Searching for Yankee Doodle: Washington’s Soldiers in the American Revolution
Vastly different opinions have been offered over the years by historians concerning the true image of the most essential element of the War for Independence-the common foot soldier. For most of America’s history little was known about the identity of these men, why they fought and how the war affected their lives. A few were known for their exploits in battle, but most Yankee Doodles appear only on lists of thousands of shadowy names published by each state. Yet the men of the Continental Army were the people most responsible for achieving America’s independence.
Who exactly were they and what inspired them to endure appalling hardships during the most critical time in American history? Reading their words and tracking their actions day to day brings these soldiers to life. We can experience their emotions and exposes the attitudes and behavior of these valiant warriors. Historian Bob Mayers unravels the lives of the “grunts,” “doughboys” and “GIs” of our most important war. He has been able to salvage information that for more than two centuries since the Revolution ended has been a daunting challenge for other historians.
The Revolutionary Detective 