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The Real History of the American Revolution: A New Look at the Past
by
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
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Hardcover, 384 pages
Published
November 1st 2007
by Sterling
(first published 1999)
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Showing 1-30
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 beca ...more
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 beca ...more
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.
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.
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
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
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.
Dec 13, 2017
Brian
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
american-revolution,
military-history
A good book for those not familiar with The American Revolution.
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,
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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.
Jun 25, 2016
Al Bokolor
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
american-history
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!
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.
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.
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.
Book had great content, but a crappy binding that was destined to fall appart before I even read it once.
It's awesome!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oct 12, 2009
Kenneth
is currently reading it
Good so far.
A very good pop history about the U.S. War for Independence. I believe a better editor could have helped. Too much repetition
Good overview of the revolution and its major events. A little lacking in detail, but overall well written with lots of cool Revolution factoids!
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.
This was terrific. A history text that reads more like a good novel.
Nov 25, 2012
Darren Price
added it
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.
This is a good history book for a novice history reader.
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