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The First Salute Audiobook
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(3.03) - 755 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, distinguished historian, and bestselling author Barbara W. Tuchman finally turns her sights homeward. Here she analyzes the American Revolution in a brilliantly original way, placing the war in the historical context of the centuries-long conflicts between England and both France and Holland, demonstrating how the aid of both of these nations made the triumph of American independence possible. She sheds new light on the key role played by the contending navies, paints a magnificent portrait of General George Washington, and recounts in riveting detail the decisive campaign of the war at Yorktown. A compellingly written work of history, The First Salute presents a fresh, new view of the events that led from the first foreign salute to American nationhood in 1776 to the last campaign of the Revolution five years later. It brings vividly to life the people and events responsible for the birth of our nation.
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"I learned more about the historical context of my nation's birth from this book than I learned in my schooling. I have read many of Tuchman's books, and was not disappointed with this one. Her popular histories have a nice flow, and she doesn't pad the book with poetic attempts to put the reader into the scene."
— Jonathan (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Publication of her tenth book is an opportunity to offer a 21-gun salute. So for wisdom dispensed and pleasure received, commence fire.”
— Time -
“Entertaining…Tuchman has crammed [her book] with anecdotes and deft characterizations that have distinguished her work for more than thirty years.”
— Los Angeles Times Book Review -
“Barbara Tuchman writes narrative history in the great tradition…A persuasive book, which brings us entertaining pictures, scenes and characters.”
— Chicago Tribune -
“Brilliant…The First Salute gives a detailed analysis of conditions leading to the American victory.”
— St. Louis Post-Dispatch -
“[A] brilliant slice of American Revolutionary history…Expertly weaving political and military history, Tuchman lets you feel how Washington’s victory at Yorktown sent shock waves around the globe.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“There’s a lot of detail here for the listener to absorb, and while narrator [Wanda McCaddon’s] pace may be a bit quick at times, it keeps the story flowing. Furthermore, [McCaddon’s] diction is superb, and her tone is bell-like in its clarity. Her performance is always expressive, without being overdone, and she renders the odd moment of dry humor well, making this is an accessible history for the general reader.”
— AudioFile -
“Trenchant observations and an exciting climax…Most libraries will want this Pulitzer Prize–winner’s latest.”
— Library Journal
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
The First Salute Listener Reviews
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" Enjoyable history of American Revolution with strong focus on the European involvements and very little on many of the commonly known battles. "
— Eric, 2/18/2014 -
" An enjoyable history of the American revolution from a different perspective. "
— Steve, 2/11/2014 -
" This was a very interesting take on the American Revolution, discussing it in terms of being a continuation of the wars in Europe. Lots of interesting points and very readable. "
— Keith, 2/7/2014 -
" Good narrative regarding the Revolution in the south. "
— William, 1/31/2014 -
" I gave this Book 4 Stars because of the content , but the book read like a high school History text book. The Book rambles for the most part but the last two Chapters of the book are excellent . anomad "
— Nomad, 1/20/2014 -
" Fascinating view into the birth of the US navy. Interesting and not often told of the role of the Dutch (and their decay as a world power) prior to the Americna revolution. "
— Scottmangan, 10/30/2013 -
" The story of how a small Dutch island influenced the victory of the Americans during the Revolutionary War. "
— Caleb, 10/12/2013 -
" Fascinating story and analysis. This was my first non-fiction history read after college and it sparked a new found love of the genre. "
— Scotts, 2/27/2013 -
" Another wonderful book from Tuchman from which I learned so much history - history they never taught us in school. "
— Victoria, 11/30/2012 -
" A vivid description of the first recognition of the American Colonies as an independant nation by the Dutch administration of the island of St. Eustatius in the West Indies; and of its impact on the course of the American Revolution and on world history. "
— Curtiss, 10/7/2012 -
" This was a pretty good book and different from many histories of the American Revolution, in that it is a view from the outside in. I've done a fairly thorough review at WWTFT. "
— Martin, 6/29/2012 -
" Barbara Tuchman did it again! :) Great book on american revolutionary war with different "Tuchman" touch. "
— Rene, 5/21/2012 -
" This is a pretty good book, Barbara Tuchman did a decent amount of research and did give a new and different look at the American Revolution. It's not a long book and I think it is worth the read. "
— Heather, 5/12/2012 -
" A little known incident in US Naval history. Tuchman will get you where you live with this one. "
— Ann, 4/23/2011 -
" A transnational history of the American Revolution. Learned a lot about a subject that is glossed over in history classes. Tuchman writes very well; that's very important to me! "
— Riktangle, 3/3/2011 -
" Great history of the American Revolution. Tuchman contextualizes the war as part of greater struggle in Europe between Britain and her rivals (France and Holland). She also pulls no punches when she criticizes certain British politicians and generals. "
— Frederick, 1/21/2011 -
" Interesting. But not great. I was a bit disappointed since I am such a big fan of Barbara Tuckman. "
— Kevin, 1/20/2011 -
" A little known incident in US Naval history. Tuchman will get you where you live with this one. "
— Ann, 1/11/2011 -
" An enjoyable history of the American revolution from a different perspective. "
— Steve, 6/4/2010 -
" Fascinating view into the birth of the US navy. Interesting and not often told of the role of the Dutch (and their decay as a world power) prior to the Americna revolution. "
— Scottmangan, 8/12/2009 -
" Fascinating story and analysis. This was my first non-fiction history read after college and it sparked a new found love of the genre. "
— Scotts, 12/16/2008 -
" A transnational history of the American Revolution. Learned a lot about a subject that is glossed over in history classes. Tuchman writes very well; that's very important to me! "
— Riktangle, 8/11/2008 -
" Enjoyable history of American Revolution with strong focus on the European involvements and very little on many of the commonly known battles. "
— Eric, 6/16/2008 -
" A vivid description of the first recognition of the American Colonies as an independant nation by the Dutch administration of the island of St. Eustatius in the West Indies; and of its impact on the course of the American Revolution and on world history. "
— Curtiss, 4/27/2008 -
" A look at the colonies from a perspective I hadn't considered before. Appreciated the view. "
— Flan, 2/10/2008
About Barbara W. Tuchman
Barbara W. Tuchman (1912–1989) was a self-trained historian and author who achieved prominence with The Zimmerman Telegram and international fame with The Guns of August, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1963. She received her BA degree from Radcliffe College in 1933 and worked as a research assistant at the Institute of Pacific Relations in New York and Tokyo from 1934 to 1935. She then began working as a journalist and contributed to publications including The Nation, for which she covered the Spanish Civil War as a foreign correspondent in 1937. Her other books, include The Proud Tower, A Distant Mirror, Practicing History, The March of Folly, The First Salute, and Stilwell and the American Experience in China: 1911-45, also awarded the Pulitzer Prize. In 1980 the National Endowment for the Humanities selected her to deliver the Jefferson Lecture, the US government’s highest honor for intellectual achievement in the humanities.
About Wanda McCaddon
Wanda McCaddon (d. 2023) narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, sometimes with the pseudonym Nadia May or Donada Peters. She earned the prestigious Audio Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.