Rick Atkinson is known for his three book history of the American Army in the European Theater during World War 2. Those masterful books tell the stories not just of generals and presidents but common soldiers, often in their own words. I would find myself reading these books as the sun rose; I could not put them down.

The British Are Coming is part one of a new trilogy on the American Revolution. It is another deep dive into what led to the revolution and what followed. He gives a clear view of the minds and motivations of those on high like George III and General Washington.  But it also details the motivations, often via letters to loved ones, of common soldiers and other less prominent people. Where are people more likely to tell their true feelings than in such correspondence?

This book also tosses on the trash heap notions that the Americans were being soundly beaten before Saratoga (which isn't covered in this volume). The Americans took their lumps and made a number of dubious decisions--invading Canada, how they defended New York. Yet, for each of those there was a Lexington & Concord, a Trenton, a Princeton etc.

Often, when the American Revolution is taught, the attack on Canada is not covered. It isn't terribly glorious but it is an important part of the history of the war. Atkinson ignores nothing and I am impatiently awaiting volume 2.