A thoughtful, informative and fulfilling book that is sure to inspire.
More than two hundred years after the last shots of the Revolutionary War were fired, remnants of the war can still be found in many places besides history books. Al Frazza, motivated by a love of history, discovers this in a very personal way. Armed with little more than a car, a camera and a map, Frazza embarks on a project that takes him to the most rare and overlooked historical sites in New Jersey. The author’s goal, which sounds deceptively simple, is to explore and chronicle Revolutionary War sites in his home state and populate a website with his findings. However, as shown in State of Revolution, sometimes there is far more to a project than meets the eye. This book not only documents Frazza’s travel adventures, but also broadens readers’ horizons by exposing them to a rare appreciation for history and a unique perspective of the world.
At its core, State of Revolution is a memoir that covers nearly eight years of the author’s life. More than that, however, this story of an amateur historian taking on an immense project and accomplishing a monumental task is one that will educate, entertain and motivate. While together comprising an unpredictable flow to the overall narrative arc, each vividly described chapter treats readers to a distinct, enriching experience. A wide variety of topics are explored, ranging from Washington’s army surviving a bitter and brutal 1779-1780 winter in Morristown to a large-scale police convergence surrounding the author after a minor traffic infraction. The historical accounts are presented in a manner far removed from the dry textbook-style history that many of us remember from school, as Frazza brings them alive by sharing the challenges, humor, despair, elation, and insightful discoveries he experiences during his extensive research. Transcending the mere development of a war memorial website, this book is a must read for those interested in New Jersey history or the Revolutionary War. For the rest of us, State of Revolution is a thoughtful, informative and fulfilling book that is sure to inspire you to explore the peculiarities and backstories of your part of the globe.
