Revolution on the Hudson : New York City and the Hudson River Valley in the American War of Independence George C. Daughan

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Daughan, George C., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

American Revolution (1775-1783).

New York (State)--History--Revolution, 1775-1783.

New York (State).

Hudson River Valley (N.Y. and N.J.)--History, Military--18th century.

Hudson River Valley (N.Y. and N.J.).

New York (N.Y.)--History--Revolution, 1775-1783.

New York (N.Y.).

Physical Description:

416 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, maps ; 25 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : W.W. Norton & Company, 2016.

Summary:

"The untold story of the fight for the Hudson River Valley, control of which, both the Americans and the British firmly believed, would determine the outcome of the Revolutionary War. No part of the country was more contested during the American Revolution than New York City, the Hudson River, and the surrounding counties. Political and military leaders on both sides viewed the Hudson River Valley as the American jugular, which, if cut, would quickly bleed the rebellion to death. So in 1776, King George III sent the largest amphibious force ever assembled to seize Manhattan and use it as a base from which to push up the Hudson River Valley for a grand rendezvous at Albany with an impressive army driving down from Canada. George Washington and every other patriot leader shared the king's fixation with the Hudson. Generations of American and British historians have held the same view. In fact, one of the few things that scholars have agreed upon is that the British strategy, though disastrously executed, should have been swift and effective. Until now, no one has argued that this plan of action was lunacy from the beginning. Revolution on the Hudson makes the bold new argument that Britain's attempt to cut off New England never would have worked, and that doggedly pursuing dominance of the Hudson ultimately cost the crown her colonies. It unpacks intricate military maneuvers on land and sea, introduces the personalities presiding over each side's strategy, and reinterprets the vagaries of colonial politics to offer a thrilling response to one of our most vexing historical questions: How could a fledgling nation have defeated the most powerful war machine of the era?"--Publisher's description.

"Traces the lesser-known story of the fight for the Hudson River Valley during the American Revolution, explaining the conflict's essential role in the outcome of the war and the political, military, economic and social strategies that influenced both sides, "--NoveList.

Contents:

George III declares war on America

The importance of New York

The great Hudson River illusion

H.M.S. Phoenix and H.M.S. Rose provide a lesson

Attack delayed

The Battle of Brooklyn

A masterful retreat

The Howes capture New York City

Washington evacuates Manhattan

Race for the Delaware

Redemption at Trenton

Depraved indifference

New war plans

Duel for a continent

New York and Philadelphia

Clinton and Burgoyne

France declares war on Great Britain

Lord Howe saves New York

The Franco-American alliance misfires

Withdrawal from Rhode Island

Charleston

Benedict Arnold's betrayal

Rodney

Facing south

Prelude to victory

Rodney's dilemma

New York and Yorktown

Britain stunned

Peace

Conclusion.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 383-395) and index.

ISBN:

9780393245721

0393245721

OCLC:

939911297