"This book examines young Revolutionary War soldiers' and officers' changing motivations and expectations in relation to their enlistments, experiences in the army, choices about quitting long-term military service, and their attempts to rejoin civilian life after the war"--Provided by publisher.

"The eyes of all our countrymen are now upon us" : ambition, coercion, and choice in joining the army -- "We were young men with warm hearts" : manhood in the Continental Army -- "Feared by many, loved by none" : relationships between soldiers and civilians -- "To quit the service of their country" : young men's decisions to leave the Continental Army -- "Yield the tribute due to merit" : young veterans after the war.