The Last Muster: Images of the Revolutionary War Generation

This work contains reproductions of images and brief biographies of people who were born before 1783, the last year of the Revolutionary War, or were connected by marriage to someone who was of this "generation." As such the title is a bit misleading because my definition of Rev War Generation (just like that for the "Greatest Generation") has to mean the people featured were old enough to participate as soldiers in the Revolutionary War. This is not the case for most of the people in this work. Ms. Taylor does make it clear, however, in her preface that her definition is based only on when someone was born. Much of her documentation comes from pension applications and many were rejected by the Pension Bureau. So it would not suprise me if some people born in the 1790s added a few years to their age in an effort to acquire Pensions at a time when birth certificates and other such documents did not exist. Such records generally do exist for the New England states and further research might have revealed whether "age-spiking" was present. However, criticism of the methodology aside Last Muster is a superb collection of early "photograph" or elderly people. It is fun to read what they said of themselves in their applications and the man who is wearing a Rev War uniform at his private museum in upstate New York should be reproduced and sold as a poster.

I purchased this book after reading excerpts in a recent issue of American Heritage magazine. I was fascinated by the idea - photographs of individuals who fought in the Revolutionary War. On the surface, this is an absurd idea. However, if some of them lived a LONG time, they would have lived into the age of photography. And that is exactly what this book contains -- pictures of people who took apart in the Revolution in their youth.The pictures and descriptions are fascinating.Highly recommended.

Not what was expected. Information on each was minuscule at beck.

This book is a treasure. I study the Revolutionary War and this was a great addition to my library. I also bought one for a friend.

Loving Early American History, Genealogy, Cartography, and early photography, this book and it's companion a must have for gaining insight into the psyche of our founding fathers and patriots in the general citizenry of our country. Need Volume 1

I got this book on Monday in the mail and have been devouring this ever since...simply amazing. Viewing these images and mini-biographies for each photo, along with my other book "American Insurgents, American Patriots", puts a whole new face (many faces, actually) to the birth of our nation - it wouldn't have happened without the ordinary man and woman...these unsung heroes are the true founding fathers and mothers!

My only disappointment is not the book. I have an ancester who lived long enough to have his picture taken. I was hoping his picture might be in it but it's not. However, I believe there are pictures of some he may have fought with. The is a really wonderful book.

A very interesting presentation of early photographs,history and genealogy. People who lived through the revolutionary war and their children, also alive at the time, are the subjects of the history. The photographs are amazingly clear and easy to see. The background information is well researched and presented in a readable format. I thought it was well worth the price.