Reference Reviews

Reference for Students

The Encyclopedia of the American Revolutionary War: A Political, Social, and Military History. Edited By Gregory Fremont-Barnes and Richard Alan Ryerson. Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC CLIO, 2006. 5 vols. 1760 p. $485.00. ISBN 1-85109-408-3 ISBN 13-978-1-85109-408-0.

One might think that enough had been written about the American Revolution, but it remains our founding event, taught throughout every student’s school life. Each volume begins with a list of entries in the entire set and the same 7 pages of maps. The preface places the American Revolution in perspective as the first independent modern state in the western hemisphere. This is followed by two general essays, “Origins of the American Revolution” and “Military Operations of the Revolutionary War. Black and white reproductions of paintings and maps illustrate the text. The signed articles have “see also” as well as brief bibliographies. Vol. 4 has both a 4-page chronology starting with the French and Indian War in 1754 and ending with George Washington’s taking the oath of office in April 1789 and a 16-page bibliography. While an illustration of the Constitution and a discussion of its creation are found in Vol. 1, Vol. 6 has the full text and 153 other documents such as Revere’s account of his ride to Concord and Lexington. An introduction is given for each before the actual wording of the actual document. This reference as well as others you may have on your reference shelf will show students that they need to look in print resources rather than relying on what they find through a Google search, and to check the accuracy of what they find on the Internet with a printed source. The vocabulary here is not that difficult and the references to other sources will be helpful in expanding their research and for additional confirmation of accuracy.