George C. Daughan's magnificently detailed account of the battle of Lexington and Concord challenges the prevailing narrative of the American War of Independence. It was, Daughan argues, based as much on economic concerns as political ones. When Massachusetts militiamen turned out in overwhelming numbers to fight the British, they believed they were fighting for their farms and livelihoods, as well as for liberty. In the eyes of many American colonists, Britain's repressive measures were not simply an effort to reestablish political control of the colonies, but also a means to reduce the prosperous colonists to the serfdom Benjamin Franklin witnessed on his tour of Ireland and Scotland. Authoritative and thoroughly researched, Lexington and Concord is a "worthy resource for history buffs seeking a closer look at what drove the start of the American Revolution" (Booklist).

About the Author
George C. Daughan holds a PhD from Harvard University, where he studied under Henry Kissinger. One of his previous books, If By Sea, won the Samuel Eliot Morison Award for Naval Literature, and he has been honored with the Samuel Eliot Morison Award from the USS Constitution Museum for his work as a naval scholar. He lives in New Hampshire.

Reviews
"At the heart of Lexington and Concord are the people in the fray. Mr. Daughan probes their characters through their actions, correspondence and memoirs.... Mr. Daughan is at his most original when conveying military maneuvers and assessing strategies." -- Wall Street Journal
"Mr. Daughan has captured the spirit and substance of the American resistance that led in 1775 to the battles of Lexington and Concord. A most stimulating and valuable book." -- Robert Middlekauff, Professor Emeritus of History at University of California, Berkeley
"This sound, accessible history is geared toward general audiences, but it will also appeal to military historians and Revolutionary War enthusiasts." -- Library Journal



Book Information
ISBN 9780393356755
Author George C. Daughan
Format Paperback
Page Count 368
Imprint WW Norton & Co
Publisher WW Norton & Co
Weight(grams) 289g
Dimensions(mm) 211mm * 140mm * 25mm