The American Revolution 1774-1783

Osprey Essential Histories #45

by Daniel Marston

The American Revolution has been characterized politically as a united political uprising of the American colonies and militarily as a guerrilla campaign of colonists against the inflexible British military establishment. Daniel Marston argues that this belief, though widespread, is a misconception. He contends that the American Revolution, in reality, created deep political divisions in the population of the Thirteen Colonies, while militarily pitting veterans of the Seven Years' War against one another, in a conflict that combined guerrilla tactics and classic eighteenth century campaign techniques on both sides. The peace treaty of 1783 that brought an END to the war marked the formal beginning of the United States of America as an independent political entity.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American Revolution, Military History, Military Fiction, American History, American

96 pages, Paperback

First published November 13, 2002

Reviews

[Yoda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Pretty Good Succinct Cliff-Notes Style Introduction to the Topic

Any review of this book would have to start out by mentioning that is part of Osprey Publishing's "Essential Histories" series and as such is relatively short, at only 95 pages. In addition, of these 95 pages a very rough third or so consist of illustration of one sort or another (i.e., maps, paintings of important figures and events, etc.) so the actual text is considerably shorter. Hence anyone looking for an academic tome will be sorely disappointed. These books can realistically, at best, only be expected to be able to cover their topics in a very cliff-notes style.

For example, with respect to root causes of the war, the book states that the debt resulting from the Seven Years War forced England to impose a greater weight of the costs of defending the 13 states on those states. In addition other taxes, such as custom, were imposed for the same reasons as well as to assist England in reducing the debt burden from that war. However, the book leaves out another important factor that contributed to the revolutionary war-the fact that the Seven Years War eliminated the threat posed by the French and reduced any military dependence the 13 states had on England. This illustrates the restraints of the short length of the format of this series.

However, despite the short length of the book, it still covers other important factors that gave the war the course it took. For example, the internationalization of the war, after the French, Dutch and Spanish declared war on England played an important cause in 13 state's victory. This was not only for the direct military and financial support those nations, especially France, provided but much more importantly (and little covered in the teaching of this war in US schools) put intense military pressure on England in other parts of the world. This pressure greatly reduced the military forces available to England to fight in North America and played an important, if not decisive role, in its defeat there.

In short, despite its lack of in-depth analysis, the book provides a good introduction to the conflict for anyone having only two or so hours to get up to speed on it.

[Martin Koenigsberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

The American Revolution is the creation myth of America, and most Americans have only a hazy understanding of what actually happened. Here, Daniel Marston, an author and academic on Military and Colonialism in history gives the war the "Essential Histories" treatment and the result is a taut but full discussion of the war and it results. Lots of pictures, maps and diagrams help bring the reader along at a good pace. I've read a lot of books on this war, so there were few surprises, but I think Marston does a great job explaining the global nature of the war because of Spanish and French Colonial ambitions- and how that did most of the heavy lifting for the nascent USA.

America might be full of Britons who formed a decent market- but the colonies did not generate the sort of profits that Indian, Southeast Asian, or even Caribbean possessions did. Ben Franklin had been right- a French alliance could free the US- either directly or indirectly. Once France- and her Ally Spain got into the Game- the British Colonies all over the globe were in play- and this was not a high point for the Royal Navy. In fact, the aggressive, well funded, well crewed, and well resourced Royal Navy we see in the "Revolutionary" or "Coalition" War from 1789- 1915 - is a direct reaction to this period - where the Royal Navy lost several battles to the French. That incurring the debts to pay for this "victory" would lead directly to the French Revolution that would unseat the French King is the irony of the whole war. But worth it to best the old enemy, he might have felt.

There are few adult themes save those of politics, and no graphic injury passages, so Junior Readers over about 10/11 years will be able to get value from this book. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast, more of a book fo familiarise oneself with the conflict, rather than actual Scenario/Campaign/Build/Diorama development material. This might be the book you give to a RPG guy down at the club who wants to join the AWI Campaign - cuz he liked your dank Hessian Minis- but has never read about the war. For the Military Enthusiast, understanding the basis and effects of any conflict is a useful thing- and this book delivers. A good package on a topic many don't know as well as they think they do.

[Eric Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a beautifully-illustrated, short history of America’s war for independence and the global war it triggered. But it is very much a work of “military history” focussed on the names of commanders and locations of battles which are instantly forgotten. There are very brief, passing references to issues like slavery, democracy, and the role of Native Americans, but most of the book is a dry recitation of facts.

[Declan Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

During the years of '74 - '83 the Thirteen Colonies declared independance from Great Britain. With the assistance of French, later the Spain and then the Dutch, Great Britain determined the need to keep hold of more loyal colonies and the United States of America was born.

Essential Histories continue to impress with the easy way they present the wars and conflicts they chose to present.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want a 90 page illustrated military history of the American Revolution, you will not do much better. As always comes with limitations, but it pays good attention to the ultimately global nature of the conflict.

[DORIS · Rating 3 out of 5]

I LIKE THIS BOOK.

[Alaina · Rating 2 out of 5]

ugh. Boooorriinnggg!

[Frédéric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good overall synthesis of the conflict