A sketchy but far-ranging Atlas. The maps are good and the timeline reminds one of the many instances of the force of arms have beset our country. More detail might be helpful but for a book of fewer than 250 pages, there is a remarkable amount of detail. It is also a useful reminder of near our revolution was to failure. Also useful is the information about the native population/ They were very belligerent. They with the British and the French and then with the British against the patriots. That the natives were so accomplished at making war leads one to believe war is a natural state for humanity. Generalship was in short supply during the Civil War on the Northern side, yet bravery was not. In fact, generalship at the beginning of all our wars was such that it is clear ability was not a strong determinant in selecting our senior officers during peacetime. One might conclude that those least equipped to lead in battle get us into battles that they aren't capable of winning and it falls to others to rise about "officer class" and defeat our enemies. Read this to be informed but not as a recipe book. ( )