Speaking of Webb and books

[Venkman]

has anyone read his book about the Scotch (or Scots) - Irish in America? I believe it's called Born Fighting. Anyway, if you're Scots-Irish or you just like history, check it out - it's a great read. Seriously, this country would be screwed militarily without these folks - we probably wouldn't have even gained our independence.

[il Padrino Ute]

Originally Posted by Venkman

has anyone read his book about the Scotch (or Scots) - Irish in America? I believe it's called Born Fighting. Anyway, if you're Scots-Irish or you just like history, check it out - it's a great read. Seriously, this country would be screwed militarily without these folks - we probably wouldn't have even gained our independence.

We most likely wouldn't have gained our independence without the help from the French either, but there's no need to talk about that.

Thanks for the recommendation. I'm always up for reading military history.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by il Padrino Ute

We most likely wouldn't have gained our independence without the help from the French either, but there's no need to talk about that.

Thanks for the recommendation. I'm always up for reading military history.

The French helped? Did they aid the British to ensure our victory?

[myboynoah]

Originally Posted by il Padrino Ute

We most likely wouldn't have gained our independence without the help from the French either, but there's no need to talk about that.

Thanks for the recommendation. I'm always up for reading military history.

IPU, I am fully aware of your "feelings" for the French, so this is in no way an indictment of your acknowledgement of the fact that the French did, indeed, assist the American Colonists cast off the tyranny of their English king. In fact, it is very good manners for American dignitaries today, when visiting La France, to make mention of this assistance as a way to play to French vanities ("Voila! Les Américains nous aiment toujours!").

All that said, often it is not mentioned that the support came from the French King, Louis XVI, and that support for the colonies was part of a larger strategy to oppose Les Rosbifs at every turn and exert as much influence as possible over the New World. Indeed, when matters turned against the French and the U.S. started cozying up to the British, we found ourselves at war with Revolutionary France only 25 years later.

Nonetheless, we did owe them a debt, which I think we have paid many times over.