Edward Countryman (1944–2025)

This book is not a narrative history of the American Revolution. Rather, Edward Countryman has written a concise overview of the issues that historians have dealt with in studying the Revolution. As a survey of the historical literature, it is outstanding. Although Countryman is normally identified with the "neo-progressive" school of historians of the Revolution, he gives ample attention to other points of view. The book also includes a detailed bibliographical essay which will be valuable show more to anyone wanting to further expand their library on the American Revolution. show less

n interesting overview of the revolution, placing it in context of the changes in peoples' lives and worldviews. The real revolution, the author argues, was not so much a military struggle as a people finding their own voice, viewpoint, and political philosophy.

Generally accessible without being overly vague; specific footnotes would have been nice. Also, the looks into the lives and thoughts of specific people caught up in events seemed superficial, instead of really bringing the events to show more life. show less

A history of the American War of Independence/Revolutionary War.