When the first edition of this highly successful volume appeared in 1982; the proponents of the “new†military history were just gaining full momentum. Their objective was to reach beyond the traditional focus of military studies—the flow of guns; combat; and tactics that influenced the immediate outcome of battles and martial conflicts; often with little reference to broader historical contexts. Believing that one cannot fully appreciate the Revolution without reckoning with the War for Independence and its effects in helping to shape the new American republic; Martin and Lender move beyond the deeply ingrained national mythology about the essence of the war effort; so neatly personified by the imagery of the embattled freehold farmer as the quintessential warrior of the Revolution. Then they integrate; not persist in keeping separate; the fascinating history of the real Continental army into the mainstream of writing about the nation-making experience of the United States. In the process of revising their now-classic text; Martin and Lender drew on their own work as well as the invaluable outpouring of new scholarship over the last two decades. Wherever necessary; they questioned previous arguments and conclusions to render a meaningful new edition that is certain to receive the same kind of positive reception—and widespread acceptance—that its predecessor enjoyed. Also new to the second edition is a bank of illustrations; a Note on Revolutionary War History and Historiography; and a fully revamped Bibliographical Essay; making A Respectable Armyessential reading for anyone enrolled in the U.S. survey or specialized courses in colonial or military history or the American Revolution.
#3623650 in Books 2003-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.75 x 8.25 x .50l; 1.40 #File Name: 0881257990206 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Thorough and informativeBy Brian Kenneth SwainI am in the midst of reviewing as many books about the Temple Mount as I can get my hands on (there are dozens) in preparation for writing my own novel about Jerusalem and the Mount. Contested Holiness is a good basic overview of the subject that's about as balanced as it's possible to be on this fraught topic. My only beef about the book is that I wish the author had worked with a better copy editor. There are countless small typos throughout the volume; most of which don't affect the content until you get to Ch. 7 and it talks about the 6-day war having taken place in 1976 (should; of course; be 1967). This error is repeated several times before finally getting straightened out after a few pages. All in all; it's a worthwhile read; though; and an excellent source of background and research material on an endlessly fascinating subject.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A straightforward survey and historyBy Midwest Book ReviewContested Holiness: Jewish; Muslim And Christian Perspectives On The Temple Mount In Jerusalem by Rivka Gonen (formerly Senior Curator of the Department of Jewish Ethnography at the Israel Museum; Jerusalem; and a participant in the Temple Mount Excavations) is a straightforward survey and history enhanced with modern-day perspectives on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Presenting Christian; Muslim; and Jewish viewpoints on this highly disputed and universally identified holy site; Contested Holiness studies events of history; philosophies of thought; and the political debate as well as the sad reality of violence as varying groups continue striving to pray upon the Temple Mount; while others consider it a service to both ancient Jewish tradition (which considers the grounds of the Temple Mount itself forbidden to Jews); as well as the public peace; to restrict worship upon the Temple Mount. Also available in a hardcover edition (0881257982; $29.50); Contested Holiness is an enthusiastically recommended; easy-to-understand; and informatively thoughtful examination of a complex social and religious issue.
