A very, very thoroughly researched and written book about the conflicts of the American Revolution in the southern colonies. A terrific repository of names, events, and conditions of the skirmishes and battles that took place in the Carolinas. One minor gripe, it can be difficult to read without having to go back a few paragraphs or even a page to keep track of all of the names and locations. But, after finishing this book, the reader will have a wealth of knowledge on the events in the south during the revolution. ( )

Bought this in preparation for visiting a couple of battlefields in North Carolina on an upcoming trip. I learned a lot from reading this. For example, I didn't realize the extent of the "civil war" going on between Tories and Rebels. Or that there were so many fights and skirmishes and battles in this region. An interesting book. I wish, though, that it had been liberally illustrated with maps, because I couldn't keep up with the troop movements at all. ( )

There are so many great things to say about The Road to Guilford Courthouse, it's hard to know where to begin. Though well researched, Buchanan writes in a wonderful narrative style that brings the period alive.

The scope of the book is the Revolutionary War in the south from the attempted British landings on Sullivan's Island in 1776, through Nathaniel Greene's brilliant action against Cornwallis in 1781. Between these two events Buchanan weaves a captivating tale of South Carolina in the Revolutionary War. He provides a political and economic perspective, as well as following the military history in that colony.

Buchanan traces the thread of the partisan warfare between rebel and Tory forces, partisan warfare against British regular and provincial forces, as well as the battles between Continentals and their militia allies and the British. The accounts are straightforward if a bit lacking in depth--as one would expect from such a wide ranging account.

Buchanan also takes great pains to paint portraits of some of the important characters of this campaign. Entire chapters are given to Thomas Sumter, Patrick Ferguson, Daniel Morgan, and Nathaniel Greene. The author is not reluctant to share his feelings about each, destroying some myths along the way.

I'm not quite finished reading it, but after 300+ pages it's great stuff. ( )

Probably the best history of the American Revolution that I have ever read. Being from South Carolina, I can say for a fact that he got the lay of the land down perfect. The type of book that makes hisory interesting to the masses. ( )