Posted: 1/2/2005 3:19:12 PM EDT
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Along with some really cool Concord militiamen (Set #1and Set #2 ) FLAL1A Jr. #2 got The Day the American Revolution Began by William A. Hallahan, published by William Morrow & Co./HarperCollins, N.Y. 2000. I have read about 50 pages of it, and I highly recommend it. It is quite readable. I think a motivated 10 or 12 year old could handle it, though it isn't a kids' book. It is the story (duh) of Lexington and Concord and the spread of news of the battle through the colonies. It relies heavily on diaries and contemporary newspaper accounts. The thing that impresses me about the book, and makes it especially good for people who have received or are receiving a public school education, is that it is very matter of fact about the truly revolutionary character of the events. It refers to the militia as "the militia," not "colonial troops" or "Americans." It repeatedly refers to the various Committes of Safety, Committees of Correspondence, et c. as "illegal," "extralegal," "outlaw" and the like. It makes it abundantly plain that the target of the British was a cache of military weapons held by members of the public in violation of the law. Often, the Revolution is portrayed in textbooks (mostly through silence) as a clash of contending de jure governments. This book makes it clear that it was insurrection. It doesn't seem like a big deal, but how many 12th graders know that the war started over private citizens hoarding the equivalent of unregistered .50 BMGs, mortars, and M16s? How many know that the war was fought by radicals against the recognized lawful authorities? I think they all should, and I heartily recommend this book. |