Awesome Article on Myths of the Am. Revolution.

[wolf_chatter]

Smithsonian rocks!!!!!!!

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/Myths-of-the-American-Revolution.html?c=y&page=3

Very long but damn worth the read!!!

[Stuck in Seattle]

Interesting, but on nearly every point you can see why the popular conception came about. They aren't myths with no basis in fact; a point he makes on most every topic. Especially when it comes to the Battle of Saratoga being the turning point. Certainly there are many key points in any protracted war, but the continental army was not looking good and if they'd lost at Saratoga it would have likely been all over for the Revolution.

The criticisms of Washington as a general are quite common in different historical writings, but what he was was a leader. Without him things would likely have been quite different. And I'm still waiting on a historical analysis of a war where the leading general makes perfect decisions in all cases, never hesitates when he should act and never makes decisions that seem idiotic in hindsight.