Col. David Fanning's Narrative of His Exploits and Adventures as a Loyalist of North Carolina in the American Revolution (Classic Reprint)

Relive the Loyalist side of the American Revolution through the dramatic tale of Col. Fanning.

This narrative recounts suffering, daring exploits, and hairbreadth escapes from the Loyalist perspective, offering a vivid alternative view of the war’s events. This edition presents the full manuscript and places Fanning’s experiences in a broader historical context. It includes scholarly notes on publication history, a discussion of how Loyalists have been remembered, and reflections on the moral complexities of the era. The book aims to illuminate a neglected voice in the Revolution’s story and to encourage a balanced understanding of its actors.

• First-hand accounts of wartime loyalties, risk, and retreat under pressure.
• Contextual essays that explore how Loyalists have been portrayed in history.
• Historical notes on publication history and the evolution of this narrative.
• Critical perspectives that encourage readers to weigh motives and actions on all sides.

Ideal for readers interested in nuanced Civil War–era loyalties, colonial history, and the complexities of rebellion and allegiance.

David Fanning is Professor of Music at the University of Manchester.