When the Revolutionary War began; the odds of a united; continental effort to resist the British seemed nearly impossible. Few on either side of the Atlantic expected thirteen colonies to stick together in a war against their cultural cousins. In this pathbreaking book; Robert Parkinson argues that to unify the patriot side; political and communications leaders linked British tyranny to colonial prejudices; stereotypes; and fears about insurrectionary slaves and violent Indians. Manipulating newspaper networks; Washington; Jefferson; Adams; Franklin; and their fellow agitators broadcast stories of British agents inciting African Americans and Indians to take up arms against the American rebellion. Using rhetoric like "domestic insurrectionists" and "merciless savages;" the founding fathers rallied the people around a common enemy and made racial prejudice a cornerstone of the new Republic. In a fresh reading of the founding moment; Parkinson demonstrates the dual projection of the "common cause." Patriots through both an ideological appeal to popular rights and a wartime movement against a host of British-recruited slaves and Indians forged a racialized; exclusionary model of American citizenship.
#1069420 in Books 2014-03-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 6.50 x 1.00l; .0 #File Name: 1469611554384 pages
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. A new perspectiveBy Brian H. ClagueFocusing on the statistics of the medicine delivered during the civil war; one is often dismayed at the lack thereof. After all; this was pre-modern medicine; not much changed from medevil times. However; Ms. Devine has taken a newer; fresher look at the backstory of physician activity taking place while the battles raged ; at the formation of a database which was the basis for a comprehensive look at what was and what was not accomplished; forming the basis for later works by newly trained physicians. The Am. civil war was a giant stepping stone towards a better future educational process; towards a more scientific basis for examining disease in the U.S. This was a much needed viewpoint. I commend her on the exhaustive research; the dedication to original previously untouched materials; and the formulation of this most positive view of what otherwise was a seemingly senseless loss of lives.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Wonderful addition to Civil War history!By K. L SadlerI found this book on the Civil War to be an incredible resource. I actually lived up the street from the Vicary House; in Freedom; Pennsylvania. Every year they put up a Civil War scene in this beautiful house from that time period; and they always put up all the medical implements that were used back then. They also showed the embalming that was done to send boys home to the families. It was all kind of morbid. We think of medicine not really moving until the 20th century; but the amount of information in this book; with the incredible research done by this author demonstrates how much really was learned during the Civil War; and how this knowledge changed medicine in the United States. It really changed my previous opinion of how backward the medicine was. I was always of the opinion that the doctors did so much amputation to save time; but it actually saved lives because when they didn't amputate immediately; it allowed promotion of various bacteria; including ones that caused gangrene.This book was fascinating to me; but it isn't an easy read. Lots and lots of research went into this...and some of it repetitive. I didn't mind that so much; because of the emphasis; but I'm sure some readers might have a problem with this. I kind of wonder if this started out as a Ph.D. thesis...but whatever it was; it was a great read for someone interested in the history of medicine; or the history of the Civil War.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. civil war medical bookBy sheila steinkeglad I bought this book. informative.
