"Based on a variety of sources with character sketches and eyewitness accounts, this work presents a vivid picture of the 'cruel, accursed' war that changed the world forever. It provides a thorough introduction to the War of American Independence. Told with great authority and clarity it describes in detail the effects of each notable event from 1770 to 1781. The book examines each of the major battles and skirmishes but does not get bogged down in deep analysis of battle formations and strategies, instead it concentrates on the war as a whole and its political and economic impacts on Britain and America and explains how each commander's strategy was affected. Redcoats & Rebels is filled with anecdotes to give the reader a clearer understanding of how the war affected the lives of those involved." -- publisher.