The Revolutionary War

Children's Literature

During the American Revolution people living in or near the pathway of war suffered a great deal. As armies moved across the colonies, the daily life of previously peaceful people was overturned. While there are few remaining letters and diaries of people who lived in that period, t -here are enough to give modern students a glimpse of what life was like during those tumultuous days. Here, in a fine history text, readers are provided a solid look at the key events of the Revolutionary War. The combination of a well-developed narrative with quite a number of primary source documents makes this book an excellent tool for study of the social history of the American Revolution. Particular attention is paid to the human cost the war wrought upon colonial women who were loyal to both the crown and the rebellion. In this handsomely illustrated book readers will be given the opportunity to see what it was like for colonial women to be forced to house enemy troops, tend to the wounded or witness a battle. All in all, this selection, drawn from the "Letters from the Homefront" series is a fine addition to any library and will be appreciated by students of history. 2002, Benchmark Books, $28.50. Ages 10 up. Reviewer:Greg M. Romaneck