The American victory in the War of Independence

¶ … Miracle: The American Victory in the War of Independence

John Ferling's book "Almost a Miracle: The American victory in the War of Independence" provides an accurate account of the conflict and relates to particular events that played an essential role in assisting the colonists win. I believe that the writer intended the book to provide a thorough set of causes that made it possible for the colonies to achieve victory. One of the principal concepts present throughout the book is the fact that Ferling wants people to understand the American victory as being very improbable at the time when the conflict started. In addition to relating to historic facts regarding the Independence War, Ferling also goes at explaining them and tries to determine whether or not the outcome of the war was surprising.

The book is overall an easy read because the writer did not hesitate to explain why he chose to put across particular attitudes. In addition to this, Ferling constantly makes sure that his readers fully understand the nature of the events that he refers to by providing each of these occurrences with accompanying explanations. As I progressed in reading the book I realized that the writer has extensively studied history related to the American War, especially considering that he has written a great deal of texts in regard to American political and military history (Yerxa 109).

While some might be inclined to consider Ferling a typical American patriot, his underlying motives might prove otherwise. The writer appears to be unwilling to acknowledge the indispensible participation of American figures like Washington and Hamilton in the conflict with the purpose of making it look like these individuals did not actually play a decisive role in the war. In contrast, he highlights the participation of particular military leaders and insists that they are generally ignored by individuals who relate to the conflict. By claiming that "Gates remarked straightaway that the commander's duty was to fight a defensive war, not to risk an untried and untrained in assaults on an enemy that was well dug in" (Ferling), the writer directly criticizes Washington's military abilities and boosts Gates' image. Despite of his contributions to war efforts, historians normally perceive Horatio Gates as being an unimportant individual (when considering the general state of affairs in the American War of Independence) and a person that is not very experienced in performing warfare (Chartrand).

In addition to the fact that he tends to underestimate certain individuals who fought in the American Revolution, Ferling is also inclined to overstate the fact that the South played an important role in the conflict. I believe that his southern background played an important role in influencing him in adopting such an attitude. While I consider that it is perfectly normal for one to acknowledge the fact that southern colonies were an important battlefield in the war, it would be absurd to consider that Southerners are primarily responsible for the fact that the colonies were victorious.

In spite of the fact that Ferling's tendency to overestimate the importance of particular figures influenced me in thinking that he was not exactly accurate in his description of the War of Independence, the writer compensates through providing a clear explanation of the American victory. As long as one identifies the areas that Ferling is inclined to express prejudice in the respective reader is likely to enjoy reading the book, considering that it provided me with a generally academic account concerning the reason for which the American Revolution ended victoriously for the colonies.

I personally believe that Ferling exaggerates in his characterization of Washington and it appears that the writer is especially interested in downgrading his image. Ferling considered that Washington was unable to connect with other people and that he had a false personality. "Few ever got close to him, and in the real sense of the word Washington may never have had a true friend" (Ferling).

Although I believe that Washington was generally recognized for the mistakes that he made across his life, it would be ridiculous for someone to simply focus on these features when considering him. The first American President played a particularly important role in the Independence War and it is very likely that without his collaboration the American colonies would have encountered significantly more resistance in the conflict.