The "Spirit of 1783" explained.
581297
A perfect sequel to "Tories" by Thomas B. Allen telling the story of where the Tories/Loyalists went after being forced from America and what impact they had wherever they ended up in the British Empire. Fascinating book full of facts and figures and never wanted to put it down. Have read it twice and will do so again. I thank the author for this informative and interesting work.
4280747
Even though the United States had won independence thirty years earlier, Great Britain hadn't really gotten the message.  They still thought of - and treated - Americans as delinquent and troublesome subjects of the Crown.  And when they intercepted merchant ships on the seas they frequently forced American seamen to serve aboard British ships - a practice called "impressment" - claiming they were British citizens.

The War of 1812 (a name not decided upon until the 1850s) actually lasted 3 years and sprang from this continual bullying.  And while there were a number of stirring victories, there were also many ignominious defeats.  The US was not a naval power, and certainly no match for the large and seemingly invincible British fleet, but their strategy of harassing the commerce of the enemy paid off in the end.  It would be difficult to claim America won the war in any quantitative way, but they achieved their aims indirectly - and gained a measure of respect from Europe.

Americans today scarce remember the War of 1812, but the story of the naval battles fought is immensely fascinating, and Stephen Budiansky brings it to life in a human and compelling way with stirring accounts of the ship to ship conflicts.  The focus here is primarily on the naval aspects of the war, although he briefly touches on some of the land battles.  He provides background detail on the Barbary Wars when America first began to awaken to the value of a navy, but the real value here is in the background history: the political and commercial reasons behind the war, the life of sailors aboard different vessels or being a prisoner of the enemy, and the various personalities who commanded the ships.  And the illustrations are very helpful as well, not always simple maps of the engagements but also diagrams of nautical practices and armaments used.  I think it's not quite as good as Ian Toll's&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Six-Frigates-The-Epic-History-of-the-Founding-of-the-U-S-Navy/dp/039333032X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy</a>, which gives a somewhat broader view, but certainly a fun historical account of a forgotten time when America had to *earn* respect from the old world powers.
4304964
This book helps one to understand the importance Lafayette played in the American Revolution and in the French Revolution. The problem I had with this book was that the author seems to have had a case of hero worship.
I would definitely recommend this book.
4422279
I enjoyed reading this book.  In it, the authors explain what happened at the 1787 Constitutional Convention.  Most enthusiasts of the period know about Madison and Hamilton and that the Convention was convened to write a new Constitution, but what many don't know is that there were many characters besides Madison and Hamilton that attended and held sway.  And in bringing to light these other characters the book shines.

There are individual chapters on Charles Pinckney, Roger Sherman, William Paterson, Luther Martin, James Wilson, Elbridge Gerry, George Mason, and more.  The chapters are written in a lively manner without getting bogged down in details.  Collier and Collier give you the "flavor" and most important aspects of each of these characters.  There was a lot of "juice".  The reading never got dull.

There were also many issues that I was totally unaware of, such as the alliance of several southern states with the "big" states, as well as Connecticut's frequent alliance with the southern states.  I was surprised that the issue of slavery, 80 years before the Civil War, played such a central role at the Convention.  I enjoyed learning how each of the colonies fared during the period of the Articles of Confederation and how this affected their bargaining positions.  It was fascinating to learn about the process itself, the vote counting among the representatives, and the pure politics that went on during the Convention.

All in all, the book was a very quick, informative, and entertaining read.  It also fills a gap, as there is not much in the "popular" press written about the Convention.  The book is appropriate for those who have already done some reading on early American history as well as those who take a passing interest.
1848200
This is an interesting overview of Washington's life, and the major elements that drove and defined it.

Washington was famous for his lack of ambition.  Indeed in his first inaugural address he begins "Among the vicissitudes incident to life, no event could have filled me with greater anxieties than that of which the notification was transmitted by your order, and received on the fourteenth day of the present month. On the one hand, I was summoned by my Country, whose voice I can never hear but with veneration and love, from a retreat which I had chosen with the fondest predilection, and, in my flattering hopes, with an immutable decision, as the asylum of my declining years".  He didn't want, or didn't want to seem to want, the presidency, indeed he relinquished power first over the army, and then over the country as he refused the possibility of a third term.

Washington was not known or well-regarded for his military prowess.  He was a steady, adequate commander, easily overshadowed by the daring of Benedict Arnold or the experience and superior tactics of British commanders.  It is through his tenacity, and the strength of his allies (most particularly the French) that he emerged victorious.

