Turning Points in the World History the American Revolution, Book Review Example

“Turning Points in the World History The American Revolution” is a collection of essays gathered by Kirk D. Werner that depict the American Revolution, the causes of the war, strategies of colonies, the politics and the consequences that originated afterwards. The book examines the key events in the history and shows a mix of social, political and scientific factors that assist to explain each event and its significant importance. I find the way the book is written to be inviting, with personal narratives and poems that make this book alive and interesting. It presents the material in a lively way.

The book consists of sixteen unique essays written by the well established historians who emphasize the background, politics and the effects caused by war. It contains a wide section of documents which make this book valuable. The author carefully illustrates the political and economic differences in beliefs that led the colonists in America to strive for independence from the Great Britain. Werner points out that this determination caused a strong influence over the liberal thoughts throughout the Europe and gave many the courage to break out other own revolutions.

The main points of the book include important historical events. The writer starts with the letters describing the years before the revolution and gets into details of what were the causes. He points out that economics was one of the elements that drove the revolution. Later Werner pays careful attention to depict the people who played a vital role in the historical events. He includes the material about the revolutionaries of America, Native American participants and shows the influence of the government of the country. The author later brings the attention to the politics and strategies of the American Revolution.  He does so by inserting the letters by, for instance, John. C. Miller where he describes how the information was one of the influential tools that were used during the war times and how sometimes people were tricked by it.

Later the book points out the effects and influences of the Revolution. Werner identifies the drawbacks and lapses of the war. He gives us the letters that describe how the freedom of African Americans has not been achieved. He also stresses that the class system remained. The author shows us how the people who stood at the origins of the American Revolution had an influence over people living in Europe and how they served the examples for others to stand against wrongdoings. “These are the times that try men’s souls,” said Thomas Paine, one of the important figures, who was communicating ideas of the Revolution to the simple farmers, giving a clear vision for society.

“Turning Points in the World History The American Revolution” is an interesting book that gives a solid background on the significant events in the American history. The book basically describes the events that we have already studied and have knowledge about. However, the true uniqueness lies in a collection of essays that give us an opportunity to develop our own independent opinion on the subject of the Revolution. By being able to read the letters written by the well-established historians, we get unique insight.

Having read the essays and acquired new thoughts from the writers, I would like to explore more in-depth material. I can see that there are some similarities between the past and the present and I think that a close study of American Revolution period can generate new ideas for America today because now “ are the times that try men’s souls”…

Works Cited

Werner, Kirk “Turning Points In World History The American Revolution.” Greenhaven Press (2000): 11-12