Reviews

Forgotten Patriots: The Untold Story of American Prisoners During the Revolutionary War by Edwin G. Burrows

cosmicvulture's review against another edition

2.0

2 stars seems like such a low rating to me, but Goodreads considers that an "it was okay" rating, which is how I felt about this book. I'm not sure why it never really managed to grab me. The part that was most interesting to me was the last section, which discussed how the legacy of American Prisoners was used politically after the war.

stevenk's review against another edition

4.0

A look at an aspect of the Revolutionary war not typically discussed, the prisoners held by the British, primarily in New York City, or in prison ships surrounding the city. This book takes a look at the attitudes of the British toward the adversaries they viewed as rebels, and therefore not enemy soldiers, and how the British treated them. Through first hand accounts and historical documents the author tries to find the truth about these prisoners and their fates. A discussion about why this story is so overlooked and forgotten and of the efforts by different groups through the years to remember the prison martyrs was also enlightening. I enjoyed this unique angle on the Revolutionary War and it's impact on American attitudes during the war as well as it's shining light on the sacrifice of these forgotten patriots.