Based on archival research in Europe and the United States, this authoritative study tells the fascinating story of Beaumarchais's role in the American War of Independence as an owner and outfitter of ships and as an arms merchant. It chronicles his dealings with Louis XVI, Vergennes, Benjamin Franklin, and the American Continental Congress and recounts his family's struggle to receive payment for the weapons and materials sent to the American colonists.

The outrageous true story of the French plot to supply arms and ammunition to Washington's Continental Army, and the bold French spy, inventor, playwright, and rogue behind it all

"Beaumarchais and the War of American Independence" in 2 volumes is one of the best-known works by an American historian Elizabeth Sarah Kite. Pierre Beaumarchais (1732-1799) was a French polymath who rose in French society and became influential in the court of Louis XV as an inventor and music teacher. He made a number of important business and social contacts, and played various roles as a diplomat and spy. An early French supporter of American independence, Beaumarchais lobbied the French government on behalf of the American rebels during the American War of Independence. Before France officially entered the war in 1778, Beaumarchais played a major role in delivering French munitions, money and supplies to the American army._x000D_ Volume 1:_x000D_ Early life_x000D_ First Financial Successes_x000D_ Business Negotiations in Spain_x000D_ Beaumarchais's Return from Madrid_x000D_ The Famous Memoirs of Beaumarchais_x000D_ Beaumarchais Goes to London in Quality of Secret Agent of Louis XV_x000D_ Beaumarchais's Second Mission Under Louis XVI_x000D_ Playing Figaro upon the Stage of Life_x000D_ Visits the Empress of Austria_x000D_ The Character of Figaro_x000D_ The First Performance of Le Barbier de Séville_x000D_ Founder of the First Society of Dramatic Authors..._x000D_ Volume 2:_x000D_ Beaumarchais's Earliest Activities in the Cause of American Independence_x000D_ First Steps of the Government of France_x000D_ Beaumarchais's Memoirs to the King_x000D_ Beaumarchais's English Connections_x000D_ Memoirs Explaining to the King the Plan of His Commercial House_x000D_ Suspicions of England Aroused Through Indiscretions of Friends of America_x000D_ The Declaration of Independence and Its Effect in Europe_x000D_ Beaumarchais's Activity in Getting Supplies to America_x000D_ Letters to Congress_x000D_ The Mariage de Figaro_x000D_ House of Beaumarchais Searched_x000D_ Declared an Emigré_x000D_ Confiscation of his Goods_x000D_ Imprisonment of his Family_x000D_ The Ninth Thermidor Comes to Save Them_x000D_ Beaumarchais After his Return from Exile_x000D_ Correspondence with Bonaparte_x000D_ Pleads for Lafayette Imprisoned_x000D_ Death of Beaumarchais...

"The Influence of Beaumarchais in the War of American Independence" in 2 volumes is one of the best-known works by an American historian Elizabeth Sarah Kite. Pierre Beaumarchais (1732-1799) was a French polymath who rose in French society and became influential in the court of Louis XV as an inventor and music teacher. He made a number of important business and social contacts, and played various roles as a diplomat and spy. An early French supporter of American independence, Beaumarchais lobbied the French government on behalf of the American rebels during the American War of Independence. Before France officially entered the war in 1778, Beaumarchais played a major role in delivering French munitions, money and supplies to the American army. Volume 1: Early life First Financial Successes Business Negotiations in Spain Beaumarchais's Return from Madrid The Famous Memoirs of Beaumarchais Beaumarchais Goes to London in Quality of Secret Agent of Louis XV Beaumarchais's Second Mission Under Louis XVI Playing Figaro upon the Stage of Life Visits the Empress of Austria The Character of Figaro The First Performance of Le Barbier de Séville Founder of the First Society of Dramatic Authors... Volume 2: Beaumarchais's Earliest Activities in the Cause of American Independence First Steps of the Government of France Beaumarchais's Memoirs to the King Beaumarchais's English Connections Memoirs Explaining to the King the Plan of His Commercial House Suspicions of England Aroused Through Indiscretions of Friends of America The Declaration of Independence and Its Effect in Europe Beaumarchais's Activity in Getting Supplies to America Letters to Congress The Mariage de Figaro House of Beaumarchais Searched Declared an Emigré Confiscation of his Goods Imprisonment of his Family The Ninth Thermidor Comes to Save Them Beaumarchais After his Return from Exile Correspondence with Bonaparte Pleads for Lafayette Imprisoned Death of Beaumarchais...

Pulitzer Prize Finalist in History Winner of the Journal of the American Revolution 2016 Book of the Year Award At the time the first shots were fired at Lexington and Concord the American colonists had little chance, if any, of militarily defeating the British. The nascent American nation had no navy, little in the way of artillery, and a militia bereft even of gunpowder. In his detailed accounts Larrie Ferreiro shows that without the extensive military and financial support of the French and Spanish, the American cause would never have succeeded. Ferreiro adds to the historical records the names of French and Spanish diplomats, merchants, soldiers, and sailors whose contribution is at last given recognition. Instead of viewing the American Revolution in isolation, Brothers at Arms reveals the birth of the American nation as the centerpiece of an international coalition fighting against a common enemy.