By?Robert J. Allison
Oxford University Press, $18.95,?106 pages
Do not let the sheer economy of words in Allison?s concise history of our struggle for independence fool you into thinking this work is a glossy summary of events. It is rich with detail!
Prefaced with an outline of key dates, the book immediately launches into the origins of the American Revolution, pointing out how unlikely a unified bid for self-government seemed at first. Pushed into the proverbial corner, the conflict escalates in a domino-like chain of events. Allison paints vivid pictures of the battles, and takes us behind the scenes to military strategies, betrayals, political intrigue, narrow escapes, and foiled plans. In each case, the author identifies the turning points of the war which brought recognition of American sovereignty and unparalleled military aid from France.
Wonderfully illustrated and loaded with quotes; Allison brings the history to life with fresh vision of underlying motives that brought peaceful citizens to bear arms against a monarchy. As a baffled British officer noted, ?I have seen an American general and his officers, without pay, and almost without clothes, living on roots and drinking water; and all for LIBERTY! What chance have we against such men!?
Indeed, Allison?s quandary still rings clear despite pages of testimonials: ?It is difficult, if not impossible, to determine exactly how many served; it is even more difficult to determine why they did so.?
Reviewed by?Casey Colthron
Source: http://www.sanfranciscobookreview.com/featured-nonfiction/the-american-revolution-a-concise-history/
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