Jeff Shaara's Vision of Glory

correct that the "everyday" citizens are often overlooked in how history is remembered, the idea that their perspective on history is superior or even different (in terms of substance) is neither fair nor more reliable. In fact, the leaders Zinn and others too quickly dismiss are 'people' as much as the everyday citizens outside the spotlight, and are usually in the spotlight to begin with, because they were put there by the people as a whole.

Moreover, the focus on the 'people' proves to be much more elusive than Zinn would care to admit, as each author's and historian's preferential bias for certain groups and the easy tendency to view such groups as monolithic collectives is often irresistable.

Having said all that, it is true that Jeff Shaara's novels would be strengthened had he chosen to incorporate some lesser-known, everyday folk into his narrative. Even if Shaara had kept his tradition of using actual figures, instead of fictionalized composites (as Lussier does), the memoirs of Joseph Plumb Martin are an ample resource. Martin is the most famous of the frontline revolutionary combatants, the bona fide common everyday soldier. He would have made an excellent addition as a primary character to The Glorious Cause especially.

Nevertheless, does the absence of Martin constitute an unforgivable transgression? Hardly so, especially considering that Shaara does, in fact, go to great lengths to show the sacrifice and misery of the common Continental soldier in Washington's army as well as an unfortunate (though unnamed) prisoner in the dreadful prison ships in New York Harbor. He even provides a touching look at the story of "Molly Pitcher."

Shaara does not ignore the contributions of the common, ordinary citizen and soldier. He simply chooses not to tell the narrative from that point of view. He believes, what most Americans acknowledge in their hearts, that the heroes of history are heroes for a reason. And that, by logical extension, it is not unreasonable to look at history through their eyes.

Minor flaws do exist in Shaara's take on the Revolution. John Adams, a prominent and compelling character in the first installment, is forgotten in Glorious Cause. This was truly a shame, as the romance between Adams and his wife truly came alive in Rise to Rebellion.

Alexander Hamilton is mentioned on only a handful of pages in Glorious Cause, despite the very close relationship he had with Washington.

And Shaara clearly seems to rush

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