Symonds narrates each battle in a clear, concise, and readable way. Accompanying two-color, full-page maps aid the visual comprehension of students as well as military history buffs, making this easy-to-handle book an ideal classroom text, battlefield tour guide, or library reference. Four introductory essays draw the narratives together, each highlighting a new facet of the British-American conflict.

"The Early Campaigns" recounts the formation of the Continental Army and the selection of Washington as its commander.

"The Turning Point" discusses the tough winter spent by Washington's troops at Morristown, and the ongoing feuding within the American officer corps early in 1777. These problems belied that this year would prove the turning point of the war with the American defeat of Burgoyne at Saratoga.

"A Global War" announces the entry of France into the war on America's behalf, renewing the struggle between two of the greatest powers in the western world - France and England.

"The War Moves South" explores the shift in British strategy in trying to recruit Loyalists from southern colonies, the last alternative to political defeat for Britain and for Colonial Secretary Lord Germain, whose reputation was at stake. The conflict between Patriot and Loyalist in the South led to the final destruction of this strategy and victory for the new states.