Tag: American Revolution

  • War Without Mercy by Mark Edward Lender and James Kirby Martin

    I am not fully objective on this one. The co-author of War Without Mercy is the late James Kirby Martin, who passed in 2024. He was a repeat guest on History Nerds United and a true scholar of the American Revolution. More importantly, he was truly wonderful man who was extremely generous with his time…

  • The Forsaken Founder by Scott Greenberger

    Gouverneur Morris presents as the least likely Founding Father to be forgotten so easily. He was rakish, rather hilarious and arrogant at times, while also extremely intelligent. He is the author of the U.S. Constitution’s Preamble, after all. So why do so many people not know who is, let alone how to pronounce his name?…

  • The Lost Founder by Jesse Wegman

    I’d like to start off this review with a slight tangent (because I am clearly a professional). One of the harder conversations to have as a history nerd is when people throw a random name or event at you, and become perplexed when you reveal you don’t know anything about it. “How could you not…

  • Tom Paine’s War by Jack Kelly

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Tom Paine’s War: Tommy P could really get people riled up with that quill. Quick synopsis: The story of Thomas Paine through his writings and the battle of New York during the revolution. Fact for Non-History People: Thomas Paine dropped out of school at age 12. Fact for History Nerds: Before…

  • The American Revolution by Geoffrey Ward and Ken Burns

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The American Revolution: Now with pictures! Quick synopsis: An intimate history of the American Revolution. Fact for Non-History People: George Washington’s record in the revolution was about 6 wins, 7 losses, and 4 draws. Fact for History Nerds: George Washington is a major reason the French and Indian War kicked off.…

  • The Last Adieu by Ryan Cole

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Last Adieu: It was one hell of an adieu. Quick synopsis: The story of when the Marquis Lafayette returned to America decades after the revolution. Fact for Non-History People: Lafayette was commissioned a major general at the age of 19. Fact for History Nerds: Lafayette drafted the influential Declaration of…

  • The Fate of the Day by Rick Atkinson

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Fate of the Day: You loved the original so don’t miss the sequel. Quick synopsis: The American Revolution from Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780. Fact for Non-History People: The Marquis de Lafayette’s full name was Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier de La Fayette. Fact for History Nerds: Georgia is the only state…

  • The Swamp Fox by John Oller

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Swamp Fox: Leave my history alone, Mel Gibson. Quick synopsis: A biography of Francis Marion, American Revolutionary officer and guerilla warfare proponent. Fact for Non-History People: Francis Marion is (loosely) the inspiration for Mel Gibson’s character in The Patriot. Banastre Tarleton is the historical inspiration for the bad guy in…

  • Marquis de Lafayette Returns by Elizabeth Reese

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Marquis de Lafayette Returns: That’s my boy right there! Quick synopsis: The story of the Marquis de Lafayette’s return to the U.S. years after the revolution. Fact for Non-History People: Lafayette spent about $250,000 of his own money during the revolution ($5 million today). Fact for History Nerds: The throat infection…