The Radicalism Of The American Revolution - Gordon S. Wood
This is a wonderful read, by far the most informational of any of the colonial period I've read. Granted, this is no light reading, but for a lover of history such as myself, and for one who has a basic understanding that the revolution was more than just a squabble with England over the taxing of tea, it will keep you up reading into the wee hours of the morning.
Wood begins his account by pointing out the American Revolution was indeed very radical, despite some contemporary historians' claims that it was not, especially in comparison to the French Revolution which occurred soon after. He then goes on to point out why, and exactly what, was so radical.
First, the American Revolution was the end of Patronage - he explains how the social movement of the time was the cause of this. Without going into detail - read the book - it is a very enlightening piece of information that gives great insight into who we were 200 years ago and how that shaped who we are now. The radicalism of this, the great radicalism of this, is that we still actually thought of ourselves, and in most cases indeed enjoyed being a monarchy up to as short of a time period as 10 years before 1776. Wood does an excellent job in the first part of the book explaining how and why our entire social network, hierarchy, ideas of self, and structure were completely changed during the years leading up to and following the revolution, and how it resulted in the obliteration of monarchical mindsets and thus ties to King George III. A complete society without a monarchical mindset in the 18th century: the most radical political social movement ever to have happened thus far.
The middle part of the book deals with how this newfound absence of monarchical thought led to the loosening of society, of patronage being not as influential and all-powerful, of the aristocratic elites' loss of power - and more importantly, why, and he masterfully lays out and explains the effects this had on society - and how this led to democracy.
Democracy was something new, and in this book Wood cites how the new government and way of life was completely disconcerting for the founding fathers, who had intended for the revolution to produce a government still dominated by liberally educated elites, or 'gentlemen.' What they found, and what Wood shows his readers, is this lack of monarchy, lack of patronage, and lack of aristocratic power was being substituted for a new middle class order (somewhat similar to what we have today) led by artisans, merchants, and groups of laborers. Again, a completely radical thought, much less actual social trend, in the 18th century. Basically, we changed the world.
Wood deservingly won the Pulitzer for this book. I would suggest it to anyone who enjoys reading history, but not to those who don't enjoy academic reading. Beware though, I have found after reading this book several other biographies and historical accounts seem less researched, less founded, and indeed some of the things I have read since have made me laugh at the 'skewed correctness' of their conclusions. Nevertheless, the read is well worth anyone's time and gets two thumbs up from This Is The Life Book Review.
Wood begins his account by pointing out the American Revolution was indeed very radical, despite some contemporary historians' claims that it was not, especially in comparison to the French Revolution which occurred soon after. He then goes on to point out why, and exactly what, was so radical.
First, the American Revolution was the end of Patronage - he explains how the social movement of the time was the cause of this. Without going into detail - read the book - it is a very enlightening piece of information that gives great insight into who we were 200 years ago and how that shaped who we are now. The radicalism of this, the great radicalism of this, is that we still actually thought of ourselves, and in most cases indeed enjoyed being a monarchy up to as short of a time period as 10 years before 1776. Wood does an excellent job in the first part of the book explaining how and why our entire social network, hierarchy, ideas of self, and structure were completely changed during the years leading up to and following the revolution, and how it resulted in the obliteration of monarchical mindsets and thus ties to King George III. A complete society without a monarchical mindset in the 18th century: the most radical political social movement ever to have happened thus far.
The middle part of the book deals with how this newfound absence of monarchical thought led to the loosening of society, of patronage being not as influential and all-powerful, of the aristocratic elites' loss of power - and more importantly, why, and he masterfully lays out and explains the effects this had on society - and how this led to democracy.
Democracy was something new, and in this book Wood cites how the new government and way of life was completely disconcerting for the founding fathers, who had intended for the revolution to produce a government still dominated by liberally educated elites, or 'gentlemen.' What they found, and what Wood shows his readers, is this lack of monarchy, lack of patronage, and lack of aristocratic power was being substituted for a new middle class order (somewhat similar to what we have today) led by artisans, merchants, and groups of laborers. Again, a completely radical thought, much less actual social trend, in the 18th century. Basically, we changed the world.
Wood deservingly won the Pulitzer for this book. I would suggest it to anyone who enjoys reading history, but not to those who don't enjoy academic reading. Beware though, I have found after reading this book several other biographies and historical accounts seem less researched, less founded, and indeed some of the things I have read since have made me laugh at the 'skewed correctness' of their conclusions. Nevertheless, the read is well worth anyone's time and gets two thumbs up from This Is The Life Book Review.
posted by Frobinso at 7:54 AM
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