African Americans in the Revolutionary War - by Michael L Lanning (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In this enlightening and informative work, military historian and author Lt. Col. Michael Lee Lanning reveals the under-acknowledged, critical, and heroic role both enslaved and free African Americans played in the American Revolution while serving - despite racism - in integrated units. An invaluable perspective for readers of American history, military history--and for all Americans as discrimination remains a central issue.

At first, neither George Washington nor the Continental Congress approved of enlisting African Americans in the new army. Nevertheless, Black men--both slave and free--filled the ranks and served in all of the early battles. Black sailors also saw action in every major naval battle of the Revolution, including members of John Paul Jones's crew aboard the Bonhomme Richard. At least thirteen Black Americans served in the newly formed U.S. Marine Corps during the war.

Bravery among African Americans was commonplace, as recognized by their commanders and state governments, and their bravery is recorded here in the stories of citizen Crispus Attucks at the Boston Massacre; militiaman Price Esterbrook at Lexington Green; soldier Salem Poor at Bunker Hill; and marine John Martin aboard the brig Reprisal.

As interest in colonial history enjoys renewed popularity due to works like Hamilton, and the issues of prejudice and discrimination remain at the forefront of our times, African Americans in the Revolutionary War offers an invaluable perspective on a crucial topic that touches the lives of Americans of every color and background.

Review Quotes

Praise for Lt. Col. (Ret.) Michael Lee Lanning:

"A thorough, long-overdue study of Black Americans' contributions during the War of Independence. . . . An important piece of American and African-American history." --Kirkus Reviews on African Americans in the Revolutionary War

"In this fascinating and enlightening work, military historian Michael Lee Lanning reveals the little-known, critical, and heroic role African Americans played in the American Revolution, serving in integrated units - a situation that wouldn't exist again until the Korean War, more than 150 years later." --Revolutionary War Journal on African Americans in the Revolutionary War

"A vivid history revealing the extraordinary bravery and crucial roles of blacks in the American military." --Kirkus Reviews on The African American Soldier

"One of the most honest and horrifying accounts of a combat soldier's life to come out of the Vietnam War." --The New York Times Book Review on Vietnam 1969-1970: A Company Commander's Journal

"A well-researched, groundbreaking work that fills a huge gap in the historiography of the Vietnam War." --The San Francisco Journal on Inside the VC and NVA

About the Author

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Michael Lee Lanning is the author of 26 nonfiction books on military history, sports, and health. More than 1.1million copies of his books are in print in fifteen countries, and editions have been translated into twelve languages. He has appeared on major television networks and the History Channel as an expert on the individual soldier on both sides of the Vietnam War. The New York Times Book Review declared Lanning's Vietnam 1969-1970: A Company Commander's Journal to be "...one of the most honest and horrifying accounts of a combat soldier's life to come out of the Vietnam War." The London Sunday Times devoted an entire page to review his The Military 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Military Leaders of All Time. According to the San Francisco Journal, Lanning's Inside the VC and NVA is, "A well-researched, groundbreaking work that fills a huge gap in the historiography of the Vietnam War."

Lanning is a highly decorated veteran whose decorations and badges include The Defense Meritorious Service Badge and The Bronze Star for Valor. He resides in Lampasas, Texas.