Collector's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution Collector's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution
A Showcase of 18th
Century Artifacts from the War for Independence
By George C. Neumann & Frank J. Kravic
A GREAT RESOURCE for reenactors, living history participants, collectors, buckskinners and anyone interested in 18th century lifestyles. Features more than 2,300 photographs and descriptions of artifacts from the mid to late 1700s. The alphabetic encyclopedic format lets you research with ease the material culture of both combatants and civilians during the Revolutionary War period.
286 pages, 8-1/2" X 11"
Hardcover $36.95, ISBN 0-9605666-7-8
Softcover $32.95, ISBN 0-9605666-8-6
Collector's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution
Reviewed by Mark Baker
I've
been waiting a long time for this one! Ever since I borrowed a
friend's original edition of it six years ago, I have yearned to own a copy. As
I studied the photographs and digested the historical notes of the borrowed
edition, I was greatly impressed with the way it presented the material culture
of the Revolutionary War period. I knew that I needed a copy of the book.
Over the next several years, I continued to borrow that same
friend's copy. Each time I took it home, I entertained myself for hours studying
the over 2300-photographs of original mid-18th century accoutrements, clothing
and weapons. But each time, I had to return the book and content myself with
only sporadic glimpses of Neumann and Kravic's diligent research. I have craved
very few books like I hungered for this one.
The authors, who are both historians and reenactors, include
practically everything associated with the life of the common soldier and
officer in their encyclopedia. Each artifact has been expertly photographed,
noted and listed in alphabetical order for easy reference and intensive study.
Many of the 18th century items are cross-referenced to aid the reader in
searching for a particular artifact. Virtually thousands of items used during
our country's fight for independence are examined and pictured for the reader's
benefit.
As a result of Neumann's and Kravic's careful research, the
reader is able to examine dozens of personal collections and wander through the
artifacts of several museums. But this clever encyclopedia offers more than just
a stagnant listing of artifacts. The details in each photograph are clear,
refined and feature helpful angles of each artifact. Also included are
photographs of Revolutionary War reenactors in action, each scene tastefully
placed throughout the text. Another touch I particularly like is the art work of
renowned illustrator George C. Woodbridge. His skilled line drawings appear
throughout the text to illustrate certain items that have not survived the
passage of time or that can be better illustrated by drawings than photographs.
The Collector's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American
Revolution is a must for anyone interested in our early heritage,
especially the thousands of men and women who reenact the civilian or military
life of Colonial America. The book is also useful to those who depict life
during the French and Indian War or people who just love to look, read and
wonder about the War for Independence. If you fit any of these descriptions, I
strongly suggest investing in a personal copy of The Collector's Illustrated
Encyclopedia of the American Revolution.
Some books are good for borrowing, but others are sound
investments. The Collector's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American
Revolution is worth the purchase price. Only once in a great while is a
book of this caliber discovered by history buffs. You had better latch on to it.
M
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