The Adversaries: A Story of Boston and Bunker Hill

by Ned Ryun

Boston, September 1774 . It is the confrontation that changes the course of history ... for England and for America. The tension between the colonies and Britain has reached a breaking point. The British are determined to tighten their grip on the colonies, but have underestimated the resolve of their subjects in Boston who refuse to bend the knee. From the salons of London, where English elites plot the crushing of the colonies as coolly as playing a game of chess, to the halls of Philadelphia where firebrands challenge the British resolve, and to the backstreets of Boston where men who once called each other brothers in arms now plot against and fight each other for the Crown or for liberty, this compelling story tells the tale of the nine months that transformed the world. In The Adversaries the men and women - who packed the powder keg and lit the fuse to the revolution that transformed distant colonies into a beacon of liberty - come to life on the streets of London, Boston, and Charlestown in a compelling and dramatic narrative of tested loyalties and fateful meetings. The Adversaries is a compelling reminder of what occurs when leaders abandon eternal principles and the rule of law for avarice and power, and a free people tells its government it will not allow its freedoms to be abused any longer. The Adversaries is the story of Dr. Joseph Warren and his American comrades who with inspiring courage and heartbreaking sacrifice spark the greatest endeavor in human the founding of the free American Republic.

" The Adversaries feels like you’re watching a movie as you race through the pages. It reminds us that we are free-born Americans and the heirs of Warren, Adams, Hancock and Revere who faced down the tyranny of the greatest military power in history. The question is, are we worthy of our inheritance?" Buck Sexton, Radio Show Host "A lot of people talk about bringing American history to life; Ned Ryun has done that with The Adversaries . Set against the backdrop of America's war for independence and the critical battle of Bunker Hill, this true-to-life story is packed full of fascinating historical detail that will make you appreciate America all the more. It's a perfect combination of a compelling story, heroic characters, and lively writing." Chris Buskirk, Editor-in-Chief, American Greatness “ The Adversaries reminds us that the struggle between authoritarianism and the natural right to freedom is a constant one, no matter the time in history. While the men who fought for natural rights back then were viewed as seditious and guilty of insurrection by an arrogant ruling class in England, those men became the founders of the free American Republic.” Jack Posobiec, Senior Editor, Human Events "Ned Ryun’s sweeping and compulsively readable novel, The Adversaries , is a thrilling reaffirmation of the power of history in an era when history is too often weaponized. . . In this unabashedly patriotic story, Ryun gives the men who bled for our freedom their due and challenges Americans today to be worthy of their sacrifice." Kurt Schlichter, Senior Columnist, Townhall.com "Ryun has written a love letter to the men and women who fought for and established a nation on a radical notion that we have come to take for liberty first and forever. Courage, heroism, resolve and flat-out guts; it's all here in this gripping story about the birth of our republic." Steve Cortes, Host of Cortes and Pellegrino

“In any potential future struggle for liberty, the lessons learned from all the figures in the American revolution – not just the known “heroes” – will be imperative to one side’s victory." Raheem Kassam, Editor-in-Chief of The National Pulse, Co-Host of The War Room

Genres: History, American History

438 pages, Hardcover

Published May 24, 2023

Reviews

[Michael K.]

This was a phenomenally written and researched book on the early timeframe of the Revolutionary war. While this is based in fact with some mixture of embellishment and conversational overtones, it is reasonable. I was affixed to this book during its entire read. Rather expansive in some areas to give some greater context and shortened in other areas for brevity. I was truly impressed by this book and I am taken in by the "chutzpah" of our Founding Fathers and their brethren of that time. An excellent work of art by Ned Ryun! If you like the Revolutionary War period, this is a must read for you.

