Bruce Lancaster's "American Revolution"

Bruce Lancaster is an established historical writer. He graduated from Harvard College, and is known for many of his novels, including, The American Revolution. This particular book presents the story of the American struggle for independence. Lancaster examines, in great detail, the historical facts and military battles of the Revolution. A reader truly gains a sense of the heroism and the sacrifice that American people put forth during the eighteenth century.

Lancaster begins by discussing the British, who became the dominant power of North America after defeating the French in the French-Indian war. The British aided the colonies in this war because they saw that it could bring them fortune and power. The growing empire and the exhausting war put the British in debt. To pay for their national debt, the British taxed the colonies. This caused tensions since the merchant class was directly affected. Export slowed in the northern colonies and things became stagnant. The southern colonies remained silent until Britain passed the Sugar Act and the Stamp Act. The colonies began to question Parliament. Colonists came together and formed the Virginia Resolves, which stated the only Virginia could tax Virginians. Soon the British passed the Townsend Acts. Opposition was growing toward the British Acts, and the Sons of Liberty took action. They were a group of radicals who opposed British acts by physical force if necessary. Colonists resisted the Quartering Acts which stated that colonists must house British troops. Propagandists like Samuel Adams spurred the colonists for revolution and the right to life, liberty and property. Colonists ceased trade with Britain, and declared Acts of Parliament illegal. Boston began as the focal point for colonial resistance. The Provincial Congress illegally met and created the Committee of Safety that set up troops in Concord, away from British reach, to defend the colonies if necessary. The heroic George Washington was put in command of the American troops. The Americans were at first victorious because the British troops underestimated them. After that, the British would never underestimate the colonists again. Lancaster carefully describes the battles from the beginning to the end of the war, including Lexington and Concord, the invasion of Canada, the battles over Long Island, Trenton and Princeton, York, Charlestown, and the battle of Guilford, among others. Lancaster explores America's ups and downs, but maintains an optimistic view that the Americans learned and gained experience from every battle. With the help of France, Americans finally fought the British off until the last transport boat docked and took away the British soldiers.

The