The Real History of the American Revolution: A New Look at the Past

by Alan Axelrod

Ask most Americans why their forefathers started the Revolution, and they’ll likely mention “no taxation without representation” or the belief in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as inalienable rights. But that’s just the start of the story, as historian Alan Axelrod so brilliantly shows in this eye-opening book. Axelrod offers a fascinating examination of what really caused the breach across the Atlantic and how the revolutionary movement began. The American Revolution brought something unique to the world: an entirely new kind of nation, founded on a set of ideas. In engrossing, conversational prose, Axelrod brings the birth of America to life by digging beneath the classically taught history to explore everything from little-known facts to alternate realities, along with the eyewitness testimony, pop culture, and art of the period. From the seeds of dissent through the long fight to glorious victory, the astonishing story of America’s revolution finally comes fully to light.

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

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Alan Axelrod, Ph.D., is a prolific author of history, business and management books. As of October 2018, he had written more than 150 books, as noted in an online introduction by Lynn Ware Peek before an interview with Axelrod on the National Public Radio station KPCW. Axelrod resides in Atlanta, Georgia.

Reviews

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sort of a pop-up video version of a college textbook. In a good way.

Axelrod took some shit for some of his 'speculation', where he pointed out ways the war COULD have ended if this general did that, or that general moved faster, etc. I actually think that those 'what-if' scenarios added a little to the history, and proved that Axelrod actually thought about his info rather than just regurgitating the record.

All that said, there WERE sections that seemed to lack a little detail. Maybe it's because I read 1776 right before I dug into this, but important turning points of the war, like the battle of Trenton, seemed kinda...inconsequential here. Or maybe McCullough was just full of shit.

Things I learned on my Revolutionary War reading spree:
-Powdered wigs are the SHIT.
-George Washington was a fuck up on a GW Bush-level. Until he wasn't.
-John Paul Jones had the baddest pimp hand in naval history.

Now back to comic books and crime fiction. Learning wears me out.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this many years ago but halfway through it, it fell by the wayside. Inspired by watching the History Channel mini-series Sons of Liberty (which only had a passing acquaintance with real history) and reading Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan, I picked it up again. It's a great overview of the war for American independence. Doesn't go into great depth on any one thing but that's ok. There are other books for that. I loved the sidebars and the visuals.

[Darin Lory · Rating 5 out of 5]

On balance, a very well researched work and written in a manner to bring this most important time in our nation's history to life.

[Jacob · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even though Alan Axelrod is not a professional historian, but his lack of academic credentials does not demerit the quality of his work. Written in a straightforward and conversational tone, this history of the American revolution is intended to provide a clear and helpful overview of the key events, characters, and controversies during the early days of the United States. Axelrod frequently testifies to the unique status of the American struggle but does not allow his work to become mere flag-waving patriotism. If anyone is looking for an easy and accessible introduction to the War for Independence, I would recommend this book.

However, Alan Axelrod is not a professional historian. Therefore his history tends to be more speculative than other, more objective histories (if there can be such a thing). He also omits some important information.

[Jerry Kolwinska · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good general history of the American Revolution. Axelrod brings out several interesting, but often forgotten elements of the times that were critical to the success of the revolution.

The most interesting point that he makes is that the Americans won their independence not because they were victorious on the battlefield, but rather that they outlasted the patience of Parliament. Of course, the intervention of France didn’t hurt the cause.

Four stars because you really have to be interested in history to plow through the details.

[Rahobeth Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for an overall picture of the American Revolution. Doesn't concentrate on any one area or event, instead choosing to give a brief description of all the significant pieces.
Has a great collection of artwork, pictures of original documents, maps and other "extras" in the margins and within the text. Reminds me of what I saw in history text books back in school

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and very well put into everyday layman's terms, this book presents an even handed treatise on the events, thoughts and execution of the creation of the United States. Enough detail to give you the understanding of how and why, but not so much that you begin to lose interest. From these basics, you can explore other books that provide the much more extensive details if you want them.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book for those not familiar with The American Revolution.

[Douglas Roach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid stories and great discussion of motives during an interesting time in our history. Lots of players to keep track of which can be sort of confusing.

[Dcgreads570 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book went too far off the rails for me... lacked interest, and took liberties with a lot of the 'truer' versions.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply a fun read. It's a good introduction for people who know little or nothing about American history, but is also a handily organized, something that you'll keep at arms' length for whenever you need to check a fact really quick. Not only does it go into detail about the important events, it also gives you little details that you probably didn't know that are somehow related and will stick in your mind. There were one or two inaccuracies, but compared to the amount of information available, it's to be expected.

[Kevin Colby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had some issues with his history concerning Benedict Arnold. He just seems to recite the old tried and true " He was a greedy opportunist" lines of past historians. That is not the true picture of the man. It is an unfair assessment. He also continuously calls King Louis of France "Emperor". When you are talking about France and refer to "the Emperor" you are talking about Napoleon and no one else. Otherwise I like the book. He explains the beginnings and reasons for the war quite well.

[Professor Digory Kirke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being well versed in the history and study of the Revolution even I learned somethings I had never known or come across before in all my studies on this subject. That in and of its self is a hard thing to do. An excellent book and worthy of one and all who love and or study the Revolution, should have as part of their own library.

[Al Bokolor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding read! Book read like a novel with lots of interesting side tidbits about the war battles, participants, and non-participants. Battles were explained with routes taken, strategies employed, and alternate outcomes suggested as well. I highly recommend this book to all American History buffs!

[Andy Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a textbook: high school, perhaps college level. Good to review history now and then, and see how historians may have changed their views about things. Remembering some things, and being surprised by others.

[Shaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent. From the minute I began reading I couldn't put it down... my only issue with the book is that it leaves out details on a few key events and people and it merely brushes over them... but other than that it is a very good book and I recommend this to everyone.

[Michael Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good pop history about the U.S. War for Independence. I believe a better editor could have helped. Too much repetition

[Doug Hauser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good history book for a novice history reader.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was terrific. A history text that reads more like a good novel.

[Vince · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good read. I didn't find much new information here. The book would make an excellent textbook for high school seniors as the author has a great ability to organize information.

[Nickwhipple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of the revolution and its major events. A little lacking in detail, but overall well written with lots of cool Revolution factoids!

[Kenneth]

Good so far.

[Katie]

It's awesome!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book had great content, but a crappy binding that was destined to fall appart before I even read it once.

[Darren Price]

Good brief, very readable history of the American Revolution. Nothing too detailed, but enough for a solid overview. A good read before delving into biographies of some of our nations founders.

[Teresa Sogard robarge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was fantastic.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast-moving history of the American Revolution that flows effortlessly throughout, primarily due to the author's ability to create a birds-eye view of events and how they played into the bigger picture. It doesn't get bogged down in any one place, yet there is enough context to help the reader understand certain events beyond the mere mechanics. I recommend this for anyone looking for better understanding of the Revolution as a singular event or to get a better idea of the chronology of events. The latter was most beneficial to me.