[gusty]

“The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789 “
By Robert Middlekauff

[laplata]

I just finished reading “1776” by David McCullough and recommend it. It would make a very nice addition to your library.

[WVNan]

Where was the first battle of the Revolution? Lexington/Concord? Not exactly. Look for the Battle of Point Pleasant or Lord Dunmore’s War. This is not generally mentioned in history books, so you might get extra credit for finding something unusual.

[jcon40]

The French and Indian War proceeded the Revolutionary War and suggest the classic

Francis Parkman’s
Montcalm And Wolfe: The French And Indian War

I believe it was the first publication of Harvard Press

This book shows a young Washington and many others when they fought with the British and then just a few years against them. Really helps understand the underpinnings of the Rev War and why the French were later allies.

[morphing libertarian]

http://www.dar.org

[gusty]

Do not know the title off hand, but get General Gavin's book on Lexington and Concord. He stipulates that the fight was not one between rag tag farmers and well trained solders. He makes a convincing argument that the Minutemen, a more select group from the militia, were better trained and combat experienced than the British troops in the urban garrison of Boston.

[oldplayer]

James Flexner’s “Washington, the Indispensable Man” is a must read. Flexner’s work is the finest and most readable work on Washington. Why it’s relevant here is that in telling Washington’s complete story, you get an overview of the whole Revolution, with details about everything in which Washington had his hand. (Which was most of it.)

College level stuff. You will not regret reading it.

Other posters liked McCullough’s 1776, as did I. However, I more enjoyed the Flexner book and found its broader scope useful.

Oldplayer

[madconservative]

In terms of modern authors, I am very partial to Washington by Ron Chernow, as well as the autobiography of Alexander Hamilton by the same author. John Adams and 1776 by McCullough are also excellent. Nothing beats the writings of the founding fathers themselves though, starting with the Federalist Papers. Reading about Madison and Jefferson is very important (though at the risk of alienating many fellow conservatives, the more I read by Jefferson the less I love him; though he sure can write some stirring quotes he is very humanist and his thoughts on the French Revolution I don’t care much for). For historical fiction, I love Drums by James Boyd... It really gives a feeling of the thin line between discerning revolutionary sentiment and the threat of mob-rule populism, a test the Americans passed and the French failed. Philosophy such as John Locke is important, and if you want to go way back to the root of the separation of powers, try Lex Rex by Rutherford, and of course Adam Smith for the basics of capitalism. Just a start...Happy reading!

[Cap Huff]

Bookmark

[Politicalkiddo]

Thanks everyone. :) I will look into all of these.

[Flick Lives]

The US revolution It is just part of an ongoing podcast, but I highly recommend the Revolutions Podcast by Mike Duncan. Same guy who did the History of Rome Podcast. Revolutions covers the various revolutions that have occurred around the world over history.

[ETL]

The Battle for New York: The City at the Heart of the American Revolution
October 2, 2003
by Barnet Schecter

Hardcover, New from $19.09 - $5.34
Paperback, Used from $12.95 - $3.83

http://www.amazon.com/The-Battle-New-York-Revolution/dp/071263648X

[ETL]

The American Revolution - Liberty PBS series

LIBERTY! The American Revolution is a dramatic documentary about the birth of the American Republic and the struggle of a loosely connected group of states to become a nation. The George Foster Peabody award-winning series brings the people, events and ideas of the revolution to life through military reenactments and dramatic recreations performed by a distinguished cast.
_________________________

EPISODE 1: "The Reluctant Revolutionaries" 1763-1774
In 1763, the capitol city of America is London, George Washington is lobbying for a post in the British army, and no one thinks of Boston harbor when they hear talk of tea parties. In a dozen years, the colonies are on the brink of rebellion. What happens to bring this country so quickly near war with England?

EPISODE 2: "Blows Must Decide" 1774-1776
A total break from Great Britain remains hard for Americans to imagine, even after shots are fired at Lexington and Concord. Words push matters "Over the Edge" in 1776. Common Sense argues that it is the natural right of men to govern themselves. The Declaration of Independence declares this same idea a "self-evident" truth. For Americans, there is no looking back. There will be war with England.

EPISODE 3: "The Times That Try Men's Souls" 1776-1777
Days after the Declaration of Independence is signed, a British force arrives in New York harbor. Washington and his troops are driven to New Jersey. With only a few days of enlistment left for many of his volunteers, a desperate Washington leads his army quietly across the Delaware River on the day after Christmas, 1776, to mount a surprise attack on a sleeping garrison in Trenton.

EPISODE 4: "Oh Fatal Ambition" 1777-1778
The "united" states remain in dire need of funds and military support. Congress dispatches Benjamin Franklin to France in hopes of creating an alliance which will provide both. Meanwhile, a British army marches down the Hudson River trying to cut off New England from the other colonies. The British are crushed by Americans at Saratoga. The French enter the conflict on the American side.

EPISODE 5: "The World Turned Upside Down" 1778-1783
The British hope to exploit the issue of slavery and to enlist the support of loyalists in the south. They fail. After a series of brutal engagements, the British army heads for Virginia, only to be trapped by the miraculous convergence of Washington's army and the French fleet at Yorktown. The end of the war is at hand.

EPISODE 6: "Are We to Be a Nation? 1783-1788
Peace comes to the United States, but governing the world's newest republic is no simple task. Congress is ineffectual and individual states act like sovereign nations. By the time the Constitutional Convention convenes in 1787, many wonder if the country can survive. The long ratification process helps define what sort of nation the United States is to be a process that continues to this day.

=====================================================================

EPISODE 1: "The Reluctant Revolutionaries" 1763-1774
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR_lTDD6jpw

EPISODE 2: "Blows Must Decide" 1774-1776
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIT_GL-Y5hQ

EPISODE 3: "The Times That Try Men's Souls" 1776-1777
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSAtHAb1xC4

EPISODE 4: "Oh Fatal Ambition" 1777-1778
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ae6XknOqceI

EPISODE 5: "The World Turned Upside Down" 1778-1783
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suiPcydMBd8

EPISODE 6: "Are We to Be a Nation?" 1783-1788
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-PShTiGk9g

Note: should any of these episodes be removed or otherwise inaccessible, try this link to the Y.T. search results for the series:
https://www.youtube.com/results?lclk=long&filters=long&search_query=liberty!+the+american+revolution

[fella]

“Saratoga” by Richard M. Ketchum is quite good. Lots of details on events leading up to and during the campaign.

[Rockingham]

Here is a link to a free PDF of a US Army History of the Revolutionary War: Army CMH Other histories, articles, and monographs can be found using "American Revolution" as the search term: Army CMH search

Such official history material is usually highly reliable as to the facts and written in serviceable but undramatic prose .

[IwaCornDogs]

Bookmark

[Organic Panic]

Evyil whitey wanted to keep down brown skinned people and steal all the resources from the injuns.... -Obamanation

[iowamark]

later

[Jacquerie]

The Continental Congress, A definitive history of the Continental Congress from its inception in 1774 to March, 1789, by Edmund Cody Burnett, 1941.

[MissEdie]

The series Walt Disney did on the Swamp Fox, and other historical figures. It is fabulous! The episodes are available on You Tube. If I’m not mistaken there are 8 on General Francis Marion.