How Do I Learn More?

One of the best ways to learn more is to join others who are active in living history. The RevList mailing list consists of several hundred men and women active in every part of "the Hobby" in every part of the country. To subscribe, visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Revlist/. We also recommend http://groups.yahoo.com/group/18cWoman/.

Books

There are a variety of books that will help you learn more about the people and events of the 18th century and the Revolutionary War.

• Historical Background
• Biographies
• Memoirs and Other Primary Sources
• Women's Studies
• Children's Books
• Costuming Books
• Military History
• Military Uniforms and Equipment
• General Reference

Historical Background

Roots of Conflict: British Armed Forces and Colonial Americans, 1677-1763 by Douglas Edward Leach (University of North Carolina Press, 1986). Traces the involvement of the British army in North America and its relationship with the colonists.

A People's Army: Massachusetts Soldiers and Society in the Seven Years' War by Fred Anderson (University of North Carolina Press, 1984). An excellent view of Massachusetts society and military experience during the Seven Years' War, extensively quoting primary sources.

The Minutemen and Their World by Robert A. Gross (Hill and Wang, 1976). A thorough but readable look at society in Massachusetts during the third quarter of the 18th century, built on rich primary sources.

Biographies

Rochambeau: America's Neglected Founding Father by Arnold Whitridge (The Macmillan Company, 1965). The story of Rochambeau's life, with an emphasis on his campaign to America.

Memoirs and Other Primary Sources

Diary of an Early American Boy by Eric Sloane (Ballantine, 1965). The 1805 diary of a fifteen-year old boy growing up on a farm, with extensive annotations on life and culture of the late 18th century.

Letters from an American Farmer and Sketches of Eighteenth-Century America by J. Hector, St. John De Crèvecoeur (J. St. John De Crevecoeur) (Viking Press, 1981). First-hand observations of life in the colonies during the Revolutionary War era by a French immigrant.

Travels in North America in the Years 1780, 1781 & 1782 by Marquis Francois Jean Chastellux; revised translation, with Introduction & Notes by Howard C. Rice, Jr. (University of North Carolina Press for the Institute of Early American History & Culture at Williamsburg, Virginia, 1963) (2 volumes, including photos, reproductions of old prints, maps). The journal of a French nobleman who served with the French army during the period of the American Revolution, this is one of the most detailed and trustworthy records of life in the United States, full of details on topics as varied as daily life, politics, personalities and the flora and fauna of the colonies.

Private Yankee Doodle, Being a Narrative of Some of the Adventures, Dangers and Sufferings of a Revolutionary Soldier by Joseph Plumb Martin (Eastern Acorn Press, 1995). A personal account of a private soldier during the Revolutionary War, full of details of daily life.

Women's Studies

The Way of Duty: A Woman and her Family in Revolutionary America by Joy Day Buel and Richard Buel, Jr (Norton, 1984). An excellent look at civilian life during the Revolutionary War and the effects of the war on the lives of women and families.

Children's Books

The Colonial Wars by Alden R. Carter (Franklin Watts division of Grolier Publishing, 1992). A good background history of the colonial wars that preceded the Revolution.

The American Revolution by Alden R. Carter (Franklin Watts division of Grolier Publishing, 1992). An introductory history of the Revolution.

If You Lived in Colonial Times by Ann McGovern (Scholastic Inc., 1964). A question and answer book that illustrates life in the 17th and early 18th century If You Grew Up with George Washington by Ruth Belove Gross (Scholastic Inc., 1982). A question and answer book that illustrates life in the mid-late 18th century

From Colonies To Country by Joy Hakim (Oxford University Press, 1993). A lively and thorough history covering the Seven Years Wars through the Revolution

Yankee Doodle Boy by Joseph Plumb Martin, edited by George F. Scheer (Holiday House, 1964). An abridged version of Private Yankee Doodle for younger readers.

A Young Patriot: The American Revolution as Experienced by One Boy by Jim Murphy (Clarion Books, 1995). Private Yankee Doodle, abridged and re-told with maps and illustrations.

Ben Franklin of Old Philadelphia by Margaret Cousins (Landmark Books, 1952). A biography of Ben Franklin for young readers.

Paul Revere: Boston Patriot (Childhood of Famous Americans Series) by Augusta Stevenson (Aladdin Paperbacks, 1946). A biography of Paul Revere for young readers.

Paul Revere's Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, illustrated by Ted Rand (Dutton Children's Books, 1990). The classic (although historically inaccurate) poem, wonderfully illustrated for children young and old.

The Uncommon Soldier of the Revolution: Women and Young People who Fought for American Independence (Eastern Acorn Press, 1986). Four articles from American History Illustrated magazine, with extensive reprinting of primary accounts.

Uniforms of the American Revolution Coloring Book by Peter Copeland (Dover Publications, Inc., 1974). Thirty drawings of American, British, French and German soldiers from the Revolution, with historical notes and uniform descriptions.

