Overview

How well do you truly know the American Revolution? On the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the United States, author Derek Baxter reveals just how global an effort it was to create a new country. Rediscover the Revolutionary War as a global fight for freedom What does Bunker Hill have in common with a jungle in Central America, a fort in India, and the towering Rock of Gibraltar? The answer-that they were all battlefields in the Revolutionary War-might astonish you. Blending modern experiences with historical research, Derek Baxter embarks on an adventure-filled quest across four continents, uncovering the truth behind the American Revolution and revealing the unlikely group of nations that united to take on the British Empire. On the windswept island of Jersey in the English Channel, Baxter discovers how France attempted a full-scale invasion of England. At a Fourth of July party in Spain, he helps the descendent of Spanish leaders make a giant paella. In India, he investigates one of the most surprising victories of the entire war. And in upstate New York, he discovers the story of the Oneida warriors, America's first allies. Along the way, he meets historians, reenactors, and others who have helped keep the hidden history of the war alive. This is the other half of the story of the American Revolution, the one you probably didn't learn in school. With his trademark humor and empathy, Baxter finds the human stories behind this long-ago conflict, expanding the universe of those who contributed to the cause. He delivers a powerful message- The United States only exists because peoples of different races, languages, and religions learned how to fight together, writing an unexpected story of independence that continues to resonate and inspire today.

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9781464238925

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Reviews

""The Forgotten World War shines a bright and entertaining light on a little-known chapter of the American Revolution. Baxter is the perfect travel companion: informed, curious, and funny in all the right places. A serious theme runs through these pages, too: Alliances are nothing new to the United States; they are part of our creation story. Read this book and I guarantee you will utter these two words often and enthusiastically: Who knew?"" -- Eric Weiner, New York Times bestselling author of The Geography of Bliss ""America's Revolution had many heroes, and its freedom was won with the help of numerous friends. They, however, too often go unrecognized. In The Forgotten World War, historian and author Derek Baxter restores these forgotten allies to their rightful place. In doing so, Baxter takes readers along for a journey, traveling across North America and overseas, capturing with humor and eloquence the true global scope of the Revolution. Arriving in time for the 250th anniversary of American independence, The Forgotten World War is a moving reminder of its many authors."" -- Ryan L. Cole, author of The Last Adieu: Lafayette's Triumphant Return, the Echoes of Revolution, and the Gratitude of the Republic ""Derek Baxter chose wisely when he selected Mercy Otis Warren as his guide to the Revolutionary War. She counted George Washington, John Adams and Lafayette as first-hand sources, and her history of the war was more insightful and more global than the better-known (male) historians who came after her. Derek follows her international perspective to describe first-hand the locations where American history forever changed--not just Saratoga and Yorktown, but also the Spanish town that birthed the hero of Pensacola; the Dutch port that raised the first salute to the new American nation; the French chateau where Rochambeau's troops trained to fight the British; and the city in India that marked the last battle of the American Revolution. Part travelogue, part academic scholarship, altogether an enjoyable read."" -- Larrie D. Ferreiro, Pulitzer Prize finalist in History author of Brothers at Arms: American Independence and the Men of France and Spain Who Saved It ""Derek Baxter has done it again...this consummate history explorer takes readers on another journey to far away historic sites to make a case for why the American Revolution was part of a world war. From India to Sint Eustatius in the Caribbean, to the Isle of Jersey, and even the Rock of Gibraltar, and many other unexpected places. If you thought America's War for Independence was confined to the North American continent, think again. Baxter lets his curiosity lead him, and his hands-on approach invites readers to travel along with him as he explores the war's broader context. He connects with interesting people along the way and tells history stories in a way reminiscent of Tony Horwitz. In this special anniversary year, this is a perfect gift for armchair history lovers who seek new angles on America's past. Baxter shows that history is not drawn solely from archives and libraries but also from the places it happened, and the reward for intrepid travelers is the gift of deeper understanding. Bravo to Baxter for another interesting read."" -- Tim Grove, author of The World Turned Upside Down: The Yorktown Victory that Won America's Independence and George Washington: A Revolutionary Life ""Think you know the American Revolution? The Forgotten World War reveals the globe-spanning battles, back-room diplomacy, and unlikely players that turned a rebellion into a worldwide war. Mr. Baxter skillfully weaves all these elements together."" -- Chuck Schwam, Executive Director of the American Friends of Lafayette

Author Information

Derek Baxter is a labor and human rights lawyer who lives in Virginia. You can follow his adventures with Thomas Jefferson at www.jeffersontravels.com.

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