The War of American Independence

Along with Mackesy's A War for America, this is the best single volume that I have read to date regarding the Revolutionary War. As opposed to a blow-by-blow description of the battles, Higginbotham dissects the military policies of the new nation from their heritage throughout the colonial period to the execution of the war. For a reader unfamiliar with the details of the conflict, it may not be the best first-choice read. But with an understanding of events, the reader will find that the author provides considerable insights into the workings of the Continental armed forces.

This book came out decades ago but still has great value and is beyond a mere campaigns and battles book.

Don Higginbotham provides an excellent service to anyone interested in the revolutionary war. His book provides a behind-the-scenes look at the causes and effects of the war. It is not a gunpowder and battle history, but rather a study of the people, events, and issues that predicated the American Revolution. It is comprehensive and well written. The bibliography is comprehensive, and the subject matter is well presented for either the scholar or the casual reader.