Beginner's Guide | American Revolution Recommendations

[@CrankyKat4106]

I’m obviously late to the viewing party, but I just wanted to tell you that I really appreciate the time you took to film, edit, and post this video. I don’t remember learning a ton about the American Revolution in school (other than a general overview) because of the (still occurring with no end in sight) obsession with WWII. Over the last year or so, I’ve started to dip my toes into the colonial era, and I will definitely check out your recommendations. David McCullough is a national treasure and I hope he lives forever. A couple of years ago I read Revolutionary Summer: The Birth of American Independence by Joseph J. Ellis and I really enjoyed it as a short and sweet introduction to the time period. (Also, I am having a minor freak out because I thought I read Revolutionary Summer last year, but when I looked it up on GoodReads to confirm the title, I saw that I read it in July 2018. Where does the time go?!)

[@jenniferbrooks]

Thank you!! You are so right--people are obsessed with WWII. There's so much more out there to get interested in, lol! I like Joseph J. Ellis. It seems like most of his books tend to be short and to the point, which I can appreciate. I know David McCullough has spent a lot of time in the colonial period with 1776 and John Adams but I so wish he would return!!

[@Peter-rg4ng]

Jennifer, this was absolutely THE BEST in-depth, clear and content rich summary of a beginner's guide to the American Revolution. As a veteran and long time lover of early American history, I was so pleased that someone on KZbin had such a comprehensive understanding of background literature - fiction and non-fiction. This period in our history is so dramatic, people risking their lives for freedom. Tough, resilient individuals with many of our founding fathers being polymaths; i.e. lovers of stoic philosophy, inventors and farmers. Not perfect as you mentioned, which makes them all the more human and fallable. Not some idealized fantasy world. They lived courageously and never forgot that freedom "is not free" but requires tremendous sacrifice. This level of living would make most "moderns" shudder in their skin as they have benefitted from the acts of those courageous souls centuries ago! If you do more on the American Revolution in the future it would be awesome. There have been many good books that have been released the last year.

[@PhilKelley]

I knew, when you said in your introduction, that your favorites rotate (I have a real hard time with "favorites"), and that one of those favorites was The War of the Roses, I was going to like this channel. After reviewing my military history bookcase, I realized I did not have a comprehensive history of the American Revolution, I started searching for recommendations. i have been reading about the period since I was a child, reading everything I could find in the school library (there was a period when the Swamp Fox was my favorite character of War). Thank you for your comprehensive list. It is quite a treat that you include historical fiction, which is one of my favorite genres. Thank you. In terms of books read, I have and am rereading Joseph Ellis's Founding Brethren. A book I would highly recommend is Barbara Tuchman's The March of Folly. Relevant to the topic is her chapter "The British Lose America". The chapter is an investigation of why the British government behaved towards the colonies the way they did, which is one of the four important historical events that illustrate folly in government decision-making.

[@dpotman]

Great recommendation books to be read. You didn't mention " North and South","Love and War"," Heaven and Hell" by John Jakes. What do you think about that trilogy?

[@eveningprimrose3088]

Why? Why are five of the seven videos on this playlist hidden??

[@erindillman]

As someone from Canada, I've only ever learned anything on my own as well. So excited to learn through you. I definitely appreciate your "don't argue with me" approach to this.

[@jenniferbrooks]

And Canada saw some action in the Revolution too! It's crazy to me that it's talked about so little. Lol, "don't argue with me" should be my catchphrase!

[@erindillman]

@@jenniferbrooks at the very least, the title of your biography!

[@tommy2064]

Thank you for this, it was really nice listening to your suggestions

[@laurarivera2906]

I learned about the Revolution in American History class and I always thought that The Boston Tea Party was the jumping off point. I will definitely look into these. Have you read My Dear Hamilton?

[@jenniferbrooks]

I haven't read My Dear Hamilton yet! I keep hearing such great things about it though. Did you like it?

[@keithparr547]

I really enjoyed this, thanks for the recomendations. I too think it's a great period in history. I'm a Brit and I love this period. I was looking for a reading list, so many thanks.

[@WayneGiza]

Having just discovered Jennifer I watched with interest her thoughts on American Revolutionary titles. In the historical fiction line I would recommend to her Ron Carter's outstanding multi volume "Prelude to Glory" series.

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

I don't remember if we spent a lot of time on The American Revolution, but I've been intrigued by it. I want to write an epic fantasy inspired by the American Revolution. One of my favorite fiction books setting during that time is The Traitor's Wife about Benedict Arnold's second wife Peggy and how she was instrumental in him betraying America. Do you think Hamilton was always famous or do you think with things like the musical by Lin Manual Miranda helped make him famous again? I have both David McCullough's books, and I need to get back to John Adams because it's my brother in-law's book.

[@jenniferbrooks]

Um, I NEED an epic fantasy inspired by the Revolution. So you need to get writing, lol. I think Hamilton has always been pretty famous but I remember before the musical, I was asked by members of my own family who was the president on the $10 bill so maybe he wasn't so recognizable until the musical. I think he was a bit more controversial of a figure before the musical too because I seem to remember reading a lot of things that didn't portray him in the best light. I think Lin-Manuel really helped to rehabilitate his image (and bring other founding fathers back to the public's attention, especially Lafayette). I love the Hamilton musical and I'm so happy that it's inspiring people to look up the Revolution. I really enjoyed The Traitor's Wife when I read it a few years ago. Did you ever watch TURN? I thought the way they portrayed Peggy was very interesting.

