Worth the wait , 31 Jul 2008
I have been waiting for this book since November. I had pre-ordered it on the strength of its sister volume; Uniforms of the Napoleonic wars and its been worth the wait.

Its packed full of details of the uniforms and equipment used by all the main participants of the war; the Americans, the British, the French, the Spanish, the Hessians and the Native American units who like the Americans themselves were on both sides of the conflict.

The illustrations are fantastic and anyone interested in this war/revolution or military history in general will love this.

Worth the wait , 31 Jul 2008
I have been waiting for this book since November. I had pre-ordered it on the strength of its sister volume; Uniforms of the Napoleonic wars and its been worth the wait.

Its packed full of details of the uniforms and equipment used by all the main participants of the war; the Americans, the British, the French, the Spanish, the Hessians and the Native American units who like the Americans themselves were on both sides of the conflict.

The illustrations are fantastic and anyone interested in this war/revolution or military history in general will love this.

A Historical Classic, 17 Mar 1999
This book captures the words that have changed history. And contrary to some senator's beliefs, this country is still obviously run by the people. That is WHY polls are important. Yes, of course laws have been broken, lies told, deceit laid upon the people, but what is new? Are we so much more advanced than the people who wrote the original words in this book were? Or would we like to think we are superior? If sex, lies, and videotapes were such a derogatory issue, then Presidents would be removed from office for it. Maybe senators should realize that they should keep in touch with the people and garner the power of the people. Then they might be more successful in maintaining the American spirit, which still lives strong with or without morals of the past. I highly recommend this book as so far the best alternative available and an excellent stepping stone for governments of the future. And most of all, I appreciate senators with strong opinions because they are the ones carrying our country into the future. :)

Worth the wait , 31 Jul 2008
I have been waiting for this book since November. I had pre-ordered it on the strength of its sister volume; Uniforms of the Napoleonic wars and its been worth the wait.

Its packed full of details of the uniforms and equipment used by all the main participants of the war; the Americans, the British, the French, the Spanish, the Hessians and the Native American units who like the Americans themselves were on both sides of the conflict.

The illustrations are fantastic and anyone interested in this war/revolution or military history in general will love this.

A Historical Classic, 17 Mar 1999
This book captures the words that have changed history. And contrary to some senator's beliefs, this country is still obviously run by the people. That is WHY polls are important. Yes, of course laws have been broken, lies told, deceit laid upon the people, but what is new? Are we so much more advanced than the people who wrote the original words in this book were? Or would we like to think we are superior? If sex, lies, and videotapes were such a derogatory issue, then Presidents would be removed from office for it. Maybe senators should realize that they should keep in touch with the people and garner the power of the people. Then they might be more successful in maintaining the American spirit, which still lives strong with or without morals of the past. I highly recommend this book as so far the best alternative available and an excellent stepping stone for governments of the future. And most of all, I appreciate senators with strong opinions because they are the ones carrying our country into the future. :)

Does the Declaration of Independence really need a review?, 06 Dec 2001
This is probably, behind the Bible the most influential piece of literature our race has created. Without it, there would be no recognizable USA in today's world. For anyone who wants to understand how intolerence and remote rule should be dealt with, this is a must.

Worth the wait , 31 Jul 2008
I have been waiting for this book since November. I had pre-ordered it on the strength of its sister volume; Uniforms of the Napoleonic wars and its been worth the wait.

Its packed full of details of the uniforms and equipment used by all the main participants of the war; the Americans, the British, the French, the Spanish, the Hessians and the Native American units who like the Americans themselves were on both sides of the conflict.

The illustrations are fantastic and anyone interested in this war/revolution or military history in general will love this.

A Historical Classic, 17 Mar 1999
This book captures the words that have changed history. And contrary to some senator's beliefs, this country is still obviously run by the people. That is WHY polls are important. Yes, of course laws have been broken, lies told, deceit laid upon the people, but what is new? Are we so much more advanced than the people who wrote the original words in this book were? Or would we like to think we are superior? If sex, lies, and videotapes were such a derogatory issue, then Presidents would be removed from office for it. Maybe senators should realize that they should keep in touch with the people and garner the power of the people. Then they might be more successful in maintaining the American spirit, which still lives strong with or without morals of the past. I highly recommend this book as so far the best alternative available and an excellent stepping stone for governments of the future. And most of all, I appreciate senators with strong opinions because they are the ones carrying our country into the future. :)

Does the Declaration of Independence really need a review?, 06 Dec 2001
This is probably, behind the Bible the most influential piece of literature our race has created. Without it, there would be no recognizable USA in today's world. For anyone who wants to understand how intolerence and remote rule should be dealt with, this is a must.

