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The Road to Guilford Courthouse: The American Revolution in the Carolinas Paperback – July 1, 1999

by John Buchanan (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 327 ratings
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A brilliant account of the proud and ferocious American fighters who stood up to the British forces in savage battles crucial in deciding both the fate of the Carolina colonies and the outcome of the war.

"A tense, exciting historical account of a little known chapter of the Revolution, displaying history writing at its best."--Kirkus Reviews

"His compelling narrative brings readers closer than ever before to the reality of Revolutionary warfare in the Carolinas."--Raleigh News & Observer.

"Buchanan makes the subject come alive like few others I have seen." --Dennis Conrad, Editor, The Nathanael Greene Papers.

"John Buchanan offers us a lively, accurate account of a critical period in the War of Independence in the South. Based on numerous printed primary and secondary sources, it deserves a large reading audience." --Don Higginbotham, Professor of History, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    452 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Trade Paper Press
  4. Publication date
    July 1, 1999
  5. Dimensions
    6.07 x 1.23 x 9.33 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0471327166
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0471327165
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Most of us are familiar with the role that North and South Carolina played in the American Civil War: if nothing else, every grade-schooler knows the significance of the 1861 bombardment of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. But to popular historian John Buchanan, "that tragedy is of far less interest than the American Revolution. The Revolution was the most important event in American history. The Civil War was unfinished business." And the Carolinas, Buchanan convincingly argues, were the most critical theater in that conflict, with their wild Back Country seeing "a little-known but savage civil war far exceeding anything in the North."

The Road to Guilford Courthouse is no less than a tour de force of pop military scholarship, an exhaustive battle-by-battle account of the Crown's grinding march to wrest the Carolinas from the resourceful Rebels. Beginning with Colonel William Moultrie's valiant defense atop the palmetto ramparts of Fort Sullivan against an outnumbering force of British men-of-war to the final "long, obstinate, and bloody" exchange at Guilford Courthouse, Buchanan meticulously recounts each skirmish, battle, and shift of strategy in the campaign. Relying on copious primary and secondary sources, he brings the combatants to life, from the worthy but somewhat obscure, such as Nathanael Greene, whom George Washington considered to be his successor should he fall, to soon-to-be legends such as Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox. --Paul Hughes

Review

* "Outstanding popular military history . . . an accomplishment of the same high order as McPherson's Civil War historiography."--Booklist

"Chronologically connecting events from the siege of Charleston in April 1780, to the battle of Guilford Courthouse, almost a year later, Buchanan carefully weaves politics, battles and personalities into one of the fascinating stories of American independence."--Roanoke Times

"His compelling narrative brings readers closer than ever before to the reality of Revolutionary warfare in the Carolinas."--Raleigh News & Observer

"Buchanan makes the subject come alive like few others I have seen."--Dennis Conrad, editor of The Nathanael Greene Papers

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Trade Paper Press; First Edition (July 1, 1999)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 452 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0471327166
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0471327165
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.45 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.07 x 1.23 x 9.33 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 327 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
327 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

RC
5.0 out of 5 stars Reads like a novel
Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2023
Verified Purchase
This is a great, true, historical story, but it reads like a novel. The author provides a lot of background information on the main characters, and his descriptions of the battles are engaging.

Other reviewers have complained that the author repeats himself. That is certainly true, but it doesn't detract from the story one bit. In fact, the repetition of certain narratives promotes a contextual understanding of the events.

Others also complain that the author interjects his own opinions into the story. This is also true, but he makes it obvious that his opinions are just that; he doesn't try to pass them off as fact.

Yet another complaint is that the maps are illegible. That is absolutely true, and I see no defense for the author here. Nevertheless, with the internet close at hand, one can readily pull up all sorts of maps of the locations and battles described, which is much better than a few printed maps in the book anyway.

The biggest criticisms I have of the author are: (1) In a couple of spots, his compass directions are off (e.g., using southeast instead of southwest). (2) He uses one of the many misspellings of the Pacolet River (he uses "Pacelot"). Although annoying, neither of these is critical enough to take away a star from my rating.

Anyone with an interest in the Revolutionary War in the south should appreciate this book.
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Robert C. Cochran
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2023
Verified Purchase
Hands down the best account of the Revolutionary War in the south that I have read! Reads like an exciting novel with a long list of characters some known and many unknown. Many strategic details as well as complete explanations for both defeats and victories yet never boring. It's like watching a great mini series and you just can't wait to see the next episode. Absolute must read for the Revolutionary War enthusiast!
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Howard Schulman
4.0 out of 5 stars Mixed feelings
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2006
Verified Purchase
I have mixed feeling towards John Buchanan's book "The Road to Guilford Courthouse--The American Revolution in the Carolinas" because although the author seems to have a good grasp of the subject and has a relatively easy-to-read writing style, he frequently gets caught up in the myriad of less relevant battle and personnel details. This makes getting through the book a grind.

Having said that, it was definitely fun to learn about some of the characters that played significant roles during the stage of the Revolutionary War that took place in the Carolinas. This is a part of the war that doesn't get much attention even though it is where the war was won, where the tides were turned. The British make a decision to get out of Philadelphia and finish up their conquest by invading through the Loyalist populated South, and then all of a sudden wind up surrendering at Yorktown. I was missing something before reading this book.

Coming from Rhode Island and being an early American history buff, I was a little disappointed that Nathanael Greene didn't get more coverage, but it appears that most of the fighting in the Carolinas was done by others, who do get their due in the book. Particularly, with regards to unknowns getting their due, it was especially fun to learn about Daniel Morgan and Banastre Tarleton, but also Thomas Sumpter and the Battle of Kings Mountain. It was interesting to get a taste of how a war was fought in the swamps of Carolina. Buchanan does do a particularly good job of quoting frequently from primary source material--this really helped to bring the 225 year old story alive.

In the end, the book could have summarized more in some areas and delved more deeply into others. Also, note that the book ends with the battles of Cowpens and Guilford Courthouse and doesn't cover the war through Virginia and the eventual surrender at Yorktown.

Finally, one very, very important problem with the book--the maps and illustrations used are totally inadequate. This makes understanding the action very difficult. Very frustrating!!
6 people found this helpful
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Bret McFarland
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Great
Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2023
Verified Purchase
Fascinating history by a superb author.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for history buffs
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2019
Verified Purchase
John Buchanan's "The Road To Guilford Courthouse" is an excellent resource for anyone who is interested in either the American Revolution in particular, or the 18th Century world view. It's an informative work for anyone whose ancestry and home base is in the Southeastern U.S. This is the first work of Mr. Buchanan's that I've read and it's obvious that he's done a tremendous amount of research, study and preparation. Therein lies the problem. You'll have to slow up your pace as you read to take in all of the information provided. It is not so much a technical work as it is a very detailed and descriptive story. You are painted a vast canvas with words. That also makes this a riveting work as you learn of the personalities of the time from the officers and commanders, to the regular soldier in the field. You learn much about the Charleston planter Aristocracy and the people that comprised the Upcountry frontier. You follow the irregular militias and guerrilla units of the Carolinas. Also, much of the "behind the scenes" political intrigues are presented. Buchanan tries to portray his characters as fairly as possible, whether it's Morgan, Greene or Marion on the Patriot side or Clinton, Tarleton, and Cornwallis of the British ranks. The book is a great learning experience whether you're a novice in the study of the period or someone who has devoted many hours to the Revolutionary years.
3 people found this helpful
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