I have to admit that at first, I didn’t know what The Real Revolution: The Global Story of American Independence was trying to accomplish with its drawn out narrative of the exploits of Robert Clive in India. I kept checking the front cover to make certain someone had not swapped the jackets on the book. Then, it dawned on me that what I was seeing was, for the first time, (to borrow from Paul Harvey) “The REST of the story!”
This survey of the birth and growth of the revolutionary idea of Independence tells the tale of not only the story of the beginnings of the American Revolution but also the story of the development of the ideas behind it. It is organized into sub chapters that adequately support the main idea and give enough depth to add to the overall narrative’s weight but do not weigh down the reader with unnecessary details or overly complex diction.
Marc Aronson has a PhD. From NYU in American History (Schuster, 2018). But, he doesn’t read like one. This book is positively captivating. Without using hyperbole, or trappings of American exceptionalism, Aronson carves out a whole new narrative that shifts the scope of the American Revolution from one of a narrow vision that started with the END of the French and Indian War in Boston Harbor to a broad global perspective that actually began with the British East India Company several decades earlier. By following the lives and exploits of Robert Clive of Great Britain in India, James Wolfe of Great Britain in the French and Indian War and George Washington of Virginia from his formative years as a military commander under Wolfe we begin to see how the REAL revolution began to form in the minds of a new people an American people. “What was the change in the minds of the people John Adams called the real Revolution? What was this child that had grown in the speeches of New England lawyers, in the resolutions of Virginia planters, in the hatchets and tar buckets of Boston mobs, in the rifles and skins of backcountry hunters, in the sayings and experiments of Benjamin Franklin, in the markets of New York and Philadelphia, in the words of Tom Paine? It was a feeling of ownership—what I build is mine; it was a sense of right—what I think is for me to decide; it was a sense of opportunity to do good and to live righteously. Once a person experienced this feeling of autonomy, he or she knew that nothing was more precious.” (Aronson, 2005)
This book spans the time of the 7 Years War (also known as the French and Indian War to the time of Cesar Chavez. For it takes up that idea of independence, that revolutionary spark and follows that ember as it drifts on the wind of change and chronicling where it lands and catches fire in the minds of those willing to bear forth the torch.
The style is a clear, compelling and flowing narrative that while using colorful and metaphorical language and simile does not give way to hyperbole and supposition. I looked for, and saw no bias but no lack of passion. For, in this book the passion was not for a political ideology but for a human ideal . The ideal in this case being independence.
The book crisscrosses across time and space in leaving and rejoining our historical figures as they all move toward their parts in furthering this idea of revolutionary independence.
The illustrations, engravings and artwork are beautiful and only serve to accent the brilliant narrative. Nothing in this book seems out of place or superfluous. The index stands up to the “can I find it” test getting 3 out of 4 of my random choices, the end notes are superb and the bibliography is well written.
I will definitely require this book in my classes dealing with American History as well as be purchasing this book for my own collection. The Dean of Students, upon reading this book insisted it be added to Country Day’s collection. I would use it to illustrate the global context in which the American Revolution took place. It illustrates how the overarching ideals of individual liberty as paramount spread and took root from country to country. My only critique is that the end feels as if Aronson either was up against a page limit or a deadline and hurried through. ( )

Well written, well illustrated book that positions the American Revolution in a global context. I have never before read an account of the American Revolution in which Robert Clive was significant.

I enjoyed this and learned about the American Revolution on the global stage, but the lack of information on the Revolution's global after effects led me to give this a 3-star rating. Louis XVI giving France's financial backing to the fledging United States contributed to French citizens leading their own revolution less than two decades later. There was no mention of that at all, nor of the War of 1812. While England may have been the first to free their slaves, it was not the first to recognize that the slaves needed to be freed. It was a major point of contention in the original draft of the Declaration of Independence.

There was great insight into the events that led up to the American Revolution - I would definitely recommend this for adolescent readers with a strong interest in history. There is a great bibliography as well. ( )

This work of literary non-fiction is an unexpected new look at the story of the American Revolution that would be an excellent addition to school and public library collections. Over three themed sections, Aronson weaves together the seemingly disparate threads of the British East India Trading Company, British society, and the American colonies to explain how they all contributed to the existence of an independent United States of America. The story is told on both micro- and macro-levels, focusing on individual people, often those who are not well-known, as well as on broad movements and themes. The book does not retell the familiar myth, but assumes that the reader already knows it and seeks to dig into its underlying causes. The writing is honest and authentic; Aronson does not try to be objective, and his perspective often informs his story-telling, but his portrayal of people and events is even-handed and well-informed. Though it is intended for young readers, the writing is not condescending or simplistic. Historic art and maps are scattered throughout, providing breaks in the text while adding interest. Extensive citations, endnotes, and lists of sources are provided. Front matter includes a forward by the author and a helpful “cast of characters.” This book strikes the rare balance between education and entertainment; parents and teachers will appreciate its wealth of valuable information, and everyone will enjoy its compelling story. Timeline, index. Highly Recommended. Grade 8+ ( )