Bücher von Harry M. Ward

A kind of sub-society existed in Richmond, as in other urban areas, of tricksters, swindlers, confidence men and certain thieves. By looking at the lower sort of deception and crime, one can gauge a fringe society. The indefatigable crime reporters of Richmond's newspapers, always with a bit of humour or pathos, give glimpses of a wide variety of misbehavior.

The revolutionary war was not a "polite" conflict between orderly troops and gentlemanly officers. Civilians on the home front suffered considerably. This account depicts the ugly side of the War for Independence, where roving bands of robbers, known as banditti, plagued the countryside.

The phrase "American Revolutionary War Hero" usually brings to mind George Washington, John Paul Jones and other famous officers. Heroes, however, existed throughout the ranks during the Revolution, and many made their marks without ever receiving proper recognition. These portraits of 28 Virginia Revolutionary soldiers expand the historical record of those who can be called a "hero." Whether as infantryman, cavalryman, marine, militiaman, spy, frontier fighter or staffer, all performed with distinction that contributed to victory. A strongman who performed superhuman feats during battle; a woman who fought as a soldier; a militiaman who sounded a fateful alarm--some gave their lives, others were terribly wounded, but all demonstrated heroism beyond the call of duty.

The first biography of one of George Washington's most able and controversial generals examines the military career of William Maxwell from British army commissary to commander of the New Jersey Continental troops in major northern battles and campaigns and numerous confrontations with British incursionary forces into New Jersey.

One of the biggest stains in Richmond's past was the spectacle of public executions. Thousands, including the old and the very young, reveled in a carnival-like atmosphere. This narrates the history of the executions that formed a large part of Richmond's entertainment picture. The history has a cast of unusual characters - the condemned, the crime victims, family members, the executioners, and not least an 182 pound 'gallows' dog.

Spanning the period 1775 to 1783, this book is a synthesis which assesses the impact of war upon the American people.