The First Salute (1988)

Boooorrrrrrinnnng ( )

Tuchman's last book is a very nicely done history of the American Revolution. ( )

The American Revolution is so often romanticized and distorted by the political needs of Government and Policy that its reality, a ragtag rebellion of seditious wealthy men subsidized by the long-term enemies of England, gets completely lost. Tuchman, in her trademark popular-narrative, chatty style, reminds us that, had things gone a different way, we'd be *horrified* at the foolhardy yahoos who thought they could break the safe, profitable cocoon of Empire.

It's why I enjoy her books. She doesn't stint on facts, but she doesn't stint on personalities and ideas either. She has an eye for the telling detail, and she's not afraid to gore anyone's ox.

Easy reading, informative, and surprising. What more can a non-academic hist'ry reader ask for? ( )

Substance: Describes the American Revolution through the connections with the Dutch and French vis-a-vis Britain. Interesting and less-often-seen information. Tuchman mentions many of the "miraculous" events that propelled the Rebels to victory, but stops short of ascribing them to God.
Style: Needed serious editing. Chronology is out of joint, some sentences approach incomprehensible.
NOTES: see book ( )

This is a good take on the relationship of the West Indies and the American Revolution. It also explains the history of the Netherlands, which I really never understood. All that stuff about Isabella's progeny who became involved. Why there are still Netherlands territories in the Caribbean. There is also a very good explanation of the battle of Yorktown and the end of the Revolution, including the debts that led France to the French revolution.

Tuchman always seems to pick good topics and have a good take on them. ( )