The First Salute

by Barbara W. Tuchman Narrated by Nadia May

Overview

Two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, distinguished historian, and bestselling author Barbara W. Tuchman finally turns her sights homeward. Here she analyzes the American Revolution in a brilliantly original way, placing the war in the historical context of the centuries-long conflicts between England and both France and Holland, demonstrating how the aid of both of these nations made the triumph of American independence possible. She sheds new light on the key role played by the contending navies, paints a magnificent portrait of General George Washington, and recounts in riveting detail the decisive campaign of the war at Yorktown. A compellingly written work of history, The First Salute presents a fresh, new view of the events that led from the first foreign salute to American nationhood in 1776 to the last campaign of the Revolution five years later. It brings vividly to life the people and events responsible for the birth of our nation.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

In this brilliant slice of American Revolutionary history, Tuchman ( A Distant Mirror , The Guns of August ) pits the 13 colonies against a rogues' gallery of British fools. We meet looting English admiral George Rodney who confiscated British-owned property and expelled the Jews after seizing the neutral isle of St. Eustatius, the chief West Indies depot in the transatlantic trade. British Governor Tryon of New York waged a terrorist campaign of murder, arson and plunder against Connecticut citizens in 1779, fanning the flames of rebellion. The British command was fractured by the hatred between neurotic commander-in-chief Sir Henry Clinton and Lord Cornwallis, who disdained to make war on a tattered colonial militia. On the American side, the will to fight was exemplified by men like Reverend Naphtali Daggett, ex-president of Yale, a defiant old soldier on horseback. Expertly weaving political and military history, Tuchman lets you feel how Washington's victory at Yorktown sent shock-waves around the globe. Photos. 160,000 first printing; BOMC main selection. (October)

Library Journal

Tuchman's trademarks are here: trenchant observations and an exciting climax, in this case when Washington and Corwallis meet at Yorktown. But this work is not her best. The narration is loosely structured and at times repetitious; the chronology is sometimes confusing. In her first venture into American history, the popular historian highlights military and diplomatic turning points of the Revolution, focusing on European participation and its impact on the politics of the Dutch, French, and English. Despite its drawbacks, most libraries will want this Pulitzer Prize-winner's latest. BOMC main selection. Nancy C. Cridland, Indiana Univ. Libs., Bloomington

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169862171
Publisher:	Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Publication date:	03/13/2009
Edition description:	Unabridged

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