It was an age of fascinating leaders and difficult choices; of grand ideas eloquently expressed and of epic conflicts bitterly fought. Now comes a brilliant portrait of the American Revolution; one that is compelling in its prose; fascinating in its details; and provocative in its fresh interpretations.In A Leap in the Dark; John Ferling offers a magisterial new history that surges from the first rumblings of colonial protest to the volcanic election of 1800. Ferling's swift-moving narrative teems with fascinating details. We see Benjamin Franklin trying to decide if his loyalty was to Great Britain or to America; and we meet George Washington when he was a shrewd planter-businessman who discovered personal economic advantages to American independence. We encounter those who supported the war against Great Britain in 1776; but opposed independence because it was a "leap in the dark." Following the war; we hear talk in the North of secession from the United States. The author offers a gripping account of the most dramatic events of our history; showing just how closely fought were the struggle for independence; the adoption of the Constitution; and the later battle between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans. Yet; without slowing the flow of events; he has also produced a landmark study of leadership and ideas. Here is all the erratic brilliance of Hamilton and Jefferson battling to shape the new nation; and here too is the passion and political shrewdness of revolutionaries; such as Samuel Adams and Patrick Henry; and their Loyalist counterparts; Joseph Galloway and Thomas Hutchinson. Here as well are activists who are not so well known today; men like Abraham Yates; who battled for democratic change; and Theodore Sedgwick; who fought to preserve the political and social system of the colonial past. Ferling shows that throughout this period the epic political battles often resembled today's politics and the politicians--the founders--played a political hardball attendant with enmities; selfish motivations; and bitterness. The political stakes; this book demonstrates; were extraordinary: first to secure independence; then to determine the meaning of the American Revolution. John Ferling has shown himself to be an insightful historian of our Revolution; and an unusually skillful writer. A Leap in the Dark is his masterpiece; work that provokes; enlightens; and entertains in full measure.
#211491 in Books imusti 2003-07-10 2003-07-10Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 5.50 x .90 x 8.20l; .83 #File Name: 0195162188328 pagesOxford University Press USA
Review
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Answers many questions about religion and politics pre-RevolutionBy jmartinOn p. 102; we find that the title of this book is part of a quotation of a sermon of Cotton Mather in 1713.In general; i found this book loaded with insights surrounding the question of to what extent (very) the colonies were (Protestant Christian) religious prior to the Revolution; and how much this contributed to the onset of the events which brought about the Revolution (a lot.)Two of these events were the possible advent of an Anglican bishop to the colonies; and the role of the Great Awakening as a spur to the Revolution. The colonists were mostly dissenters from Anglicanism; except for Virginia; and looked upon the imposition of a bishop as just another sign of the increasing domination from the mother country. The Great Awakening spoke to the individual's sense of faith; as opposed to its corporate dimension; and thus contributed to the proverbial American individualism.On p. 72; Bonomi cites the fact that Congregational congregations tripled from 1700-1750; thus downplaying any suggestion of religious decline.Reading Bonomi's anecdotes; the French proverb 'plus ca change; plus c'est la meme chose' came to mind. So many of the trends which we believe are original to current church life; were present in colonial church life. Some of these were: not wanting ministers traveling around with no credentials; people in and out of church during the service; sleeping during sermons; almost every bride pregnant at the time of the wedding (p. 60;) and in the average congregation; 3/4 of folks in church were women.This book is well worth your time; written in a pleasant style.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy ArtAbsolutely astounding presentation in every way.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy WalkerVery helpful for my research. Insightful.
