The American Revolution: A World War

(Hardback)

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An illustrated collection of essays that explores the international dimensions of the American Revolution and its legacies in both America and around the world. The American Revolution- A World War argues that contrary to popular opinion, the American Revolution was not just a simple battle for independence in which the American colonists waged a "David versus Goliath" fight to overthrow their British rulers. Instead, the essays in the book illustrate how the American Revolution was a much more complicated and interesting conflict. It was an extension of larger skirmishes among the global superpowers in Europe, chiefly Britain, Spain, France, and the Dutch Republic. Amid these ongoing conflicts, Britain's focus was often pulled away from the war in America as it fought to preserve its more lucrative colonial interests in the Caribbean and India. The book, the illustrated companion volume to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History exhibition of the same name, touches on this and other topics including overseas empires, economic rivalries, supremacy of the seas, European diplomacy, and more. Together the book's incisive text, full-color images, and topical sidebars underscore that America's fight for independence is most clearly comprehended as one of the first global struggles for power.

Reviews

"A collection of 16 essays that discuss topics such as the naval strategies of France and Spain, the recruitment of soldiers from Prussia (nearly 30,000 by war's end) and the messages that paintings by American and French artists conveyed after the war." Dallas Morning News

The American War for Independence was more than a contest between scrappy colonists and British regulars on the North American continent. It was, as this collection of new essays edited by Smithsonian scholar Allison and historian Ferreiro explains, one theater of one campaign within a grand conflict with and among European powers that stretched over more than a century. This richly illustrated and colorful volume, drawing on the Smithsonian's holdings, is an accompaniment to a yearlong exhibition of the same name at the National Museum of American History, and highlights artwork, documents, and artifacts. The narratives cover such topics as the British Grand Strategy and the war aims of Americas allies among the major powers; the roles of campaigns in India, on the high seas, and at the colonial periphery; and the global legacies of these wars for autonomy and freedom. This welcoming and informative book is a great addition to history collections. Everyone owes it to themselves to experience this view of America's past and place in the larger world. Booklist

"This thought-provoking volume, which is a companion to an exhibit opening at the Smithsonian, is accessible, assuming no prior knowledge; it may even, as the exhibitions organizers hope, convince American readers that international alliances are important today." Publishers Weekly, starred review

A fresh look at the Revolutionary War from an international perspective. A fine corrective to the traditional David-vs.-Goliath account of our War of Independence and a thoroughly entertaining read. Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"The big picture painted here is invaluable and timely in its bid to enlarge Americans myopic view of our Revolutionary War and how we won it. The Founders great achievement was not only of their own doing; it was crucially collaborative and occurred in the changing context of a dynamic world. More power to them. True greatness is never simple." Washington Times

David K. Allison and Larrie D. Ferreiros The American Revolution: A World War is a dazzling collection of first-rate scholarly essays that rethink our nations founding. Instead of the parochial shot heard round the world folklore spun about Lexington and Concord, we are served up a far more world-beat story about the 1770s. Every American should read this marvelous book. Douglas Brinkley, Professor of History, Rice University, and author of Rightful Heritage: Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Land of America

The American Revolution is a game-changer. For too long, Americans have told the story of their Revolution without global context, save for nods to French aid. The Smithsonians insightful volume, appropriately authored by an array of scholars from eight nations, is the perfect antidote to our collective myopia. Now is the time for us to realize that our nation, even at its inception, has never been a world unto itself. Ray Raphael, author of A Peoples History of the American Revolution: How Common People Shaped the Fight for Independence

An excellent and beautifully illustrated multiauthored introduction to the neglected global dimensions of the American Revolutionary War that presents the latest scholarship by both international and American historians. It provides a useful and engaging series of accounts for a wide audience of enthusiasts, students, and teachers alike. It is also a timely reminder that European allies played a critical role in the defeat of Britain. Andrew Jackson OShaughnessy, author of The Men Who Lost America: British Leadership, the American Revolution, and the Fate of the Empire

It was more than an American Revolution. Americans have given their ancestors both too much credit for victory over Britain and too little for the global resonance with which their independence was won. The brilliant essays that David K. Allison and Laurie D. Ferreiro have collected vividly set the Revolution in its context of conflict among the great powers of the time, which extended across oceans and continents. The book exposes realities of which U.S. readers have been insufficiently aware: the revolutionary struggle was a civil conflict at home and a world war abroad. Felipe Fernndez-Armesto, author of Our America: A Hispanic History of the United States

The editors have assembled an impressive group of thoughtprovoking essays for this book. These essays are complemented bymore than 100 well-chosen illustrations, almost all of which are in color. All of those readers who are interested in the AmericanRevolution will definitely want to add this attractive and fairly pricedvolume to their personal libraries.The Journal of America's Military Past

Author Bio

DAVID K. ALLISON is Senior Scholar at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. LARRIE D. FERREIRO teaches history and engineering at George Mason University in Virginia, Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey. He is the author of Brothers at Arms- American Independence and the Men of France and Spain Who Saved It, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.