books I've been reading

While Almost a Miracle focuses on the military campaigns of the American Revolution (note that the "American Revolution" doesn't technically refer to the War of American Independence that came as a result of the American Revolution), A Leap in the Dark examines the political atmosphere and the evolution of independence through to the creation of the American republic through the Articles of Confederation and on to the federalists' victory with the Constitution of the United States of America. The latter half of the book focuses on the first presidencies, notably those of George Washington and John Adams, and culminates with the volcanic election of Thomas Jefferson to the White House. All in all a good read, though the details Ferling gives can be a little overwhelming at times (even for a colonial nutjob such as myself). If you're looking for a great book on the American Revolution that doesn't become swept up in the War of American Independence (the war itself is encompassed in a mere two chapters), then this is the book for you (though I doubt anyone reading this blog actually cares enough to read this book, nor enough to even read this post!).