This is the complete account of New Jersey's important role in the American Revolutionary War, as only the accomplished novelist and historian Alfred Hoyt Bill could tell it. Not only does he survey the major military developments, but he also covers the social and economic effects of the war in New Jersey. Bill tells the story of the war and provides in-depth explanations of war-related problems--victory and defeat, Jerseymen defecting to the British, recruitment difficulties, troop discipline problems, the outbreak of disease and a smallpox epidemic--everything that led to the eventual surrender of Cornwallis. Bill introduces us to the people who were responsible for winning the war and shaping the future of our country, people such as George Washington, General Hugh Mercer, Thomas Paine, Alexander Hamilton, James Monroe, and Thomas Marshall. He also portrays other colorful figures, such as Benedict Arnold, and British officers, including Howe, Cornwallis, and Rall. Alfred Bill has produced that rare species of history book that reads like an exciting adventure story. He not only presents the facts, but clearly illumninates them with pertinent background information. Clearly written and highly readable, this book will be enjoyed by everyone from students to serious historians.

Eat, Drink, Be Merry and Join the Revolution New Jersey was the "Crossraods of the American Revolution," and its colonial taverns were havens for Patriots and Loyalists alike to debate the political question of independce and even plan much of the Revolution itself. Taverns were the social and political centers of colonial society and the Garden State had a myriad of establishments that played prominent roles in the founding of the nation. Taverns became recruitment stations for colonial militias and provided a meeting place for local committees of safety. George Washington used them as headquarters and safe houses for his spies and local troops. Discover the intoxicating history of the unheardled driving force in the fight for freedom, the colonial tavern in New Jersey.

While many older American cities struggle to remain vibrant, New Brunswick has transformed itself, adapting to new forms of commerce and a changing population, and enjoying a renaissance that has led many experts to cite this New Jersey city as a model for urban redevelopment. Featuring more than 100 remarkable photographs and many maps, New Brunswick, New Jersey explores the history of the city since the seventeenth century, with an emphasis on the dramatic changes of the past few decades. Using oral histories, archival materials, census data, and surveys, authors David Listokin, Dorothea Berkhout, and James W. Hughes illuminate the decision-making and planning process that led to New Brunswick’s dramatic revitalization, describing the major redevelopment projects that demonstrate the city’s success in capitalizing on funding opportunities. These projects include the momentous decision of Johnson & Johnson to build its world headquarters in the city, the growth of a theater district, the expansion of Rutgers University into the downtown area, and the destruction and rebuilding of public housing. But while the authors highlight the positive effects of the transformation, they also explore the often heated controversies about demolishing older neighborhoods and ask whether new building benefits residents. Shining a light on both the successes and failures in downtown revitalization, they underscore the lessons to be learned for national urban policy, highlighting the value of partnerships, unwavering commitment, and local leadership. Today, New Brunswick’s skyline has been dramatically altered by new office buildings, residential towers, medical complexes, and popular cultural centers. This engaging volume explores the challenges facing urban America, while also providing a specific case study of a city’s quest to raise its economic fortunes and retool its economy to changing needs.