The American Revolutionaries: A History in Their Own Words 1750-1800 – Voices from the Revolutionary War for Young Readers

by Milton Meltzer

Learn about the American Revolutionary War directly from those who lived through it in this young adult nonfiction book from Milton Meltzer, Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Honoree and winner of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal. Most of us know about the American Revolution from only secondhand accounts of the fighting or from documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. But listen closely and you can hear the voices—those that tell the truest stories—of those who experienced this devastating war firsthand. From a humble shoemaker who hears the bells ringing at Lexington and responds to a call to battle to George Washington’s aide who recounts his feelings as he crosses the Delaware to a surgeon who writes about the horrors of smallpox, frostbite, and starvation that plague soldiers at an army camp—these are the voices of the American Revolutionaries. The dozens of people, of all races, featured in this book are the ones that planted the seeds of liberty and passionately struggled to give birth to the United States of America that we know today.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American Revolution, American History, Juvenile, School, Historical

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Milton Meltzer wrote 110 books, five of which were nominated for the National Book Award. With Langston Hughes, he co-authored A Pictorial History of Black Americans, now in its sixth edition. He received the 2001 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award for his contribution to children's literature, the 1986 Jane Addams Peace Association Children's Book Award, and the 2000 Regina Medal. He died in New York City of esophageal cancer at age 94.

Reviews

[allison ★ · Rating 1 out of 5]

randomly remembered that I read this for school

[Stacy Brunner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe I shouldn't admit that this 5th grade reading level book was just my speed, but it was! I love the format of the book. The anecdotal readings that are not more than a couple pages each. It also covers multiple perspectives: from political leaders, to military personnel, to the average homesteader. It draws information from official documents, personal letters, and published works. In each case, a more in-depth source is cited. An extensive bibliography is included with the book. It would be a good starting point resource for a student researching the American Revolution or trying to decide on a term paper topic.

And I probably shouldn't admit that tears squirted out of my eyes at several points. Ah, LIFE! LIBERTY! PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS! But the cost. I don't think that modern people really understand the brutal cost of the freedom we enjoy. And would we do it again, knowing the joyous outcome more than 200 years later? Can you imagine... "American freedom is threatened! Come and fight. We won't pay you, won't feed you, and you'll have to do battle with minimal weapons while barefoot in the winter. Sign up now!"

But they did. A whole generation sacrificed everything they had for every future generation. I dare you to not shed a tear while reading this book.

[Allen Dodson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was great because I got to see how different people viewed the time period in their own words. I liked how Milton Meltzer used letters in the book that were wrought back when this time period was going on. Some of the letters had dates so you could see when they would be sent and where they were going. He also uses pictures in the book that gives some references to where some important things took place. I like how the author puts the Bill of Rights so you could see what each amendment states. at the end of the book along with how the constitution was made. The book has different views like during some of the battles that happened during the time period of 1750 to 1800. Also in the 2nd chapter it has a female servant named Elizabeth that is trying to get away from her family and go to America for her freedom but things turn for the worse for her.
In chapter 7 what I found interesting is that Benjamin Franklin was able to retire at four - two, but he kept going with his work and didn’t retire. I also learned in the book that Ben Franklin was the oldest when they created the constitution. If you like to learn a little about history from the time period of 1750 to 1800 then I suggest you read this book because you could learn some amazing new things about what happened during this time period.

[Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was great because I got to see how different people viewed the time period in their own words. I liked how Milton Meltzer used letters in the book that were wrought back when this time period was going on. Some of the letters had dates so you could see when they would be sent and where they were going. He also uses pictures in the book that gives some references to where some important things took place. I like how the author puts the Bill of Rights so you could see what each amendment states. at the end of the book along with how the constitution was made. The book has different views like during some of the battles that happened during the time period of 1750 to 1800. Also in the 2nd chapter it has a female servant named Elizabeth that is trying to get away from her family and go to America for her freedom but things turn for the worse for her.
In chapter 7 what I found interesting is that Benjamin Franklin was able to retire at four - two, but he kept going with his work and didn’t retire. I also learned in the book that Ben Franklin was the oldest when they created the constitution. If you like to learn a little about history from the time period of 1750 to 1800 then I suggest you read this book because you could learn some amazing new things about what happened during this time period.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because it wasn’t dauntingly thick, but did go to primary sources from that period. Definitely a worthwhile read and still pertinent. I especially liked the selection from Ben Franklin near the end. It seems he had reservations about the Constitution and thought it would end in despotism but was humble enough to concede he might be wrong. We need more Ben Franklins.

[Paul Sain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is interesting. It is mostly made up of notes written by real people during the revolution. This is a good book, and i'd recomend it.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually read nonfiction but this was interesting. I enjoyed the different sources and perspectives.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good source of primary quotes, including first person accounts of indentured servitude and the Boston Tea Party, pacifism during the Revolutionary War, and early abolitionism and feminism. Meltzer has authored many books of this type, including All Times, All Peoples: A World History of Slavery, and Ain't Gonna Study War No More: The Story of America's Peace Seekers.

[Samuela]

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