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Winning independence : the decisive years of the Revolutionary War, 1778-1781 Cover Image Book

Winning independence : the decisive years of the Revolutionary War, 1778-1781 / John Ferling.

Ferling, John E., (author.).

Summary:

It was 1778, and the recent American victory at Saratoga had netted the U.S a powerful ally in France. Many, including General George Washington, presumed France's entrance into the war meant independence was just around the corner. Meanwhile, having lost an entire army at Saratoga, Great Britain pivoted to a "southern strategy." The army would henceforth seek to regain its southern colonies, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, a highly profitable segment of its pre-war American empire. Deep into 1780 Britain's new approach seemed headed for success as the U.S. economy collapsed and morale on the home front waned. By early 1781, Washington, and others, feared that France would drop out of the war if the Allies failed to score a decisive victory that year. Sir Henry Clinton, commander of Britain's army, thought "the rebellion is near its end." Washington, who had been so optimistic in 1778, despaired: "I have almost ceased to hope." Winning Independence is the dramatic story of how and why Great Britain-so close to regaining several southern colonies and rendering the postwar United States a fatally weak nation ultimately failed to win the war. The book explores the choices and decisions made by Clinton and Washington, and others, that ultimately led the French and American allies to clinch the pivotal victory at Yorktown that at long last secured American independence.

Record details

  • ISBN: 1635572762
  • ISBN: 9781635572766
  • Physical Description: xxvii, 701 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color), maps ; 25 cm
  • Publisher: New York : Bloomsbury Publishing, 2021.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:
Includes bibliographical references (pages [565]-577) and index.
Formatted Contents Note:
Chapter 1: Britain's war to win, 1775-1777 -- Chapter 2: A new war coming -- Chapter 3: From hope to consternation -- Chapter 4: Launching the Southern strategy -- Chapter 5: The year of marking time -- Chapter 6: America's Saratoga -- Chapter 7: Victories, setbacks, and missed opportunities -- Chapter 8: New directions, new hope -- Chapter 9: Risk-taking becomes the order of the day -- Chapter 10 Fateful choices -- Chapter 11: Choices and far-reaching decisions -- Chapter 12: Cornwallis's gift -- Chapter 13: Monumental decisions -- Chapter 14: The trap slams shut -- Chapter 15: The decisive victory -- Chapter 16: Reckoning.

Search for related items by subject

Subject:
Clinton, Henry, Sir, 1738?-1795 > Military leadership.
Washington, George, 1732-1799 > Military leadership.
Great Britain. Army > History > Revolution, 1775-1783.
Command of troops.
United States > History > Revolution, 1775-1783.
United States > History > Revolution, 1775-1783 > Campaigns.
United States > Politics and government > 1775-1783.

Available copies

  • 10 of 10 copies available at NC Cardinal. (Show)
  • 1 of 1 copy available at McDowell County Public Library.

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  • 0 current holds with 10 total copies.
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Location Call Number / Copy Notes Barcode Shelving Location Status Due Date
Marion Library 973.3 FER (Text) 37810435777593 Adult Nonfiction Available -