Review-Forgotten Patriots by Edwin G. Burrows

FORGOTTEN PATRIOTS:
An Untold Story of American Prisoners During the Revolutionary War

Edwin G. Burrows (Pulitzer Prize Winning co-author of GOTHAM)
Basic Books
November 17, 2008
Hardcover, $27.50
978-0-465-00835-3




Boldly written history of American Patriots and civilians who suffered inconceivably inhuman treatment on numerous prison ships and sugar houses during the American Revolutionary War at the hands of the British.

Burrows presents his research and unveils the horrors inflicted on over 30,000 captured patriots.  These brave, yet unfortunate prisoners chose to live in retched squalor, close to starvation, surrounded by disease and death, rather than switch allegiance to England.

This is a part of American History that missed the textbooks in school. It was a surprise to me. Perhaps if you live in the area of New York and New Jersey, you are aware of this unspeakable part of history.  Truly, it really has been forgotten. It took over one hundred years to dedicate a monument to these patriots.

Why study history? Many professors would caution, we study history to learn from the past. With our 21st century awareness, it is not hard to make comparisons with our global community and reflect on the human rights abuse and suffering in our country and around the world.

incredible book of timely relevance that will shock and sicken readers.  It is a difficult subject to fathom. The conditions and numbers of dead who suffered are staggering.  Questions may be answered with many more generated.

Edwin Burrows' book is  a valuable and necessary addition to American History shelves. Excellent.



Disclosure:  This book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.  This review is my honest opinion.

© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2013]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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Review: Revolutionary Mothers by Carol Berkin

REVOLUTIONARY MOTHERS: WOMEN IN THE STRUGGLE FOR AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE,

Carol Berkin

Vintage Books

February 14, 2006

Paperback, 224 pages,  $16.00

978-1400075324.  

Much praise is given to Carol Berkin for this important addition to our American Revolutionary War history shelves. It is a fascinating history of women that may surprise some readers and raise questions for others.  Often overlooked and forgotten, the women who lived and died while the struggle for our independence was fought are recognized in REVOLUTIONARY MOTHERS: WOMEN IN THE STRUGGLE FOR AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.

Some may be surprised to learn that Martha Washington and many other officers wives accompanied their husbands in battle.  British and Hessian officers adopted a temporary substitute wife, while the average soldier, had numerous women to pick from the hoards of camp followers who tagged along.  What Berkin points out is that it was only natural for women to follow men into battle, because men needed someone to care for them. Whether to do laundry, cook, nurse the sick or carnal pleasure, the men were better soldiers with their women along, and their leaders knew it.   

Whether the women were involved in actually fighting, which they were or travelling along side their spouse, women of all races had numerous roles to satisfy.  Chapters detail the various roles women played in Colonial Society and during and after the war. There were those who were left home, others who followed, some were General’s wives, or loyalists in exile, Indian Women, African American Women and many women became spies or couriers.  

This book evokes a penchant to read more about forgotten and omitted women who have historical relevance.  The endnotes and bibliography offer a place to begin. Readers will no doubt recognize famous men from this war, but those who find it difficult to name any famous women, will devour with fervor, REVOLUTIONARY MOTHERS: WOMEN IN THE STRUGGLE FOR AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.

Wisteria Leigh

December 2013

Disclosure: Self-purchase

© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2013]. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.