Oxford University Press, (2007). Octavo, black boards (hardcover), gilt letters, xiii, 679 pp. Fine in a Fine dust jacket. From dust jacket: In this gripping chronicle of America’s struggle for independence, award-winning historian John Ferling transports readers to the grim realities of that war, capturing an eight-year conflict filled with heroism, suffering, cowardice, betrayal, and fierce dedication. As Ferling demonstrates, it was a war that America came much closer to losing than is now usually remembered. General George Washington put it best when he said that the American victory was “little short of a standing miracle.” Almost a Miracle offers an illuminating portrait of America’s triumph, offering vivid descriptions of all the major engagements, from the first shots fired on Lexington Green to the surrender of General Cornwallis at Yorktown, revealing how these battles often hinged on intangibles such as leadership under fire, heroism, good fortune, blunders, tenacity, and surprise. The author paints sharp-eyed portraits of the key figures in the war, including General Washington and other American officers and civilian leaders. Some do not always measure up to their iconic reputations, including Washington himself. Others, such as the quirky, acerbic Charles Lee, are seen in a much better light than usual. The book also examines the many faceless men who soldiered, often for years on end, braving untold dangers and enduring abounding miseries. The author explains why they served and sacrificed. and sees them as the forgotten heroes who won American independence. Ferling’s narrative is also filled with compassion for the men who comprised the British army and who, like their American counterparts, struggled and died at an astonishing rate in this harsh war. Nor does Ferling ignore the naval war, describing dangerous patrols and grand and dazzling naval actions. Finally, Almost a Miracle takes the readers inside the legislative chambers and plush offices of diplomats to reveal countless decisions that altered the course of this war. The story that unfolds is at times a tale of folly, at times one of appalling misinformation and confusion, and now and then one of insghtful and dauntless statesmanship.

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Details

Bookseller: Lighthousebooks, ABAA (US)
Bookseller's Inventory #: vita5724
Title: Almost a Miracle: The American Victory in the War of Independence.
Author: Ferling, John
Book Condition: Used
Binding: Hardcover
Place of Publication: Oxford University Press, (2007)
Keywords: Revolutionary War, American History, United States History, U. S. History, U.S.-iana, Americana, Military History, American Biography.

Terms of Sale

Lighthousebooks, ABAA

Orders usually ship within two business days. Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know that an extra shipping fee is required.All items are subject to prior sale. Shipping costs are $4.25 for the first volume via USPS media rate, or $8.00 via USPS Priority Mail. Each volume thereafter is an additional $1. International orders shipped USPS Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelope, for a fee of $28.00; or otherwise, by weight. Sets, oversize and/or heavier volumes will generally cost more to ship, both domestically and internationally; we will quote a price to you when this is the case. Florida residents must add 7% sales tax. Payment may be by Check/Money Order (in US dollars), Credit Card (American Express, Mastercard, and Visa) or PayPal. All items are returnable within ten days of receipt.

About the Seller

Lighthousebooks, ABAA

This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.

Biblio member since 2006

Dade City, Florida

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About Lighthousebooks, ABAA

Lighthouse Books, ABAA is a family-owned and operated book shop located in downtown Dade City, Florida, celebrating more than 40 years of business. We're open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Our specialties include Florida history and literature, Americana, literature of the South, military history (including, but not limited to, Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Vietnam, Korean War), children's literature, antique maps, leather bindings and rare & unusual items. We have a wide variety of general stock, including a large landscape/gardening section, a great selection of Christian/church history/Bible study titles, Beat literature, fishing, aviation, maritime, Asian history, African history, European history, South Pacific, British history, archaeology, psychology, philosophy, Latin American and Caribbean history, Canadian history, discovery & exploration, art, antiques & collectibles' reference, pop-up books, railroads, hunting, fire arms, etc. About 25 per cent of our total stock is listed in our online inventory. If ever you're in the area, we invite you to come in and browse; to show our appreciation, we'll offer a 15 per cent discount off any purchases made on your first visit. The proprietor, Michael F. Slicker, is one of about 450 qualified members of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America, Inc., and its affiliate the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers. He was also the founding president of the the Florida Antiquarian Booksellers Association and is still an active member and committee chairman. In addition to keeping regular hours at the storefront location, Lighthouse Books participate as a vender in about a dozen book fairs, antiques shows, map fairs and related events each year. One such show is The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair, an annual trade show/charity benefit held in downtown St. Petersburg in the spring, that has become the oldest and largest antiquarian book fair in the Southeast; Slicker has served as Chair since its inception thirty years ago. Please contact us for more information regarding our certified appraisal services. Please visit our website: www.OldFloridaBookStore.com. Bibliophiles might also enjoy our blog, featuring articles on unusual books, author biographies, and other book related subjects:.OldFloridaBookStore.blospot.com.

Glossary

Glossary

Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

Gilt: The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...
Jacket: Sometimes used as another term for dust jacket, a protective and often decorative wrapper, usually made of paper which wraps...
Octavo: Another of the terms referring to page or book size, octavo refers to a standard printer's sheet folded four times, producing...
Fine: A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...