The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 58, July 1954 - April, 1955 Page: 583
650 p. : ill., maps (some col.), ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Book Reviews
accounts. As with any general work, footnotes are necessarily
confined to broad or controversial points. Perhaps unnecessary
are such frequent references to Mr. Alden's book on Charles Lee.
This present history is at its best when describing matters mil-
itary. The campaigns in New England, the Middle Colonies, and
the South are developed logically and interestingly, and the war
in the West is relegated to what is probably its relatively minor
importance. The author stresses the significance of the New
Jersey battles and places the more fluid warfare in the South in
its proper perspective. Given less space are the domestic affairs
of the colonies during the revolutionary years and the parliamen-
tary and diplomatic maneuvers in the several European courts,
though neither is neglected. The problems of the Continental
Congress, of the currency and military pay, and of the Loyalists
are covered with understanding, while the philosophical aspects
are probably stressed more than are details. The relations between
the various English politicians and the several field commanders
are shown to have had a debilitating effect on British military
affairs. And the efforts of the French to weaken Britain, attempts
ably encouraged by Benjamin Franklin, place the connection be-
tween France and the colonies in a light that was not always seen
by Americans.
Professor Alden has here a volume of which he may justifiably
be proud. He has incorporated such new historical "finds" as may
be pertinent-such as Gage's marching orders before the battle of
Lexington; he has accepted or rejected on his own interpretation
the many theories advanced in recent years-such as playing down
the importance of the so-called Conway conspiracy against Wash-
ington; and he covers all with reason, logic, and lucidity. It augurs
well for the new "American Nation Series."
DAVID B. TRIMBLE
Schreiner Institute583
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 58, July 1954 - April, 1955, periodical, 1955; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101158/m1/676/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.