Book Description
In this first-hand account of the Revolutionary War, Joseph Plumb Martin narrates his true adventures as an eighteen-year-old private in the Continental Army-and gives a rare glimpse of the earthy beginnings of our nation's history.
Customer Reviews:
A great read!!.......2007-08-27
Serious, sad, scary & often funny. Read about US history from someone who was actually there. This young man was a patriot, and a member of our misguided youth, as well. What fun. But not for them.
The Original GI Grunt.......2007-07-23
This priceless memoir is one of those works often quoted, but never read. Countless Rev War historians quote this work by pvt. Joseph Plumb Martin, and many TV documentries do the same. At length I was finally able to obtain a copy of this most elusive, yet oft used work.
Martin's recollections range from the trivial, to the fascinating. His homespun style of writing catches the mood of what the Revolutionary War soldier was. Written many years after these events one can only marvel at the authors ability to recall so much detail. But I think this is the case with many veterans. My father (God rest his soul) who fought in WW2 would have agreed with everything Martins says. Like him, my dad's memory of war events became clearer in his advanced years, and I think this was probably the case with our writer here. While much of it could have been fabricated, there seems too much an air of authenticity to deny its truth.
Martin speaks with the convictions of a determined old rebel, and while may personal feelings lean more toward the British/Loyalist perspective, I can't deny the utter charm this work has for the reader. Intespaced with all the hunger and privation of his expereinces, the old soldier still has the ability to offer wit and humor at his circumstances. Martin's expereinces could well apply to any soldier of both sides, for the British soldier's lot was often not much better, despite all the supposed power of Albion!
What strikes one most about this memoir is how little fighting Martin saw, despite the whole time he spent in the war. Yet his time was almost always spent in hunger and want. This is the universal plight of the soldier no matter what time period we speak of. In the end, Martin rightly faults his country for allowing him and his comrades to suffer so much for so little in the end. His quote that his government expected every last obligation from him, yet was so half-hearted in fulfilling its own in turn I think is a tendency that still haunts us today in the USA. Not much his changed in that regard. The veterans of Iraq today would find much to agree with Pvt. Jospeh Plumb Martin.
There are interesting details about his movements in the New York, New Jersey area, and any person interested in this local history would find this book fascinating. Martin's account of his time as an enginner is also quite interesting. His account of the attack on redoubt's No. 9 and 10 at Yorktown sheds much light on how the stroming parties took those advanced posts. Martin was the original combat engineer. In fact he is the original GI grunt. Forget Vietnam and Iraq, here is the essential US army veteran. Reader's today, whether military historians or not, could gain many fascinating insights into the soldier's daily life, which as I said earlier is unniversal. This book certainly deserves a wider reading audience. Many will find the appealing nature of the author's words worthy of a smile and a nod of admiration. A classic work, essential for reader on the Rev War.
Diary of a Teenage Revolutionary Soldier.......2007-03-14
This is a wonderful book of REAL history, Joseph Plumb Martin's account of his service with the Continental Army throughout the Revolution from beginning to end. This book is a treasure.
A Narrative of a Revolutionary Soldier.......2007-01-12
This should be a must read for every American. Very consise and very moving. One of the best if not the best narrative of a common soldier in the American Revolution.
First-hand account of a private in the Revolution.......2006-12-24
I generally read about the Plains Indian Wars but this book happily caught my attention. Plumb relates only one (two? sorry, I just can't recall now) battles, while the bulk of the book is one long hunt for much-needed food and clothing. The army was really treated quite bad (except for some of the officers), though it was perhaps the best that could be offered at the time. Martin amazingly portrays a sense of humor throughout. Sometimes you have to read between the lines or realize he means the opposite and is being sarcastic. It might not sound too interesting, but I found myself eagerly reading on and finished the book sooner than I expected. Overall, this book is essential reading, if only to remind us of the hardships these early soldiers experienced in order to give us the free country we live in today.
Book Description
A wide-eyed teenager during much of the Revolutionary War, Martin recounts in grim detail his harrowing confrontations with gnawing hunger, bitter cold, and the fear of battle. This invaluable memoir from an ordinary man in extraordinary times is "one of the best firsthand accounts of war as seen by a private soldier." — St. Louis (Mo.) Post-Dispatch.
