Bøger af Harry M. Ward

A comprehensive study of the formative years of the Department of War, and the struggle to win public acceptance for maintaining a standing national army.

A kind of sub-society existed in Richmond, as in other urban areas, of tricksters, swindlers, confidence men and certain thieves. By looking at the lower sort of deception and crime, one can gauge a fringe society. The indefatigable crime reporters of Richmond's newspapers, always with a bit of humour or pathos, give glimpses of a wide variety of misbehavior.

The revolutionary war was not a "polite" conflict between orderly troops and gentlemanly officers. Civilians on the home front suffered considerably. This account depicts the ugly side of the War for Independence, where roving bands of robbers, known as banditti, plagued the countryside.

This research monograph by a senior distinguished historian of the American Revolutionary War and its aftermath discusses the legacies of that conflict in a newer, darker context. That context being one of growing American imperial hubris, overreach and permanent war abroad as well as economic and social decay of American homeland. Dr Ward dismisses the notion of a wholly beneficial and positive revolutionary outcome and discusses the less admirable and tragic implications of a national war/civil war that drove many thousands of Americans from their country, destroyed numerous native American societies, enshrined human slavery in its constitution and has lead to several tragic and bloody existential crises in 19th and 20th century American history."The author is well aware of a prime rule of historiography---avoid as much as possible present mindedness. The rule, however, does not seem too applicable when writing about legacies. Because the whole spectrum of American history since the Revolutionary War comes under a purview that is broad, selective and cogently discussed with brilliant insights as well as forceful lessons for the present. Ward discusses the road we have traveled so that we may better understand where we are today and how we got there.' ' ...Highly recommend......(a)positive contribution to understanding the legacy of the Revolution". Professor George Frakes,Ph.D,UC Santa BarbaraChapters titles: Freedom, Allegiance, Banishment/Detention, Sedition, Treason/War Crimes, God and Country, Beyond Glory, Conscription, Military Exemptions, Civilians Under Military Rule, Standing armies, Conquest, Imperialism/Liberation, Limited-War Mentality, The Military Advantage, The Triumph of Professionalism, The Brutal fringe, Counterinsurgency, Cement of Union, Conclusion/ Redirections

The phrase "American Revolutionary War Hero" usually brings to mind George Washington, John Paul Jones and other famous officers. Heroes, however, existed throughout the ranks during the Revolution, and many made their marks without ever receiving proper recognition. These portraits of 28 Virginia Revolutionary soldiers expand the historical record of those who can be called a "hero." Whether as infantryman, cavalryman, marine, militiaman, spy, frontier fighter or staffer, all performed with distinction that contributed to victory. A strongman who performed superhuman feats during battle; a woman who fought as a soldier; a militiaman who sounded a fateful alarm--some gave their lives, others were terribly wounded, but all demonstrated heroism beyond the call of duty.

The first biography of one of George Washington's most able and controversial generals examines the military career of William Maxwell from British army commissary to commander of the New Jersey Continental troops in major northern battles and campaigns and numerous confrontations with British incursionary forces into New Jersey.

One of the biggest stains in Richmond's past was the spectacle of public executions. Thousands, including the old and the very young, reveled in a carnival-like atmosphere. This narrates the history of the executions that formed a large part of Richmond's entertainment picture. The history has a cast of unusual characters - the condemned, the crime victims, family members, the executioners, and not least an 182 pound 'gallows' dog.

Spanning the period 1775 to 1783, this book is a synthesis which assesses the impact of war upon the American people.