As opposed to the Democratic-Republicans who wanted strong state governments that could throw the central government a bone in terms of militia or revenue if they were in the mood, Washington and the Federalists wanted the federal government to have the power of taxation and the power to raise and maintain an army.  He'd seen first hand, in the French and Indian war, and especially during the revolution, that a heavily decentralized government led to inefficiency, confusion, and almost cost America the war.  It did cost lives of men under his command.  He was driven in his commitment to the Federalist cause.  Sadly, the Federalist Party did not long survive.

This deals in more detail with his views on slavery than most books I've encountered, and there it particularly excels.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
613554
Not sure how we became the country we are today. The more I read about the Foundling Fathers, the Revolutionary War, how the Constitution was written, etc.actually our countries history from 1770 to 1800,  it is a "miracle" that we survived to become the great country we are. This book puts a lot of the this information into perspective and how Washington  truly was the father of this country.
Good read and, written well, with good insight into the 1780s and how our nation was formed.
1555753
Ellis: The quartet: Orchestrating the Second American Revolution, 1783-1789
Beyond the pinpointed comments, over analyses, and brief expos&eacute;s of his personal life, Ellis little text is a delight to read. Whether intentional or not, the author sketches a major theme in American history that captures the post-Revolutionary period, helping us understand America today.  The Quartet Ellis enlists for this task (Washington, Hamilton, Jay and Madison) defined the issues facing the post-war colonies. In their minds, letters, and speeches, the Quartet speculated the colonies, individually and collectively, were destined to be of no international or domestic consequence if they saw themselves only as provincials. In short, by framing the Constitution as a living document, they forced that society and us to view the United States as a nation complete with international responsibilities and relationships.
Like Ellis, we can only speculate if this so-called Quartet recognized the expanse of their success. Yet, the author captures the genius of that historical moment, less understood and appreciated today by those who fear Americas future.
3528687
Ellis has provided a tour-de-force through the minds and politics of a small cadre of Revolutionary leaders who turned a poorly-organized and half-hearted secession movement into an authentic political revolution.

This story reveals both the quality and forward-thinking of a core of the early American leadership, as well as the long-standing strain of anti-federalism that has remained an erosive populist force from the founding to the present day.

The so-called conservatives of modern times are still trying to rewrite American history to return to the kind of populist libertarianism that nearly undermined the war against Britain and almost rendered the Confederation of States a global laughing stock (and eventually led to a bloody civil war).

Madison and Hamilton, in particular, but also Washington and John Jay (even Jefferson in less guarded moments) mistrusted the democratic impulse and recognized the danger of mob rule and the dominance of private and regional interests over the general public good.

In 1787, it required a small group of dedicated revolutionaries to create a system that would buffer popular opinion through layers of deliberative process that had at least the potential of separating the wheat from the chaff. The so-called American Revolution was little more than a rebuff of remote British rule. The real American Revolution was perpetrated by a very small conspiracy of unflinching patriots who recognized the unfulfilled potential of the nascent nation.
4742225
In George Washington's Secret Navy, James L. Nelson tells the story of the beginnings of American sea power in the Revolution. The book covers the Siege of Boston (June 1775 to March 1776) when Washington took over the nascent Continental Army and quickly realized that he didn't have the assets to do more that continue the siege. He proceeded to arm several small schooners to interdict the British maritime supply lines. These five ships were the beginning of American maritime operations which eventually included the Continental Navy and privateers in an Atlantic campaign. Like Nelson's Benedict Arnold's Navy, this work is well written, very detailed, and shows the authors expertise.

I'm in the midst of two other works, Patriot Pirates (Robert H. Patton) and  If By Sea (George Daughan). Patton's book follows the privateers through the revolution. Daughan's recounts the US Navy from 1775 t0 1815. Together with Nelson's book, this is a full history of Early American sea power.

I'd add the following works for a library on this subject:

Frederick C. Leiner The End of Barbary Terror
Richard Zacks  The Pirate Coast
Ian W. Toll  Six Frigates
A. B. C. Whipple To the Shores of Tripoli
John R. Elting  Amateurs, To Arms!

In the past year I've read several excellent books about pirates and privateers.
My interest was originally sparked in 1995 with David Cordingly's "Under the Black Flag" because this book pictured the privateers/pirates as sea-going guerrillas.

The 3 books mentioned above have one flaw. They don't provide any context for American attitudes toward privateers, smugglers, etc. The American coastal communities were very familiar with privateers and their business. Until the Seven Years War (French and Indian War) few Royal Navy ships came to North America. American's were used to doing for themselves, and making a profit therein.

When the Revolution came, Americans were ready to bring the "fight" to the enemy. If this activity mostly involved taking merchant ships as prizes, so much the better.

