Description
Book SynopsisHistorians depict nineteenth-century militiamen as drunken buffoons who poked each other with cornstalk weapons, and inevitably shot their commander in the backside. This book demonstrates that, to the contrary, militia remained an active civil institution in early nineteenth century, affecting era's social, political, and economic transitions.
Trade Review"This exceptional look into the non-military contributions of the post-Revolution militia to U.S. society is useful to any historian of the early republic or civil-military relations."
—B. A. Wineman,
Choice“Scholars and students of the American militia system will find this well organized and well written book to be an insightful and valuable addition to their professional libraries. Mr. Laver accomplishes his goal of interpreting the militia’s impact on the early republic’s growth. The arguments put forth widen the scope of existing studies and provide depth for the exploration of militia influences on local communities, politics, and masculinity today.
Citizens More Than Soldiers is an excellent social history of a military subject.”—
Journal of Military HistoryTable of ContentsList of Tables
Acknowledgments
1. Rethinking the Social Role of the Militia
2. The Hunters of Kentucky
3. Public Gatherings and Social Order
4. Stability and Security in a Time of Transition
5. Proponents of Democracy and Partisanship
6. A Refuge of Manhood
7. Fighters, Protectors, and Men
Conclusion: Citizens More than Soldiers
Appendix
Notes
Bibliography
Index
