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.
Written by political scientist and historian Mays, this second
edition, with 1,300-plus entries that span battles, biographies,
equipment, and wartime slang, again provides an authoritative and
comprehensive reference on the American revolution.... The
dictionary is an important addition to reference collections that
cover US or military history.... Few print or electronic
equivalents are as comprehensive. Highly recommended.
*CHOICE*
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*
 |
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