Interesting in it's sources although not a solid history, 26 Dec 2002
This book is fascinating in the number and diversity of it's sources and, as may be guessed by the title, is a social history. It provides good evidence for many of the neglected areas of the revolution such as the slaves, native Americans and women as well as the slightly sordid past of many of the 'great patriots' of the war.
However Ray Rapheal's historical analysis is not so good with it being totally American centric and showing very little understanding of many of the broader (i.e. extra American) issues involved.
Having said this it is not a pro-American polemic and is in its way very critical of the mythologised image that has been given of the revolution.
All in all an excellent and interesting compilation of unusual but pertinent sources let down by inadequate analysis.

Worth the wait , 31 Jul 2008
I have been waiting for this book since November. I had pre-ordered it on the strength of its sister volume; Uniforms of the Napoleonic wars and its been worth the wait.

Its packed full of details of the uniforms and equipment used by all the main participants of the war; the Americans, the British, the French, the Spanish, the Hessians and the Native American units who like the Americans themselves were on both sides of the conflict.

The illustrations are fantastic and anyone interested in this war/revolution or military history in general will love this.

A Historical Classic, 17 Mar 1999
This book captures the words that have changed history. And contrary to some senator's beliefs, this country is still obviously run by the people. That is WHY polls are important. Yes, of course laws have been broken, lies told, deceit laid upon the people, but what is new? Are we so much more advanced than the people who wrote the original words in this book were? Or would we like to think we are superior? If sex, lies, and videotapes were such a derogatory issue, then Presidents would be removed from office for it. Maybe senators should realize that they should keep in touch with the people and garner the power of the people. Then they might be more successful in maintaining the American spirit, which still lives strong with or without morals of the past. I highly recommend this book as so far the best alternative available and an excellent stepping stone for governments of the future. And most of all, I appreciate senators with strong opinions because they are the ones carrying our country into the future. :)

Does the Declaration of Independence really need a review?, 06 Dec 2001
This is probably, behind the Bible the most influential piece of literature our race has created. Without it, there would be no recognizable USA in today's world. For anyone who wants to understand how intolerence and remote rule should be dealt with, this is a must.

Interesting in it's sources although not a solid history, 26 Dec 2002
This book is fascinating in the number and diversity of it's sources and, as may be guessed by the title, is a social history. It provides good evidence for many of the neglected areas of the revolution such as the slaves, native Americans and women as well as the slightly sordid past of many of the 'great patriots' of the war.
However Ray Rapheal's historical analysis is not so good with it being totally American centric and showing very little understanding of many of the broader (i.e. extra American) issues involved.
Having said this it is not a pro-American polemic and is in its way very critical of the mythologised image that has been given of the revolution.
All in all an excellent and interesting compilation of unusual but pertinent sources let down by inadequate analysis.

excEasyQuick access to historical data in minutes!, 29 Aug 1998
It's refreshing that a research text includes dates other than the significant ones taught in classes. This book is a "must have" for college book stores and high school history classes. The author provides a short history lesson with each date and presents the data in a user friendly manner for high school age and above.

Worth the wait , 31 Jul 2008
I have been waiting for this book since November. I had pre-ordered it on the strength of its sister volume; Uniforms of the Napoleonic wars and its been worth the wait.

Its packed full of details of the uniforms and equipment used by all the main participants of the war; the Americans, the British, the French, the Spanish, the Hessians and the Native American units who like the Americans themselves were on both sides of the conflict.

The illustrations are fantastic and anyone interested in this war/revolution or military history in general will love this.

