The Glorious Cause by Jeff Shaara

The Glorious Cause Reviews

• 
  Mr. Matt

  Another book that I should've reviewed days ago. Too much work .... too much going on ....
  
  The Glorious Cause continues the story of Franklin, Adams, Washington, Cornwallis, and more through the climax of the American Revolution. This is Shara's Schtick. He picks a few key players in great historical events and follows them through those events. As a reader you gain insight into the thinking, the strategy, the plots of these great people. The insight is fantastic.
  
  The approach is also a great weakness of the book. It does follow those great men, but it does leave untouched what I find more intriguing about historical fiction. What about the individual farmer - the small landholder or craftsman? History is not necessarily about the great and powerful. In many ways I like to read about the small person who is caught up in great events and somehow manages to shape those events through their pluck and luck. Wouldn't it have been cool to place a man or woman at the heart of the Revolution? Stealing British secrets on the sly to influence the course of the conflict? Or what about a Hessian mercenary who decides to desert over a shot at his own land? Or an English soldier who is conflicted about what his comrades are doing to drive the colonies away? I'm not saying abandon covering Franklin or Cornwallis, but just add more. (On the note of the great men, I did appreciate the focus on Cornwallis. He comes across very sympathetically.)
  
  Besides enjoying the stories, I also enjoy historical fiction because I learn about new periods and events that I was more or less ignorant of. In the case of The Glorious Cause, I had a first hand seat following the British army's Southern Strategy. Basically, with the war in New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts at a stand still, the British sought to end the Revolution in the Southern Colonies and then work their way North. I had the chance to be at the Battle of Cowpens (yes, a real battle) and at the final surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. Pretty cool stuff.
  
  Three and a half stars out of five. Rounding it down to three based on the fact that I wanted more average Joe, less great man.
  
  
• 
  Karl Jorgenson

  Shaara's book is the story of the Revolutionary war: the battles, the dithering Congress, the intransigent King George, the privation of the soldiers, the evolving strategy of the continental army and allied state militias. Generals Washington, Knox, Greene, Lafayette and others versus Howe, Clinton, Cornwallis, and Benedict Arnold. It's a novel, but Shaara intends the details to be accurate and authentic, with only historic detail manufactured to smooth the narrative. I was 'taught' about the war when I was in middle school, a useless exercise in memorizing locations and dates of battles. Here is what actually happened, the surprises, the mistakes, the arrogance of the well-trained and experienced British.
  War never changes, except in the minutia. Washington's successes are similar to victories by WWII commanders: Guderian in 1940 France and 1941 Ukraine, Rommel in 1941 Libya, Patton in 1944 France. The general theme of the British defeat echoes other wars fought to subjugate a population fighting for their independence: Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, and now Ukraine. It is an obvious lesson that each generation of military leaders ignores: an army can't succeed against a united populace; at best, it can defeat the organized, visible enemy and then spend decades of occupation suppressing rebellions. The victory by Washington and the French at Yorktown is perfectly replayed, albeit with 100 times the brutality, at Stalingrad in 1942-43. Von Paulus's 6th army in Stalingrad, like Cornwallis's force at Yorktown, hold their position while their commanders promise relief and reinforcements that they can't or won't deliver. Both battles mark the point where the aggressor becomes the vanquished.
• 
  Gilda Felt

  Just like its prequel, this book brings to life the men who fought for, and against, the American cause. Highly readable, and so well researched that you find yourself forgetting that it’s a novel.
  
  Each chapter is written from a different person’s view, so that you see the conflict from both sides. Each person is shown in all their complexities, their good qualities as well as their flaws.
  
  Another plus, is that the battles are written in such a way to make them palatable to those readers who aren’t war or battle buffs. They’re easy to follow, while still keeping the sense of urgency and dread that the participants must have felt.
  
  What I knew of the Revolution was pretty much what I learned in high school. I knew the basics, but this particular time in history had never been an interest of mine. Washington, Arnold, Greene, Lafayette, Cornwallis. These were just names, place holders for the roles of hero or villain. But after reading these two novels, I’m looking forward to reading biographies of these real and fascinating men.
  
