Books Like...

'The First Salute' by Barbara W. Tuchman delves into the American Revolution, focusing on the connections with the Dutch and French in contrast to Britain. The book provides interesting and lesser-known information about the Revolutionary War, highlighting miraculous events that aided the Rebels to victory. Tuchman's writing style is described as riveting, reading like a novel and capturing the essence of real people involved in the historical events. The book offers a global perspective on the American Revolution, shedding light on the significant roles played by trade considerations, the West Indies, and European powers.

Tuchman's narrative uses the first international recognition of the American colonies' flag by the Dutch port of St. Eustatius as a lens to explore the broader geopolitical context of the revolution. The book covers pivotal events such as the march of American and French troops to Virginia, leading to the defeat of General Cornwallis at Yorktown. Through detailed storytelling, the author unravels the complexities behind the American Revolution, emphasizing the involvement of European powers and the strategic importance of trade routes and naval warfare.

'White Devil: A True Story of War, Savagery, and Vengeance in Colonial America' by Stephen Brumwell is a historical account focusing on the mercenary regiment led by Robert Rogers, who played a crucial role in the French and Indian War. The book provides a detailed narrative of the political and military landscape in colonial Canada, highlighting the relationships between various factions including Native American tribes and the French and British forces. Through vivid storytelling, Brumwell portrays the brutalities and challenges faced by colonial settlers during this tumultuous period, while also shedding light on the unexpected moments of humanity amidst the conflicts.

'Jefferson the Virginian' by Dumas Malone is a detailed and engaging biography of Thomas Jefferson, focusing on his early life, family influence, education, political career, and his time as the governor of Virginia. Malone's writing style is described as fastidious, elegant, and easy to read, providing a thorough exploration of Jefferson's character, virtues, flaws, and contributions to American history. The book offers a comprehensive look at Jefferson's life up to the point when he left for France, his first venture out of the colonies, giving readers a vivid portrayal of colonial Virginia and the world in which Jefferson lived.

Thomas Paine's 'Rights of Man' is a classic political treatise defending natural rights in plain and clear English. The book is a manifesto of political radicalism, challenging hereditary government and advocating for a social welfare state. Paine's work also serves as a rebuke of Edmund Burke's views on the French Revolution, emphasizing the importance of principles of government, rights, and balancing of powers. The book delves into the evolution of civil rights, the concept of a constitution, and the corruption inherent in the pairing of money and political power.

'The Minutemen and Their World' by Robert A. Gross is a detailed examination of the social and economic conditions that led up to the Revolutionary War, specifically focusing on the community of Concord, Massachusetts. Through the use of diaries, government documents, and historical records, Gross vividly portrays daily life in Concord, introducing readers to various individuals from different social classes, including movers and shakers, farmers, innkeepers, and slaves. delves into major political and religious disputes within the town, depicting how these factors influenced the events leading up to the skirmish between the colonial Minutemen and the British regulars in 1775.

Robert Gross' writing style transcends traditional community studies by blending social and political aspects seamlessly. provides a meticulous analysis of Concord's role in wider events, exploring the town's dynamics before, during, and after the Revolution. Gross's attention to detail, demographic analysis, and biographical spotlights offer unique insights into the town's actions and non-actions, ultimately shaping Concord's post-Revolutionary identity as the home of Transcendentalism in the early 19th century.

'The Swamp Fox: How Francis Marion Saved the American Revolution' by John Oller details the life of Francis Marion, focusing on his military career as a partisan leader in South Carolina during the American Revolution. The book delves into Marion's tactics, his relationships with other military figures like General Thomas Sumter, and his personal life post-war. It provides a comprehensive look at Marion's successes and failures, highlighting his strategic approach to warfare and his ability to wear down the enemy through guerilla tactics.

The book paints a vivid picture of the brutal civil war-like conditions in South Carolina during the Revolution, where loyalists and patriots engaged in fierce battles. It explores Marion's role in maintaining an American military presence in the south, alongside other irregular units, after significant defeats. The author's detailed research and engaging writing style bring to light Marion's contributions to the war effort and his legacy as a key figure in American military history.

'John Adams' by David McCullough is a detailed biography that delves into the life of the second President of the United States. The book covers Adams' role in the founding of the nation, his relationships with other founding fathers like Thomas Jefferson, and his personal life, including his marriage to Abigail Adams. The writing style is described as thorough, well-researched, and at times, dense with historical information, making it a comprehensive account of Adams' life and times.

'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.

"American Colonies" by Alan Taylor and Eric Foner is a comprehensive and detailed exploration of the colonial period in North America. The authors provide a fresh perspective on early American history, delving into the interactions between colonists, natives, and other nations that settled in North America. The narrative covers a wide range of topics, from the struggles and conflicts between different groups to the exploration, trade, and social customs of the time. The authors present a balanced view of the colonial era, shedding light on both the positive and negative aspects of this period in American history.