The Radicalism of the American Revolution | 
 enlarge | Author: Gordon S. Wood
Publisher: Vintage
Category: Book
List Price: $16.95
Buy New: $8.50
You Save: $8.45 (50%)
New (43) Used (56) from $8.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  49 reviews
Sales Rank: 4979
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 464
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.2 x 1
ISBN: 0679736883
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.31
EAN: 9780679736882
ASIN: 0679736883
Publication Date: March 2, 1993
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
In a grand and immemsely readable synthesis of historical, political, cultural, and economic analysis, a prize-winning historian depicts much more than a break with England. He gives readers a revolution that transformed an almost feudal society into a democratic one, whose emerging realities sometimes baffled and disappointed its founding fathers.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 44 more reviews...
 The Best Book on the American Revolution - Ever March 21, 2008
Not a book about battles & generals. This is a book about the Revolution of Ideas that sparked the war. Every student of history should have this on his/her bookshelf.
 Please!!!! December 24, 2007
5 out of 16 found this review helpful
"Hamilton's Dream of making the United States a great fiscal-military state dissipated in the face of America's emerging democratic society. It failed not simply because it was overwhelmed by the Jeffersonian Republicans and their waves of new entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, but, more important, because it was ultimately undone by the Federalists themselves" ...pg 264
Perhaps, just perhaps, Mr. Wood could explain to the unenlightened reader how venture capitalists could succeed in America without the "Lax Mercatoria" or Law Merchant? Now, I am no historian, nor an economist, and so I do not expect a perspective buyer to take my word for it, but, when the "common law" on transactions was the rule of the States outside of a few seaboard ports, then how, or why, would venture capitalists be willing to invest? Perhaps Mr. Wood might want to explain the difference between the motives used for the creation of the Bank of England and Hamilton's fiscal visionary approach to set the rules leading to a strong, industrial, self-reliant country?
I would ask the serious student to read Forrest Macdonald's, "Novus Ordo Seclorum", and then compare it to Wood's, "Radicalism of the American Revolution". A curious researcher might come up with some serious doubts upon Mr Wood;s conclusions with the Federalist. I also find it strange how any author who can criticize both intellectually and subjectively on Alexander Hamilton fails to mention both Vattel and Neckers and their role on Hamilton's thought and actions. If I am going to believe Mr. Woods theories and speculations I certainly would hope he would do his expertise fully to the table.
In my opinion this book is worth spending the money only if the reader wishes to see an historian with an agenda.
A seminal work November 16, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
It seems the trend among historians is to diminsh the importance of the American Revolution by describing it as a tax revolt unleased, or worse yet, as not a true revolution at all. Gordon S. Wood's book describes in eloquent depth the true radicalism of the American Revolution. He describes the complete political, social, and philosophical restructuring of a society, in a clear, readable, and straighforward style. I am a history teacher and this enlightened book has become part of my curriculum. I believe that this book is invaluable in understanding why we are where we are, as a nation today.
perfect book October 6, 2007
1 out of 9 found this review helpful
the book was in great shape. however, i hated reading it =) it's extremely long and drawn out. the guy uses way too many pages to convey ONE thought. it's quite excessive.
An outstanding work! October 4, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Wodd, as evidenced here never fails to explain subtle ideas and actions in a way that is coherent and understandable. This is a book of great insight but one gets the feeling that Wood is writing it for you, not to impress his peers. No small thing! I always get the feeling when I read any of his work that if I could have only one book on the subject this would be the one. This work is no exception!
|
|
|
