DOC Nathanael Greene: A Biography of the American Revolution by Gerald M. Carbone in History

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An Enjoyable Historical ReadBy GerryThe author of this book provided an informed and smooth flowing story that weaved the course of time and significant history to which General Nathanael Greene was born and raised. The Prologue begins with the General Greene’s casket and a search that began in 1901 would end with his official reburial in Savannah Georgia and this time with a headstone (1903); this is the reason in part why it took two years to locate the former grave of the General. There weren’t many slow parts to this book; which made it easy reading; however; there were several distractions and detours that were loosely attached to the storyline. This combined with lacking maps; and confusion as written on The Battle of Guilford Court House add to the final score of 4 stars – the story overall is why I do not give the book 3 stars. The author spends about a page and a half of the death of the general and the book just dropped off – there was no follow through with following generations; and this wouldn’t have had to be a large section; often just providing a synopsis of following generations is enough to whet one’s whistle.A bit perplexing why the Rhode Island General Assembly would choose Private Nathanael Greene as their General from the Kentish Guards in April of 1775. In having chosen Greene to lead the Rhode Island Militia of 1;500 men the Assembly did not seek the most popular of men; they did however (as would be proven) chose the most capable. Nathanael Greene had left the Quakers way of life at some point between the fall of 1774 and spring of 1775 – this can be clearly counted to the fact that he purchased a gun in Boston that he hid in the cart under hay as he returned. He also brought back with him a deserter of the British Army to teach the Kentish Guards how to march the “British way.” There was obviously an independent spirit in Nathanael; one of which would allow him to fight for his country and yet never give up his faith and belief in “Providence.” To all these lads that fought in this war there was a belief in one’s homeland and a belief in God. This is the overriding point that pops up time and again from the various framers; founders; and policy makers of the Continental States of America. This independent spirit that was displayed and then acted upon from Nathanael would be representative of the American spirit going forward to the War of 1812; the American War Between the States; the Spanish American War and the many other wars of the 20th century. Nathanael of course wasn’t thinking of the far future – he was thinking of his present Rhode Island; his present time of war and protection of individual property and rights – his spirit led him to lead from the front; regardless of whatever convictions he may have held.His battle record wasn’t perfect but he fought in Boston; New York; Pennsylvania and then took command of the Southern States war with Britain after he was appointed by General Washington (The U.S. Congress left the decision officially to General Washington.) His battlefield strategies were similar to General Stonewall Jackson; General MacArthur; and General Patton in that he knew how to elude; divide; and then confront his opponents on the battlefield when they were exhausted. He studied the topography of areas in a similar manner to which Napoleon would some 30 years later. General Greene was like his boss General Washington in that he made the most out of what little resources were provided to him. There is simply a touch and comparison here that cannot be overlooked for his battlefield prowess. He also had great people underneath him such as Major General Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee (father to General Robert E. Lee) and Brigadier General William Washington; Polish Combat Engineer Tadeusz Kościuszko and others – he knew how to pick good people to be around and yet he challenged the status quo – oft times almost being caught while spying enemy positions and would check his lines regularly. The Southern States of North and South Carolina were literally in a civil war between loyalists and revolutionaries; the bloodletting was horrific and this author really only touched upon it in the most general manner (there are full books on this section of the American War for Independence.)Persons interested in the American Revolutionary War should read this book as it will provide a good and effective overview of Generals; battles; and locations that will encourage further reading.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Both a fine biography of Nathanael Greene and a compelling narrative of the RevolutionBy Daniel PutmanThis is a first-rate historical narrative that both informs the reader and often is a powerful; page-turning story. While most books emphasize the Revolutionary War in the North; Carbone lets us see the war in the South through the life of one of its major figures. Many readers will find out information about the Revolution they never knew as well as the strengths (and weaknesses) of one of the key military leaders in the war. The advantage of this book is that; unlike a straight narrative of the major battles Greene was in; it puts you into the mind of Nathanael Greene as he struggles through the battles and swamps of first the northern and then the southern war. I highly recommend the book. It is well-written and makes gripping reading. Essential for anyone who wants an understanding of the battles of the Revolution through the eyes of one of the best generals Washington had.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. How the heck did we win that Revolution?By D. SkempLoved this book. So filled with facts but the author writes with such skill that the facts themselves are even fascinating. After reading this; I do wonder; however; how the heck we won the war! Naked and starving soldiers freezing in the cold; shoeless recruits leaving bloody footprints in the snow; ruthless bloody deaths by bayonets and by the thousands. While it certainly a biography of our Revolution; the book is also an portrait of a smart and amazing General who cared about his country; his soldiers and his family.