J. L. BELL is a Massachusetts writer who specializes in (among other things) the start of the American Revolution in and around Boston. He is particularly interested in the experiences of children in 1765-75. He has published scholarly papers and popular articles for both children and adults. He was consultant for an episode of History Detectives, and contributed to a display at Minute Man National Historic Park.

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Thursday, February 07, 2013

Update #2: Best American Revolution Book of 2012

Last fall I devoted a few postings to Reporting the Revolutionary War, Todd Andrlik’s history of the Revolution through contemporary newspapers. I’m one of the book’s many contributors. Todd recruited me and Prof. Bob Allison, another contributor, for a panel discussion of journalism in the Revolutionary period archived at C-SPAN.

All my hyping must have paid off since The New York Revolutionary War Round Table just gave the book its annual prize for the best book on the American Revolution published in the previous year.

In announcing the honor the organization said: “Seldom, if ever, have we welcomed a book with more power to carry us back to the days of 1776 with such compelling authenticity.” That’s because all the book’s essays on significant events of the Revolution are accompanied by images from the newspapers that reported those events.

Barnes & Noble got behind the book early by commissioning a special edition with some reproductions of Revolutionary newspaper pages. That’s still on sale through the chain for a very special price. You don’t have to take my word about this book’s quality—you can listen to the New York Revolutionary War Round Table.

3 comments:

John L Smith Jr said...

Receiving this book for Christmas two months ago has continued to delight me. Love your section contributions, J.L.!

Michael D. Hattem said...

I just did a "review" of it for The Junto. The content both primary and secondary is fantastic and the book itself is beautifully designed. So much so that I paid $13 for my copy when it was on sale from B&N (gotta have the pull-outs!) and yet when reading it I treat it like an expensive rare book. From all the reviews and comments I've seen, it appears that general readers are loving it, which is fantastic.

J. L. Bell said...

The biggest complaint I've heard about Reporting the Revolutionary War is that it's so heavy!