Less Than Glory

"A marvellously modern ring to.... a maddeningly complex question." - The New York Times

Had the American Revolution not occurred, the United States, for better or for worse, would have most likely been a bigger, richer and more peaceful nation than it is today.

But just as independent.

Endlessly provocative, 'Less Than Glory' draws conclusions about America's explosive genesis as a nation two centuries ago.

But there is much more than controversy in these pages.

In this fascinating, unorthodox, elegantly written reexamination of the American Revolution, Norman Gelb skillfully pieces together the events, personalities, ideas and background of early America to fashion a new, vivid mosaic of that most celebrated moment in United States history.

Norman Gelb reveals the infighting and backbiting among America's first political leaders, as they feel their way along the sharp divide of whether there should, in fact, be a revolution; the grief and agony of the half-starved, half-naked revolutionary army troops; the grotesque persecution - in the name of liberty - of political dissidents abused by their countrymen and women in ways that would shame Americans today.

The American Revolution was a momentous event. It altered the course of world history. It remains the focus of American patriotic pride.

But 'Less Than Glory' dares to ask whether that great upheaval was the vast popular uprising it was made out to be, and whether it really was to the advantage of America.

Praise for Norman Gelb

'A solid documentary history, told in fine style.' - Kirkus Reviews

'Deftly combining interviews, speeches, news reports, military communications and occasional unobtrusive narrative, Gelb presents a many-sided picture of war that reflects the feeling of the battle' - New York Times

Norman Gelb (b.1929) was born in New York and is the author of seven highly acclaimed books, including Scramble, Dunkirk, and Less Than Glory. He was, for many years, correspondent for the Mutual Broadcasting System, first in Berlin and then in London. He is currently the London correspondent for New Leader magazine.