[Julio Tavares]

Learned a lot about the Bunker Hill battle

In my studies of the American Revolution and Bunker hill in school I never learned as much as I did by reading Adversaries. A wonderful account of the events leading up to the battle. I love when history is brought alive for the reader and this book does that. I have profound respect for Doctor Joseph Warren and his commitment to our great republic thank God for men like him. I recommend this book to all young people. Learn the true history of our great land

[Cindy]

Be aware before purchasing this book that, by the authors own admission, this is not a volume of history. According to Ryun, it is written as part history and part fiction, a poor decision in this day and age when socialists are trying to rewrite history. Being factual would have been a much better choice for the writer. The American Revolution was filled with heroes and villains enough to make a historically factual book fly off the pages without taking artistic liberty with truth. Had I know this, I would not have bought this book.

[David]

Really enjoyed taking the historical accounts and weaving them into a readable story. Had not known much of Dr Warren before reading this. Amazed at how government overreach of its citizenry instilled a movement that lead to the Declaration of Independence and the birth if America.

[Manrico Troncelliti]

A wonderful telling of the beginning of the American Revolution

I chose this rating because the author's rendition of a frequently told take flows so well that I could not put it down. The author's portrayal of these historical figures is especially compelling.

[Tim Murphy]

A terrific lesson in the history of Bunker Hill (or, Breed's Hill) but with a story line that could have been stronger.

The Adversaries is a self-published book from Ned Ryun who deeply knows, and clearly loves, the history of the time and the battle. (And, full disclosure, whom I know). For that reason, the reader will learn all manner of details about the time and the people involved; some quite interesting and some endearing. Ryun's writing is crisp and keeps the action moving along nicely. His descriptions of battle are particularly admirable, with prose that well describes the chaos and violence of battle without being gratuitous.

The story could be strengthened by better development of characters: outside of the protagonist's obvious external problem, what were his internal problems? What weaknesses and temptations did he struggle with? What faults had he? How did he develop and change over the course of the story in ways that lead to its conclusion? Likewise with the antagonist (who exists but is not well identified): What were his internal desires? How did he change and develop over the course of the story? There was little movement in characters and not much insight into their motives and internal struggles outside of the obvious desire to gain political ascendency by defeating the other in battle.

I suspect this comes from the fundamental difficulty of writing fiction about a real historical character with the admirable desire to be as accurate as possible describing him or her as a person. For a novelist, I imagine that restricting what you can do with a character to actual historical and documented evidence, supplemented by some speculation about what he might have said or done in that real historical scene, would quite restrict how much you could do with the character to add color, interest, twists, and subplots characteristic of most good novels.

Having said that, for readers who want to know about what we call "The Battle of Bunker Hill," The Adversaries is a great tool for discovery apart from a boring history book or lecture.

[Laurie Wheeler]

Loved the attention to historical detail in this book. As much as I knew about Dr. Joseph Warren before this book, I was surprised at how much more I knew. (I cross-referenced every new detail.) I now have a new hero. Also I have to admit, I was wondering how the town near me in Virginia came to be named after Dr. Warren.
The syntax is quite modern, which I didn't care for. However not everyone is aware of 18th century syntax so that criticism is quite picky.
However this book is quite verbose, constantly repeating conversations ad infinitum. I think a lot of that could have been cut out to make a stronger book.
As much as I wanted to learn more about Dr. Warren, I had to push myself to read the repetitvely long conversations.

[Colleen]

Highly readable, mostly factual account of Dr. Joseph Warren and his role in the Battle of Bunker Hill. Very detailed in the events leading up to the battle and the actual battle itself. The author does a thorough job of informing the reader about which events and portrayals are factual and which are not.

[Josh Seavey]

I understand its a dramatization of history with truth laid throughout. But it brings an understanding of both side of the revolution with the British being more law and order and the settlers just wanting to be left alone. More than half the book is without any violence but it still is suspenseful as you know what is to come. I knew the rough timeline of the start but this fleshes it out.

[Sarah E Schultz]

A little slow to start, mainly because of all the character development. Once I got into it, it was hard to put down. A great visual of the beginning history of our country. A must read if you love history!

[Gene Ruppe]

I love history and this book, focusing on the events of Bunker Hill during the American Revolution, is well worth the read. Well researched and well-presented.

[Edwin Parker]

Outstanding

Great historical account of BunkerHill. Well documented. Clearly reveals the seeds sown for the colonies fight for independence! Highly recommend!