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.
Have to agree with you there, too. Odd we can easily understand The King’s English, but have trouble with mush-mouthed American actors.
Wow, great find. Thanks for the tip!
It was in Jersey as I recall that Simcoe’s rangers cut down a bunch of rebels guarding (not very well) a ferry pass or some such. Supposedly they recognized each other as neighbors to an extent and greetings were offered but they butchered them all anyway.
The guy is revered up in Niagara. He was a governor or some such; the town has a statue for him.
I may only speak for myself, but basically, it’s not “disliking” the war per se. The ACW has been done to death, is what it is. There is and has been TONs of books and everything about the ACW.
So myself, I care less about the ACW (I went to about every battlefield as a child) and WWII as the most popular wars. The wars more forgotten hold more interest for me.
Lol...I can relate...my family says the same thing to me - that “it’s only TV/a movie, Mom ... they have to have some creative liberties”.
We’ve enjoyed Turn, for the most part.
Glad to see the attention being given to Revolutionary history/times.
Thanks for posting.
That’s great. There are so many facets of history that bear closer scrutiny. In my case, even those that have received greater attention as a result of proximity in time are in need of better study and understanding on my part. The Battle of Themopylae presents a sound subject in its own right. Which wars and battles are of particular interest to you?
bfl
Thermopylae - ah, how our MDers were referred to as those 300 Spartans on Long Island! LOL
I love the RevWar, and that is partly because of its great importance to US history. I was raised very patriotic, and grew to realize we aren’t studying what made this country enough. That includes the nuts & bolts of the actual revolt, not just the Founding men. Without the likes of Washington (also raised to revere - my mother is a nut for him) and those who actually fought, the rest is moot.
I also like the so-called “1812” war; maybe should call it the “British War” since the Brits apparently like to call it “American War”. Follow-up to Rev and another early action that made Euros respect us, ultimately (like the Barbary Pirates stuff). The story around Baltimore really is amazing; if the Brits had actually pressed forward instead of chickening out at the sight of 5 miles of breastworks, we’d be talking about a lot more than the Star-Spangled Banner. There is more to it than Ft. McHenry as it is. But that’s the topical school stuff you get.
Also like looking into WWI more. Don’t know that much yet, but I know WWI was a terrible mix of old and new and resulted in horrible warfare. Never mind the ridiculousness of the whole thing - a war that should never have happened but did for a silly political game. I fear we almost walk that line of stupid entanglements now.
Thanks Pharmboy!
Simcoe was the first royal governor of what was then called Upper Canada. I guess they really loved the guy up there.
BFLR
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