The Day the American Revolution Began : 19 April 1775

by William H. Hallahan

At four in the morning on April 19, 1775, a line of British soldiers stared across the village green of Lexington, Massachusetts, at a crowd of seventy-seven American militiamen. A shot rang out, and the Redcoats replied with a devastating volley. But the day that started so well for the king's troops would end in seventy-three British soldiers dead, two hundred wounded, and the survivors chased back into Boston by the angry colonists. Drawing on diaries, letters, official documents, and memoirs, William H. Hallahan vividly captures the drama of those tense twenty-four hours and shows how they decided the fate of two nations.

Genres: History, American Revolution, American History, Nonfiction, American Revolutionary War, Historical, Politics

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

William Henry Hallahan was an American writer, best known for his two occult novels, The Search for Joseph Tully and The Keeper of the Children.

Mr. Hallahan started in the advertising business and stayed in the business for most of his adult life, but in 1971 with the publication of his first novel, The Dead of Winter, he began a second career as a writer. Over the next seventeen years he would write eight novels. In the 1990's he switched from fiction to non-fiction.


Mr. Hallahan served in the United States Navy as a radio operator during World War II He is survived by his daughter and a brother. He passed away at the age of 92.

Reviews

[Tom Batalias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every year around the fourth of July, I choose books that focus on the American Revolution. This year I chose the two William Hallahan books that focus on the first and last days of the war. This particular book about the day the revolution began was very interesting, presenting events and views I had not previously known. The focus is on the 24 hour period leading up to, during, and immediately after the battles of Lexington and Concord, near Boston. Many figures, well known and some not so well known, are discussed, but no one gets as much airtime than Samuel Adams. Hallahan holds no punches when discussing Adam's motivations and influence leading up to the battle. He shows him as the ringleader, inciting riots, and possibly being the catalyst of the bloodshed that day. It was also interesting to see how news of the battle was received in various cities afterwards, including Philadelphia, New York, Williamsburg, and London. All told, I was highly entertained and learned much about a subject I thought I already knew a lot about. I was excited to start Hallahan's book on the last days of the war.

[Katherine Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars historical content and excellent narrative of the actually day: 'April 19, 1975' in Lexington, but unfortunately that narrative only takes up the first quarter of the book,...leaving the majority 3/4ths to describe (in a somewhat disjointed fashion) the resulting ripples from the battle,...all very important and fascinating in its own way, especially as so many minor players in the Revolution were highlighted, but it did detract from the declared major theme of "The tense 24 hours of April 19th."
Note: homeschoolers,...this book does have a "gossipy" tone concerning some of the participants morals, some relevant to the narrative, but most was not, and on occasion the narrative turned quite "salty" - which is supposed to be considered 'nothing' in the 21st century, but for those parents who do care,...this is definitely a book to be read and discussed together.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title isn't entirely accurate --the book includes a lot of information leading up to the first shots at Lexington and Concord, and the "day" was really spread over several weeks and even months, as the news took time to reach the other colonies and England. But the book is readable and unfailingly interesting, and I learned things I didn't know before although I've read extensively on the subject. It was nice to have the real people behind this time in history fleshed out, including what now seem "minor" characters, making the American Revolution seem what it was: the result of many fallible people's choices and actions, which conceivably could have gone a very different direction. It was especially interesting how the forces of disinformation and volatile personalities that whipped up a previously peaceful people are similar to those that exist today.

[Kerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be quite interesting in that it not only told of the day that started the American Revolution but how the colonies reacted to the events that led up to it and beyond. Some of the actions from key players on both sides are also explored. I learned some things I didn’t know before reading this book and gained new insight.

[Winona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gives Samuel Adams credit for arranging the first shot at Lexington and Concord. Interesting, good reading.

[Joe Rodeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author takes a complicated job and makes it as simple as possible; wisely pre-war years only. These kinds of histories are too often exhausting with casts of thousands. He more or less does one guy at a time. It's done in a pleasant and humorous editorial style; a relief from a boring professorial dissertation.

This studies the revolutionary climate from both sides of the ocean. Even when the battles began, most colonists were loyalists. The main characters include Samuel Adams, John Adams, Thomas Paine, Patrick Henry, & George III. Only brief mention of the likes of Washington or Jefferson, who gained in importance later.

[Glenn Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very detailed account of the events that led up to and the day of April 19, when the Shot Heard 'Round the World occurred. Covering not just Boston, the writer goes in depth into Philadelphia, Williamsburg, New York and London.

Unlike what we learned in school, the Revolution was not a quick Jeffery Spiccoli act of getting rid of the King. There were are many Loyalists as Rebels. In addition to what we did not learn in school, there were many in London that were very much strong supporters of the Colonies.

A very enjoyable book that discussed many of the secondary players rarely heard about. Of the well known players, new insights.

[Jenny T · Rating 5 out of 5]

The American Revolution began April 19, 1775, in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. News traveled through Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, and further south -- King George III in England didn't find out until May 28. This book tells the story of how everything started and how word spread -- a fascinating and deliciously readable book.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book begins at 4:00 am on the morning of April 19, 1775 at the village green of Lexington. "Drawing on diaries, letters, official documents, and memoirs, William H. Hallahan vividly captures the drama of those tense twenty-four hours and shows how they [a line of British soldiers and seventy-seven American militiamen:] decided the fate of two nations.

[Michael Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book looking at the beginning of the American Revolution from a number of different perspectives. The author details how news of the battle of Lexington spread out to the rest of the colonies and to London. This is not an in-depth look at the issue, but more of a journalistic account, good for those who want to know more, but don't just stop with just this one book.

[Jimmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good in the specific date of April 19th in Massachusetts, plus how the news of Concord and Lexington affected New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. However, the book also jumps around in time (a lot) between the starting date of the war and the events leading up to the war, rather than covering events in chronological order.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looks like a boring history book, but is actuallly quite exciting and engaging.

[Jefferson Coombs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Year read is a guess. I enjoyed this book. It is a short, very focused telling of the beginning of the Revolution.

[Dorothy A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book. Reads like a story. Mistakes are there, but still you get the feel for the day.

[Thomas McGovern jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on the Revolution ever read. Read it many years ago and still remembered how great it was.