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The War of Independence
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174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1889
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351 people want to read
About the author
John Fiske
210 books8 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.
John Fiske was an American philosopher and historian.
John Fiske was an American philosopher and historian.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 24, 2013
As a fan of American Revolutionary history, 19th century writing, and free books, when I saw John Fiske's The War of Independence free for Kindle, I was immediately intrigued. Published in 1889, the 100th anniversary of George Washington becoming the first president and, as Fiske puts it, closing out the Revolutionary era, The War of Independence is a brisk, entertaining introductory read with surprising depth in areas that are often ignored and a writing style that has all the flavor of the late 19th century.
Fiske begins his approach by explaining the different relationships with the British crown each colony had before the Revolution. This goes a long way in revealing why certain colonies were more revolutionary than others. He gives a good summary of the various military and economic stresses in the colonial/crown relationship before the Revolution sparked, such as the French and Indian War and the various acts and taxes enacted by Parliament.
One of the other strengths of this book is its attention to the British politics driving their approach to the rebellion. The assorted factions vying for dominance between the King and the different Parliamentary parties goes a long way in explaining the pre-Revolution Parliamentary acts that went over so poorly and the different strategies pursued by the British during the war itself. Fiske does a fine job explaining the different British players and how their motivations affected British policy.
Fiske does not get too into the actual military movements of the war. He does discuss the major battles, but he does not get into the details of any of them. For an introductory survey, this is a fair approach, and there's no shortage of entire books about the major battles, so it doesn't bother me, but it is worth noting.
Fiske meant this volume as an introductory history for students. That leaves it pretty accessible even today, and his energy and pace help keep the story moving. It's still a 19th century work, though, so it's written at a higher level than one might expect today. As an analogy, consider that Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 Treasure Island is a "boy's adventure" book of that same era, and compare it to today's YA books. Fiske's student volume bears a similar relationship to today's student non-fiction.
Anyone interested in an exciting and revealing history of the Revolutionary War would do well to check out Fiske's The War of Independence. Fiske does an excellent job of telling an entertaining story, and the writing style is full of 19th century flavor while still being accessible. It's a well worth reading, and you can't beat the price.
Fiske begins his approach by explaining the different relationships with the British crown each colony had before the Revolution. This goes a long way in revealing why certain colonies were more revolutionary than others. He gives a good summary of the various military and economic stresses in the colonial/crown relationship before the Revolution sparked, such as the French and Indian War and the various acts and taxes enacted by Parliament.
One of the other strengths of this book is its attention to the British politics driving their approach to the rebellion. The assorted factions vying for dominance between the King and the different Parliamentary parties goes a long way in explaining the pre-Revolution Parliamentary acts that went over so poorly and the different strategies pursued by the British during the war itself. Fiske does a fine job explaining the different British players and how their motivations affected British policy.
Fiske does not get too into the actual military movements of the war. He does discuss the major battles, but he does not get into the details of any of them. For an introductory survey, this is a fair approach, and there's no shortage of entire books about the major battles, so it doesn't bother me, but it is worth noting.
Fiske meant this volume as an introductory history for students. That leaves it pretty accessible even today, and his energy and pace help keep the story moving. It's still a 19th century work, though, so it's written at a higher level than one might expect today. As an analogy, consider that Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 Treasure Island is a "boy's adventure" book of that same era, and compare it to today's YA books. Fiske's student volume bears a similar relationship to today's student non-fiction.
Anyone interested in an exciting and revealing history of the Revolutionary War would do well to check out Fiske's The War of Independence. Fiske does an excellent job of telling an entertaining story, and the writing style is full of 19th century flavor while still being accessible. It's a well worth reading, and you can't beat the price.
November 13, 2023
nice little revolutionary war overview
If you want a reasonably well done overview of the revolutionary war and its causes, it's pretty good and efficient. A bit dated at times though.
If you want a reasonably well done overview of the revolutionary war and its causes, it's pretty good and efficient. A bit dated at times though.
September 12, 2019
Very helpful
As an Englishman who has visited the USA frequently over the last two years I wanted a book that would help me understand what had caused the revolution and how it had progressed. I was shocked at my ignorance of the events. This little book has helped me and set me on the path of finding out more.
As an Englishman who has visited the USA frequently over the last two years I wanted a book that would help me understand what had caused the revolution and how it had progressed. I was shocked at my ignorance of the events. This little book has helped me and set me on the path of finding out more.
February 17, 2018
Informative read
I especially liked the detailed coverage leading up to the actual war. The war's highlights were good - better than going through each and every tedious battle. The end was weak. I'd like to have a bit more detail post war, the writing of the Constitution, leading up to the election of our first president. Yet, I know, there are other books which cover that part of our founding in more detail; that this time period was not the main point of this book. I do highly recommend adding this book to your library.
I especially liked the detailed coverage leading up to the actual war. The war's highlights were good - better than going through each and every tedious battle. The end was weak. I'd like to have a bit more detail post war, the writing of the Constitution, leading up to the election of our first president. Yet, I know, there are other books which cover that part of our founding in more detail; that this time period was not the main point of this book. I do highly recommend adding this book to your library.