[@jackiesliterarycorner]

@@jenniferbrooks I want to see the musical at some point, but I have the soundtrack on my iTouch. I have watched the first couple seasons, but haven't continued. Hopefully, it is still on Netflix's. The idea I keep coming back to is having Far represent the British, the Elves being like the French. Mage and Romany are like the colonists. Hope that still holds your interest.

[@genresandjournals]

I love reading and watching things about The American Revolution. I don’t know near as much as you do by any means. I used to love in Connecticut for a couple years and then in Virginia for a few years and I loved exploring all the historical landmarks up and down the east coast. I loved the show Turn and the book The Traitor’s Wife. I’ve had The Kent Family Chronicles on my kindle for a while. You are reigniting my interest in them for sure. I look forward to your other videos on this topic!

[@jenniferbrooks]

I've yet to go to Connecticut but it's on my bucket list! I've heard such amazing things about it. I also loved Turn and The Traitor's Wife! Maybe I'm due for rewatch of Turn, lol.

[@traceymandavy3199]

Wow what a great introduction to this series....Australia is almost the same in school we were taught that Australian history started in 1788 when captain cook and the first fleet arrived....just never mind the almost 50 000 years of indigenous history prior 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@jenniferbrooks]

It's exactly the same here! Native Americans are rarely talked about. Life just started here when we got our first president, lol. I don't know why schools want to ignore it when it's such a huge part of our history. I guess they have to stick to their specified curriculum!

[@rickcroucher]

Sadly, a very good writer of historical fiction, especially the time period of the American Revolution and the war of 1812, Kenneth Roberts is practically forgotten. OLIVER WISWELL is a novel about the Loyalists point of view during the conflict. RABBLE IN ARMS is one of the army General Washington commanded. These are just two of his well researched historical novels. I particularly liked OLIVER WISWELL because much of the book is about the South where the toughest fighting occurred. I recommend it highly.

[@angelaluz405]

OH, I just loved the John Jakes Kent Chronicles series! I saw the made for TV movies, when I was young and then got the books from the library. I loved them. I wish this style of historical fiction had not actually gone out of style. It was really effective and fun. Aside from those, I have only read nonfiction surrounding the American Revolution. I appreciate the recommendations and look forward to more on this era!

[@jenniferbrooks]

I've never seen the made for TV movies but I really want to. My mom used to love them and that was how I was introduced to the books. I wish they'd go back to making more mini-series like it. I love this style of historical fiction too and really wish it would make a comeback!

[@allbookedup8802]

This is something that is completely skipped over by the English education system. In fact, in terms of American history we pretty much jump from 1492 and Christopher Columbus straight to WWII, which is a shame as clearly it's a formative event for the modern world. Perhaps there's some lingering cultural guilt involved! Looking forward to the rest of this series.

[@jenniferbrooks]

That's so funny to hear because I remember learning a good deal of English history (post-medieval for the most part but still). I guess we were still so influenced by them even after the Revolution.

[@DDAWGY1]

Great job and good info!

[@JB-uv4hm]

Add Page Smith’s narrative “People’s History” for an accessible view of the Rev period. Note, the ed of Middlekauff you have have there is incomplete. There is an expanded and updated ed.

[@Thelooser0011]

Maam I wants to read about American Revolution which book is best?? I am from India......

[@0189157]

I’m currently going to school to be a history teacher. I want a book is about events that led up to the revolution war, during, and maybe touch in the aftermath. It’s important that the book includes key events that I will most likely teach in school. Which book do you recommend?

[@AngelsBaseball-xq5oc]

The Glorious Cause is a great book, it is by Robert Middlekauff. I teach U.S. history and I use the book all the time.

[@toniblessing4624]

Loved this!

[@Polosebastian14]

And the seven years war added impetus to the revolution

[@knapalo]

The Spirit of Seventy Six is an excellent book edited by Henry Steele Commager and Richard B Morris

[@aegon33332]

Great Video! Just ordered 1775!

[@springintoreading7225]

I believe we learned about the Revolutionary War being from Maine. Probably only in textbooks though.

[@jenniferbrooks]

I bet you learned more in Maine since you were much closer to the action. I got to visit Maine a few years ago and it is beautiful there! So many gorgeous colonial homes, a great coast, and good food. You're lucky! (Though I guess it gets mighty cold in the winter)

[@springintoreading7225]

@@jenniferbrooks yes so cold I left Maine and now live in California:) It is beautiful though. We took our kids to Plymouth Plantation in Massachusetts a few years ago. Great area for history. It is sad most schools now do not focus on history at all-only social studies.

[@springintoreading7225]

@@jenniferbrooks Actually I think we went to a monument around Bunker Hill as well:)

[@paytonh2]

I would love to know if you read the book “Healing the Soul of America” by Marianne Williamson!! I recommend it. It’s a perfect combination of American history and spirituality and how the two are interconnected. I also love anything by Harvey J. Kaye. Thanks for so many recommendations to add to my endless list:)))❤

[@Polosebastian14]

We took Australia after to compensate. Sending many criminals from southern England