NetGalley Review: 4 stars
Last updated on 26 Sep 2021
"One of the biggest tragedies of the coronavirus pandemic was the closure of the nation's museums. Museums are a rich source of supplemental education for students in all types of schools including public, private, and homeschool. They also drive travel and tourism and provide entertainment for families and adults. Many museums that were in states with more restrictive coronavirus policies had to get creative in order to continue reaching the public. Finally after approximately 18 months things are getting back to normal for an industry that survives largely by the number of visitors that come through the door and government and philanthropic support.
The Museum of the American Revolution is now open daily and on October 16, 2021 will launch a new exhibit entitled Liberty: Don Troiani's Paintings of the Revolutionary War. It includes 40 of Troiani's Revolutionary War paintings, his personal artifacts, and artifacts from the museum and other collectors. The paintings include major battles like the 1776 attack on Trenton and Battle of Yorktown and lesser known battles like the Battle of Kingsbridge. The exhibit also has a companion book of the same name that includes descriptions of the artifacts, scenes depicted in the paintings and Troiani's research and painting process.
In addition to written narratives, art is one of the most important tools used by historians to bring history to life. According to his website, Troiani is a "traditional academic realist painter well known for his extremely accurate historical and military paintings mostly of the Civil War and American Revolution." His paintings in Liberty range from solo pictures of Continental, British, and Native American soldiers to complex battle scenes that include remarkable detail. He uses a variety of methods to provide as realistic portrayals as possible like using models in traditional colonial military dress and visiting battlefields. The narratives that accompany each painting provide important context for readers.
Troiani's work is visually stunning. One of the most captivating paintings, Victory or Death, Advance on Trenton, reflects the grueling trudge into Trenton after the Continental Army crossed the Delaware on Christmas Day in 1776. Troiani captures the harsh weather conditions, fatigue, and determination of the army all at once. You also get a sense of what an incredible logistical feat the crossing must have been with the mix of men, horses, and artillery that were necessary for the attack. The details in the solo paintings are equally brilliant as he clearly tries to provide an accurate depiction of the various uniforms and spirit of the subjects.
This review is based on an advance review copy. Liberty can be purchased October 1, 2021 on the Museum of the American Revolution website. It is available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble on October 14, 2021."--Lynn White, reviewer at Nathan's Papers
NetGalley Review: 5 stars
Last updated on 07 Oct 2021
"What happens when you combine art and history? You get this beautifully informative story of the Revolutionary War. There are so many nuggets of information to digest: battles, locations, weapons, types of soldiers. I learned so many things and was compelled to keep turning pages because the images and colors were so captivating. I found myself just staring at some of the images, trying to take in all the details and imagining what each person was experiencing. This would be an excellent addition to any classroom, library, or home shelf. Don Troiani is a truly gifted artist.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own, freely given."--Brandi Rawlins, consumer reviewer
NetGalley Review 5 stars
Last updated on 02 Sep 2021
"What an excellent companion to what I'm sure will be an amazing exhibit! It will be a wonderful take-home for those fortunate enough to visit, and a great taste of the exhibit for those who won't be able to make it.
The art is beautifully presented and so very detailed and vivid, but what's really neat is that there are pretty much 4 separate threads in this book and each one is as interesting as the last. Not only is it a display of Troiani's art, it's also a wonderfully-told Revolutionary War history, an exhibit of war artifacts, and a behind-the-scenes peek at the artist's process. The history lessons are imparted as compelling and personal stories rather than dry recitations of facts, so it's very easy to connect and learn from this book. "
-- L Gage, educator at BookWorks