• 
  David Roark

  I cannot say enough good things about this book. For someone like myself who has always been interested in the American Revolution, it is kind of like a dream come true. Equally informative and dramatic, as well as captivating and well-written, this book, as well as the prequel, Rise to Rebellion, are definitely necessities for Americans to read, to fully appreciate what Washington, Greene, Lafayette, Franklin, Adams, Jefferson, Tilghman, Morgan, Wayne, Knox and many many more went through to see America gain her independence. I also appreciated the in-depth look at Charles Cornwallis, who in all honesty, had he possessed more superiority in the British army, may have been the one commander who could have beaten the rebels. If it weren't for the inept behaviors and actions of men like Howe and Clinton, in their positions of seniority, things may have been very different for America. I really enjoyed the focus on Nathanael Greene, in his role as quartermaster and close subordinate to Washington, and it makes me very proud to have discovered before reading this book that he is a distant relation of mine. Being able to follow the details and drama of the battles as they played out, and the overall strategies and struggles of the war really made this book interesting and hard to put down. One doesn't fully realize the agonizing struggles Washington faced, the doubts of his ability to command, and pressures upon him to try and see his vision for independence through. Thankfully, with many likewise brave and determined, he did.
• 
  Domenico

  If you want an overview of the American Revolution, this book and its predecessor, "Rise to Rebellion", are an excellent source because it takes you beyond what you learned in high school history class, while making it all supremely accessible by turning the tale into a novel rather than a textbook. That isn't to say this is fictionalized or that Shaara took license with it. He relied on first-person accounts and letters and other historical documentation to make the dialogue and recounting of events as accurate as possible.
  
  If you're a Hamilton fan looking for more, this is a great place to start delving into American Revolutionary history. (But start with Rise to Rebellion, the first book of this duology.)
• 
  Joe

  In The Glorious Cause, Shaara picks up where he left off in Rise to Rebellion and relates the events of the lion share of the Revolutionary War (the fall of 1776 to the final negotiations in 1783.) Gone are many of the characters so crucial to the Declaration of Independence and greater space is given to the key players of the war: Washington, Greene, and Cornwallis and those crucial diplomats: Franklin and Adams.
  
  Shaara does a great job in capturing the desperate nature of the war: Washington seems finished in almost every chapter but manages to persevere through seemingly endless and insurmountable challenges. His account of the winter in Valley Forge is especially astonishing. Also great care is taken in the presentation of America's great odd couple - Franklin and Adams in their diplomatic struggles in France. (It is really funny how appalled Adams is at Franklin's perceived moral excesses in France.)
  
  This is also a great book, but somehow less engaging than Rise to Rebellion. However, Shaara offers a profound epilogue in which he eulogizes each of the key characters which is truly amazing. Shaara makes a great case for George Washington being the most indispensable man of the revolution and one of the most pivotal men in all history.
• 
  Corey

  Nothing more can be said of Mr. Shaara that has not already been said. He followed the Pulitzer Prize winning footsteps of his father and is one of the best historical fiction writers of all time. All of his books are enlightening and entertaining and are well worth reading. This second volume of the Revolutionary War series is no exception to his fine work....he deftly describes what happens during the years after the war had started in earnest giving both a clear picture of history and an insight into the primary characters involved. As an American one can hardly read this book and its predecessor without pride......not so much in winning independence but that our country produces people who shine their brightest when things appear worst....that is a tradition that continues today and provides me an opportunity to use this review to thank all those who serve our country in the military, in law enforcement and as first responders and all those who ensure that all that was endured by our forefathers was not in vain.
• 
  Charles Cummings

  The Glorious Cause is book 2 on of Jeff Shaara’s two book set on the American Revolutionary War. This book really shined through as an excellent piece from Shaara. It goes from the invasion of New York to the siege of Yorktown. The primary focus of the book is the battles and the armies. Shaara writes from the point of view of different people (Washington, Lord Cornwallis, Greene, etc). The history is true; the conversations are Shaara’s idea of what was said. If you are interested in the American Revolutionary War, I would recommend you first read a non-fiction piece such as George Washington’s War, and then read this set, or just the second set if you are purely interested in the war itself and not the run up to the event.
• 
  Joe

  I have to be honest that I have not been a big George Washington fan but reading this book and several others about the Revolutionary War have given me greater respect for him. I really can't say that he was a great strategist or even a really good general but he was an excellent leader of men. If he had not been the commanding general, it is highly likely that the army would have disintegrated long before the War was won.
• 
  Laura

  Just arrived from USA through BM.
  
  This is the second and final volume of the American Revolutionary War series showing why George Washington reached the status of the Father of the United States of America.
  
