“It is not likely that any facts of importance will be added to those which Mr. Smith has unearthed and worked into his mosaic. Yet we are so ungracious as to wish that this definitive work had been done differently. Here his eye is somewhat too close to the object for broad vision. And thus his defects in point of view make his attempt to fix this episode in general revolutionary history the weakest part of his book.”
| + − | Ind. 63: 1119. N. 7, ’07. 970w. |
“What is likely long to remain the authoritative history of our attempt to secure the adhesion of the ‘fourteenth colony.’ Prof. Smith has not only conducted a faithful piece of research; he has written an interesting book, though it could be compressed to advantage.”
| + + | N. Y. Times. 12: 540. S. 7. ’07. 390w. |
“Traversing the subject as a whole, he shows himself an equally facile and entertaining historical writer. At times, to be sure, the effort to sustain the interest leads him into a floridity, and occasionally a levity, that distinctly detract from the dignity of his theme; while, on the other hand, his obvious passion for research induces him to include much petty detail that obscures rather than illuminates. But his work is so fresh, so original, and so informing that it deserves the heartiest of welcomes.”
| + + − | Outlook. 87: 311. O. 12, ’07. 400w. |
“A dignified historical study—which, however, has not disdained to be interesting.”
| + | R. of Rs. 36: 510. O. ’07. 120w. |
“Mr. Justin Smith has worked on his subject with most laudable industry.”