Average customer rating:
|
Winding Down: The Revolutionary War Letters of Lieutenant Benjamin Gilbert of Massachusetts, 1780-1783
Manufacturer: University of Michigan Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Colonial Period
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Revolution & Founding
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Massachusetts
| State & Local
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Strategy
| Military
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside Biographies
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
ASIN: 0472101129 |
Book Description
An eyewitness account of the end of the Revolutionary War
Average customer rating:
|
Frank Henderson's Easter Rising: Recollections of a Dublin Volunteer (Irish Narrative Series)
Manufacturer: Cork University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Irish
| Ethnic & National
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| British
| Historical
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| World
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| England
| Europe
| History
| Subjects
| Books
19th Century
| England
| Europe
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ireland
| Europe
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Activism
| Politics
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Look Inside Biographies
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
ASIN: 1859181430 |
Book Description
In an engaging family memoir, Frank Henderson, who became Commandant of the Second Battalion of Irish Volunteers, reveals the influence of his parents and the Christian Brothers in molding his militancy and pride in Irish culture.
Customer Reviews:
No PC Here!.......2005-11-17
A very exact and daily account of the EIGHT years of our war for independence. I have seen Morristown and Jockey Hollow and bought this book there and so can place myself into the actual scene of some of this story.
A great book that answers the question of why people fight for freedom in spite of opposition and nay sayers. Perhaps the military understand best what is at stake because it is so clear and simple when you are doing the fighting and encountering the foe and friend alike, the hunger and fatigue. It is a wonder we won the war but thankfully there were a lot of private Yankee Doodles out there who knew the score.
I am glad they did not change the language and left it as it was written with minimal footnotes. Much more enriching that way. Buy it and you'll love it.
M Smith
A Forgotten Treasure.......2004-06-19
Written a lifetime later by a man who had spent his teenage years fighting the British from New England to Virginia, this is the most fascinating and well-written account of the Revolution I've read. Mr. Martin's narrative voice is so matter-of-fact and wryly humorous that it's hard to believe it's coming to you from the distant past.
There is as much social history as military here, as Mr. Martin describes his inoculation with smallpox, his shock at being introduced to a white Connecticut farmwoman's black husband, and the ubiquity of alcohol.
One is struck, in Mr. Martin's account, by how seldom the British /Hessians and American/French ever bothered to shoot each other. There seems to have been a consciousness of the enemy as a human being which made shooting him difficult. This could be hindsight on Mr. Martin's part, but it does jibe with the fact that the total combat death toll for the war (excluding disease and starvation) was around 5,000 on both sides.
Mr. Martin himself seems to have spent much of the war starving. He was only paid twice-- once when he signed up in 1776, and once in 1781 by French officers who dipped into their own pockets to give him a month's salary. Nor was he ever paid anything after the war by a grateful nation. Then again, given that American troops were fed by commandeering groceries, liquor and livestock from local farms, much of the nation may not have been that grateful.
You might be, though, after reading this book. I was. And it's good to remember that fighting for our nation's freedom, once upon a time, meant fighting on our own land instead of other people's.
Early American Rebel.......2004-03-16
I was looking for a soldier's account of the Revolutionary War and came across this rare memoir in the Jamestown, Virgina Nationa Park Service bookstore. I sure was glad I did.
I have read many soldier's memiors from from all periods of time but never during the Revolutionary War. We have heard about the sufferings of our country's first soldiers but Martin tells us like it was as he lived it. There is not a lot of battle descriptions but he is a master story teller who will take you back in time to the days of the colonies and George Washington's army during America's struggle for independence.
If you love good personal history narratives and want to learn about the Revolutionary War then get this book. This would be an excellent book for classroom study or home school.
Meet A Man Who Made "US" Possible.......2001-10-26
Private Yankee Doodle, the diary of Joseph Plumb Martin, is an excellent account of the Revolutionary War told from the soldier's view.
Martin campaigned almost continuously from the beginning of the War through Yorktown (with the exception of the first winter after his initial three month service). He lived much of what have become the hallowed tales of our epic struggle for nationhood. He was at the Battles of Brooklyn, Harlem Heights and White Plains, endured Valley Forge (though for most of that winter stationed away from the camp as a forager), Monmouth, the other terrible winter encampments and Yorktown to name a few. Through it all, Martin marched, froze, starved and suffered for his service. It is remarkable that he kept at it for most of the war. (One reads of the constant lack of food (often for two or days) and is amazed that more soldiers didn't simply just quit.) It is more remarkable that he kept at it in fairly good humor - though he did parade with the Connecticut troops who conducted a minor mutiny over the lack of provisions. (An incident that Washington reported to Congress as more worrisome to the cause than the British force occupying New York.)