  His military actions as well as his very well planned tactics assured important victories against the Britons together with the French alliance in the figure of General Lafayette.
  
  Another magnificent book by Jeff Shaara. Now I must finish the Civil War series.
• 
  Tom

  Jeff Shaara's take on the American Revolution is more detailed and insightful than most. His characters seem to come alive, and so do the events. As much as I thought I knew about the Revolution, through years of reading and research, along comes Shaara to tell me a few things I didn't know. This book was definitely a good investment of my time and effort, considering its informative narrative and insights. Excellent book, hard to put down.
• 
  Andrew

  Brilliant in every single way!
• 
  Caleb M.

  Before this book, when I thought about the Revolutionary War I would picture Washington crossing the Delaware river in that famous painting. I pictured brave men fighting for their country. Leaving their families at home and many sacrificing their lives for the country we now live in today.
  
  But it is so much more than that. This book really helped put into perspective the greatness of these wonderful people that sacrificed so much for all of us living in the US to have. We shouldn't have won this war. We were no match for the unprecedented British Army. And yet, somehow, through sheer will power and a deep belief in independence, we prevailed.
  
  While this book is technically a work of fiction it is not. Sure, some of the conversations and things implied could never be known for sure, but you can't help but feel that Shaara did so much research and dedication to learning about this war and these people involved in it that even the little conversations seem to be so believable.
  
  While this book doesn't read super easy, as it is part history book and part entertainment, it was a pleasure to go through. Reading about 1 or 2 chapters a day really seemed about perfect for this one and then on to something a little lighter.
  
  My whole idea and outlook of the Revolutionary War changed after reading this book. And I'm glad for it.
• 
  Sandy

  Jeff Shaara is amazing. I previously loved his Civil war books, Gods and Generals plus The Last Full Measure. If anything this was even better. He can bring it to life with all the despair, doubt and struggle that was involved over the long fight to shake off the yoke of British rule. Although I would have said that I knew a lot about the Revolution, the fact is that I learned so much here. My biggest takeaways were:
  - There was really no way we should have survived much less won. To quote the excellent musical, Alexander Hamilton: " We are outgunned, outmanned, outnumbered and outplanned"
  - We had no soldiers. England sent 32,000 professional soldiers to NY. Our new militia simply ran away so many times when we tried to fight.
  - The Country and the Continental Congress delivered so little support and generally a fraction of what was needed.
  - Generally our meager army had no coats, inadequate food and often no shoes even in winter! Soldiers signed up for two month enlistments and left as soon as it was up.
  - Then we had no officers and had to survive a number of bungles by poor commanders.
  - We also had no real central government and a strong belief that central government was bad as it could become the new tyrant. Therefore militia from Virginia for example would not want to fight outside their state. All militia felt that way unless their specific state was being attacked. So no way to build a big fighting force.
  - Fortunately English arrogance and a lack of following up the numerous English victories gave us a tiny opening. I still can't believe we prevailed.
  - The timeframe was longer than I realized taking over six years during which our new country was basically a mess hanging on by a thread the entire time.
  
  Great historical writing!
  
• 
  J.J. Lair

  This big very detailed book was a real learning experience that was also an enjoyable read. I was originally put off by the introductory start of sections where he used pronouns rather than tell me who the section was about. Then he would explain it. Here we got battle plans ,battles, Lafayette, Von Stueben, Washington, Charles Lee and we get the English side as well. There are whole books on Benedict Arnold, but the story is here and within another chapter.
  Why were some battles remembered? We found out a lot of heroes made mistakes.
  We get the aftermath for some characters and how burned out towns came out.
  
• 
  Yvonne Carter

  This is good for those who want a 'sweeping' read of the American Revolution. It doesn't cover all the details but still paints a good picture of our revolution, giving both the American rebel and British view points.
• 
  Jenalyn

  One of my all-time favs!
• 
  Abe

  A great book. The author brings history alive with factual data.
  It was interesting to note the significant role played by France in our independence.
• 
  Patrick Martin

  Jeff Shaara brings the Revolutionary War and it's principle generals to light with this book. This is his second book of a two part series that started with the excellent "Rise To Rebellion". The author follows the military names you learned about in history class up and down the east coast as they fight to gain or crush independence.
  
