The American Revolution

by Edward Countryman

Disputing the notion that the American Revolution was ever so simple as American versus British, poor versus rich, radicals versus conservatives, good versus bad, Countryman explores the complex social dimensions of the conflict, the coalitions and diverse groups that sprang up, dissolved, and formed again as a generation went through decades of massive, disruptive, and confusing rebellions and war. The American Revolution considers the dynamic of the period as one in which a popular political movement was forced to address continually changing political and social realities.

Genres: History, American History, American Revolution, Nonfiction, Politics, United States, War

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Edward Countryman was an American historian known for his study of the American Revolution.

Reviews

[Andrew Figueiredo · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite history books are those that examine the rise and fall of various coalitions and factions. Edward Countryman does just that with reference to the American Revolution. I think the book could've used a bit more detail and more closely paralleled the introductory chapters, but I adored learning more about a period of American history I don't feel I know enough about. It was especially fascinating to me how class played into the Revolution in such different ways based on the state. Early America truly was composed of many different little worlds, each with their own demographics, politics, and even culture.

[Dan Gorman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Respectable read. Countryman has no thesis, so there's not much new to this survey, but he provides a set of strong premises useful in teaching the American Revolution to undergraduates. Include the voices of historically silenced people — women, African slaves, and Native Americans; incorporate a transnational perspective focusing on British politics; show the contestation between groups; and acknowledge the rhetorical brilliance, but also the prejudices and limitations, of the Founders. Countryman is trying to combine the contestation view of the revolution (“neoprogressive”) with the focus on political language “neo-Whig”); the latter approach often tips into American exceptionalism. I give Countryman credit for trying to synthesize the two methods, but I'm not sure he resolves the tensions between them. It would have been good for him to state succinctly how he recommends approaching the history of the Revolution. The book has clear explanations of British tax policy, though it glides over major historical events. We only get a sentence about Benjamin Franklin's testimony to Parliament in 1766, and almost nothing about the involvement of Lafayette, Baron von Steuben, and other European military allies. Countryman excels at describing sites of class conflict, from rebel committees that governed in lieu of (or simultaneously with) state governments, to supporters of corporatism versus Adam Smith’s free market, to the jockeying for power between wealthy landowners and rural farmers. The average reader could do far worse in terms of Revolutionary War surveys (see: Bill O'Reilly's latest historical atrocity), but this is not the definitive overview of the conflict.

[Nuno R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very concise and interesting introduction to the theme. The American Revolution was fundamental in its time, along with the French Revolution, in what would be a tremondous shift in world politics, and people's liberties and rigths. The fight between Absolute Monarchies and Liberalism would lead to those two revolutions. And a whole country would be founded upon liberal values, with the Declaration of Independence: "All men are created equal", the abosolute rule of the King forever cast away, and men no longer seen as mere subjects. This book shows how complex the American Revolution was, what made it ignite, and who enabled it.

[armin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an extensive and exhaustive text of what happened during the US revolution. So far, whatever I had read about the revolution was basically about what had happened in the Continental Congress and the debates over shaping the Declaration of Independence and the various struggles with the southerners mainly over slavery. This book is totally different. It deals, in a very detailed manner, with all the struggles that was going on in each of the colonies - and then states - and the way each of the colonies grappled with the new notions that were generated in the society such as liberty, rights and accountability. It goes into well-documented details of merchants of Massachusetts fighting over credit issues with the colonial governor or how artisans of Pensylvania sought their fair share in power against the elite that was ruling the town since the colonial era; how dissidents formed Vermont and how the Backcountry in the Carolinas sought representation in the state house. Countryman provides incredible details here which are so useful in understanding what a hell of a job it was to create the United States of America.
Very much recommended!

[Bernard English · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few things that stand out in Countryman's account of the revolution: great sections on the role of committees and crowds (before and during the revolution); a very detailed bibliographical essay which I found quite useful. The only books missing there were those dedicated to colonial economic thought. Also, I'm not sure why he gives equal weight to those who point out against Forrest Mcdonald's famous "We the People: The Economic Origins of the Constitution" that those who opposed the U.S. Constitution also had economic motives for doing so. It seems natural to focus on the men who got their way and implemented the Constitution since that is the American system millions of people have lived under.

[Ben C · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who tends to struggle with reading history, I found this detailed account fairly engaging for a couple of reasons: it's meticulously detailed, it presents the facts before presenting author's argument, and it's written unpretentiously. My main takeaways from the book were the ubiquity of mobs and the concept of Jefferson's Grid.

My main critique: I understand that it wasn't a book specifically about the war, but I would've appreciated a bit more information about it. Discussing the formation of a new American identity and the events and ideas that led up to that was a worthy pursuit, but I feel that there was more to discuss there. That said, I was okay with the brevity that the author achieved by leaving it out.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is interesting at times and can be very repetitive. The text is not linear most of the time which makes it hard to want to keep reading. The text could be a lot more to the point and concise. Just to add, this book was a required reading and my least favorite of the course.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The American colonists from England began to feel disenfranchised as the English homeland treated them the same way colonies in Asia were treated. The vast open spaces to the West in America also encourage a more adventurist and free spirit. This work is a description of the American colonies war for freedom and self determination.

[Vera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most readable overview of the American Revolution I've come across so far.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was interesting, but for me it was too slow and repetitive. I appreciated certain facets of the historical scholarship, but I would not want to read it again.

[Kfiscus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used this for college history class and got a lot out of it.

[Kizzy Gourlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am biased as this is by my Dad, but was the first of his books I actually read. I know how much effort it took to write and he did a great job of explaining this topic in an interesting way.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foundational history of who led the revolution and why...and who died fighting it.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's gotten a little dry for my taste, so I've lost interest in it. I might come back to it another time and finish it.

[Tara]

Well put.