and less of a feeling that the author was rushing through various events.
I really enjoyed this book - but it helps to be a history buff.
If you want a mostly 100% positive book on General Greene, then this book might fill the need. I'm familiar with Greene's southern campaign, and this book is accurate with that - so I will assume accurate with the rest. It will explain his popularity in the past (there are many communities named after him), if not so much why he is basically forgotten, indeed there are no analysis or explanations - just wonderful hero worshiping in most of this book. Fun for those who like this sorta thing, and...more
Definately a worthy book on this great patriot. Highly recommend.
Good recap of his life. Very sad how his life ended after the Revolution.
Jun 15, 2013
Cindy
marked it as to-read
Apr 10, 2013
Elizabeth Bragg
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Apr 05, 2013
Nicholas Anthony
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Feb 09, 2013
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is currently reading it
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