The Revolutionary War By Bart McDowell

            The Revolutionary War by Bart McDowell.
             The Revolutionary War gives an interesting and distinct account of the history and events of this great and pivotal time. The perspective is quite different than most history books. The author, Bart McDowell, gives the reader a lesson in the various battles and people, which make up the Revolutionary War through his family trips with his kids. He began a journey with his family, teaching his children all about the events of the Revolutionary War. They visited many of the sights of battles all over the East Coast, while reading actual accounts of the events to his children. McDowell personalizes the history lesson for the reader by adding comments his children made, or similarities in the weather when they visited to what the weather was on the actual day of the event.
             McDowell begins by giving some background from 1755. His family often crossed Braddock Road, named after Maj. Gen. Edward Braddock. This road was the route he had taken on his springtime journey in 1755. General Braddock was shot through the lungs on July 9, 1755 by the French and their Indian allies. Before passing he said, "We shall better know how to deal with them another time" (p. 14). George Washington was just 23 when he joined Braddock's staff, and this was his first big battle. Partly due to his great military service, Washington was letter elected to the House of Burgesses, lower house of Virginia's legislature.
             In this first chapter, McDowell introduces the reader to many names and characters that have become well known throughout history. We are first introduced to Benedict Arnold, Daniel Morgan, and George III. The various taxes that George the III attempted are covered here. The Sugar Act and The Stamp Act of 1765, which brought a great deal of anger and hostility toward the British, were two of them. In answer to the Stamp Act, the Burgesses voted the Virginia Resolves, the first official answer to the Stamp Act.