Martin is a good storyteller and raconteur. The reader will not find detailed accounts of battle here. In fact, battle is mentioned rather matter-of-factly. What is delightful to find is an account of the day in and day out hardships of life in Washington's army. Stories abound of camp life, foraging, marching, guard duty, scrapes with Torries, the hunt for clothing and the other ever-present challenges that soldiers had to endure and perform to simply survive between battles.
This is a wonderful book that I highly recommend.
A chance to walk in the shoes of a Revolutionary Solder.......2000-08-07
A fascinating low-level perspective from the eyes of a soldier. Mr. Martin has a terrific sense of humor and shows how much in common modern day people have with our Revolutionary ancestors. The Editor George Scheer provides a high level view of the same events through footnotes. The dialog can take a little getting use to but the reader will find themselves comfortable with it in short order.
Average customer rating:
|
Voices of the Revolutionary War - Soldiers (Voices of the Revolutionary War)
Manufacturer: Blackbirch Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book
Military & Wars
| History & Historical Fiction
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Colonial & Revolutionary
| United States
| History & Historical Fiction
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 9-12
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Revolution & Founding
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1567119565 |
Book Description
While politicians drafted the principles of a new nation, it was the common colonial soldier who fought to secure America's independence. In the letters, diaries, and memoirs of these men and their British counterparts, the battles of the Revolution come alive.
Product Description
Joseph Plumb Martin -- "Private Yankee Doodle" -- recreates as no one else has ever done the daily life of the Revolutionary soldier. He withholds nothing of the hard times: the fright, pain, and death of battle...the grinding agony of marches without rest or sleep ...the days of belly-twisting hunger. But he balances these dangers and sufferings with accounts of diversions -- hunting, fishing, boxing -- of pranks and frolics, and of encounters with an occasional sassy miss. This new edition has been widely hailed as a rediscovered gem of American history.
Originally published in Hallowell, Maine in 1830 as "A Narrative of Some Adventures, Dangers and Sufferings of a Revolutionary Soldier, Interspersed with Anecdotes of Incidents that Occurred Within his own Observation.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent diary for the time........2006-10-06
This book is like a time-capsule slash diary of the revolutionary war. A wonderful true-story recollection of what it was to be a solider in the Revolutionary War. It's great to hear it right from the soldier's mouth. Rare to find, but wonderful to read, and certainly the most interesting text I've ever encountered which covers the revolutionary war. READ THIS NOW!
The glory of freezing one's tushy off.......2006-05-28
The most significant defect I can think of for Private Yankee Doodle comes not from the author or the writing at all. The title of Joseph Martin's original work was a verbose "A Narrative of Some of the Adventures, Dangers and Sufferings of a Revolutionary Soldier, Interspersed with Anecdotes of Incidents that Occurred Within his own Observation". Despite the "short"comings of the original, the recent change of name to Private Yankee Doodle comes across as too flippant and dated. Indeed, though Martin frequently referred to himself, as did his contemporaries, as a Yankee (which some Americans at the time thought akin to being an extra-terrestrial), the word "Doodle" never enters into the text.
It's to the book's credit that the largest flaw is something so entirely out of the author's hands. The author, Martin, was a brash, young man who signed on for service at the start of our Revolution, first for a three-month term, and then for the duration, an unexpectedly long six-year stint. Though written long after the events in question, Martin displays no notion that he was ill-used for his long service, despite the lack of compensation, hard duty, brutal hardships, and life-threatening actions. Indeed, the book is not even particularly political - so much so that editor's footnotes are required to keep the reader informed of just where Martin's army was serving and when.
What are left are Martin's recollections, fond recollections despite the misery of the times, of his life as a common soldier in the continental army. Though the style of writing, like all of the era, can be unsmooth and overly hurried, it's also an honest reminiscence of the colorful lives of Revolutionary soldiers. Colorful because Martin dwells neither on the grand plans of battle, nor on the routine duties, but on those recollections of a young man at war such as an old man might recall and see fit to share. Chaos was the rule, at least through Martin's eyes. Nothing happened when it should, where it should. Battle, as any slightly read historian knows, was neither grand nor common in Washington's army, and the bulk of Martin's time is spent simply moving around. These, at least, are the times he shares with us. Though Martin's exact style is ungrammatical (even for his own day), it's a tribute to his quirkiness and folksy good nature that I personally read most of the book in a single day. It was simply something to absorb on its own terms.
