American Generals of the Revolutionary War: A Biographical Dictionary, by Robert P. Broadwater

Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, 2007. Pp. vii, 206. Illus, appends., notes, biblio., index. $75.00. ISBN: 9780786428304.

George Washington aside,when the words "American general" and "Revolutionary War" are found together, the majority of Americans may be able to mention Benedict Arnold, and perhaps the Marquis de Lafayette, but beyond that are likely to be stumped.  Yet there were over 200 other men who held generalcies in Continental Army, and they have largely vanished from public memory. 

In American Generals of the Revolutionary War, Broadwater, author of numerous works in American military history, most recently the notable General George H. Thomas: A Biography (2009) , provides an entry for each of the generals who served in the Continental Army (thus omitting state militia generals), whether famous or not.  Entries open with some background information of the man, go on to discuss his services during the war, often in surprising detail, and close with a summary of his post-war life.   Whenever possible an image of the officer is included, and the appendices provide a good deal of tabular information.

Although there are occasional errors (e.g., Nathanael Greene's name is given as "Nathaniel"), American Generals of the Revolutionary War is a very good reference for anyone interested in the Revolution, and would make an ideal addition to any school library.

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