The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789

Abstract

The first book to appear in illustrious Oxford History of United States, this critically acclaimed volume-a finalist for Pulitzer Prize-offers an unsurpassed history of Revolutionary War and birth of American republic. Beginning with French and Indian War and continuing to election of George Washington as first president, Robert Middlekauff offers a panoramic history of conflict between England and America, highlighting drama and anguish of colonial struggle for independence. Combining political and personal, he provides a compelling account of key events that precipitated war, from Stamp Act to Tea Act, tracing gradual gathering of American resistance that culminated in Boston Tea Party and the shot heard 'round world. The heart of book features a vivid description of eight-year-long war, with gripping accounts of battles and campaigns, ranging from Bunker Hill and Washington's crossing of Delaware to brilliant victory at Hannah's Cowpens and final triumph at Yorktown, paying particular attention to what made men fight in these bloody encounters. The book concludes with an insightful look at making of Constitution in Philadelphia Convention of 1787 and struggle over ratification. Through it all, Middlekauff gives reader a vivid sense of how colonists saw these events and importance they gave to them. Common soldiers and great generals, Sons of Liberty and African slaves, town committee-men and representatives in congress-all receive their due. And there are particularly insightful portraits of such figures as Sam and John Adams, James Otis, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and many others. This new edition has been revised and expanded, with fresh coverage of topics such as mob reactions to British measures before War, military medicine, women's role in Revolution, American Indians, different kinds of war fought by Americans and British, and ratification of Constitution. The book also has a new epilogue and an updated bibliography. The cause for which colonists fought, liberty and independence, was glorious indeed. Here is an equally glorious narrative of an event that changed world, capturing profound and passionate struggle to found a free nation.