Journal of Southern History

In this lively and fast-paced history of George Washington and the American Revolution, author Robert L. O’Connell examines the motivations and actions of Washington, the political, social, and economic origins of the Revolution, and a politico-military history of the war itself. O’Connell suggests three main points of departure from earlier studies: First, that revolutionary fervor moved very rapidly across America and became accepted by a great majority because of the combination of radical Whig critiques of the British government, the ability of rebel leaders to quickly gain control of colonial legislatures and militias, and a wildly touted and believed “conspiracy theory” that the British were attempting to enslave white Americans (p. xvi); second, that the British effort to crush the American Revolution was doomed from the beginning and could not succeed (this conclusion is based on the widespread popular support for the Revolution and the British misunderstanding of this support); and third, that not only was George Washington’s military and political leadership vital in preserving and regenerating the Continental army, but also that his “rectitude and moderation” toward the enemy (British and Loyalists) and his rivals were the reasons the American Revolution was comparatively bloodless and led to a stable national republic rather than civil war (p. xxi).

After an introduction, the book moves to “The Gentrification of George,” a chapter that presents a lively discussion of Washington’s upbringing, growing ambition, political and social climbing, frontier experience, including interaction with Native Americans, and finally French and Indian War diplomatic and military experience. This last experience, which, as colonel of the Virginia Regiment, included military administration, choosing officers, troop training, fortification design, and irregular combat tactics, proved vital to his later position as commander of the Continental army.

In the third chapter, “Rage Militaire,” which covers the beginning of the Revolutionary War, O’Connell investigates his contention about the American fear of enslavement. O’Connell presents a well-documented discussion of American opinions about various British acts and taxes and the tremendous acceleration of revolutionary thinking after the British reaction to the Boston Tea Party and First Continental Congress. Americans’ actions, O’Connell effectively argues, are explained by their fear of losing liberty and therefore of being enslaved.

The final four chapters investigate Washington’s leadership and British military strategies and actions during the war itself. O’Connell demonstrates that Britain’s often poorly conceived strategy, brutal tactics, and rough occupation could never lead to victory, but he does not, in my opinion, demonstrate that the British could not have won the war under a different strategy [End Page 137] and tactics. These chapters also present excellent summaries of many major battles of the war and examine Washington’s evolution as commander from amateur to professional; they show his many strengths in military strategy, logistics, and even fund-raising. These four chapters also illustrate some of Washington’s weaknesses, particularly his extreme class consciousness, his poor judgment of some officers, and his inability to understand the rank and file. Finally, these chapters present convincing data in support of O’Connell’s third argument, that Washington’s personality and leadership prevented the Revolutionary War from deteriorating into an internecine bloodbath or civil war; as O’Connell writes, one of Washington’s main tenets was “always behave better than they [the British] do” (p. xxiii). Only Washington had the status and clout, as “Generalissimo,” according to O’Connell, to accomplish this mission (p. xiii).

Revolutionary: George Washington at War is well researched and wonderfully written, and it presents interesting and important research problems that are thoughtfully investigated and argued. It is an excellent example of the combination of military history and biography and should be read by all who are interested in not only the American Revolution but also political and military leadership and the comparative study of revolutions.