The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution: 1763-1789

By: Robert Middlekauff

Narrated by: Robert Fass

Length: 26 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

The first book to appear in the illustrious Oxford History of the United States, this critically-acclaimed volume - a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize - offers an unsurpassed history of the Revolutionary War and the birth of the American republic.

This panoramic view of the conflict between England and America combines the political and the personal, giving the listener a vivid sense of how the colonists perceived the events of their struggle for independence, from the French and Indian War to “the shot heard round the world”, and the importance the colonists assigned to them.

Praised as “state of the art” and “the most distinguished series in American historical scholarship”, the four new volumes of the Oxford History of the United States – including The Glorious Cause – are narrated with engagingly casual warmth by Robert Fass, who previously read an earlier volume in the series, Empire of Liberty, by Gordon S. Wood.

Please note: The individual volumes of the series have not been published in historical order. The Glorious Cause is number III in The Oxford History of the United States.

Listen to more of the definitive Oxford History of the United States.

©2005 Robert Middlekauff (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Lively text, outstanding narration

An informative and unbiased history of the revolutionary period. This book is also highly enjoyable. 4 stars.

Good Details of Lead Up to Revolutionary War

Even if you are very familiar with the American Revolution, this may be a worthwhile read for you, as the author goes into great detail in describing the decade leading up to the breakout of war.

The weakness of this book is the section concerning the details of the actual war. It lacks detail and at times feels rushed. There were times where I almost thought the book was abridged. For example, Benedict Arnold is mentioned as being one of the underrated heroes at Saratoga, and then in a few chapters later he's referenced as leading one of the battles as a British officer. There's no explanation given as to why this is. Most readers know the story of Arnold, but it still seems like something you would want to mention.

Scholarly and thorough

This is a good book for people who already know a great deal about the Revolutionary Era and want to know more. As the title implies, this book is concerned with many facets of the Revolutionary period (1764 or so through 1783). This includes the Revolutionary War, and some of the battles, but the book focuses on a much wider scope. Readers hoping to hear a great deal about the battles of the war will be disappointed.

This book was a little scholarly and dry for my tastes. Others may find it very rewarding.

Not for everyone

This book was more than I expected I am family historian researching a Rev War patriot this book put me in a good many of his battles. Not easy read but it worked for me.

It' almost too much information!

Any additional comments?

If you are familiar with the standard book on the Revolutionary War, then you have heard the same story over and over again. This book takes you into the background of the events that led to the war. You will hear of key players that other books never mention, arguments and perspectives that others don't touch, and details you likely never heard. Very well researched and quite thorough.

Very insightful

A great survey of the causes and cause of the American Revolution. In depth and encompassing.

A wealth of info

Would you listen to The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution: 1763-1789 again? Why?

yes. Maybe i missed some info and would pick it up a second time around.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The chapter describing how america got Cornwalace trapped at Yorktown.

What about Robert Fass’s performance did you like?

it was good, but this time the contence of the book was better.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was thoroughly entertained and well informed.

Any additional comments?

Strongly recommend this book.

The Glorious Cause is glorious history

This book is a detailed and complex analysis of the causes, effects and achievements of the American Revolution. It sets out with the Sugar Act and Stamp Act in the wake of British victory in the French and Indian War to trace a consequential path ending with the ratification of the US Constitution. It weaves together military, popular actions and economic factors that allowed the Thirteen Colonies to break away. Middlekauff does a a good job of explaining the different ideologies at play from reconciliation to Enlightenment rejection of rights proceeding from the King. He also brings to life the remarkable contributions and actions of early Patriots like Samuel Adams, James Otis and Patrick Henry early on the the momentous role of Washington and the decisive constitutional work of James Madison and James Wilson. It is a veritable tour de force.

July 4th

love d it
ended to soon
finished on July 4th
very appropriate
l love History

Strong History Rich With Behind The Scenes Details

Another excellent entry in the Oxford History of the United States. I didn't personally find it quite as engrossing as "Empire of Liberty" or "What Hath God Wrought," but still extremely interesting and informative. This book goes to some lengths to explain and document just how radical much of America was before the revolution (which flies in the face of some of my collegiate history instructors, who pitched the revolution as more of a minority driven phenomenon). Likewise, it at times adopts almost a fait accompli tone to the revolution's eventual success - though it is quite careful to point out at numberous points where the British blew it politically and militarily in attempts to contain and/or end the conflict on their terms. Middlekauff seems to hint that Britain lacked the political will to deploy the tremendous resources necessary to subdue the continent. There seems to be great truth in the argument, if accepting the aformentioned largely radicalized American populace as mentioned above. Based on my own larger reading, I still can't help thinking what an EXCEEDINGLY precarious enterprise the American Revolution was, prone to being snuffed out for any number of reasons throughout the long struggle. The Americans (and Britons) who ensured that it didn't are well detailed in many sidebars throughout.

The other interesting thing I continue to see again and again as I read more of the history of the United States is to see how so many of our current dilemmas, arguments, problems, etc were baked right into the United States from its earliest days - indeed, some even before the very founding of the republic. Likewise, it is amusing (if disappointing) to see some of the titans in the American pantheon wrestling luridly in the political mud with their opponents - right up to and incuding vitriolic personal attacks, doctrinaire thinking, and hyperbolic rhetoric. Everything old is indeed new again.

Strongly recommended for those interested in U.S. history and politics.