1776

I honesty don't think I was n the right mindset to take on this historical nonfiction narrative. It took me longer to finish then I would have liked. I didn't actually read what this was about and I just assumed it was all about the Revolutionary War. Which in essence it is, but like the title suggests (stupid me), this book is about the year 1776 only and about all the trials, tribulations, and setbacks that the Continental army dealt with in the first year of the war. By all accounts, the rag tag, undisciplined, untrained, and under-equipped army should have lost from the onset, but with a vivacious leader like General George Washington and the grit of some, they were able to get the American public on their side (slowly) after suffering many retreats and defeats in the beginning. Told in a narrative way, this story is engaging; but very overwhelming with names, places, and other "mundane" aspects of war. I learned a lot of neat tid-bits that never came up in class; but overall this is an exhaustive read and one I was not much in the mood for even though it was well-researched and written.

In the Hurricane's Eye

I couldn't put this down! Of all the wars, I know the least about the Revolutionary War, which is a damn sham because my undergraduate degree was in history. Philbrick does a wonderful job taking a generally well known story and fleshes out all the small nooks and crannies you probably weren't aware of. This historical non-fiction book focuses on the importance of the navy during the revolution, even though the United States didn't have one. The presence of the French navy and many of George Washington's shrewd battle decisions were what really turned the tide of the war. For years the British had been clearly winning, but had yet to strike the crippling blow. The arrival of the French fleet and the subsequent victory at Yorktown changed all that. An engrossing and enlightening read. Not just for history buffs!

A Spy Called James

Rockwell, Anne. A Spy Called James. 1 CD. unabridged. 14 min. Dreamscape Media. ISBN. 9781520066172. 
The true story of James Lafayette, a revolutionary double agent will captivate and anger young listeners as they learn about the incredible dangers that James, an American slave, took while trying to secure America's freedom from the British as well as earning his own from his slave masters. At great danger to himself James became a spy for both the British and the American armies and played a pivotal role in helping win some major battles and ultimately the war. Realizing too late that freedom was only promised to enslaved soldiers not spies, James had to fight to free himself from the very people he just helped win their own independence. Captivatingly narrated by Rodney Gardiner, the audiobook also includes a page turn track. Perfect for young readers wanting to know more about the Revolutionary War and African American History - Erin Cataldi, Johnson Co. Public Library, Franklin, IN