Brothers at Arms

Brothers at Arms examines the American Revolution from an international perspective, focusing on the critical military and financial support provided by France and Spain. The book reframes the revolution as part of a global conflict rather than a purely colonial rebellion. The narrative traces the diplomatic efforts of American leaders who sought assistance from European powers in their fight against Britain. It details the complex negotiations, strategic alliances, and military coordination between American forces and their French and Spanish allies. Military campaigns and naval battles are presented alongside political developments in European courts. The text covers the movement of weapons, supplies, troops and ships across the Atlantic, demonstrating the logistics of 18th century warfare. The book challenges traditional American-centric views of the Revolution, arguing that independence was achieved through international cooperation rather than through domestic efforts alone. This interpretation places the American struggle in a broader context of European power dynamics and colonial competition.

Readers emphasize the book's focus on how France, Spain, and the Dutch Republic were crucial to American independence - a perspective missing from standard US history education. Many note it corrects the "America won alone" narrative. Liked: - Clear writing style that makes complex diplomatic history accessible - Integration of naval warfare details - Strong documentation and research - Maps and illustrations aid understanding Disliked: - Some sections on European politics become dense - A few readers wanted more battlefield details - Minor complaints about repetitive passages Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (316 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (168 ratings) Reader Quote: "This book filled a major gap in my understanding of the American Revolution. The European perspective changes everything." - Goodreads reviewer Several readers noted it pairs well with David McCullough's "1776" for a complete view of the Revolutionary War period.

To Begin the World Anew by Bernard Bailyn The political, diplomatic, and intellectual connections between Revolutionary America and Europe reveal how European powers shaped the American Revolution's outcome.

The Perils of Peace by Thomas Fleming This account follows the complex diplomatic negotiations and domestic challenges in America from Yorktown through the Treaty of Paris.

The French Navy and American Independence by Jonathan R. Dull The naval strategy, operations, and logistics of France's naval contribution to American independence demonstrates the critical maritime dimension of the Revolutionary War.

Liberty's Exiles by Maya Jasanoff The experiences of American Loyalists who fled to other parts of the British Empire after the Revolution illuminate the global impact of American independence.

The First Alliance by Ronald Hoffman and Peter J. Albert The French-American alliance during the American Revolution reveals the complex diplomatic, military, and financial relationships between the two nations.

🔷 The book won the 2017 Gilder Lehrman Prize in Military History, awarded by the New-York Historical Society for the best book on military history published in English. 🔷 France and Spain contributed more troops and ships to the American Revolution than the Americans themselves, including nearly 90% of all the gunpowder used by American forces. 🔷 Author Larrie D. Ferreiro is both a naval architect and historian, bringing technical expertise to his analysis of 18th-century naval warfare and shipbuilding. 🔷 The book challenges the traditional narrative of American independence, showing that the Founding Fathers actively sought foreign intervention from the very beginning, rather than it being a purely domestic revolution. 🔷 Many of the French officers who aided America, including Lafayette and Rochambeau, were initially motivated more by a desire to seek revenge against Britain for the Seven Years' War than by democratic ideals.