'American Revolutions: A Continental History, 1750-1804' by Alan Taylor is a comprehensive exploration of the American Revolution, offering correctives to the standard narrative by including perspectives from various groups such as the British, the Loyalists, other British colonies, and American Indians. Taylor delves into the complexities of the time, highlighting the tensions in the colonies, the global implications of the conflict, and the role of indigenous and enslaved peoples in the war. presents the Revolution as part of a larger global war waged by Britain in the 1770s and 80s, shedding light on often overlooked areas beyond the 13 colonies.

Taylor's writing style is engaging and informative, providing a fresh and authoritative interpretation of the events leading up to the war and the aftermath. He challenges traditional narratives by incorporating African American and Indigenous perspectives as central players, while also emphasizing the motivations of Empires involved in the conflict. offers a nuanced view of the American Revolution, portraying it as a series of social, economic, and political revolutions that reshaped the landscape of the time, both in the colonies and across cultures.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is engaging and well-crafted, effectively balancing complexity with clarity in the narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative focuses on a series of intertwined revolutions in America that encompass diverse perspectives and unintended consequences.

Setting:

The setting includes diverse geographical areas and contexts that extend beyond traditional narratives of the American Revolution.

Pacing:

The pacing features a slow start but evolves to engage readers, though some sections may feel fragmented.

In 1760 in Boston, colonists gathered to hear the proclamation of a new king, George III. They vowed “all Faith and constant Obedience, with all hearty and humble Affection” and hoped that the monarch...

Genres:

historical narrative

nonfiction

academic history

Topics:

Notes:

The book explores multiple revolutions, not just the American Revolution, highlighting social, economic, and political changes.

Taylor expands the narrative to include other colonial powers like the French, Spanish, and Dutch, as well as the experiences of Native Americans and Africans.

The British retreat from slavery led to its increase in the newly independent United States, especially in the South, which relied heavily on plantation agriculture.

The end of British rule led to an expansion of white American settlements, often at the expense of Native American populations.

Taylor emphasizes the unintended consequences of historical decisions, such as the British tolerance of Catholic French influences in Canada, which complicated American colonial ambitions.

The book reveals the irony of Americans seeking freedom while simultaneously enslaving others, particularly African Americans.

The history reflects a more complex narrative, as it also covers the perspectives of loyalists and diverse indigenous tribes.

The American Revolution is shown to be a civil conflict among British colonials, significantly involving native tribes that resisted land encroachment.

Taylor's work is recommended for those who already have some background knowledge of the period to appreciate its depth.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book discusses sensitive topics such as slavery, violence against indigenous peoples, and the brutality of colonial expansion, which may be triggers for some readers.

From The Publisher:

“Excellent . . . deserves high praise. Mr. Taylor conveys this sprawling continental history with economy, clarity, and vividness.”—Brendan Simms, Wall Street Journal The American Revolution is often portrayed as a high-minded, orderly event whose capstone, the Constitution, provided the nation its democratic framework.

Alan Taylor, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, gives us a different creation story in this magisterial history. The American Revolution builds like a ground fire overspreading Britain’s colonies, fueled by local conditions and resistant to control. Emerging from the continental rivalries of European empires and their native allies, the revolution pivoted on western expansion as well as seaboard resistance to British taxes.

When war erupted, Patriot crowds harassed Loyalists and nonpartisans into compliance with their cause. The war exploded in set battles like Saratoga and Yorktown and spread through continuing frontier violence.

The discord smoldering within the fragile new nation called forth a movement to concentrate power through a Federal Constitution. Assuming the mantle of “We the People,” the advocates of national power ratified the new frame of government.

But it was Jefferson’s expansive “empire of liberty” that carried the revolution forward, propelling white settlement and slavery west, preparing the ground for a new conflagration.

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American Revolutions: A Continental History, 1750-1804

Alan Taylor