63 pages • 2 hours read
Gordon S. WoodThe Radicalism of the American Revolution
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1991A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In The Radicalism of the American Revolution, historian Gordon S. Wood examines the transformative social changes in American society before, during, and after the American Revolution, arguing that these developments were as radical as those in any other revolution. Wood explores the evolution from a society dominated by a few educated gentlemen to a more egalitarian and democratic one driven by common men. The book contains references to the US chattel slavery system.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Gordon S. Wood's The Radicalism of the American Revolution presents a compelling argument that the American Revolution was not just a colonial rebellion but a profound social transformation. Praised for its thorough research and engaging prose, it sometimes faces criticism for a perceived overemphasis on ideological changes at the expense of economic and class factors.
Who Should Read The Radicalism of the American Revolution?
A reader who enjoys in-depth historical analysis and interpretations of the American Revolution will find Gordon S. Wood's The Radicalism of the American Revolution captivating. Similar to Bernard Bailyn's The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution and Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States, this book is ideal for those interested in the transformative impact of the Revolution.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
History: U.S.
Politics / Government
History: World
American Revolution
Society: Colonialism
Society: Nation
Society: Politics & Government
American Literature