The Howe Dynasty: The Untold Story of a Military Family and the Women Behind Britain's Wars for America [Hardcover]

Finalist George Washington Book Prize The Howe story is more compelling than the stupid redcoats caricature that has persisted for more than two centuries, as Julie Flavell demonstrates in 'The Howe Dynasty,' her vibrant biography of the accomplished, beguiling family. . . . The Howes have long been opaque and even inscrutable. Flavells scholarship and deft storytelling add nuance, sympathy and granularity to the family portrait. A richly detailed and lively saga of one of its most distinguished families. Challenging and insightful, it reflects impressive scholarship, grounded in exhaustive archival research on both sides of the Atlantic.... Vivid and compelling. . . . Combining military analysis with an effective use of heretofore ignored sources, she brings together the domestic sphere and the military sphere to form an original and more complete picture of a fascinating family. Flavell deftly weaves together social, political, and military history and presents a whole picture of the Howe family that discredits some of the criticism of the Howes while elevating the value put upon history as told from a womans perspective. In this brilliantly conceived and vividly written biography . . . Flavell skillfully alternates vivid descriptions of overseas battles with developments in England, and brings new insights to Williams alleged affair with the 'captivating Bostonian' Elizabeth Lloyd Loring. History buffs wont want to miss this richly textured account. [A]s the Revolutionary War nears, the narrative gainsand retainsa momentum that effectively turns a group biography into a swiftly paced history of the war and its aftermath . . . The author offers much for historians to argue about and plenty for patient readers to enjoy. An intelligent, sympathetic portrait that challenges popular views of the Howe family. Full of detail and intrigue, the narrative is illustrated with vivid portraits of extended family members and maps of military engagements. This el3.