  What Mr. Shaara does uniquely well is write in a way that brings the historical figures real side to the reader. The doubts and indecision that they had. The very real fears they faced, like George Washington worrying about his wife Martha and home at Mt. Vernon when the British set up fairly near there in his native Virginia.
  
  All the big names are profiled and followed here, British Generals Howe, Clinton and Cornwallis as well as British Admiral Howe. American generals Benedict Arnold, George Washington, Nathaniel Greene, Marquis De Lafayette, Lee, Gates and Mad Anthony Wayne are all followed through their campaigns.
  
  The author does a great job making real folks of these names, of giving all the background and interactions that went into decisions and writes of the battles in a way that is easily understandable for those that don't have a scholarly degree.
  
  Because this is basically a war book other founding fathers are not involved, other than Ben Franklin and his grandson who were trying to get French help for the rebellion. You see the names Jefferson, Hamilton, Burr, Adams and the like but very briefly. This book was not about statesmen, it was about warriors.
  
  
• 
  Joanne

  This is the second book in Jeff Shaara's duology on the American Revolution.
  
  The story begins shortly after the signing of the Declaration of Independence and ends with the surrender of Britain at Yorktown. In true Shaara form, the story is told through the eyes of those who lived it. Fictionalized History, most definitely, but done with in-depth research.
  
  I knew about these men: George Washington, Charles Cornwallis, Ben Franklin, from years of American History in school. I really enjoyed the parts on Franklin, learning so many things about him that I never knew.
  
  Shaara also brings in those men who were only "add-ons" in the classroom. Nathanael Greene, Washington's right hand man and brilliant strategist. Daniel Morgan, who commanded one of the best rifle companies in the Continental Army, The Marquis de Lafayette, who believed in the American Cause and traveled from France to help.
  
  I have become a huge Shaara "fan-girl" , if you love history and historical fiction his books are a "not to be missed"
• 
  Eleanor

  Jeff Shaara is a genius at making historical figures come to life. Before I don't think I really ever thought about Gorge Washington, or Lafayette, or any of them, as a real person.
• 
  Mike Hohrath

  Another book in the Oxford History of the United States, shout out to Audible for having the whole dang series on there. I'm really loving these books. They have their own set of strengths and weaknesses. Any one-volume history of a major movement like the American Revolution will undoubtedly need to leave out some information (more on this later).
  
  This book opens with the situation in England, covering the social, political, and economic situation of the mother country. This helps us understand the seeming intransigence of the English to American pleas during the years leading up to the revolution. It also helps give us a sense of the cultural legacy of the American people during these years.
  
  In then transitions to America and goes through the various legislative acts of Parliament that cause so much discontent in the States. As each State in the Revolution when through it's own unique political upheaval during this period, the author takes us through several states that are indicative of the larger picture. What I found most interesting during this period was how the politics of families and local power influenced who became a revolutionary or a loyalist. If your political patron was a loyalist, you were more likely to follow that route. Then of course the famous Virginian House of Burgesses and their Virginia Resolves, followed by the action in Boston that lead directly to the war.
  
  Once the war begins, thats where things get very interesting. The author decided to dedicate one chapter to cover most of the battles and troop movements, but I thought this could have been broken up a bit. He does do better than most in this Oxford Series at covering the actual battlefield tactics and strategies. I think this is because, as he mentioned, the Continental army was the revolution. It embodied the ideals and was the physical mover of political separation. It follows the course of the revolution through the political movements like the one that lead to the Declaration of Independence (which was actually preceded by a couple of hundred declarations of independence by various towns and cities and counties).
  
  Then after covering the various actions of the war, the author goes into other interesting tid bits, like the actions of the Congress through the war, how colonial women from various social spheres lived and contributed to the war efforts, the status of slaves and what it meant to the revolution, and sanitation standards in the war. These Oxford books are never strong in describing the various personalities of the war, as it would be too much to cover and leave out important information. That being said, it does give a great perspective on the thoughts and actions of the common people, from the farmers to the merchants during the war. He also has a fascinating exploration of what kept the common soldier, the farmer with a gun, continuing to serve in the army and militias through out the long and costly war.
  
  There was a lot I didn't cover. Any in depth exploration of an incredibly dense and fascinating historical period like this, deserves a 10 page review. But alas, you'll need to check the book out for yourself.
  
