An engrossing view of what it was like to live in the trenches, go on leave, get wounded, et cetera, and features voice after voice from the ranks

Highly readable . . . it transforms the individual soldier into the subject of history and the war itself into a series of intense states of consciousness lived out at the very edge of endurance

A compelling account of what the war was like for the ordinary soldier

A novel and arresting approach to the writing of military history

Bunker’s tightly argued and deeply researched book shows how a broader perspective can shed new light on even the most familiar events

An insightful and aptly acerbic account of the lead-up to the unnecessary loss of America … The book is especially good on the commercial imperatives that draw both sides to desperation: on the private greed and the arbitrary interferences that persuaded reasonable men to risk their lives

A nuanced global analysis of Britain’s failure to hold onto its American colonies… Riveting… With a sharp eye for economic realities, Bunker persuasively demonstrates why the American Revolution had to happen

A scholarly yet page-turning, superbly written history.

Bunker’s narrative is human and even-handed; and from the Boston harbourside to the salons of London, a complex and epic tale is told with colour and enthusiasm. It should even go down well in Boston

Bunker relates the complex story of the Boston Tea Party with zest and almost intimidating thoroughness

This is a compelling read that explains British decision-making with skill and insight. Highly recommended

Shows how a lethal blend of politics and personalities led to the American Revolution

Bunker has done a wonderful job describing the tragedy of errors that led to a bitter and costly war

A distinguished and refreshing contribution to the secondary literature on the American Revolution

[It is] brilliantly written and meticulously researched.

A vigorous book, full of energy as well as insight