Reinterpreting the first century of American history; Brendan McConville argues that colonial society developed a political culture marked by strong attachment to Great Britain's monarchs. This intense allegiance continued almost until the moment of independence; an event defined by an emotional break with the king. By reading American history forward from the seventeenth century rather than backward from the Revolution; McConville shows that political conflicts long assumed to foreshadow the events of 1776 were in fact fought out by factions who invoked competing visions of the king and appropriated royal rites rather than used abstract republican rights or pro-democratic proclamations. The American Revolution; McConville contends; emerged out of the fissure caused by the unstable mix of affective attachments to the king and a weak imperial government. Sure to provoke debate; The King's Three Faces offers a powerful counterthesis to dominant American historiography.
#120388 in Books University of North Carolina Press 2004-10-25Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.20 x .90 x 6.10l; 1.09 #File Name: 0807855731326 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Wonderful book from a differnt viewBy Rebecca PondI had to read this book for my History 497 class at Southeastern Louisiana University and I must say it was a good read. I actually enjoyed reading a book that I was forced to read. Ms Faust shows us a different side of the Civil War and the women who lived through it in the South. Much of the book is about the Elite Southern White Women who were left behind to take care of everything at home. It shows how many of them struggled with the new life that was thrust upon them by having to take up tasks that they had never done before. Many were left to run the planataions which they had no idea how to do. These "elite" women learned the hard way how hard life can be.57 of 58 people found the following review helpful. The forgotten ladies of the South!.By Judith MillerStarting with the haunting faces of the young women who are pictured on the cover; to the many illustrations through out; we learn of the thoughts and activities that occupied the daily lives of the women of the Confederacy. This book is filled with wonderful diary excerpts; parts of letters and interesting photographs. Through these means we are given an insightful look at the way Southern women lived during the most tragic of times; our American Civil War.I've read a great deal about this particular era; but learned so much from this book. For instance; I had no idea that many men wanted their wives to accompany them off to war. Some of these women did just that and lamented about leaving their children behind with relatives. One young woman said that her husband was "ordering me to Mississippi" in the summer of 1862; and how brokenhearted she was because she feared that her baby would forget her while she was away.Another interesting fact was that numerous ladies wrote personal letters to President Jefferson Davis and requested that their husbands or sons be sent home because they were needed by their families. Other ladies wrote directly to their husbands and clearly told them they had given enough effort to the war; and it was time to come home.Some of the other information that is discussed is how women were often forced to move in with relatives and how their days were filled with unfamiliar work. They also were required; with very little experience; to manage their slave labor and operate plantations or farms. Some women seemed to enjoy the challenge; and for others the burden was too much.The blockade of goods going to the South was another problem to deal with because so many of the items of necessity were manufactured in the North. One of the reasons that the hoop skirt went out of fashion was because a vast amount of material was needed to cover a hoop. Cloth was so scarse that the ladies were making it themselves; and there was little to spare for elaborate clothing. Even the hoops were no longer obtainable after they wore out. Working hard and making do became the way to survive and these women became the mothers of invention.Drew Gilpin Faust has done an enormous amount of research in compiling all of this information and I believe that it was a labor of love and she is to be commended. I will admit that at times I thought her writing style was a little stiff; and I sometimes resented the conclusions that she made. I thought that the material spoke for itself and needed very little explanation. These are minor criticisms because she has put together a unique and wonderful book.I believe this book will stand the test of time; and be read for many years to come.I chose it to be read by my book group and it generated a lively discussion and we all felt we benefited by reading it.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. engaging and unique perspective on the Civil WarBy Ev_FlyfishWhat a great book this is. Engaging; well-documented and very readable. The book presents insights into the immense impact of the Civil War on Southern women. After reading so many CW books on military themes (famous battles; military strategy; generals...) it was enlightening to read this book and get a glimpse of the CW from a dimension (southern white women) that I had never thought of.
