In July 1776; the final group of more than 130 ships of the Royal Navy sailed into the waters surrounding New York City; marking the start of seven years of British occupation that spanned the American Revolution. What military and political leaders characterized as an impenetrable "Fortress Britannia"—a bastion of solid opposition to the American cause—was actually very different.As Judith L. Van Buskirk reveals; the military standoff produced civilian communities that were forced to operate in close; sustained proximity; each testing the limits of political and military authority. Conflicting loyalties blurred relationships between the two sides: John Jay; a delegate to the Continental Congresses; had a brother whose political loyalties leaned toward the Crown; while one of the daughters of Continental Army general William Alexander lived in occupied New York City with her husband; a prominent Loyalist. Indeed; the texture of everyday life during the Revolution was much more complex than historians have recognized.Generous Enemies challenges many long-held assumptions about wartime experience during the American Revolution by demonstrating that communities conventionally depicted as hostile opponents were; in fact; in frequent contact. Living in two clearly delineated zones of military occupation—the British occupying the islands of New York Bay and the Americans in the surrounding countryside—the people of the New York City region often reached across military lines to help friends and family members; pay social calls; conduct business; or pursue a better life. Examining the movement of Loyalist and rebel families; British and American soldiers; free blacks; slaves; and businessmen; Van Buskirk shows how personal concerns often triumphed over political ideology.Making use of family letters; diaries; memoirs; soldier pensions; Loyalist claims; committee and church records; and newspapers; this compelling social history tells the story of the American Revolution with a richness of human detail.
#1396836 in Books 2009-02-02Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.90 x .90 x 6.00l; 1.00 #File Name: 0811735435288 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. This book is one of the best discussions of the evolution of Soviet military power from ...By safhhkThis book is one of the best discussions of the evolution of Soviet military power from pre-war to 1945. It is not a book that re-tells Eastern Front battles from World War II.The evolution of all major (infantry; tank; artillery) Soviet military ground forces is told in weapons evolution; doctrine evolution; and unit structure composition evolution. He explains how the Soviet industries were functioning on a "total war footing" long before the Germans Speer moved to that level. He shows the evolutions of weapons based on "what works"; "what is really needed at the front"; and "what can be manufactured for multiple purposes". He explains why Soviet doctrine functioned the way it did. He explains how Soviet unit structure composition evolved due to weaponry advances; field usage; and improved unit training.Historical researchers and "military history geeks" will find this book interesting.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A TreasureBy W. W. TurnbowIf you want an extensively researched and insightful book about the Soviet army in WWII; this is for you. If you want a bunch of first person war stories or a morass of consonants describing battle movements in Russia; move on. This is a scholarly work that will serve as a reference for the serious student of military history. Dunn remains impartial; not falling trap to Soviet propaganda nor to German apologia. This one is a keeper. I'm glad I found it and will look into more of Dunn's work.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I'm happy to have this bookBy David WattsWell written! A historical analysis of the Red Army drawing on sources not normally addressed. The author should be credited with writing an informative book that looks beyond the Soviet propaganda and Western misconceptions about the Red Army of World War 2. I'm happy to have this book.
