(2011) and A Gallant Defense: The Siege of Charleston, 1780 (2003).
Borick applied the "Page 99 Test" to his new book, Backcountry Resistance: South Carolina's Militia and the Fight for American Independence, with the following results:
For those readers who make it all the way to page 99, thank you! For those opening to page 99, you will find a description of the experiences and character of South Carolina's militiamen, who opposed the British in the backcountry, or interior, of South Carolina in the Revolutionary War. The book itself is an exposition of how these men were raised, armed, and supplied, their experience in fighting the British, and what motivated them to turn out even after the most important city in South Carolina, Charleston, fell to the enemy, so this page definitely alludes to this concept.Learn more about Backcountry Resistance at the University of South Carolina Press website.Growing up on the frontiers of South Carolina, they were adept with firearms, particularly rifles, and had little choice but to conserve their shot and powder since they were difficult to replace, especially after the fall of Charleston when supplies became irregular. Many, as Charles Woodmason described, had grown up in austere circumstances and were accustomed to hard living.Surprisingly, the Page 99 Test works for the book as readers will find themselves in the midst of a discussion of the effectiveness of South Carolina militiamen against the British despite fewer supplies after the fall of Charleston and their resilience amidst adverse conditions. The book premise is how South Carolina's militia was able to put up a strong resistance against the British based on a look at the experiences of individual soldiers. Page 99 certainly gives a flavor of that. Among the militiamen discussed here are John Fletcher and Thomas Ramsey who hid out in the swamps to avoid the British and their loyalist allies and Michael Burtz, who in his service, underwent "many wants and privations."
Although the book may appeal to fans of Revolutionary War history, and specifically to those interested in the war in the South, general readers will appreciate the ability of relatively untrained farmers and tradesmen to staunchly resist the British army. They will also be intrigued by discussions of their diet, clothing, weapons, and motivations, particularly as the country commemorates the 250th anniversary of its founding, during the Revolutionary War. The experience of the conventional British army fighting against an enemy who operated somewhat unconventionally mirrors that of the American military in more recent conflicts such as Vietnam in the 1960s and Iraq and Afghanistan in the 21st century, The book also examines the role of women and the enslaved who both contributed to and were caught up in the war that raged in the South Carolina backcountry.
--Marshal Zeringue
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