MWSA Book Review

Almanacs of American Wars: Revolutionary War Almanac

Author:  John C. Fredriksen, Ph.D

Publisher:  Facts on File

Reviewer: Jim Stewart

Fact after fact about America's first struggle of arms!

This voluminous historical reference begins with a 239 pages of chronological events that touch on military, political and diplomatic events that lead up to the war and followed the war. The Revolutionary War and Civil War have always been of great interest to me and I will pick up and  read just about anything I can get my hands on to learn more about these wars. The first 239 pages could have been a book unto itself and I would have been happy reading it. The events listed begin in 1763 with the Treaty of Paris and ends with General Washington's resignation as Commander-in-Chief in 1783. In between are important events that we have all heard of, the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Boston Tea Party, etc., but it's the "little things", the obscure events included that we don't hear of that truly gives you the big picture of just how complicated the birth of this new nation was.

As I read the chronology I kept hearing of the "Sons of Liberty". Who were they? I wasn't quite sure. No problem. There is a "Historical Dictionary A-Z" beginning on page 241 and ending on page 721 that covers all those characters, events and questions that might arise when reading the chronology.

If you are intimidated by the number of pages in this book, don't be. It can
satisfy you even without reading it cover to cover. Just browse the
dictionary part of the book and ask yourself, "who was this Margaret
Corbin?" There are many characters who had "minor" roles in the birth of
this nation who were really no less important than the stock of "heroes" who
we all learn about in high school. I was amazed at the impact that the
American Indians had, the "loyalists" who fought for the British, and the
African-Americans involvement. Did you know the British promised them their
freedom from slavery if they fought on their side? I didn't.

It's all here in this beautifully hard bound book. There are beautiful
portraits painstakingly selected from libraries and 21 pages of maps at the
end of the book.

This book is a must have for those who are really interested in what really
happened. It's all inclusive and will have you saying to yourself, "huh, I
didn't know that." That's what makes this book so great. I enjoyed it and
will continue to reference it. Outstanding job.

Five stars!
 

Other books by John C. Fredriksen