This book is the first in-depth study of the way in which historians have dealt with the coming of the American Revolution and the formation of the US Constitution. The approach is thematic; examining how historians in different periods interpreted these events and their causes and; more contentiously; their meaning. Making accessible to modern readers the work of often-neglected early historians; this book examines how the emergence of history as a professional discipline led to new and competing versions of the history of the Revolution. It spans the entire period from the first generation of writers; whose ideas about history were shaped by the Enlightenment; to those of the twenty-first century who drew on the rich legacy provided by black studies; gender and women's studies; cultural studies and ethnohistory. This book will be an invaluable resource for all students and scholars of the American Revolution.
#1136942 in Books 2011-08-21Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 11.50 x .75 x 10.00l; 2.25 #File Name: 0714863203176 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Interesting but not coherentBy Richard L. RankinJust a bunch of old maps slapped together.7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. not as advertisedBy laolaohuWith apologies to Charles Dickens: this is the best of atlases; this is the worst of atlases.Let's start with the best. This atlas is laid out exactly the way you would want an atlas to be laid out. Each right hand page contains a well-written and detailed account of the map illustrated for you in the facing left hand page. No flipping back and forth is required. Also; the pages are in a landscape format; which better fits the format in which most maps are actually printed. Also; the selection of maps is well thought out; with very little repetition and much of interest in each selection provided. And the topic itself is of interest and tends to the unify the whole; covering the changing perceptions of Europeans as they gradually came to “discover†the various peoples and landforms of Asia.So far; so good; and if it were just for that; I would give it five stars.But …… It is not what it advertises itself to be in its title. This book has very little to do with the Silk Road; say perhaps 3 percent. Seriously. This is a book predominantly about the maritime discovery of Asia; and the few maps devoted to the interior of the continent mainly revolve around the Middle East. I know the Silk Road is in vogue these days; perhaps too much so if you ask me; but just to slap the name on the title in order to sell more books; without delivering anything in the content; borders to me on false advertising.Perhaps most viewers of this atlas would not be so put off by this; but for me it was like a slap in the face. Because I have done quite a bit of research into Central Asian history; and what I was specifically looking for; and hoping to find here here; was precisely what the title implies; a series of maps presenting the evolving perception of Central Asia; and not the Asian shoreline. I was hoping to find some maps; or at least sketchy diagrams; from the Asian perspective itself; i.e. early sketches from India; China; and Central Asia itself. Maybe such a selection does not even exist; or at best would be very difficult to compile; but I think a book that advertises itself as “mapping the Silk Road†should actually present maps which map the Silk Road; or at least focus on the areas in Central Asia through which the Silk Road(s) traversed. But this atlas does not. There is only one map of Asian origin; a Chinese map of China proper; which does not even cover the area of the Silk Road(s).And for this sleight of hand; no; for this outright deception; I would give this book only one star.And yes; I know the average of one plus five should be three; but I will actually give it four; because it is probably the finest atlas of the European “discoveries;†i.e. maritime discoveries;that you will ever come across. Just be aware of what you are actually getting.
