Posted on 06/27/2014 8:43:12 AM PDT by Pharmboy
The ultimate historical traveler's guide to the American Revolution Nearly 150 chronologically arranged entries on everything from meeting halls to battlefields Includes contemporary accounts and the writings of leading historians, offering site-by-site details and an overview of the Revolution Written for the vast and ever-growing crowd of history tourists
In 1996, Congress commissioned the National Park Service to compile a list of sites and landmarks connected with the American Revolution that it deemed vital to preserve for future generations. Some of these sites are well known--Bunker Hill, Valley Forge, Fort Ticonderoga--and in no danger of being lost; others less so-- Blackstock's Plantation in South Carolina or Bryan's Station in Kentucky--and more vulnerable. But all are central to the story of our nation's fight for independence. From battlefields to encampments, meeting houses to museums, these places offer us a chance to rediscover the remarkable men and women who founded this nation and to recognize the relevance of not just what they did, but where they did it.
Edited by Frances H. Kennedy, The American Revolution: A Historical Guidebook takes readers to nearly 150 of these sites, providing an overview of the Revolution through an exploration of the places where American independence was articulated, fought for, and eventually secured. Beginning with the Boston Common, first occupied by British troops in 1768, and closing with Fraunces Tavern in New York, where George Washington bid farewell to his officers on December 4, 1783, Kennedy takes readers on a tour of the most significant places of Revolutionary history. Accompanied by illuminating excerpts and essays from some of the foremost scholars in the field, including David McCullough, Barbara Tuchman, David Hackett Fischer, Eric Foner, and John Ferling, the entries move in a roughly chronological order from the pre-Revolutionary years up through 1787. Taken together, the combination of site, essay, and excerpt provides rich context and overview, giving a sense of the major figures and events as well as the course of the Revolution, and cover topics ranging from the Boston Tea Party to the frontier wars.
The guide is encyclopedic in scope and covers a wide geographical sweep. Accompanied by historical maps, as well as a number of illuminating primary documents including the Declaration of Independence and letters from John Adams and George Washington, it offers a comprehensive picture of how the Revolutionary War unfolded on American soil, and also points readers to the best writing on the subject in the last fifty years. The American Revolution: A Historical Guidebook is an essential companion for anyone interested in the story and history of our nation's founding.
I have watched all episodes twice. I wasn’t keen on the Anna/Woodhull liaison, although I could understand her — she had been told that her husband was dead; and she was highly emotional (not a good condition for a spy). But it was inexcusable for Abe. Furthermore, it required that they kill a British soldier to keep from being found out. All very tawdry.
However, in real life — there were 10 years difference in their ages (Anna was older), there is no evidence that they engaged in an adulterous affair, and Abe did not marry until AFTER the Revolution. (Although Anna and Selah had a child later on — after the Revolution — that they named Abraham Woodhull.)
Furthermore, Abe’s father, the Judge, was NOT a Tory sympathizer in real life.
My comments about “teens” is that I have some grandchildren arriving for a visit this weekend, but I’ll pick and choose as to which episodes to allow them to watch — if they are even interested. It’s also pretty violent. I just hope that they don’t take next year’s series too far afield in the romance department.
Thanks. It never occurred to me how much of our history has been lost in fires. That is really tragic.
I’m having a hard time getting into Turn. I was very excited about the concept and really want to like it, but the plot is largely incomprehensible to me, the light treatment of major events (Trenton) is annoying, the constant dour mood and pained looks of younger Woodhull is a real downer, the angst between him and Anna is like watching modern teen drama play out (thankfully my kids have outgrown that — I don’t need it in my TV programs), the use of 21st century slang is horribly irritating and ridiculous, and the opening credits music and graphics are just plain awful (they should have hired Rob Lane and Joseph Vitarelli to write the music — their John Adams opening music is amazing).
Other than that, I really like the show.
I missed the first 3 episodes of Turn and found the 4th and 5th to be incomprehensible. But, they re-ran everything (except the last episode) Memorial Day weekend. By watching them all from start to finish (I have them saved on my DVR) it began to make sense. I love the costumes and interiors. I just wish that they wouldn’t take liberties with the historical account.
A Tour Guide to the Civil War, Fourth Edition: The Complete State-by-State Guide to Battlegrounds, L Cromie, Alice Published by Thomas Nelson (1992-10-01) ISBN 10: 1558532005 / ISBN 13: 9781558532007
Funny, but many RevWar people do not care for the Civil War and vice versa. I would recommend The Ecyclopedia of the Civil War, since I have The Encyclopedia of the American Revolution, and it was put together by the same people who did the Civil War book. The author said it never had occurred to him to do it since he was a Civil War guy, but eventually he gave in and did a nice job.
Thank you. I can understand how it one would prefer to focus on one war in particular to the general exclusion of others.
Still, it does bother me when they take too many liberties with the known history. But, as my wife and daughter like to say when I call a foul, "it's only a TV show, Dad."
“The Deall Letters By JANE LAPE, Curator- ‘Ticonderoga is one of the many unfortunate north-country towns whose early social and economic history has to a great extent been lost by the destruction of its public records. It is therefore with the ...’”; Bulletin from Headquarters House - Volume 11, Issues 2-14 - Page 22,,New York State Historical Association – 1943; [books.google.com/books?id=JS4Oaqaamaaj]]
Yes, the character of Anna thinks her husband is dead, but she know’s that Abe’s wife is very much alive.
I will have to get the book. I was not at all familiar with this story until I watched the series.
Other than that, I really like the show.
(((
:)
All of your complaints mirror mine.
Also, we often had a hard time understanding the dialogue from some of the characters, so we would have to go back — sometimes more than once — to figure it out.
I have not read the book, but I intend to.
No gay characters yet?
“The Last Ship” lasted about a half an hour before being turned off
There was somebody on an AMC Q & A who complained bitterly about Anna’s hat. She was a lacemaker herself and she claimed that Anna’s bonnet had too much lace for the period — that it would be way too expensive for a woman of her station.
It didn’t bother me until I clicked on a trailer on my computer where I had higher definition. Wow! I see what she meant. I guess I need a new TV because I hadn’t seen all that detail. LOL.
It’s not just the historical miscues that are sometimes amusing. That Major must have the only horse in history that doesn’t poo. It’s always immaculate in that church.
Not anymore. Simcoe dispatched that horse to horse heaven.
He would look even more sinister if he didn't have that goofball wig.
Yeah. I looked him up and was disappointed to find out that he survived the war and went on to fight in other British battles around the globe and retired in Britain and died a natural death. If anyone deserved a quick slit of the throat, it’s Simcoe.
He actually commanded the Queen's Rangers (American Loyalists) who served in the New Jersey campaign and marched on Philadelphia. I infer from that that Simcoe was away from Long Island and didn't have another opportunity to look for Woodhull.
In the show he's a darn good villain. His voice is creepy. Hope that's not how he talks off camera.
Glad you’re having trouble understanding the dialog! I thought my soon-to-be 63 year old ears were conking out.
Wearing that powdered wig every minute of every day, even when you’re being tortured!?? Puh-leeezee!
It was not the dialog of all of the characters. For example, I have not had problems understanding anything that the British officers have said.
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