A Historical Classic, 17 Mar 1999
This book captures the words that have changed history. And contrary to some senator's beliefs, this country is still obviously run by the people. That is WHY polls are important. Yes, of course laws have been broken, lies told, deceit laid upon the people, but what is new? Are we so much more advanced than the people who wrote the original words in this book were? Or would we like to think we are superior? If sex, lies, and videotapes were such a derogatory issue, then Presidents would be removed from office for it. Maybe senators should realize that they should keep in touch with the people and garner the power of the people. Then they might be more successful in maintaining the American spirit, which still lives strong with or without morals of the past. I highly recommend this book as so far the best alternative available and an excellent stepping stone for governments of the future. And most of all, I appreciate senators with strong opinions because they are the ones carrying our country into the future. :)

Does the Declaration of Independence really need a review?, 06 Dec 2001
This is probably, behind the Bible the most influential piece of literature our race has created. Without it, there would be no recognizable USA in today's world. For anyone who wants to understand how intolerence and remote rule should be dealt with, this is a must.

Interesting in it's sources although not a solid history, 26 Dec 2002
This book is fascinating in the number and diversity of it's sources and, as may be guessed by the title, is a social history. It provides good evidence for many of the neglected areas of the revolution such as the slaves, native Americans and women as well as the slightly sordid past of many of the 'great patriots' of the war.
However Ray Rapheal's historical analysis is not so good with it being totally American centric and showing very little understanding of many of the broader (i.e. extra American) issues involved.
Having said this it is not a pro-American polemic and is in its way very critical of the mythologised image that has been given of the revolution.
All in all an excellent and interesting compilation of unusual but pertinent sources let down by inadequate analysis.

excEasyQuick access to historical data in minutes!, 29 Aug 1998
It's refreshing that a research text includes dates other than the significant ones taught in classes. This book is a "must have" for college book stores and high school history classes. The author provides a short history lesson with each date and presents the data in a user friendly manner for high school age and above.

This is the only book on its subject, 27 Jul 2006

Between 1817 and 1825, 10'000 British mercenaries, many of them veterans of the Napoleonic Wars, left Europe to join the armies and navies of Bolivar, San Martin and other leaders, who were fighting to liberate their countries from the colonial domination of Spain and Portugal. Very few came back. Most died of tropical diseases or perished in battle and the remainder (several hundreds at most) settled in the new states they had helped to create. 'Freedom's Mercenaries' tells their story, which is little known on either side of the Atlantic. On the one hand, the book is very much a study of individuals, both Britons and South American, and a narrative of historical events so extraordinary and exciting that could have been imagined by an author of adventure novels. On the other, it puts their actions in the overall context of the Latin American Wars of Independence and the foreign policies of the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Imperial Russia and the German States. The book is built in self-contained but complementary chapters which each follow one major unit or volunteer. The author combines academic analysis with insight into the human element and, as a Colombian educated in Britain, is able to see events with impartiality. He avoids the hero-worship which might tempt the Englishman but also the misplaced nationalism which might lead the Latin American to minimise the foreign contribution to his liberation. The book spans over two continents and a quarter of a century and, in spite of its sub-title, dedicates chapters to Germans, Frenchmen, Americans and other foreigners who assisted Latin America at the time of her birth.

This is the only book on its subject!, 23 Jun 2006
Between 1817 and 1825, 10'000 British mercenaries, many of them veterans of the Napoleonic Wars, left Europe to join the armies and navies of Bolivar, San Martin and other leaders, who were fighting to liberate their countries from the colonial domination of Spain and Portugal. Very few came back. Most died of tropical diseases or perished in battle and the remainder (several hundreds at most) settled in the new states they had helped to create. 'Freedom's Mercenaries' tells their story, which is little known on either side of the Atlantic. On the one hand, the book is very much a study of individuals, both Britons and South American, and a narrative of historical events so extraordinary and exciting that could have been imagined by an author of adventure novels. On the other, it puts their actions in the overall context of the Latin American Wars of Independence and the foreign policies of the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Imperial Russia and the German States. The book is built in self-contained but complementary chapters which each follow one major unit or volunteer. The author combines academic analysis with insight into the human element and, as a Colombian educated in Britain, is able to see events with impartiality. He avoids the hero-worship which might tempt the Englishman but also the misplaced nationalism which might lead the Latin American to minimise the foreign contribution to his liberation. The book spans over two continents and a quarter of a century and, in spite of its sub-title, dedicates chapters to Germans, Frenchmen, Americans and other foreigners who assisted Latin America at the time of her birth.