Major Problems in the Era of the American Revolution, 1760-1791: Documents and Essays

The book was exactly what I needed. I received it in a timely fashion.

Books in the "Major Problems in American History" series are designed as college textbooks, but also offer much to the general reader who wishes to understand more thoroughly a given time period in American history. This entry on the American Revolution is no exception. The original source documents and essays in the book examine the meaning of the Revolution and how truly radical the Revolution was, in that all men were not considered as being created equal prior to the eighteenth century. Fans of military history may be disappointed, as there is only one chapter on the Revolutionary War. The book concentrates instead on social, cultural, and economic trends that led to our separation from Britain, and also takes a look at how the Revolution changed gender and racial relations. Political theory is also heavily covered, as the book plumbs the failure of the Articles of Confederation and the adoption of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Those who wish to delve deeply into the story of our nation's founding would be rewarded by reading the material in this book.

They did a great job of getting the book to me in like 3 days. Unfortunately I accidently ordered two of the same book, ugggh. But other than that it was great!

Dr. Richard Brown, editor of this book, was my professor at the University of Connecticut, and so I need to say something here. Major Problems is a great book because it is full of historical documents and complex essays that strive to understand the revolution's origins, the revolution itself, and the aftermath. This is not a layman's book: Jefferson, Paine, Adams et al. are represented here by their own writings, and their thinking dwarfs most of us living today. Supporting essays by contemporary historians and political scientists add depth to the already deep well of political thought of eighteenth-century America. Huzza to the Revolution! Huzza!