Book Review: The Revolutionary War by Bart McDowell

A few months back, I acquired a new book through Amazon concerning the American War for Independence (AWI for us wargamers): The Revolutionary War, by Bart McDowell (The National Geographic Society, (c) 1967).

My desire to obtain this volume began with being exposed through social media to a three of the four panoramic battlefield illustrations in the book. These are reminiscent of the David Greenspan battle maps found in the American Heritage history of the American Civil War, but drawn by a different artist (Richard Schlecht). I bought my copy of the McDowell book through a used book dealer, and as it was not a rare volume, it was very reasonably priced at $12.29, $5.09 S&H.

The Battle of Trenton, December 26th 1776

When it arrived, there was a note from the seller, apologizing for the book's condition, with an offer to take it back, or return half the asking price as a refund. I thought the book's condition quite acceptable, so I decided to keep it. Thanks to the refund, it was an incredible bargain. Shop around though, lest you get scalped like Jane McCrea (some sellers are asking prices in the $100s).

Detail from the Battle of Trenton

After a brief look through the volume, especially the maps, I put the book on the shelf, consigning it to being read "one of these days". But then my wife and I began binge-watching Turn: Washington's Spies on Netflix. I wouldn't claim that it is historically accurate, as it is based on a novelized history, and most of the main characters appear to be fictional. However, the show features enough historical figures, and weaves actual events into the story lines, thereby using both fact and fiction to create a gripping narrative that makes for an addicting program. I would also contend that the production team has done a masterful job of dressing both sets and performers with historically convincing uniforms, civilian dress, furnishings, and props. Even my wife was impressed with how accurate the jewelry is for the period (check out her professional blog here).

So, inspired by the show, I picked up the book again, and began to read...

The book is 200 pages in length, the last 5 pages containing the index, references, and information about the NG Society. After a very brief foreword and a table of contents, the narrative begins in earnest on page 8. From the very first page, the book is lavishly illustrated with paintings, maps, and photographs of the places where the battles and campaigns took place. Even the frontispiece is graced with a gorgeous full color image of John Trumbull's Battle of Princeton.  

The format of the book is in eight chapters organizing the narrative by year, beginning with the prelude to war (1774). This seems a very reasonable structure, as it provides for an understanding of why the war broke out, and touches on all the major campaigns and battles, leaving plenty of room for the personal stories that bring the events to life.

A sample two-page spread containing a print, reenactment photo, and map covering the battle of Long Island.

The book is an easy to read popular history, rather than a scholarly treatment as is David McCullough's 1776. Unusual for a book of this type is that the author explains from the very first page that he, his wife, and their four children, lived in Fairfax County, VA; and had made regular road trips to the locations covering the main events of the war. There are occasional travelogue bits in which he and his family describe what they saw, heard from their tour guides and park rangers, or read from primary sources related to their visits. 

Detail from the Battle of Saratoga

I was concerned that these personal bits would be distracting, but they are not overdone. If anything, they inspire me to plan road trips of our own. Now that my wife and I live on the east coast of the U.S., it is a more realistic prospect to visit all the important locations. We have already taken advantage of this to visit Camden during a full-scale reenactment, Cowpens, and King's Mountain, all here in South Carolina. And we have also had the great pleasure to visit Colonial Williamsburg and the Yorktown battlefield in Virginia. 

Any domestic or foreign visitor to this country with even the slightest interest in the 18th century simply must plan a visit to Colonial Williamsburg. The admission price is a significant sum, but definitely worth every penny. If you have been watching Turn, you will recognize many of the town locations. We recognized Benedict Arnold's "Penn Mansion" as the House of Burgesses, where Patrick Henry gave his "Give me Liberty..." speech. Any wargamer who visits the park will be unable to resist painting little tricorn-wearing Patriots and Redcoats as fast as he can buy them.

Speaking of painting figures...

Continuing my Napoleonic project (and resisting for now the siren song of AWI), I have on my painting table four battalions (48 figures) of French line infantry and one artillery battery (2 guns with crew), plus the brigade commanders and my divisional commanders for Drums and Shakos Large Battles. The infantry and artillery are all Battle Honours figures that were a birthday present, and the generals are Old Glory and Battle Honours figures from the lead mountain. One of the standard bearers has lost his eagle due to a weakly cast pole, and is undergoing repairs.

With so many figures on the table at one time, I have mounted the figures to simple tongue depressors rather than the hashtag (#) arrangement I described a few posts ago. The officers are mounted individually to wine corks for ease of handling. Eagle-eyed readers will identify the officers as being French marshals Soult, Ney, and Massena. It might seem unfair to demote them to command of brigades and divisions, but they are among the most beautiful general figures in the lead mountain, and it would be a travesty to leave them unpainted and unused.

More pics to come as the project continues!