  
• 
  JimZ

  Many of us interested in history enjoy reading Jeff Shaara's well-researched military novels. I've now read his books about the eastern battles of the Civil War (including his father's 'Killer Angels), and now his two on the Revolutionary War. Shaara cautions that he is not writing history, however, my checking other sources from time to time seems to indicate that he follows accurate timelines, characters and events in his fiction.
  
  'Rise to Rebellion' and 'The Glorious Cause' have made me appreciate the roles that certain individuals played in our history, such as, among others, John and Henry Adams, Franklin, Greene, Lafayette, Von Steuben, and of course, Washington.
  
  Shaara places just enough maps in the text to give the reader a sense of the battles and marches which he describes. These days online images are also available for more such detail.
  
  I suppose the biggest surprises to me were the desperate condition of the continental army and militias against the British forces, and how much Washington had to deal with in terms of the congress, its realities and foibles. The fact that we are still dealing with semi-independent colonies (and how this fact contributed to the difficulties of waging war) hints at issues to come in the years between military victory and the signing of the Constitution. [This is documented in Gordon S. Wood's 'The Creation of the American Republic, 1776-1787' (1969)] 'The Glorious Cause' also illustrates the role of France in our success to gain independence.
  
  Throughout, Shaara describes examples of how Washington's army often had to use military tactics other than direct confrontation against the superior British forces. These, as well as blunders by the British command, contributed to eventual American success.
  
  I'll be moving on to more of Shaara's books soon. But already his novels have inspired me to delve into some history as well as other historical fiction in an effort not only to enjoy reliving the places and times, but also gain more understanding of the men and women who made that history.
• 
  Brett Van Gaasbeek

  This is the second part to Jeff Shaara's American Revolution series. I liked "Rise to Rebellion" more than I did this installment, but that does not diminish the solid writing and the historical research that Shaara always mixes well in his books. This book brings to life the characters of Washington, LaFayette, Cornwallis and Greene (among many others) more than any history textbook can and even many historians do in their academic discussions on these men. While this may drag at times, as Shaara tends to get bogged down with minute details, the storyline moves along and helps the reader gain a solid understanding of the soldiers and commanders that fought in the conflict that shaped our nation. Well worth the time to read and get to know our founders while they were founding.
• 
  Suzanne

  The Glorious Cause is the second book in Jeff Shaara’s narration of the American Revolution. Having read and loved the first, I already knew what I was in for when I picked up this novel. Wow! Shaara is such a master at presenting history in a way that is thrilling and even, at times, nailbiting. It doesn’t matter that we already know how the story turns out, this book is fantastic!
  
  Again, Shaara changes perspective with each chapter, featuring such important players as George Washington, Charles Cornwallis, Benjamin Franklin, Nathaniel Greene and the Marquis de Lafayette. Complete with maps, Shaara presents this stage of the war in a very readable progression of military victories and defeats, as well diplomatic battles. From cheering on Daniel Morgan to feeling giddy about the announcement of the French warships arrival in Chesapeake Bay, this book was a rip-roaring ride through the battles that determined the fate of all Americans. Truly, everyone should read this!
• 
  Carl Alves

  The Glorious Cause is a very well written and often times epic in scope novel about the Revolutionary War. It mostly uses the point of view of the major people involved in the war, primarily through the eyes of George Washington, who is more or less the central character of the novel. Shaara really goes through great pains to show the struggles that the Colonialists had to go through before things finally turned around. They had to show amazing resiliency overcoming horrible situations. It’s one thing to know the history of what happened from a class or a textbook, but this novel makes it come alive. Of all the characters in the novel, George Washington is the one that really stands out with his inner strength and refusal to fail. The prose is strong and the voice that the author uses fits the narrative and the times. Although a bit long-winded this is a strong novel that I would recommend.
  
  Carl Alves – author of Blood Street
• 
  Timothy

  Classic Shaara historical fiction and the third one I’ve read. Rise to Rebellion was hugely important to me when I read it in high school because I had never experienced history so up close and personal. The Shaara books continue to excite me today. I’d probably give it 4.5 stars if I could but rounded up because the missing half star is no fault of the author. My only issue is that the story of the American Revolution just isn’t that exciting from roughly 1778-1780 because it’s mostly a stalemate. Nothing Shaara can do about this of course given the structure and style of book he seeks to create, and the fact that is based on real events. I will undoubtedly seek to read more history about America at this time because of reading this. His books really are an excellent introduction and leaping off point. I will of course continue reading Shaara‘s other works. Perhaps more Civil War next.