Revolution on the Hudson: New York City and the Hudson River Valley in the American War of Independence (Paperback)
The riveting untold story of the fight for the Hudson River Valley, the decisive campaign of the Revolutionary War.
No part of the country was more contested during the American Revolution than New York City and its surroundings. Military leaders of the time—and generations of scholars since—believed that the Hudson River Valley was America’s geographic jugular, which, if cut, would quickly bleed the rebellion to death. In Revolution on the Hudson, prize-winning historian George C. Daughan makes the daring new argument that this strategy would never have worked, and that dogged pursuit of dominance over the Hudson ultimately cost Britain the war. This groundbreaking naval history offers a thrilling response to one of our most vexing historical questions: How could a fledgling nation have defeated the most powerful war machine of the era?
— Paula Uruburu - New York Times Book Review
Daughan’s narrative is by turns suspenseful, elegant, and moving.
— Ian W. Toll, best-selling author of Six Frigates
[Daughan] deftly highlights how naval power shaped even war on land.
— Wall Street Journal
In this fresh, vivid, and often surprising telling of the Revolutionary War, George Daughan explores the timeless theme of hubris and the critical role of geography in the making of American independence. A commanding, compelling performance by an inspired historian.
— Evan Thomas, author of John Paul Jones and Being Nixon
Fascinating…Daughan brings all his subjects to vivid life.
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
An enlightening combination of military and regional history.
— Booklist