I will begin with the end summary
first: this is one of the best books about the American Revolution that I have
read in a long time. It provides a very
nice counterpoint to Matthew Spring’s With
Zeal and With Bayonets Only. While
Spring’s work focused on the nitty-gritty of British tactics and soldiers’
experiences, Mackesy gives a global perspective on the American rebellion.
What is known today as the
American Revolution was truly a world war.
Fighting began on Lexington Green in Massachusetts in 1775. But by the time peace was signed, the war had
been waged in Africa, India, the Caribbean, and the seas of Europe. Though many of these operations are mostly forgotten
today, Mackesy fits all of them into the grand strategic plans formed by the
leaders in London. However, events rarely conformed to their plans, and the decisions taken by commanders on the spot (both on land and sea) are also examined.
But this book is not just a
sweeping campaign narrative. It is also
the personal story of men tasked with leading their country through a difficult
war. The decisions and personalities of
Lord North, Lord Sandwich, and Lord George Germain (not to mention King George
III) are just as important to the story as the movements of fleets and armies. How they each influenced the war is a major
part of the book.
 | ||||||
| The Royal Navy forms a large part of Mackesy's book |
To create a book with any kind of
biographical content (or even history in general) usually requires digging deep
into primary sources, and Mackesy has done so.
Page after page contains footnotes to letters or reports from the War
Office, or the Foreign Office, or a host of other sources. It is impressively researched. The only minor criticism is that his sources
are overwhelmingly British ones. Few
rebel or French, or even Loyalist sources for that matter, are used. However, his story is that of Great Britain
fighting to save her empire, and so probably does not require as many sources
from other perspectives.
To anyone with an interest in the
American Revolution, I would highly recommend this book. It is a detailed look at the British strategy
during the war, so it can be a little slower than other books at some parts. However, this book’s wealth of information
well repays any effort put into it.
5/5 stars.