The Forgotten World War: Exploring the Secret History of the American Revolution, from Spain to India and Back Again

by Derek Baxter

Rediscover the Revolutionary War as a global fight for freedom

What does Bunker Hill have in common with a jungle in Central America, a fort in India, and the towering Rock of Gibraltar? The answer―that they were all battlefields in the Revolutionary War―might astonish you. Blending modern experiences with historical research, Derek Baxter embarks on an adventure-filled quest across four continents, uncovering the truth behind the American Revolution and revealing the unlikely group of nations that united to take on the British Empire.

On the windswept island of Jersey in the English Channel, Baxter discovers how France attempted a full-scale invasion of England. At a Fourth of July party in Spain, he helps the descendent of Spanish leaders make a giant paella. In India, he investigates one of the most surprising victories of the entire war. And in upstate New York, he discovers the story of the Oneida warriors, America's first allies. Along the way, he meets historians, reenactors, and others who have helped keep the hidden history of the war alive.

This is the other half of the story of the American Revolution, the one you probably didn't learn in school. With his trademark humor and empathy, Baxter finds the human stories behind this long-ago conflict, expanding the universe of those who contributed to the cause. He delivers a powerful message: The United States only exists because peoples of different races, languages, and religions learned how to fight together, writing an unexpected story of independence that continues to resonate and inspire today.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History

432 pages, Hardcover

First published May 26, 2026

Reviews

[Charles Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did you know that battles of the American Revolution weren’t fought solely on North American soil and waters?

The Forgotten World War takes readers on a journey across the globe—from America to Spain, England, France, India, Canada, and the Caribbean—exploring the locations that played a direct role in America’s path to independence. Part history book and part travel guide, it brings readers to the very places where history unfolded.

Written for everyday history enthusiasts rather than academic historians, Derek teaches through experience, standing on the battlefields and historic sites where pivotal events occurred. Along the way, he speaks with fellow history lovers and uncovers stories that are often overlooked in traditional accounts of the Revolution. This book is for anyone who has attended a reenactment, visited a historic site, and left with a deeper passion for history.

As we mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, The Forgotten World War arrives at the perfect time. It reminds readers that the Revolution was far more than Britain versus the American colonies with some assistance from France. It was a truly global conflict involving Spain, the Dutch Republic, people from the Indian subcontinent, and, importantly, numerous Native American nations whose contributions and sacrifices helped shape the course of history.

The American Revolution was not just a war for independence—it was a world war.

[Dalton Valette · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars bumped up to 5. I have to be honest, I was a little nervous heading in to The Forgotten World War having so recently read Richard Bell’s The American Revolution and the Fate of the World seeing as how each book covered similar areas. But leave it to Derek Baxter to be able to offer something wholly unique in his work. Similar to his previous (and also excellent) book In the Pursuit of Jefferson, readers learn about this history alongside Baxter as he travels across the world witnessing and chronicling the importance of early American allies during the Revolutionary War. Baxter is not only our guide but also our travel companion in France, Canada, Virginia, Portugal, and and manages to infuse so much life and personality in this story. Who doesn’t want to read a book with a perfectly titled chapter referencing Monty Python’s famous Spanish Inquisition skit? If anything, Baxter and Bell’s works serve as perfect back-to-back reading experiences as they covet similar subject matters but approach them in very different ways and offer ample new information in each. Baxter remains one of the funnest and most engaging history writers out there and The Forgotten World War proves itself as a brisk, globe-trotting read.

[Kolt A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I owe my love of history to the works of the Magic Treehouse series and the imagination of the past that was brought to life in the mind of a 7 year old child. From there, I expanded that love and quest for knowledge into any and all history books that I could get my hands on.

The American Revolution and its history looms large in that ultimate historical love. I have been to Bunker Hill and Valley Forge and I’ve seen the USS Constitution and the Liberty Bell, but I have never read a more complete history of the war through a focus on the conflicts around the globe and the dedication and sacrifice that our allies against Britain made until now.

I had no idea through my early readings that so much of the revolution took place in Spain, India, a previously unknown island to me, of Sint Eustatius, Central America and beyond. I also had no idea how much these places played pivotal and seemingly small roles in the larger conflict, that had resounding effects for the American cause gaining its liberty.

I’ve never read a history set as a travelogue, following these events and locations, bringing the people and these historical happenings to life either. For someone who loves to visit historical sites and battlefields (and drags his wife and little daughter) along, this style of writing really inspired me and helped bring the revolution that I had grown up reading about into the present.

[Laura Resau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this book to my dad, a war history buff, for his birthday. (I get to read it next!) Since he's not on Goodreads, I thought I'd post his thoughts here (and I'll add my own later): "I enjoyed this book immensely. I was unaware of the world war aspects of the USA revolutionary war story. I recommended it to my book club for an alternate interpretation of the USA alone paradigm story." I'm excited to read it since I loved Baxter's previous book, especially the humorous travel memoir aspects-- I learned so much! I really appreciate the readable, relatable style of Baxter's writing, and I find that it's an engaging way to learn new, fascinating perspectives on history.

[M Shomaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a history teacher, I was hoping for a scholarly look at how the American Revolution was aided by disparate groups outside of the French and Spanish. While this book does dip its toes into the Dutch Caribbean and India, the historical complexity is limited. The author writes an engaging narrative of his experiences meeting with individuals and groups and exploring historical events, but this book is more of a travelogue. Highly recommend if you want a big picture idea of the global spread of the American Revolution. However, don't expect a scholarly analysis of these events.

[Holley Snaith · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Forgotten World War" shines a light on an important aspect of the American Revolution that is too often overlooked. Derek Baxter makes a compelling case for understanding the Revolution as a global conflict, weaving together stories from Europe, the Caribbean, India, and beyond into a clear and engaging narrative. His writing is accessible and easy to follow, making a complex topic approachable for both history enthusiasts and general readers alike. If you're looking for a fresh perspective on America's founding, I highly recommend this book!

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Derek Baxter not only shows us how important our allies were in our struggle for independence, but he traveled to those locations to see first-hand how that war still echoes today. Now more than ever we need historical perspective and to value our allies, so there’s no better book to read leading up to the 250th anniversary of American independence than this one.

[Olowu Kehinde · Rating 5 out of 5]

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