A remarkably fine work of creative scholarship. ―C. Vann Woodward; New York Review of Books In 1860; when four million African Americans were enslaved; a quarter-million others; including William Ellison; were "free people of color." But Ellison was remarkable. Born a slave; his experience spans the history of the South from George Washington and Thomas Jefferson to Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis. In a day when most Americans; black and white; worked the soil; barely scraping together a living; Ellison was a cotton-gin maker―a master craftsman. When nearly all free blacks were destitute; Ellison was wealthy and well-established. He owned a large plantation and more slaves than all but the richest white planters. While Ellison was exceptional in many respects; the story of his life sheds light on the collective experience of African Americans in the antebellum South to whom he remained bound by race. His family history emphasizes the fine line separating freedom from slavery.
#96331 in Books Sam Willis 2016-02-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.60 x 1.60 x 6.50l; .0 #File Name: 0393239926608 pagesThe Struggle for Sea Power A Naval History of the American Revolution
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. The Challenge Of Sea Power Projection In The 18th CenturyBy James M.This excellent history of the important influence of sea power on the American Revolution at times is a long read because the war for American independence was 8 years long. It was clearly a time that tried American revolutionary souls because of the inability of Britain's enemies to establish sea control at critical times to aid the American army ashore due to the difficulty to reliably project power 3;000+ miles with large complex manpower intensive wind powered weapons of war constructed of wood; tar; canvas and tackle. The book also presents the clear failure of the Americans (other than John Paul Jones and privateers) to successfully create and operate a navy or to defend its coast against the British fleet that generally moved at will in North American waters. American fortunes changed for the positive only when fortunate French fleet timing and inept British army strategy led to Yorktown.The author documents the very costly French ambition to damage British interests with expensive fleets sent to North America and the Caribbean. Americans owe a great deal to the French king and his ministers. France and later Spain were in the war all the way to damage the United Kingdom. He gives appropriate praise to excellent French and Spanish naval ship design and nicely presents the positive result when French and Spanish commanders finally cooperate and coordinate. This book shines light on the importance of Spanish sea power in the American victory at Yorktown. The author clearly tells a story of a British navy supported by a strong economy and industrial complex that increases in strength toward the war's end.Overall this is a good book to read and own if you are interested in the Revolutionary War or naval history. My reason for withholding one star from my rating is that the few maps in the book are not clear or helpful in understanding the long distance movement of fleets. Also; assuming that it existed; there is inadequate discussion of French and Spanish grand strategy over the years. The book just documents one fleet after another being built; manned and sent west.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A Different Way of Looking at the American RevolutionBy Mac McCormick IIIAn extraordinary read that puts the American Revolution in a different context by viewing it through a different lens. By looking at how sea power shaped the war; Willis puts the Revolution not in the context of a regional conflict but a global conflict encompassing multiple continents. This book really is unique among the books I've read on the subject on how it treats the Revolution. I highly recommend it!2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Well written and well researched.By David C.Well written and well researched. The inclusion of charts illustrating the various theaters of action is wonderful. I flipped to these frequently while reading. A very good read for anyone interested in the broader context of the American Revolution or in 18th century naval power.
