11/20/2023
Historian Warren (The Presidency of George Washington) seeks in this substantial volume to explain why the American Revolution still matters and why its heroes and heroines can be 21st-century role models. Warren provides concise explanations of many events, including how the Royal Proclamation of 1763, which designated all territory west of the Appalachians as an Indian Reserve, turned colonists against the British government, and the fierce fighting in the Carolina backcountry during the war. Throughout the narrative, which spans from the first arrival of Europeans to the early years of the American republic, Warren highlights the legacy and meaning of the Revolution as a successful rebellion against the world’s great military superpower and as a rekindling of the principles of democracy that has since inspired revolutions around the world. Warren draws on diverse voices in his presentation of the material and highlights the impact of the war on a wide range of people, such as Black abolitionists inspired by the claims of universal rights in the Declaration of Independence. Revolutionary War buffs will find much to savor in this comprehensive and lavishly illustrated account. (Oct.)
Freedom is an essential, desperately needed book.. .. I learned something new on every page (including hundreds of—yes—entertaining and engrossing endnotes) and came away inspired to do my part to preserve our republic for future generations.”
In time the past begins to look inevitable, no matter how shocking it was when it occurred. One of the most astonishing things in history was the American Revolution—unexpected in its causes and conduct, improbable in its outcome and consequences, weird to grotesque in its cast of characters. We have been weak-minded in letting this all go dim. Warren is a wake-up.”
Well-researched, adroitly written, and lavishly illustrated, Freedom is an engaging history of our nation’s founding for the twenty-first century.”
Jack Warren delivers a spirited retelling of the American Revolution, its promise, and its enduring relevance for the United States and for our fellow citizens—even for our fellow Americans who may not realize it. Freedom is the story of a generation that created, however imperfectly, the American republic. .. told with passion and a sensitivity to the women and men—native, free, indentured, and enslaved—who struggled for their competing hopes, dreams, and ideals as allies and just as often as enemies.”
The complex events that led to creation of the United States had a common underpinning - a desire for freedom. While different people sought different types of freedom, the birth of the American nation came about as remarkable a synthesis of their disparate goals. This walk through four turbulent decades of a nation's founding is centered on those people, their diversity, and their common desire, and is aptly named: Freedom.”
Freedom brims with illuminating details about not only how early Americans agitated and fought for their freedom but why. An impressive work of history, Freedom also serves as a critical guide for what it means to be an American citizen today.”
With clear and concise prose, as well as brilliant illustrations, maps and reproductions, Jack Warren brilliantly narrates the great story behind the American Revolution, which secured our independence, inaugurated our republican government, created our national identity, and established a new political order based upon equality, rights and responsible citizenship. Based upon deep reading in the original sources, and engaged with the more recent literature, Warren’s text should be required reading for all those seeking to understand the sacrifices made by the Revolutionary generation to help launch a nation devoted to freedom. This book is a great antidote to the cynicism of our present historical discourse.”
This beautifully written book is both monumental in scope and sweeping in content.. .. The text is worth much more than the price of admission, as is the treasure trove of illustrations.. .. In brief, highly recommended!”
A must-read for any student of American history. Freedom will soon become the classic account of the Revolution’s importance and modern relevance. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.”
In time the past begins to look inevitable, no matter how shocking it was when it occurred. One of the most astonishing things in history was the American Revolution—unexpected in its causes and conduct, improbable in its outcome and consequences, weird to grotesque in its cast of characters. We have been weak-minded in letting this all go dim. Warren is a wake-up.” —Garry Wills, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Cincinnatus: George Washington and the Enlightenment “A must-read for any student of American history. Freedom will soon become the classic account of the Revolution’s importance and modern relevance. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.” —David M. Rubenstein, bestselling author of The American Story: Conversations with Master Historians and host of History with David Rubenstein “With clear and concise prose, as well as brilliant illustrations, maps and reproductions, Jack Warren brilliantly narrates the great story behind the American Revolution, which secured our independence, inaugurated our republican government, created our national identity, and established a new political order based upon equality, rights and responsible citizenship. Based upon deep reading in the original sources, and engaged with the more recent literature, Warren’s text should be required reading for all those seeking to understand the sacrifices made by the Revolutionary generation to help launch a nation devoted to freedom. This book is a great antidote to the cynicism of our present historical discourse.” —Douglas Bradburn, president and CEO of George Washington’s Mount Vernon “The complex events that led to creation of the United States had a common underpinning - a desire for freedom. While different people sought different types of freedom, the birth of the American nation came about as remarkable a synthesis of their disparate goals. This walk through four turbulent decades of a nation's founding is centered on those people, their diversity, and their common desire, and is aptly named: Freedom.” —Don N. Hagist, editor, Journal of the American Revolution “Freedom brims with illuminating details about not only how early Americans agitated and fought for their freedom but why. An impressive work of history, Freedom also serves as a critical guide for what it means to be an American citizen today.” —Denver Brunsman, editor of The American Revolution Reader “Freedom is an essential, desperately needed book.. .. I learned something new on every page (including hundreds of—yes—entertaining and engrossing endnotes) and came away inspired to do my part to preserve our republic for future generations.” —David Duncan, president, American Battlefield Trust “This beautifully written book is both monumental in scope and sweeping in content.. .. The text is worth much more than the price of admission, as is the treasure trove of illustrations.. .. In brief, highly recommended!” —James Kirby Martin, author of Insurrection: The American Revolution and Its Meaning “Well-researched, adroitly written, and lavishly illustrated, Freedom is an engaging history of our nation’s founding for the twenty-first century.” —Walter Edgar, author of Partisans and Redcoats: The Southern Conflict That Turned the Tide of the American Revolution “Jack Warren delivers a spirited retelling of the American Revolution, its promise, and its enduring relevance for the United States and for our fellow citizens—even for our fellow Americans who may not realize it. Freedom is the story of a generation that created, however imperfectly, the American republic. .. told with passion and a sensitivity to the women and men—native, free, indentured, and enslaved—who struggled for their competing hopes, dreams, and ideals as allies and just as often as enemies.” —Ricardo A. Herrera, author of Feeding Washington’s Army: Surviving the Valley Forge Winter of 1778
