A short, accessible history of the American Revolution from 1775-1781. This revision of The First Book of the American Revolution (1956) is the first in a series tracing US history from the 13 colonies to the earliest days of a unified nation. In this volume, Morris briefly describes the major characters and events of the period, and examines the accompanying issues. The discussions cover only selected highlights, but the author does explore the issues in some depth. The text is divided into chapters with headings that make important points obvious and understandable. One quibble: a reference to modern revolutions in Europe and Asia is made. Why not Africa? Morris' clear and vivid style does justice to the dramatic events of the period. Handsome line drawings by Leonard Everett Fisher heighten the book's appeal, and a map, index, and section on flags of the Revolution add to its usefulness.