Historical Dictionary of the American Revolution

by Terry M. Mays

Overview

The American Revolution pitted 13 loosely united colonies in a military, political, and economic struggle against Great Britain: the "mother country" and arguably the most powerful state in the world during the late 18th century. The independent spirit that led many individuals to leave homes in Europe and settle in the New World during the 17th and 18th centuries evolved into the drive that persuaded these same settlers and their descendants to challenge the colonial economic and taxation policies of Great Britain, which lead to the armed conflict that resulted in a declaration of independence.

This third edition of Historical Dictionary of the American Revolution contains a chronology, an introduction, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 1,000 cross-referenced entries on the politics, battles, weaponry, and major personalities of the war. This book is an excellent resource for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about the American Revolution.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538119716
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	02/08/2019
Series:	Historical Dictionaries of War, Revolution, and Civil Unrest
Edition description:	Third Edition
Pages:	674
Product dimensions:	6.19(w) x 9.12(h) x 2.10(d)

About the Author

Terry M. Mays is associate professor of political science at The Citadel where he has taught since 1992. He has written several books in the fields of history and political science.

Editorial Reviews

This third edition of the Historical Dictionary of the American Revolution expands upon the material its predecessors provided. The massive volume contains maps, a chronology, an introduction, period sketches of some of the Revolution’s notable figures, text of some important documents, information regarding battle sites today, and a dictionary that boasts more than 1,000 entries. The chronology begins with the Molasses Act (1733) and ends with George Washington’s resignation as commander in chief in 1783. The entries are alphabetical, and cross references to other entries are distinguished in bold. Appendix A presents five documents of interest, including “The Declaration of Independence” and the “Treaty of Paris.” Appendix B provides a list of some battle sites that can be visited today along with a brief description and URL for further information. The extensive bibliography is broken into 16 sections with multiple entries in each as well as URLs for websites with further information from each of the 13 original colonies. This book should be on every historian’s bookshelf.

Choice Reviews

This third edition of the Historical Dictionary of the American Revolution expands upon the material its predecessors provided. The massive volume contains maps, a chronology, an introduction, period sketches of some of the Revolution’s notable figures, text of some important documents, information regarding battle sites today, and a dictionary that boasts more than 1,000 entries. The chronology begins with the Molasses Act (1733) and ends with George Washington’s resignation as commander in chief in 1783. The entries are alphabetical, and cross references to other entries are distinguished in bold. Appendix A presents five documents of interest, including “The Declaration of Independence” and the “Treaty of Paris.” Appendix B provides a list of some battle sites that can be visited today along with a brief description and URL for further information. The extensive bibliography is broken into 16 sections with multiple entries in each as well as URLs for websites with further information from each of the 13 original colonies. This book should be on every historian’s bookshelf.

Choice

This third edition of the Historical Dictionary of the American Revolution expands upon the material its predecessors provided. The massive volume contains maps, a chronology, an introduction, period sketches of some of the Revolution’s notable figures, text of some important documents, information regarding battle sites today, and a dictionary that boasts more than 1,000 entries. The chronology begins with the Molasses Act (1733) and ends with George Washington’s resignation as commander in chief in 1783. The entries are alphabetical, and cross references to other entries are distinguished in bold. Appendix A presents five documents of interest, including “The Declaration of Independence” and the “Treaty of Paris.” Appendix B provides a list of some battle sites that can be visited today along with a brief description and URL for further information. The extensive bibliography is broken into 16 sections with multiple entries in each as well as URLs for websites with further information from each of the 13 original colonies. This book should be on every historian’s bookshelf.

CHOICE

From the defensive weapon known as the abatis to "Z" (the author of articles protesting British tea policy), this dictionary provides information on persons, institutions, campaigns, battles, and naval encounters of the war with Britain. While primarily concerned with the military aspects of the conflict, some attention is given to economic, political, and social background. Also included are a chronology, and an unannotated bibliography. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews

The second edition of the Historical Dictionary of the American Revolution is a fine reference work….It provides an excellent but brief overview of the American War of Independence and the historical, political and socio-economic background of the period.

Reference Reviews

This update to the 1980 work of the same name and companion to the 2005 Historical Dictionary of Revolutionary America shifts focus from political, economic, and social issues to the world of the battles and diplomacy, 1775–1783. With this focus, author Mays (professor of political science at the Citadel) is able to cover more ground than other titles similar in nature. Mays argues that the American Revolution itself represents three types of war—namely, a colonial war, a civil war, and a world war—and the current volume deftly covers each aspect. Prefaced by several black-and-white maps of battles as well as a brief chronology and an insightful introduction, the more than 1,000 A–Z, cross-referenced entries range from topics that are monumental to those largely forgotten to all but specialists. These include battles (for example, Blue Savannah, Poundridge, Saratoga, Yorktown); generals (Burgoyne, Lafayette, Washington); and forts (Galphin, Motte, Ticonderoga). Also covered are topics from diplomacy, including diplomats and treaties. Appendix 1 is composed of five documents, including the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the Treaty of Paris (1783), while appendix 2 lists present-day Revolutionary battle sites. The most useful aspect of the volume for students and academics is the 150-plus page, subject-arranged bibliography, which includes monographs and articles on campaigns, diplomacy, individual states, leaders, the Continental army, and naval warfare. With the focus on the martial side of the Revolution, the potential audience for this reference could be small. However, with lucid, concise entries and a high degree of searchability, this work will fit nicely into all military collections and academic collections of Revolutionary history.

Booklist

This update to the 1980 work of the same name and companion to the 2005 Historical Dictionary of Revolutionary America shifts focus from political, economic, and social issues to the world of the battles and diplomacy, 1775–1783. With this focus, author Mays (professor of political science at the Citadel) is able to cover more ground than other titles similar in nature. Mays argues that the American Revolution itself represents three types of war—namely, a colonial war, a civil war, and a world war—and the current volume deftly covers each aspect. Prefaced by several black-and-white maps of battles as well as a brief chronology and an insightful introduction, the more than 1,000 A–Z, cross-referenced entries range from topics that are monumental to those largely forgotten to all but specialists. These include battles (for example, Blue Savannah, Poundridge, Saratoga, Yorktown); generals (Burgoyne, Lafayette, Washington); and forts (Galphin, Motte, Ticonderoga). Also covered are topics from diplomacy, including diplomats and treaties. Appendix 1 is composed of five documents, including the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the Treaty of Paris (1783), while appendix 2 lists present-day Revolutionary battle sites. The most useful aspect of the volume for students and academics is the 150-plus page, subject-arranged bibliography, which includes monographs and articles on campaigns, diplomacy, individual states, leaders, the Continental army, and naval warfare. With the focus on the martial side of the Revolution, the potential audience for this reference could be small. However, with lucid, concise entries and a high degree of searchability, this work will fit nicely into all military collections and academic collections of Revolutionary history.

Booklist

The second edition of the Historical Dictionary of the American Revolution is a fine reference work….It provides an excellent but brief overview of the American War of Independence and the historical, political and socio-economic background of the period.

s

The second edition of the Historical Dictionary of the American Revolution is a fine reference work….It provides an excellent but brief overview of the American War of Independence and the historical, political and socio-economic background of the period.

"American Reference Books Annual"