Heroes of the American Revolution Coloring Book by David Brownell with engravings by Alonzo Chappel and drawings by Nancy Conkle (Bellerophon Books, 1995). Biographical sketches of prominent soldiers of the Revolution.

Heroines of the American Revolution Coloring Book by Jill Canon with drawings by Alan Archambault (Bellerophon Books, 1995). Biographical sketches of prominent women of the Revolution.

Costuming Books

Whatever Shall I Wear?: A Guide to Assembling a Woman's Basic 18th Century Wardrobe by Mara Riley, illustrated by Cathy (Kate) Johnson (Excelsior Springs, MO: Graphics/Fine Arts Press, 2002, ISBN 0963158-7-3). Your best, most up-to-date introduction to 18th century women's clothing.

Clothing for Ladies and Gentlemen of Higher and Lower Standing complied by Marjorie Hicks (Eastern National Park and Monument Association, 1988). Discussion of style, construction and materials of clothing in eastern Massachusetts in the third quarter of the 18th century. [Available from Minute Man National Historical Park]

Tidings from the 18th Century by Beth Gilgun (Rebel Publishing Company, 1993). Reprints of articles on costuming, accessories, and activities for men, women and children during the second half of the 18th century.

Who Was I? A Modest Guide to the Hows and Whys by Cathy Johnson (Graphic/Fine Arts Press, 1995). Ideas, insights and resources for creating a general or specific living history persona.

Sketch Book '76 by Robert Klinger (Pioneer Press, 1967). Sketches and patterns of clothing, weapons and accessories for Revolutionary War soldiers and militia.

A Guide to Civilian Clothing during the American Revolutionary War by Julie Watkins (Folump Enterprises, 1993). A concise introduction to men's and women's civilian clothing during the Revolutionary War period. [Available from Smoke & Fire Enterprises, $4.]

Rural Pennsylvania Clothing by Ellen J. Gehret (Shumway, 1976). A detailed resource on the history and construction of common people's clothing during the later 18th century.

Heroes of the American Revolution Coloring Book by Marko Zlataich with illustrations by Donna Neary (Bellerophon Books, 1988). Illustrated descriptions of uniforms of a variety of New England soldiers, authoritatively researched, with sources. Also makes a great coloring book for kids.

Everyday Dress of the American Colonial Period Coloring Book by Peter Copeland (Dover Publications, Inc., 1975). Illustrated descriptions of the dress of a variety of occupations and social classes of the colonial period, originally published in Copeland's excellent (and now out of print) book Everyday Dress of the American Revolution.

Early American Trades Coloring Book by Peter Copeland (Dover Publications, Inc., 1980). Illustrated descriptions of the dress and life of colonial tradesmen and women.

Military History

Battles of the Revolutionary War, 1775-1781 by W.J. Wood (Da Capo Press, 1995). A very readable strategic and tactical history of the major battles and campaigns of the Revolutionary War.

Redcoats and Rebels: The American Revolution Through British Eyes by Christopher Hibbert (Avon Books, 1991). A history of the Revolutionary War from the British perspective.

Paul Revere's Ride by David Hackett Fischer (Oxford University Press, 1994). A detailed yet highly entertaining narrative of the events on April 18/19, 1775 focusing on Rever's exploits.

The French Forces in America, 1780-1783 by Lee Kennett (Greenwood Press, 1977). A standard reference that uses manuscripts and other primary sources to tell the story of the French regiments which served in the American Revolution under Rochambeau.

Military Uniforms and Equipment

The Revolutionary Soldier, 1775-1783 by C. Keith Wilbur (Globe Pequot Press, 1993). Colorful and complete reference dealing with every aspect of a soldier's life during the Revolutionary War.

The French Army in the American War of Independence by Rene Chartrand (Osprey, 1991). Definitive coverage of French military reforms, including principally uniforms, after the Seven Years' War.

Uniforms of the Continental Army by Philip Katcher (Shumway, 1981). Plates, text and some patterns for uniforms of the Continental Army. Well researched.

Era of the American Revolution: 1755-1795 (Military Uniforms in America), John R. Elting, editor (The Company of Military Historians) (Presidio Press, 1975). Authoritative color plates and histories of uniforms and units from the French and Indian and Revolutionary wars, including American, British, French and German units.

Uniforms of the American Revolution, John Mollo and Malcolm McGregor (Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 1991). Color plates and descriptions of uniforms and equipment of the soldiers of the American Revolution.

Swords and Blades of the American Revolution by George C. Neumann (Scurlock Publishing Co., 1991). A photographic encyclopedia of swords, bayonets and other blade and edge weapons of the late 18th century.

General Reference

Collector's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution by George C. Neumann and George Kravic (Rebel Publishing Co., 1975). Photographic reference covering thousands of authenticated items of late 18th century military and civilian life, from cannons to cookingware to candles. An invaluable reference.

Early American Antique Country Furnishings by George C. Neumann (McGraw-Hill, 1984). Thousands of annotated photographs of furniture, cookware and personal items from the 17th and 18th centuries. Another excellent reference.