The Spirit of Seventy-six by Henry S. Commager is possibly the best collection of writings from the American Revolution. The book has thousands of exerts from journals, diaries, and letters
by participants. The book also has great maps to refer to while studying a certain battle or campaign. This book has a "contents"
that is handy in finding your interest, the book is over one thousand pages. The Spirit of Seventy-six is a great reference book for the Revolutionary War enthusiast.

A great book ! I spent the better part of this year reading this book. But the beauty is that does not pose a problem because the writings included in this work are all relatively short. Make no mistake this is a very long work but well worth the effort. Especially since it is a collection of an incredible number of very short works.

The collected works are as the title states contemporary accounts. It is a real treat to read what the contenders had to say about each other. Also the reader may think that the style will be difficult. Not at all.

All in all I would most heartily recommend this work for either the student who would like a resource or anyone interested in The Revolution.

This is a great book! You can read it cover to cover, or read parts here and there, putting it down and taking it up as one has time or the inclination. The editors place all of the writings in perspective and context. The selections are not just those of the big name founding fathers--many common folk, officers and soldiers, civilians and women have their say in these pages. British, Americans and Loyalists are represented as well.

Before the negotiations to end the Vietnam War, before the negotiations to end the First World War, there were negotiations in Paris to end the American Revolutionary War, and all the related wars between Britain, France and Spain. The late Richard Morris, in this book, has written the best account of these fascinating, important negotiations. The American team, perhaps the best diplomatic team we have ever fielded, consisted of Franklin, Jay and John Adams. The other players in the drama include King George III and his ministers, negotiators and spies, and King Louis XIV and his team. Great history, easily accessible.

At the beginning of the American Revolution, a fortuitous (to use Henry Kissinger's word) conjunction of character and destiny brought the United States a coterie unmatched throughout its history. Of this time that tried men's souls, Morris, Professor of History at Columbia, has selected the extraordinary even - Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison - who passed "the triple tests of their charismatic leadership, staying power, and constructive statesmanship."

In these pithy, well-informed and illuminating profiles - meant, I think, for general knowledge as opposed for scholars (though the book does include endnotes) - Morris focuses on two questions: What made these elite, prosperous and conservative members of the Establishment turn against their king and start a revolution? Having made that irrevocable commitment, what difference did their leadership mean to the conduct and goals of the American Revolution; in what way did their participation invest that epochal conflict with a singular character?

Morris's balancing of a narrative with his thesis makes this book thoroughly enjoyable. Like a proficient historian, Morris is an apt quoter, who uses his subjects' words in such a way as to make them readily recallable in the reader's mind. Of note to me at least, Morris sticks to his subjects; he remains in the colonial era and does not attempt to apply the agrarian philosophies of that time to modern politics.

Individuals interested in purchasing an American History book for the sole purpose of quickly researching a specific historical happening need to look no further. Scarcely illustrated, this is a fully encompassing text which provides a brief description of each event. Most descriptions range in length from one-quarter to one-half of a page. For example, it required less than two-hundred words to recount the assasssination of President Kennedy. Lengthy historical events such as the Vietnam War are also discussed in a concise manner. The Vietnam War required seven pages, including the full page map, to educate the reader. Those interested in an American History book that can be enjoyably read cover to cover must look elsewhere. Brief, fragmented event depictions cause the reader's attention to quickly wane. This book is being awarded four stars for its use as an encyclopedia.

The Encylopedia of American History is a wonderfully detailed and comprehensive reference book on almost everything to do with American history. Practically every conceivable aspect of America's history is within these pages; if you have a query concerning anything about the USA, then look no further than here. Neatly laid out in mainly chronological form, the book varies through subjects from politics, military, literature, science and many more. The biographies section contains brief biographies of over 400 influential Americans, from presidents and scientists to Stephen Spielberg. Whether you want to become a walking reference on American history, or are already familiar with the subject and require a reliable reference source, then this book is for you.

The Encyclopedia of American History by Richard B. Morris is an outstanding source of information for the student of history or the professional educator. It contains factual information for the consensus historian. It is not revisionist. I highly recommend this book.