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A review by the_library_of_larry
Revolution on the Hudson: New York City and the Hudson River Valley in the American War of Independence by George C. Daughan
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
I listened to the Audible audiobook version.
George Daughan has written a commendable and interesting military history of the American Revolutionary War, purporting to follow the supposed importance of the Hudson River Valley during the conflict. By his own admittance within the book, military commanders, both British and American, had an understandable if flawed focus on this region during the conflict. This is the case to such a degree that frankly, this book does not read like an in depth analysis of the Hudson River Valley during the war, but a general military history of the revolution.
Any well written general military history will be interesting to me, and technically this is the first book I've ever read that has covered the conflict start to finish (other books I've read have only focused on specific moments and times: 1776, or Valley Forge, or Yorktown for example). In that respect, it is a fun history read, well researched by all accounts, and fits well with other histories I've read. But if you are looking for a specific focus on the importance of the Hudson River Valley you won't find it here. I'm not entirely sure how this focus would have worked out anyway. The chapters covering the occupation and loss of New York City to the British were engaging for sure, and maneuvers around Connecticut, Rhode Island, and upstate New York are interesting for the little dramas that ensued there (Benedict Arnold's betrayal was discovered and he fled West Point for example). But frankly there were no giant, epic engagements in the valley or upstate for Daughan to cover in detail.
A good recommend from me: a solid, history of the American Revolution.
George Daughan has written a commendable and interesting military history of the American Revolutionary War, purporting to follow the supposed importance of the Hudson River Valley during the conflict. By his own admittance within the book, military commanders, both British and American, had an understandable if flawed focus on this region during the conflict. This is the case to such a degree that frankly, this book does not read like an in depth analysis of the Hudson River Valley during the war, but a general military history of the revolution.
Any well written general military history will be interesting to me, and technically this is the first book I've ever read that has covered the conflict start to finish (other books I've read have only focused on specific moments and times: 1776, or Valley Forge, or Yorktown for example). In that respect, it is a fun history read, well researched by all accounts, and fits well with other histories I've read. But if you are looking for a specific focus on the importance of the Hudson River Valley you won't find it here. I'm not entirely sure how this focus would have worked out anyway. The chapters covering the occupation and loss of New York City to the British were engaging for sure, and maneuvers around Connecticut, Rhode Island, and upstate New York are interesting for the little dramas that ensued there (Benedict Arnold's betrayal was discovered and he fled West Point for example). But frankly there were no giant, epic engagements in the valley or upstate for Daughan to cover in detail.
A good recommend from me: a solid, history of the American Revolution.