Winner of the 1999 Fraunces Tavern Museum Book Award sponsored by the Sons of the Revolution
Named an Outstanding Academic Title by
Choice Magazine
Buel's book is one of the most important studies of the Revolution that we have. With his customary imagination, resourcefulness, and precision Buel has brought together economic and military history in a manner that illuminates both. No one has pictured the problems of the Revolutionaries in quite this way before.-Gordon S. Wood, Alva O. Way Professor and Professor of History
Buel`s subject-the economy of the newly established American Confederation during the Revolutionary War years and the central role of overseas commerce in that economy-has been neglected by both naval and economic historians. This important and original work helps fill the gap.-John B. Hattendorf, Ernest J. King Professor of Maritime History, U.S. Naval War College
A major piece of scholarly work, this book is certain to have an impact upon the interpretation of this period.-Stanley L. Engerman, University of Rochester
There is a surprise on almost every page of this remarkable book. No other historian in the field can match Richard Buel`s grasp of the economic side of the Revolution. He stitches his discoveries into the overall story of the war, giving us a new perspective on the drama of the nation`s founding.-Thomas Fleming, author of Liberty! The American Revolution