Merrill Jensen (1905–1980)

This book has been hailed as "the finest in revisionist history." Jensen's thesis it to refute the "traditional" picture of the period of the United States prior to the ratification of the Constitution as a period of "stagnation, ineptitude, and corruption.

Though this book changed the way historians look at the confederation period of the United States, I don't see that he has really made his point. Stagnation, ineptitude, and corruption were there aplenty.

For anyone who wants a good history of the confederation period, Jensen's research and cross-references are excellent, and there is much information of historical interest. It is not a good source, however, for the general history. Shays' rebellion, for example is barely mentioned. Jensen is supporting his thesis, not writing a general history. He has written other books that do the latter.… (mehr)

John Adams wrote in 1825 that many people conflate the American Revolution with the War of Rebellion. The former took place in 1760-1776 and the latter from 1776-1783. In that sense, this book covers the American Revolution starting with the close of the French and American War in 1763.

This book, then, covers the events and transformation of ideas up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Jensen is an impeccable historian and a true scholar of the period. While I may have some reservations about his interpretation of certain things, they are important ideas and I find I have learned a great deal in reading this book. It is the best book on the American Revolution I have ever read.… (mehr)