Obviously the author of this article is some kind of "turerist".

The best book I ever read about the Revolution was 1776 by David McCullogh. Really gave a good picture of just how much of a miracle it was that we won that war.

Also why I loved HBO's adaptation of John Adams. The second episode specifically. The portrayals of flawed people was much more refreshing than the "George Washington rides in on Jesus waves with a bald eagle on his shoulder and has TJ draft the Constitution in British blood while farking a girl named Liberty" myth.

Once again Reality imitates Art

alwaysjaded: The best book I ever read about the Revolution was 1776 by David McCullogh. Really gave a good picture of just how much of a miracle it was that we won that war.

Also why I loved HBO's adaptation of John Adams. The second episode specifically. The portrayals of flawed people was much more refreshing than the "George Washington rides in on Jesus waves with a bald eagle on his shoulder and has TJ draft the Constitution in British blood while farking a girl named Liberty" myth.

The girl named liberty was a myth?  What was her real name then?

vpb:

The girl named liberty was a myth?  What was her real name then?

Destiny

Here's another much believed myth - that Washington was some kind of super-general.  In reality, the guy bungled things over and over in the beginning and SHOULD have lost if Howe hadn't bungled things even worse at Boston and New York.  Early on, MANY surrounding Washington considered him incompetent and actively petitioned to have him removed from command.

CPT Ethanolic: Here's another much believed myth - that Washington was some kind of super-general.  In reality, the guy bungled things over and over in the beginning and SHOULD have lost if Howe hadn't bungled things even worse at Boston and New York.  Early on, MANY surrounding Washington considered him incompetent and actively petitioned to have him removed from command.

Maybe that's why his monument is a huge phallic symbol

alwaysjaded: I've always enjoyed telling homophobes that one of the greatest Revolutionary war heroes was kicked out of the military for being gay.

Oh shiat that made me laugh. Freaking awesome.  Thanks for the link and welcome to my favs.

Via Infinito: alwaysjaded: I've always enjoyed telling homophobes that one of the greatest Revolutionary war heroes was kicked out of the military for being gay.

Oh shiat that made me laugh. Freaking awesome.  Thanks for the link and welcome to my favs.

Spread the word. That nugget gave me endless amusement a while back when the hot button issue was gays in the military. Really rubbed the zealots the wrong way when they found out one of the fathers of our military was a sword enthusiast.

It was the war that created the greatest nation on earth, therefore it was the greatest war ever fought. What part is tough to understand?

Summoner101: GAT_00: 1. Subby should be kicked in the nads for linking page 2.
2. Cracked fails as usual for not including Paul Revere.  Warning people that the British were coming would have only confused people when they all thought of themselves as British.

I thought he warned everyone the Red Coats were coming.

By LAND! By LAND!

GAT_00: 1. Subby should be kicked in the nads for linking page 2.
2. Cracked fails as usual for not including Paul Revere.  Warning people that the British were coming would have only confused people when they all thought of themselves as British.

I

People know that parts of the Paul Revere ride is a myth. This list is more about the newer beliefs or general lack of knowledge.

This is why French hate always bewilders me. Not only did they supply us, but they loaned us notable badasses like Francis Marion (Swamp Fox). I'm no military expert, but it seems clear that without the French we would have lost.

In 2003 we demonized them as pussies for not going along with the Iraq thing. Even when they spearheaded Libya we questioned why we should be taking a backseat role.

Speaking of 2003, in those days I lived in the French Quarter of New Orleans. One guy who had a French flag (along with America and Louisiana) atop his property took it down, explaining to me that there was no room for pussies on his rooftop. I was incredulous. Thing is, those who objected have now been proven right. I walk by that same building nearly every day and the flag is still gone.

Freedom Fries. Freedom Toast....

SomeoneDumb: I have it on good authoritah that Revere was "He who warned the British that they weren't going to be taking away our arms by ringing those bells and making sure as he's riding his horse through town to send those warning shots and bells that we were going to be secure and we were going to be free and we were going to be armed. "

Thanks for the aneurism.

You know, the whole Revolutionary War didn't actually take place.

Here's an episode of Crash Course covering the topic in an interesting way.

SomeoneDumb: I have it on good authoritah that Revere was "He who warned the British that they weren't going to be taking away our arms by ringing those bells and making sure as he's riding his horse through town to send those warning shots and bells that we were going to be secure and we were going to be free and we were going to be armed. "

My parents actually compared Fox News to Paul Revere, claiming they were the patriotic warning everyone needed to hear. It was such a stupid remark (Thanksgiving dinner, of course) that I more or less backed slowly out of the room.

Christ, I hate holiday dinners. It's why I always try to score some non-prescription Mexican Valiums before I go. It's the one time of year I really abuse pills.

dickfreckle: This is why French hate always bewilders me. Not only did they supply us, but they loaned us notable badasses like Francis Marion (Swamp Fox). I'm no military expert, but it seems clear that without the French we would have lost.

In 2003 we demonized them as pussies for not going along with the Iraq thing. Even when they spearheaded Libya we questioned why we should be taking a backseat role.

Speaking of 2003, in those days I lived in the French Quarter of New Orleans. One guy who had a French flag (along with America and Louisiana) atop his property took it down, explaining to me that there was no room for pussies on his rooftop. I was incredulous. Thing is, those who objected have now been proven right. I walk by that same building nearly every day and the flag is still gone.

Freedom Fries. Freedom Toast....

Um Francis Marion was born in South Carolina. I'd have to double check but I'm pretty sure he fought against the French in the French and Indian war, at least fought for the British

Benedict Arnold was one of America greatest commanders until he committed treason, citing incompetence.
The man who spent all of his money financing the war was never reimbursed and died in poverty afterwards.
The troops at Valley Forge would have been fine if the leaders of the revolution had decided to actually fund it, but they balked at the price.


I've had complaints from parents that I teach the "true history" rather than "feel good history."

/real quotes from real parents.