I really enjoyed this book. I always love visiting historic sites and observing/experiencing the original windows, doors, floors, furniture of a place. And, when I walk onto a battlefield, there is a heightened sense of awe that I am walking through time. The only trouble with this is that I am mostly imagining battles and struggles but not actually in the moment. This American Revolution Journal placed me in the moment. I have always been fascinated with healthcare and the science behind it...I am drawn to interpreters who discuss medicine during the revolution (I just read about the trials and tribulations of soldiers around the time of the Crossing of the Delaware), and it is awesome to read more from a doctor who actually lived it.

Excellent. These journal entries give a good sense of the author and some of his interesting and challenging experiences. Even if you don't like history, you may like this first-hand account of some events, some of which are bound to stay with you. Recommended.

I really appreciate the review copy!!

This book will delight all American history lovers with this gaze through time of the thinking, emotions, and experiences of the patriots who waged war against the mighty imperial power of the United Kingdom under King George III. The national change of emotion from loyal British subjects objecting to taxation without representation from parliament which ostensibly governed these colonies to angry patriots defending their own home for the nation which has been formed on July 4, 1776 is demonstrated as the primary motivation for the citizen soldiers fighting so desperately. The arrival of foreign help by the landing of a sizable French fleet with soldiers in transports is wonderfully noted with mention of that even then soldiers marched away from the American army as their enlistment dates came. The desperation General Washington felt as his own army dwindled even as foreign armies are landed speaks of the incredible fortitude of Gen. Washington. Thacher discussed often the periodic marching away of many recruits as their enlistments ended and even has a story of several enterprising individuals in criminality who marched off with a handful of other soldiers even though months remained in their service time. The awe of respect for the person of General George Washington came upon all of those who saw or met with him. Thacher wrote of a time when he was given an invitation to dine with General Washington. Even though many other officers also were there, he writes of the awe in meeting him, shaking his hand, and eating from his table.
Thacher’s book is truly a wonder for beside being an historical account it also is thrilling reading for it is written in popular form like a novel, and the changes in spelling, phrasing of everyday items, and in medical procedure makes this a marked change from today’s writing. There are times when Thacher’s meaning is glossed over by his phraseology plus syntax but the overall meaning is clear enough. I recommend this book for every American history lover plus for readers looking for a an eyewitness account of the American Revolution. One area Thacher is not found wanting is in his description of how the American nation formed its own majority wish for independence gradually, especially after grizzly and barbaric treatment of Americans by the British who executed noncombatants at will, took away the property of the people, and acted in an obnoxious snobbery. The leadership for the colonists was always of a superior quality, General Washington was allowed dictatorial powers at times to gain succor for the troops but he did not abuse it, and the Continental Congress formed the bedrock governmental agencies plus authored laws but could never cajole state governments to do their duty, all the while under fire with frequent flights to safer ground. An eyewitness account always gives snippets of actually attended events and in this An Army Doctor’s American Revolution Journal never disappoints for Thacher remained on duty throughout the war. Thacher probably excelled in relating actual medical cases he either attended or rendered the care; further, the snippets of the American soldiers’ viewpoint, state of supply, and the times of criminal activity being adjudicated were also masterfully written. He related how 4 months before the decisive Battle of Yorktown (Oct. 1781) several American Continental regiments mutinied due to no pay for 14 months, lack of adequate clothing, shelter, food, and other supplies but were brought back under discipline.

James Thatcher's journal has given us a glimpse of some of the horrors and strife soldiers had to face in the American Revolution. We have a vivid and interesting look into these years from one young man in his own words.

An Army Doctor's American Revolution Journal is a reformatting and re-release of excerpted journal entries and observations made by James Thacher during his time as an army surgeon during and after the American Revolutionary War. This reprinting, due out 14th Aug 2019 from Dover is 336 pages and will be available in paperback format.

Dover has an important place in book history as the guardians and re-publishers of so much esoteric knowledge and history which might very well otherwise be lost. My interest in this particular book came from an unusual embroidered sampler which was likely stitched by one of Thacher's descendants. Anyhow, this book provided a fascinating glimpse into a world where antibiotics, anesthesia, x-rays, sterile surgical techniques, and all of the other modern essentials simply didn't exist. Despite that, Dr. Thacher was an erudite, intelligent, philosophical man whose surgical skill was apparently well known. He wrote other books on diverse subjects such as the history of medicine in the USA and beekeeping.

This book contains a chronological series of journal entries from January 1775 - 1783. There is also a well written publisher's note with a short bio by John Grafton. The language of the book itself is dated and formal, but entirely accessible and readable.

I enjoyed reading about the famous historical figures whose lives intersected Thacher's (George Washington!) during his professional life as well as the unimaginable occurrences of day to day life in the period. The author writes incredibly of one occurrence (26th May 1780) of orders of execution for 10 of 11 criminals who received pardons while they were literally standing on the scaffold. One was still to be executed and the retelling was harrowing. Thacher was an eye-witness. Later in June he recounted the murder of a Presbyterian minister's wife and the firing of their home by the British who were intent on revenge for the minister's support of the American side during the war.

The book is full of striking anecdotes. The author's wit and intelligence fairly leap off the page. I think I would've liked to meet and chat with him. This would make a superlative read for fans of military or social history. There is no reference list, bibliography, index or the like, but the stories speak for themselves.

Four stars. Long live Dover Publications.