ebooks Unlikely Allies: How a Merchant; a Playwright; and a Spy Saved the American Revolution by Joel Richard Paul in History

Review

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful. Very Enlightening for the Lay HistorianBy James B. CreightonI; too; thoroughly enjoyned "Unlikely Allies;" by Professor Joel Paul. I agree with some of the other reviewers in that this book DOES read like a thriller yet the careful reader can confirm; by the Professor's endnotes; that this book is vigorously well-researched. Moreover; Professor Paul begins his book in a way that I truly appreciate: he devotes a beginning chapter to each of these three "unlikely allies;": the merchant; Silas Dean; the playwright; Caron de Beaumarchais; and the cross-dressing Frenchman/Frenchwoman; the Chevalier d'Eon; a captain of the dragoons. I found this technique very helpful in that it provides the reader with a backdrop against which to (begin to) understand the motivations; passions; expectancies; and internal conflicts that each of these important personages faced during his/her respective lives; especially during the ever so critical years of our country's infancy. Professor Paul's writing is crisp and to the point. Yet; at the same time; in each chapter he manages to provide the reader with the flavor; indeed a bona fide SENSATION; of the particular moment in our history that is being covered.It is true that much of our (typically taught) American History is framed by the righteousness and virtue of our "founding fathers." I had always been taught that men like Washington; Adams; Jefferson; and Franklin were superior beings; almost godlike in their perfection. However; Professor Paul's book adds some perspective and depth to those history lessons that were spoon-fed to us so long ago. Professor Paul; while paying much respect to these and other important players in our commonly taught history reveals that these men were; indeed; quite human; and were just as imperfect as we all are. None of us is above reproach; nor were our founding fathers. With the possible exception of Silas Deane; none of us gives unconditionally of our time; resources; and energy. We all want or need something for ourselves in return for our efforts; even our efforts on behalf of our country or on behalf of the "greater good." I am thankful to Professor Paul for introducing me to Silas Dean; to Beaumarchais; and to the Chevalier d'Eon. His well-written account will; I believe; withstand the examinations of time; and continue to delight students of American History in the years to come. Overall; a very good read!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Written by a Law School Professor and administrator; there ...By kjWritten by a Law School Professor and administrator; there are some shortcomings in this work as a historical narrative. Several British ministers are credited with responsibilities they did not hold or held at other times than the period under consideration. Vergennes is extolled at the expense of Choiseul with regard to the re-building of the French Navy following the disasters of the Seven Years War. Even the date of Lexington and Concord are stated incorrectly. Joel Richard Paul is not a careful historian. That said; the story remained engaging. Revolving around the lives of three individuals involved in the financial and diplomatic maneuvering leading to French support for the American War of Independence; it is a tale of political intrigue. The curious events surrounding two of the principal figures - Beaumarchais and D'Eon - also raise issues of gender identity and sexual orientation that are sometimes portrayed as modern social constructs. The reminder that these issues are not modern inventions is a reminder; as Harry Truman observed; that "... [t]he only new thing in the world is the history you don’t know ..." While I usually find books containing serious errors of fact to be of limited value; the facts surrounding the central figures did seem to be accurate; if occasionally presented from a particular perspective. Silas Deane's portrait is largely drawn from his own papers. In spite of these issues; Unusual Allies is a well-crafted and enjoyable read. The prose flows and the short chapters divide the material into discreet elements that facilitate the consideration of each issue raised. If; at times; the book takes on a bit more of an air of advocacy for the three principals; perhaps it should be unsurprising from the Dean of a Law School.15 of 15 people found the following review helpful. A great read and a rich perspective.By PaulJoel Paul's Unlikely Allies is a fascinating account of a crucial episode during the Revolutionary War. It focuses on the intersection of the lives of Silas Deane; America's emissary to the French before Benjamin Franklin; Caron de Beaumarchais; better know to opera lovers than to historians; and the Cavalier d'Eon; a fascinating French aristocrat who was a cross-dressing diplomat; spy and blackmailer. It emphatically makes the point that the success of the Revolution was no sure thing; that the motives of the revolutionaries were mixed; that the politics of the day were every bit as inglorious as our own; and that the American-French connection has deep and complex roots. All this might be known already to a serious student of the American revolution; but for this lay reader the story was enlightening as well as a great entertainment. Law professors as a whole are not known for their vivid writing (I speak as a law professor as well as a friend of Joel's) but this book manages to be great fun and wonderfully written without compromising its intellectual integrity.