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An Army Doctor's American Revolution Journal, 1775–1783
At the age of 21, James Thacher (1754–1844) joined the newly formed American army as a surgeon's mate, eventually advancing to the role of surgeon for the Massachusetts 16th Regiment. In 1823, he published his Journal, reporting both wartime events he witnessed and those he heard about during his service. One of the most valuable and entertaining accounts to have survived the Revolution, Thacher's diary vividly conveys the tumultuous spirit of the era.
Thacher's eyewitness reports include the siege of Boston, the hanging of British major John André, and the momentous defeats of the British Army at Saratoga and Yorktown. His direct and vivid observations range from parties where he and his fellow officers were handsomely entertained by supporters of the new nation's army to hardscrabble days when there was little to eat and nowhere to keep warm. With its cogent overview of the war's major campaigns and battles, its insights into the character of Revolutionary leaders, and its firsthand views of the daily life of a Continental Army officer, the Journal provides a heightened sense of the drama and excitement of the Revolution.
Thacher's eyewitness reports include the siege of Boston, the hanging of British major John André, and the momentous defeats of the British Army at Saratoga and Yorktown. His direct and vivid observations range from parties where he and his fellow officers were handsomely entertained by supporters of the new nation's army to hardscrabble days when there was little to eat and nowhere to keep warm. With its cogent overview of the war's major campaigns and battles, its insights into the character of Revolutionary leaders, and its firsthand views of the daily life of a Continental Army officer, the Journal provides a heightened sense of the drama and excitement of the Revolution.
336 pages, Paperback
Published August 14, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 11, 2019
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
An Army Doctor's American Revolution Journal is a reformatting and re-release of excerpted journal entries and observations made by James Thacher during his time as an army surgeon during and after the American Revolutionary War. This reprinting, due out 14th Aug 2019 from Dover is 336 pages and will be available in paperback format.
Dover has an important place in book history as the guardians and re-publishers of so much esoteric knowledge and history which might very well otherwise be lost. My interest in this particular book came from an unusual embroidered sampler which was likely stitched by one of Thacher's descendants. Anyhow, this book provided a fascinating glimpse into a world where antibiotics, anesthesia, x-rays, sterile surgical techniques, and all of the other modern essentials simply didn't exist. Despite that, Dr. Thacher was an erudite, intelligent, philosophical man whose surgical skill was apparently well known. He wrote other books on diverse subjects such as the history of medicine in the USA and beekeeping.
This book contains a chronological series of journal entries from January 1775 - 1783. There is also a well written publisher's note with a short bio by John Grafton. The language of the book itself is dated and formal, but entirely accessible and readable.
I enjoyed reading about the famous historical figures whose lives intersected Thacher's (George Washington!) during his professional life as well as the unimaginable occurrences of day to day life in the period. The author writes incredibly of one occurrence (26th May 1780) of orders of execution for 10 of 11 criminals who received pardons while they were literally standing on the scaffold. One was still to be executed and the retelling was harrowing. Thacher was an eye-witness. Later in June he recounted the murder of a Presbyterian minister's wife and the firing of their home by the British who were intent on revenge for the minister's support of the American side during the war.
The book is full of striking anecdotes. The author's wit and intelligence fairly leap off the page. I think I would've liked to meet and chat with him. This would make a superlative read for fans of military or social history. There is no reference list, bibliography, index or the like, but the stories speak for themselves.
Four stars. Long live Dover Publications.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
An Army Doctor's American Revolution Journal is a reformatting and re-release of excerpted journal entries and observations made by James Thacher during his time as an army surgeon during and after the American Revolutionary War. This reprinting, due out 14th Aug 2019 from Dover is 336 pages and will be available in paperback format.
Dover has an important place in book history as the guardians and re-publishers of so much esoteric knowledge and history which might very well otherwise be lost. My interest in this particular book came from an unusual embroidered sampler which was likely stitched by one of Thacher's descendants. Anyhow, this book provided a fascinating glimpse into a world where antibiotics, anesthesia, x-rays, sterile surgical techniques, and all of the other modern essentials simply didn't exist. Despite that, Dr. Thacher was an erudite, intelligent, philosophical man whose surgical skill was apparently well known. He wrote other books on diverse subjects such as the history of medicine in the USA and beekeeping.
This book contains a chronological series of journal entries from January 1775 - 1783. There is also a well written publisher's note with a short bio by John Grafton. The language of the book itself is dated and formal, but entirely accessible and readable.
I enjoyed reading about the famous historical figures whose lives intersected Thacher's (George Washington!) during his professional life as well as the unimaginable occurrences of day to day life in the period. The author writes incredibly of one occurrence (26th May 1780) of orders of execution for 10 of 11 criminals who received pardons while they were literally standing on the scaffold. One was still to be executed and the retelling was harrowing. Thacher was an eye-witness. Later in June he recounted the murder of a Presbyterian minister's wife and the firing of their home by the British who were intent on revenge for the minister's support of the American side during the war.
The book is full of striking anecdotes. The author's wit and intelligence fairly leap off the page. I think I would've liked to meet and chat with him. This would make a superlative read for fans of military or social history. There is no reference list, bibliography, index or the like, but the stories speak for themselves.
Four stars. Long live Dover Publications.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
September 18, 2019
Excellent. These journal entries give a good sense of the author and some of his interesting and challenging experiences. Even if you don't like history, you may like this first-hand account of some events, some of which are bound to stay with you. Recommended.
I really appreciate the review copy!!
I really appreciate the review copy!!
August 19, 2019
James Thatcher's journal has given us a glimpse of some of the horrors and strife soldiers had to face in the American Revolution. We have a vivid and interesting look into these years from one young man in his own words.
November 20, 2023
Lots to digest. I found reading a year at a time and thinking about the era in which is was written helped to take in all the information provided.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews