Rick AtkinsonBritish Are Coming (The Revolution Trilogy, 1)

Rick Atkinson's "The British Are Coming," the first book of his planned Revolution Trilogy, follows in the wake of his superb Liberation Trilogy about World War Two. His second book of this American Revolution series will be released in April. This first book, an historical “tour de force,” covers the period from the start of the American Revolution in 1775, beginning with the battles of Lexington/Concord, Bunker Hill, Quebec/Montreal, Lake Champlain, Long Island, Fort Washington/Lee, ending with Trenton and Princeton at the end of 1776. He’s objective in his approach to the War, neither favoring the colonists nor the British; these encounters are told in stunning descriptive detail with comprehensive maps identifying troop movements and the locations of the battles. His writing shines especially in vividly describing Charleston, Cork in Ireland, the embarkation harbor used to supply the British war effort, and Paris where Franklin went to seek French support. The Hessian role is informative and enlightening as are the notable names and roles of Benedict Arnold, Aaron Burr, Alexander Hamilton, Nathaniel Greene, Charles Lee, and Banestre Tarleton. Atkinson makes quite clear the waning loss of confidence in Washington’s leadership before his victories at Trenton and Princeton. The book is filled with many color reproductions of historic content. Atkinson’s next book of the trilogy is eagerly awaited.

This is THRILLING history, a page-turner even when you know how it's all going to turn out. I've read about 60% of the book and the 2nd volume is already waiting on my coffee table. I will get the 3rd (and last) volume the instant it's available. Factual, highly detailed, vivid in its depiction of events, actors, and onlookers. This is a book to treasure, and I am very grateful to the author, Rick Atkinson, for producing such a Herculean work. For me, it's truly essential reading for anyone interested in US history.

I'm not a particular fan of military history, but Atkinson's treatment of the opening of the American revolution is enough to make me reconsider. Beneath the broader military focus of the book, Atkinson discusses a all manner of social, economic and political issues that played such a crucial role in the decision for the American colonies to sever ties with Britain.Addressing not only the nature, variety and locale of immigrants (many Scots, for example, were immigrants following the defeat of the Scottish at Culloden), Atkinson provides some broad biographical notes on the lives and insights into the personalities of major players in the conflict (from the Howe brothers to Cornwalis to Washington and Frankin) and the underlying political tensions that led to the eventual break. Most Americans have a very simplified and binary view of the War for American Independence - here we see the matter as being much more complicated - and a richer, nuanced history for it.As a westerner (Coloradoan born and bred), the locations, details and broader tactical decisions around the battles in Boston (from Lexington and Concord to Breeds/Bunker Hill) and New York/New Jersey (Brooklyn Heights, Princeton, Trenton) always puzzled me. The generous and detailed maps as well as the compelling narrative not only made this stage of the conflict more clear, but also underscored the sense of urgency of the Franklin mission in Paris. That the war was simultaneously fought in the southern colonies as well as New York and New England is another facet of the conflict that is often overlooked. Again, Atkinson does a masterful job in showing how concurrent events - and the long distances between them (not only in America, but also the challenges of supply) made for the British.I would be remiss if I did not mention the details. For some, the volume of minutae may be distracting. I found his discussion of the challenges of supplying an army (either British or American) to be crucial in understanding not only the tactical and strategic decisions being made, but also in getting some sense of the enormity of war fighting in the 18th century.It is a tremendous history. There is probably more information than the typical lay-reader will be interested in,, but it is veritable wealth of information on a conflict that is too often over-simplified.