The following are worth reading:
Peter Earle  Pirate Wars
  The Sack of Panama
Stephan Talty  Empire of Blue Water
Benerson Little  The Sea Rover's Practice
  The Buccaneer's Realm
Colin Woodard  The Republic of Pirates
Together these works cover piracy from the late 16th to the early 19th Century.
2009055
A fascinating glimpse into 18th century life among the English upper classes.
1012990
I expected a light enjoyable series of essays with a bit of humor and insight.  The book is well written and quite thought provoking.  Instead of what I expected it explained a good deal of the attitudes of New Englanders and how the United States became what it is today to the great grief of those who long for the spirit of the founding of this federation of republics.  The heroes of the struggle for liberty, men like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, George Mason and Patrick Henry are no longer in charge.  We are ruled by Yankees whose communal village governments have become a nation that dreams of empire.  We have a rich government and poor citizens instead of rich citizens and a poor government.  The rich are those who manipulate power and not those who provide the goods and services we all need and desire.
2856106
If you want to know why the American revolution turned out so much better than the hundreds of revolutions elsewhere during the past two centuries, this book is the place to start.  George Washington was the outstanding leader who won the war and started what might have been a fragile democracy in a strong direction.  Washington combined the virtues of courage, conviction, and restraint.  He attained these virtues through profound self-discipline which was culled from the wisdom of ages past. Revisionist  historians debunk our founders today, and romantic historians prefer Lincoln to Washington, if they have anything good at all to say about America and its leaders. After reading this wonderful book you will put Washington into 1st place.  The first half of the book is spellbinding.  The second half flags a bit, but not to the overall detriment of my enthusiastic recommendation.  I wish every eleventh grader was required to read this excellent volume.
388142
This is very interesting about Montesquieu.  Every member of congress should read it and take it to heart.  It appears that the majority of our founding fathers did read it and take it very seriously.  It is something that all Americans who are interested in our government should consider reading.  It is amazingly quite easy to read though, I would suggest having a good dictionary handy while reading it.  Some of our members of congress I just do not believe would understand, even if someone was reading the dictionary for them.  That is a sad commentary about the facts we all must face, however.
2247854
During the Revolutionary War, General George Washington relied on an intelligence-gathering group of barkeeps, neurotics, hypochondriacs and smugglers to keep him informed of British-occupied New York. Most young men were galvanized to join the militia. Other men and women served their country in more covert, creative ways.

Celebrated historical author, Alexander Rose, reveals the story of Washington's Spies, a fascinating tapestry of eighteenth century life, code creators and double agents. These information gatherers traversed the Hudson, Connecticut and Long Island bringing chief spymaster, George Washington, timely and accurate intelligence of English Admiral Howe's designs and movements in Manhattan. Howe was slow, but Washington knew he was methodical and needed to keep track of what Howe had up his sleeve. These covert activities ultimately helped us win the Revolutionary War.

Mysterious chapter headings will perk your interest ("The Man of Parts and Halves," "The Year of the Hangman"). The book overflows with fascinating details about privateering to benefit the Colonials, invisible ink and secret codes. Connecticut residents will enjoy reading about Weathersfield, Mystic, East Haddam and New Haven.

Reviewed by Holly Weiss, author of Crestmont
294400
A well written telling of a period in the  Revolutionary War not written in detail in the history books.
204417
I Loved listening to this audio book of 1777 narrated by Robert Thaler. Robert's voice is so compelling and engaging, so familiar and so very attuned to the text, that the narrative simply flows. He is clearly one of the best narrators I have ever heard. He brings 1777 to vivid life. I would buy anything Robert Thaler narrates.
2397448
In a time when our perception of the world is changing and many are re-evaluating our nation's role in the world, visiting the birth of our country and the ideals under which it was formed can be a cathartic experience.  McCullough's treatment of the life and times of John Adams provides a unique view into what is truely a unique and amazing time period, one which literally changed the world, and is still a major force in shaping today's world events. By focusing on John Adams, the often forgotten and least understood figure in revolutionary America, McCullough is able to present the genesis of the "American Experiment" from the eyes of a man with a true passion for liberty, who maintained his integrity and principles through what was probably the most turbulent and unstable political period the world had yet seen.  Fortunately Adams, who describes himself as an average man caught up in extrordinary events, was perceptive enough to understand that he was living through great events and had enough foresight to preserve most of his writings. Along with writings from his wife Abigail, his friend and political rival Thomas Jefferson, and excerpts from a multitude of other sources from the time period, we are able to gain a better perspective on the origins of our nation.  Along with other recent books covering the events and people of the American Revolution (including "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" (Joseph J. Ellis), "The First of Men: A Life of George Washington" (John E. Ferling), and "Patriots : The Men Who Started the American Revolution" (A. J. Langguth)) this book may help us better understand the role our country plays in today's global environment and how this role shapes the events of our times.