Reviewed by Carine Engelbrecht for Readers' Favorite

With the person and legend of General Bernardo de Gálvez as the focal point, Galvez by Judge Edward F. Butler, Sr revisits a neglected chapter of early American history. While there has always been a touch of glamour to the role France played in the American Revolution, few people today are aware of the full extent of Spain's support for the aspirations of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence. As the Spanish governor based at New Orleans, Gálvez occupied a key position and proved a valuable ally to the fledgling United States. The book reveals the existence of aid agreements between Spain and the American Revolutionaries even before the War of Independence began. Spain's contribution covered various fronts. The Spanish sent supplies of food, arms, gunpowder, tents and medical supplies, but also provided intelligence and military support by securing river trade options and making sure that key coastal ports were available for the benefit of the Revolutionaries.

As a resource, Galvez by Judge Edward F. Butler, Sr deserves a special place in the collection of any amateur historian. In particular, the book would be of enormous interest to readers with a specific interest in military history in general or the American Revolution in particular. It is obviously written by an author who is passionate about his topic and brims over with eagerness to share what he knows with his readers. Each section is meticulously referenced and the book also includes a selection of photographs, maps, paintings and other illustrations, as well as a timeline of the Spanish involvement in the American Revolution. Although the book is named for Gálvez, it is not so much a biography as a testament to his actions and his vision, aiming to correct the injustice inherent in the man's relative obscurity today and seeking to forge new ties with Spain on the strength of this shared heritage.