Gordon Wood's premise in this work is simple and concise and it is can be summed up by saying that given the monarchical/hierarchical mind-set of 18th century Europeans, the Republicanism that the American Revolution instilled and promulgated for all white males (not just property owners) was truly radical and revolutionary for its time. In fact, never once does Mr, Wood err in applying 20th or 21st century values to 18th century persons, and that alone, makes The Radicalism of the American Revolution a remarkable book. Wood also delves deeply into the psyche of post-colonial Americans, and has a true historian's grasp on the 18th century mind-set.
Wood provides when describing the ordering life of Revolutionary War era Americans in the Carolina backwoods region. Most notably, what comes to mind for me, is the detailed and vivid description that Mr.
This work was at times had some very gripping historical narrative. It provides a good picture of a lost world that once existed in the new world. The book is on target with noting population changes, the availability of land, and incredible economic growth as factors leading to the Revolution. The book strays a bit by extending its commentary into the 1830s, in order to show the full-blown effects of commerce on the noble ideals once espoused. Social changes doomed the Federalists, who had hoped for the disinterested leadership of an enlightened elite.
He did not like it, and added the "rule of the mob" to his rationalizations for committing treason. The democratization, or radicalization, of the people was noted by Benedict Arnold while he was stationed in Philadelphia. Which came first? Probably both feeding into each other. It left me with some confusion as to whether social change caused the Revolution, or whether it was the other way around. In giving the social viewpoint of Britain and its Thirteen Colonies, it hops about quite a bit with quotes from a wide variety of people. The typeface in the paperback often led to my trying to find my place on the page. It is academic, rather than a popularized history. The book will be a difficult read for some. It's good at giving a good picture of colonial society and its change to something quite different.
Gordon Wood's "The Radicalism of the American Revolution" was highly touted in my search for good histories to read, so I gave it a read.
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