Review: Band of Giants

Here’s this weekend book review, a feature I try to post on Fridays because sometimes in ministry Pastors need to read other things besides theology, Bible, commentaries and apologetics.

Jack Kelly. Band of Giants: The Amateur Soldiers Who Won America’s Independence.  New York, NY: Saint Martin’s Press, September 9^th, 2014. 288 pp.

This book focuses on the military leaders during the American War of Independence.  I appreciate the author’s look at the military leaders that are not as well known today.  Previously I read a book on General Benedict Arnold so I was looking forward to reading this book to get a better idea of what the other leaders were like.  Author Jack Kelly paints a portrait of American military men with their admirable qualities but also their quirks.  It’s amazing to consider how amateur the American side were.  This was contrasted with the British Red Coats who were professional.  I love how the book gave an account towards the end of the book of how an American solider asked a British soldier what his occupation was outside of the military; this was a concept that was foreign to their British professional counterpart and one that the Brits chided the Americans.  In fact throughout the book it was clear that the Brits didn’t think too favorably of the American military leaders either.  British officers saw themselves as gentlemen and aristocrats.  It is no surprised then that the British looked down upon American military officers as craftsmen and merchants mimicking aristocratic officers.  Despite the American vast inexperience it is incredible to consider that the Americans would have won the war.  But as you read the book you also see how the leaders and generals matured.  At the same time war is beyond anyone’s control—and the hands of victory is ultimately determined by God more than generals.

The book was informative without being dry.  I had several favorite portions of the book.  I enjoyed it whenever the book discussed about how battles turned and its strategic or tactical contribution.  My favorite battle in the book was the Battle of Kings Mountain which previously I knew very little about and I think the last time I remembered hearing about it was in elementary school (which were decades ago!).  This battle in South Carolina was very different than the other battles before it in that it wasn’t a battle by the Continental Army but really an ad hoc force of Patriots who were largely Scottish dissenters living in the mountains who didn’t take too kindly to the British military threat and insults against them as a way of trying to strike fear for South Carolina to be under the British.  This force of Patriots managed to soundly defeat the British reinforced with loyalists in a short but fierce battle.  The book’s description of these tough and independent men was truly something to be admired.  Equally interesting to me (though not to all readers) was the book’s description of the Continental Army’s logistics, which fought an uphill battle to keep men clothed, armed and fed.  I found it surprising that George Washington was able to field an army for that long during the War especially with threat of mutiny, lack of salary of pay for the troops, and politics.  I have a new profound respect for the Quartermaster General of the Army of reading this book.  In addition I also enjoyed reading about the various men from Europe who helped trained American forces; in particular I’m thinking about Baron von Steuben and Marquis de Lafayette.  Maybe it’s because I’m getting older as a veteran but I loved how the book ended with the post-war years and description of an older General Lafayette’s visit to the US which sparked the memory of a nation and old warriors telling tales.  The technology might be different but old veterans thinking back of what they have done as young men—that seems to be a constant human experience.  I enjoyed the book.

Purchase: Amazon

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