Rebels & Redcoats: How Britain Lost America (2004)
Rebels & Redcoats: How Britain Lost America (2004) Better in concept than execution. It is helpful to have a British vantage point on the American Revolution to counter some of the ‘colonists’ mythologies. This PBS production focuses primarily on the role of the British military and specific battles. That the Declaration of Independence, the Olive Branch Petition, and the failed peace discussions with the Howes are omitted is unfortunate. A greater flaw is ignoring what was transpiring in London. This is described in scathing detail in The British Lose America, Chapter 4 in Barbara Tuchman’s The March of Folly: From Troy to Vietnam.David McCullough’s 1776 provides sensitive insights into British thinking and actions in the colonies during this critical year.