Average customer rating:
- Great NEW American History Book for Middle Grades
- Parents and teachers, this book is a must read ....
|
By the Sword
Selene Castrovilla , and
Bill Farnsworth
Manufacturer: Calkins Creek Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Military & Wars
| History & Historical Fiction
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Colonial & Revolutionary
| United States
| History & Historical Fiction
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Historical
| Biographies
| People & Places
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 4-8
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 9-12
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Washington, George
| ( W )
| People, A-Z
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Why Not Lafayette? (Unforgettable Americans)
ASIN: 1590784278 |
Customer Reviews:
Great NEW American History Book for Middle Grades.......2007-08-17
BY THE SWORD is a touching Revolutionary War story told from a unique perspective. A young teacher, just twenty-two years old, is moved to enlist in George Washington's army. Neither he nor his beloved horse, Highlander, is prepared for battle. As Selene Castrovilla begins her story, "Benjamin Tallmadge had never killed before." When he fires his musket for the first time, he takes off, "not looking to see if he'd hit anyone." Young readers will identify with his reluctance.
The Battle of Long Island unfolds with breathtaking intimacy. We are close to the man and his horse as they weather a British assault, the lack of sleep, poor food, drenching rains, contradictory orders, and their own fears, in order to help save Washington's army from annihilation. Selene Castrovilla's prose evokes the anxiety of war with painterly details, but without drenching young readers in the carnage.
When Benjamin, in the heat of retreat, forgets Highlander, he receives permission to go back, by boat, to retrieve him. So this story is also about a brave young man who risks his life to save his beloved horse. As cannonballs from the fierce, advancing Hessians (mercenaries on the British side) narrowly miss Benjamin's retreating boat with Highlander safe on board, readers of all ages will be cheering.
Bill Farnsworth's expressive oil paintings on canvas enhance the text, from the flash of musket fire to the thick blanket of fog that kept the British fleet idling long enough for Washington's army to escape. Detailed endpaper maps enable readers to follow the troops. The author's research notes, timeline, suggested places to visit, and detailed bibliography of sources makes this an absolute must-have book for all teachers and students of history, for anyone interested in the birth of the United States of America. .
Parents and teachers, this book is a must read ...........2007-04-27
Do you want your kids to actually read a book, enjoy it and learn something too? Well, this is the book for them. It's a good read, action packed, interesting and surprise, surprise ... you learn some local history. Selene Castrovilla sucks you into Benjamin Tallmadge's world even if history is not your thing. Coupled with wonderful illustrations by William Farnsworth this book is a must have.
Amazon.com Audiobook Review
It's been 25 years since Garrison Keillor first began charming audiences with the goings-on of the strong women, good-looking men, and above-average children in his mythical Minnesota town. Keiller's storytelling alchemy (part literary orchestra, part gossip), gentle humor, and deadpan (or is that just Midwestern?) delivery are what have made Prairie Home Companion a stalwart of public radio. This collection commemorates the quarter century of the program's continuing success with 15 monologues (7 of which have not previously been available) and 33 of the most (in)famous songs and jingles, including "Cowpies," Keiller's tribute to the brains behind the impeachment trial; "Gospel Birds"; and "The Secret Lutherans." (Running time: 6 hours, 4 cassettes) --Natasha Senjanovic
Book Description
This anniversary release features highlights from 25 years on the air, including favorite monologues like "Truckstop," "Gospel Birds" and "Pontoon Boat," plus brand-new stories never before available on audio. Also includes a special full-length bonus music cassette/CD featuring 25 toe-tapping tunes with down-home music from long-time show regulars, including Butch Thompson, the Powdermilk Biscuit Band, Greg Brown, the Hopeful Gospel Quartet, Robin and Linda Williams, and many more.
Customer Reviews:
Purchased as a gift for Christmas.......2007-01-16
Not only did this collection arrive ahead of predicted time (as a Christmas surprise), but the content has been savoured and appreciated so much by the recipient. The dialogue is excellent and the leads to further recommendations by Garrison Keillor were very good - particularly as there are no recordings of his currently available in Australia.
A Praire Home Companion: 25th Anniversary Collection.......2007-01-11
Great fun
Garrison Keillor is easy listening.
25th Anniversary Collection a Disappointment .......2006-11-05
Make no mistake about it-- the stories were not disappointing at all. What is misleading and lacking is the sense of a radio show. The music and connecting conversations were edited out. A "music only" CD was made in addition to the "story" CD. The "collection" therefore made the sum much less than its parts. Very disappointed in not getting a sample of the best shows.
