This book is not for the serious history buff nor for those who are seeking a macro view of historical events. But what this book does provide is the insite into an individual solder's life during our darkest hour. Other books on the Revolutionary War delve deep into the problems faced by Washington when the initial 6-month enlistments were to expire. Those Continental Troops who did not re-up are now viewed with scorn. However, Joseph was one of those troops who left after his enlistment was up and returned home without regret. The viewpoint from this individual solder provides balance from those Officers who were sustained in relative comfort. However, one has to begin to question some of the stories such as seeing Molly Pitcher in battle and his personal meeting with General Washinton near Yorktown. Regardless of the accuracy of his saga, Yankee Doodle Boy is easy reading and adds a sense of what it was really like to battle fatigue as much as the redcoats.

After reading this book, I know that the best way to learn about something is to get the viewpoint from someone who experienced it. Joseph Plumb Martin was a great writer, and told me what it was like to be an average soldier in Washington's army. He writes in a style that's easy to understand, even for a 7th grader like me, and he has a very good sense of humor. By the time I finished "Yankee Doodle Boy," I could have sworn I was there with Joseph. You can't say that you've read about the American Revolution until you read this book!

History doesn't get much better than hearing it first-hand from someone who lived it. Joseph Plumb Martin has paid us an invaluable service by recounting his seven years of enlistment in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. This is a great book which should be read by all Americans. Highly recommended.

General Crook minces no words in his autobiography, a book that gives you real insight into one of the nation's most renowned Indian fighters. A quiet man in real life and somewhat of an enigma to those around him, he had a unique understanding and appreciation for Native Americans and the injustices heaped upon them. In later life, he attempted to use his influence to help better their conditions. Crook never took his biography to a publisher -- that only happened long after he was dead. If anything, his narrative leaves you wanting more detail and less modesty about the role he played in history. The editor has done an admirable job in filling in the missing pieces. An important book for anybody interested in the people who built the West, or in influential military leaders in American history. I enjoyed this book immensely.