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"Fight for Freedom, the American Revolutionary War" by Benson Bobrick

Author:

Benson Bobrick

Publisher:

Byron Preiss Visual Publications, Atheneum, 2004

Reviewed by:

Beverly Beyers, School Library Media Specialist

This book has four wonderful distinctions. A side bar of quick facts, visuals in historical engravings, paintings and etchings, an enclosed story per page, and maps. A side bar of quick facts tells the reader bits of personal data for each two-page spread. Each double page is an entity unto itself and could send students to do Internet searches for biographies, or historical data on the battle occurring in that state. One is overwhelmed with the number of French, Polish, Native Americans and militia bands that participated in the eight years of the war. Wouldn’t it be great if Bobrick’s book inspired this topic to again be made into a TV series? It acquaints us with the sacrifices that currently few know unless they have served in the military. There is a special section devoted to the Women of the Revolution, including much more than the traditional solo of Betsy Ross by adding Mol Flanders and Mary Ludwig Hayes, Martha Washington and others. Students will complete the book with an appreciation of the length of the struggle for independence and a sense of wholeness to the record.