More Fun Than A NPR Membership Drive.......2006-07-21
As someone who has relied heavily on NPR almost since its inception in 1970, I've logged many an hour on the banks of Lake Wobegon, smiling as Dusty and Lefty chewed on cowboy philosophy and thrilling at the adventures of Guy Noir, Private Eye. What I found most alluring about Prairie Home Companion was the format itself, homage to the great days of radio when audiences imagined pictures for themselves. This was a marvelously collaborative process whereby, as Stan Freiberg once observed, it really was possible to fill the Grand Canyon with Jell-O.
Radio like this is theatre of the mind, every individual visited his or her own private Lake Wobegon, a place that became increasingly real because listeners believed in it and felt comfortable there. I enjoyed the long succession of musical guests, the great sound effects, and the sketch comedy.
As the years went by I developed an odd sense that there was something wrong with the show. It began as a minor irritation, a pebble in my shoe, and, like a pebble in my shoe, it became increasingly irritating over time. As thoroughly charming as PHC was, some strange force was polluting it, and I couldn't for the life of me figure out what it was.
One fine day I had that marvelous eureka moment Archimedes had in the bath, the secret revealed itself. PHC's fatal flaw could be summarized in two words - Garrison Keillor. Suddenly evidence poured in like covered dishes at a Lutheran church filled with bachelor farmers. That dreadful guitar playing and awful vocalizing, steadfastly awful even when accompanied by talented singers. The endlessly rambling and mercilessly depressing stories - so cute, so precious, so what?
Most of all, it was the speaking voice and delivery that froze the water and made the Amish look like party maniacs. Garrison Keillor seems to have been invented to define the word "cloying." As Everett Dirksen is safely in his grave, Keillor may now claim the title, "Wizard Of Ooze."
With the Powdermilk Biscuits out of the bag, it's no longer possible for me to listen to PHC, indeed, I wouldn't listen to Keillor if he were reading my name on a winning lottery ticket. To quote Lincoln, "People who like this sort of thing will find this the sort of thing they like."
Narrow Slice of the Pie.......2005-08-02
I purchased this 25th anniversary collection with great anticipation and, have to say, I was surprised and disappointed to find that this compendium consists ONLY of Garrison's monologues with a few musical selections thrown in. This collection has none of the short skits, Guy Noir bits, or cast-inclusive pieces of brilliance that punctuate and vary the pacing of the live radio show. Don't get me wrong, Garrison's stories are wonderful in themselves and quite enjoyable, but I feel that a 25th anniversary collection should consist of more than just this one aspect of the show. If, like me, you want a more rounded Prarie Home experience, you'll need to buy some of the other Prarie Home CD releases to suppliment this purchase which, I think, is a shame. This collection should be clearly labelled as monologues & music, not as an overall collection of the show.
Books:
- Ailey Spirit: The Journey of an American Dance Company
- Albion's Seed: Four British Folkways in America
- Animal Farm and 1984
- Around the World in 80 Days
- Arrowsmith, Elmer Gantry, Dodsworth (Library of America)
- Art in China (Oxford History of Art)
- Art in the Hellenistic Age
- Bhagavad-Gita:: The Song of God
- Brideshead Revisited
- Buddha, Vol. 2: The Four Encounters
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The Art of the Catapult: Build Greek Ballistae, Roman Onagers, English Trebuchets, and More Ancient
- Savage Dreams: A Journey into the Landscape Wars of the American West
- Experimental Characterization of Advanced Composite Materials, Third Edition
- Krondor: Tear of the Gods
- Logo Font & Lettering Bible: A Comprehensive Guide to the Design, Construction and Usage of Alph
- Molecular Biology of the Cell, Fourth Edition
- Overcoming Bladder Disorders: Compassionate, Authoritative, Medical and Self-Help Solutions for
- Prosthetic Gods
- Glamorous Movie Stars of the Thirties Paper Dolls
- Fungal polysaccharides: Based on a symposium
Rebels and Redcoats: The American Revolution Through the Eyes of Those Who Fought and Lived It (Da Capo Paperback)
Guide to the Battles of the American Revolution
Battles of the Revolutionary War: 1775-1781 (Major Battles and Campaigns Series)
A People's History of the American Revolution: How Common People Shaped the Fight for Independence
Redcoats and Rebels: The American Revolution Through British Eyes
