The Mohican Board! [Bumppo's Redux!] - Random Books on 18th C. Studies

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Random Books on 18th C. Studies

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RedFraggle
Mohicanite

Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
October 13 2006

Status: offline

Posted - May 27 2007 : 9:19:44 PM

I was looking for a forum on random books dealing with 18th c. studies, but didn't see one, so I thought I'd make my own.

I've been doing a lot of scattered reading here lately, and I've found some really interesting books. Here's my take on them, if anyone is interested. I'd also like any suggestions for further reading. I've got the whole summer ahead of me. . . .

The British & Colonial Armies
A People's Army by Fred Anderson.
A book about the lives and experiences of Massachusetts provincial soldiers during the F&I War. Interesting info on troop demographics as well as individual soldiers.

Redcoats by Stephen Brumwell.
About the Brits in America, 1755-1763. I mostly liked this book because of all the firsthand accounts taken from letters and diary entries of individual soldiers and commanders. Info on recruiting, discipline, tactical evolution, and Highland troops in the Americas.

Military Uniforms in America. The Era of the American Revolution, 1755-1795 by John Elting
Kind of disappointed with this one. Some good (albeit comic-booky) color drawings of uniforms, but not very comprehensive. Didn't find what I was looking for.

Costume
The Visual History of Costume Accessories by Valerie Cummings.
Covers 1500's to modern day in less than 170 pages. About 30 pages on the 1700's. All pictures are black and white, so not as good as the books with full color illustrations, if you ask me.

What Clothes Reveal by Linda Baumgarten
I'm in love with this book. It's so pretty. Every page has full-color photos of items from the collection of 18th c. clothing in Colonial Willamsburg. I learned a lot about 18th c. dress.

Social History
Sex and the Eighteenth Century Man by Thomas Foster
This book provides an interesting look at the dynamics of sex and power in the 18th c. and defines what it meant to be a "man" in that era. Chapters on marriage and fatherhood, rape, bachelors, interracial relationships, and homosexuality. A lot of examples from diaries, letters, and courtroom documents, all drawn from 18th c. Massachusetts.

Sexual Revolution in Early America by Richard Godbeer
Haven't finished this one yet, but I've read the chapter called "Popular Sexual Mores in 17th c. New England," and have started the chapter on regulation of sexual practices in the 18th c. Again, a lot of info from diaries, letters, and court cases.

In case you can't tell, I'm very interested in social history.

What I enjoy most about the above listed books is the wealth of information from primary sources (diaries, letters, etc.). I'm also interested in gender studies, but then again I guess you have to be when you're in my field. (Studying Classical literature can't really be done without talking about the male/female divide.)

Anybody else read the books I listed? Or have other suggestions? I'd love to hear them.

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CT•Ranger
Colonial Militia

USA

Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
October 14 2002

Status: offline

Posted - June 06 2007 : 09:29:10 AM

Anderson and Brumwell are good historians, and I've enjoyed and learned much from their books. Anderson has written the history of the French and Indian War, "Crucible of War" which is excellent. Also, Brumwell wrote a good book on Rogers' St. Francis Raid titled "White Devil: A True Story of War, Savagery And Vengeneance in Colonial America." His most recent book is on James Wolfe, which I haven't read yet or heard anything about. But judging by his track record, I would expect it to be very good.

David H. Fischer is another historian you might enjoy reading, if you haven't already. His "Albion's Seed: Four British Folkways in America" is really foundational for understanding American history and society in general. Really a must read for anyone interested in Early America and social history, especially academic types.

"The Times of Their Lives: Life, Love, and Death in Plymouth Colony" by James Deetz and Patricia Scott Deetz is another good one with a large dose of social history.

And of course there's "A Midwife's Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812" by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich which as you can probably guess from the title is full of interesting details on everyday life based on primary docs. It was also turned into an excellent documentary.

Myabe you've read some or all of these, but if not I think they're worth reading.

YMHS,
Connecticut•Ranger
Thomas Thacher

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