American Revolutionary War Leaders

December 15, 2009
This biographical work contains profiles of military and political leaders who lived during the earliest years of America's founding. Each entry covers the individual's life as well as relevant family information. While the profiles of major figures such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson fill several pages, the main value of this volume are the entriesmostly short paragraphson the lesser-known and obscure figures. Hannings ("Chronology of the American Revolution") expresses great appreciation to reference librarians for help on the project, but he should also be commended for his persistence in trying to track down so many unknown individuals, including the wives and families of the subjects. BOTTOM LINE While this illustrated work provides much useful information, the entries do not list references. Researchers will also find the lengthy but unannotated bibliography only somewhat helpful for follow-up research. Recommended with reservations for large academic and public libraries wanting a comprehensive collection on these lesser-known early Americans.Donald Altschiller, Boston Univ. Libs.

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2010
Gr 9 Up-In this excellent companion to his "Chronology of the American Revolution" (McFarland, 2008), Hannings delivers a monumental compilation of well-written and painstakingly researched biographies on the political and military leaders (particularly brigadier and major generals) who directed the colonies through the tumultuous years of the American Revolution and afterward. While venerated notables such as George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson receive extensive coverage, the author also goes to great lengths to restore to posterity those lesser-known participants from the signer of the Declaration of Independence Thomas Lynch, Jr., to Brigadier General Enoch Poor, who died of a fever in September, 1780, while stationed in Hackensack, NJ. Each entry begins with a concise account of the subject's personal life (upbringing, school, marriage, etc.), and then moves into information about the Revolutionary period and concludes with a brief synopsis of the person's life after the war. Entries also include information on spouses and any available genealogical data. The biographies are presented in small-print columns with no breaks aside from the occasional inset illustrated portrait. A tremendous and timely resource for AP Revolutionary era projects and general study"Brian Odom, Pelham Public Library, AL"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2010
By the author of Chronology of the American Revolution (2008), this hefty volume includes hundreds of biographical entries devoted to the multifarious figures who contributed to the creation of the new American nation. Famous personages as well as the little known are here, ranging from political and military figures to civic leaders and the infrequently recognized wives of the renowned. In addition to the expected Continental army generals, numerous state militia, marine, and navy officers are included. On the political side, governors, diplomats, ambassadors, and signers of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution merit inclusion as well. The entries are alphabetically arranged, beginning with John Adams and ending with Robert Yates, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 who argued against adoption of the Constitution and its central government. Entries proceed in a clear chronological narrative and often include information on family, education, and occupation. In many cases, personal anecdotes and illustrative tales from the figures youth are included, bringing historical characters alive for the user. Entry length varies greatly depending on how much information is available on the person, ranging from a few paragraphs to four or five pages for the most familiar (Benedict Arnold and George Washington, for example). There is a useful index to look up names or topics that may be found within entries. Also included is a seven-page bibliography containing genealogical resources and general historical sources of the time period as well as more obscure local history, archival, and small-press publications. This is a convenient and wide-ranging resource that would be a useful addition to the history reference collection of academic and large public libraries.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)