November 3, 2021
I almost didn't read this because I've had some pretty bad experiences with books in the public domain and therefore free on Kindle. However, I decided to give this one a go. I'm really glad I did. It was a short overview of the time period between the 1750s and the writing of the Constitution. I gained a lot of insights that I hadn't previously thought of. There were a couple of parts that were pretty simplistic, but given the scope of the project and the limited space, it was to be expected. Overall, it was a pretty good read.
July 21, 2017
Good context & summary
This book is a good place to start learning about the main people and events in the lead up to the war, the war, and events following up to the new Constitution. It gave me great context for better understanding the various connections and threads between what I only knew as isolated series of events, such as the famous Tea Party.
This book is a good place to start learning about the main people and events in the lead up to the war, the war, and events following up to the new Constitution. It gave me great context for better understanding the various connections and threads between what I only knew as isolated series of events, such as the famous Tea Party.
March 29, 2021
Quick Overview
A well written overview of the Revolutionary War, written over 100 years ago. I learned a fair bit about the period prior to the Revolution, as well as some color on the personalities that isn’t often covered in an order of battle list and tactical battlefield map. A quick, good intro read.
A well written overview of the Revolutionary War, written over 100 years ago. I learned a fair bit about the period prior to the Revolution, as well as some color on the personalities that isn’t often covered in an order of battle list and tactical battlefield map. A quick, good intro read.
March 11, 2019
Great overview
One of the best overviews I've ever read. It relates what was going on in all the colonies at the same time, rather than relating only a few. He made it easy to understand how the people felt about what was happening, and why they decided to rebel.
One of the best overviews I've ever read. It relates what was going on in all the colonies at the same time, rather than relating only a few. He made it easy to understand how the people felt about what was happening, and why they decided to rebel.
September 21, 2013
History books are interesting by themselves. Not only do they tell the literal story of some past event; but when they get further away from their original publishing date, they start telling tales about the thoughts/attitudes of the period during which the book was written.
Fiske's perspective is one I can agree with on a whole. He has that happy medium regarding the founding fathers that neither deifies nor demonizes them. He shows them in a political pragmatist light, something that seems severely lacking in the general perspective of today.
But I have to admit, I winced a few times when he was referring to Native Americans. Not really surprising, since he was writing while still in the period of "Indian Wars," and the year it was written in (1889) wasn't exactly an era of racial enlightenment.
Fiske's perspective is one I can agree with on a whole. He has that happy medium regarding the founding fathers that neither deifies nor demonizes them. He shows them in a political pragmatist light, something that seems severely lacking in the general perspective of today.
But I have to admit, I winced a few times when he was referring to Native Americans. Not really surprising, since he was writing while still in the period of "Indian Wars," and the year it was written in (1889) wasn't exactly an era of racial enlightenment.
January 31, 2013
This is the book that any scholar of the American Revolution should begin with. It is a really solid history from the broad perspective, although obviously biased at certain points. Because the author's bias does not seem to affect his portrayal of the history very much, and with the date of writing taken into consideration, I give this 4 stars and still certainly consider this worth reading.
December 27, 2013
Couldn't put this down. An interesting overview of the American Revolutionary War written in 1889. The author used his lectures from around the US and compiled what he calls a "sketch". It's brevity is what makes this so special. I would read this again and recommend it for high school and survey American History classes. Glad I stumbled upon it!
October 26, 2015
Well written chronicle of the war for independence. The way in which the American fight for Independence impacted the government of Britain was especially revealing.
From this author's view Britain owes America a debt of gratitude for hastening George III toward a constitutional monarchy. An enjoyable read.
From this author's view Britain owes America a debt of gratitude for hastening George III toward a constitutional monarchy. An enjoyable read.
October 5, 2014
A great overview of the struggle for independence from the French and Indian War to the swearing in of Washington. It is fast paced and gives little time to bored. I thought the authors style was very engaging. I recommend it for anyone who wants a brief overview of the American Revolution.
December 4, 2018
I truly enjoyed the perspective of this book ... it’s very different reading a book written barely 100 years removed from the end of the Revolutionary War than it is a modern book on the subject ... plus it was free so there’s that.
March 25, 2012
I was really impressed and excited to read this book about the Revolutionary war. It was a fast read.
December 13, 2012
I really thought that this was a great, short overview.
April 22, 2015
Good, clear and factual account of the war and the proceeding time. no opinion to get in the way or proselytizing.
June 28, 2015
A Very Fine Overview
This short work covers an amazing time period with just enough detail to make the reader want more!
It is a short read and worth every minute.
This short work covers an amazing time period with just enough detail to make the reader want more!
It is a short read and worth every minute.
July 10, 2015
Informative but not boring
A good short book that sums up what lead to the revolutionary war. A few dry spots but got interesting again very quickly
A good short book that sums up what lead to the revolutionary war. A few dry spots but got interesting again very quickly
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews