Desperate Sons: Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, John Hancock, and the Secret Bands of Radicals Who Led the Colonies to War

by Les Standiford

“Popular history in its most vital and accessible form. Standiford has recovered the mentality of America’s first group of young radicals, the Sons of Liberty, and tells their story with flair and grace.”
—Joseph J. Ellis, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Founding Brothers

Les Standiford’s Last Train to Paradise, the fascinating true account of the building of a railroad “across the ocean” from Miami to Key West, is already a classic of popular history. With Desperate Sons, the New York Times bestselling author of Bringing Adam Home tells the remarkable story of America’s first patriots, the Sons of Liberty, whose revolutionary acts have become legend. With all the suspense and power of a historical action thriller, Standiford’s Desperate Sons recounts the courage and tenacity of a hardy group that included Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, and John Hancock—radical activists who were responsible for some of the most notorious events leading up to the American Revolution, from the Boston Tea Party to Paul Revere’s fabled midnight ride. Fans of David McCullough’s John Adams and 1776 will be riveted by this true history of young men inflamed by the fires of common purpose who helped a new nation to rise up against its British oppressor.

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

341 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 6, 2012

About the author

Les Standiford is a historian and author and has since 1985 been the Director of the Florida International University Creative Writing Program. Standiford has been awarded the Frank O'Connor Award for Short Fiction, a Florida Individual Artist Fellowship in Fiction, and a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in Fiction, and belongs to the Associated Writing Programs, Mystery Writers of America, and the Writers Guild.

Reviews

[Jay Schutt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers the ten year period between the end of the French and Indian War and the start of the American Revolution. During that period, the British government tried to recoup some of there debt for protecting the colonies and their interests during the war. This was done by taxing the colonists. That we know from the history books. What this book explains, is the process by which the colonists resisted these taxes with the help of a radical group called the Sons of Liberty. Many cities in the colonies had bands of radicals during this time, but none so influential as the Sons led by Samuel Adams in Boston. He sparked the colonies into revolt against Britain, which led to our becoming a new nation.
This is a very well-researched and well-written book that goes into detail of how those patriots decided to break away from the mother country. So much was learned by reading this book.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent examination of the events leading up to the Revolution...these pre-Revolution events are not often written about in depth. Great insights into why the Revolution began.

I didn't really like how the author described the colonists as "liberal," and inserted snide remarks against the modern conservative Tea Party, since in fact the colonists were conservatives. They were upset at the changes the British government were making to the colonies' constitutions/charters and laws following the Indian wars. In fact, the British government was liberal, by increasing its own power over the colonies in ways that the colonies' constitutions' and charters did not permit.

[Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn’t like that fact that this author attempted to bring his personal political bias into a book about the Revolutionary War, he refers to the Patriots as liberals and the Tories as Conservative’s. He also doesn’t weave that great of a storyline, the Sons of Liberty storyline in Boston which makes up the bulk of the book is much better covered in many books on the Adams’s, Sam and John. It does have some interesting points about Albany and some other not as well covered part of the Sons of Liberty story but they were few and far between.

[Sarah W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most histories of the American Revolution I've read are focused on the armed conflict; instead, this book focuses on the years leading up to the war. As the British government instituted new taxes, new groups, sometimes called Sons of Liberty, emerged in the American colonies. These men, fed up with taxation, pursued what some might think an extreme (and potentially. treasonous) path. They made prominent community members agree not to collect taxes, they dumped tea into harbors, and they put British troops into situations likely to lead to violence. Eventually, the dynamic they created helped cause a wider conflict. Overall, an interesting read focused on a part of the American Revolution that deserves more attention.

[L.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Article first published as Book Review:Desperate Sons: Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, John Hancock, and the Secret Bands of Radicals Who Led the Colonies to War by Les Standiford on Blogcritics.

The History of our past and the beginnings of our liberty and freedom are a constant reminder of what it takes to make a strong America. Schools teach us the history in the fashion it has been taught for hundreds of years, yet there must be more. Who were these entrepreneurial men, ready to put their lives at stake in the pursuit of liberty?

In Desperate Sons by Les Standiford, we are accorded a history of the radicals known as the Sons of Liberty, those who put their lives on the line in an effort to give the colonies the right to be a part of their own rule, and if that failed, find a way to gain their liberty from a nation that was intent on using them to build their coffers. The intrigues and ideal of this secret group of young men, begin as a few muttered concerns, but bring about the Revolution and the freedom and liberty of America as we know it.

Some of the names are known for numerous reasons and often are accorded their place in history, Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, and John Hancock to name a few, but there was more to the depth of the accounts that stirred up the hornets’ nest that became a revolution. With both sides taking a strong stance, ego was a powerful weapon. When peace was a possibility it would take only the fire of incredulity to fan the breezes. Many of the actions and happenings are documented, other are just told from bits and pieces passed down through generations, but there is no doubt that the men between these pages had an incendiary part of the happenings of the fate of all those in the colonies during the time before revolution raised its head.

Standiford has taken us on a journey into the past, into the very lives of the men we find most interesting. The organization and building of such a strong radical force took time and strong conviction, and Samuel Adams was full of both. With his other compatriots they set the stage for fairness, freedom and liberty. Unlike the histories from our early school years, Desperate Sons draws you in to the insidiousness of trade and taxation, and how it affected the early settlers. The consequences of such actions could not have been foretold as they came to happen.

If you enjoy history and politics this is a must have for your library. Many of the concepts and ideas are well charted and organized. This would be an excellent book for a reading or discussion group. Be prepared to bring your arguments.

This is a fascinating read, taking you to the depths of flame that still flickers to this day. The actions set in motion a finely crafted set of events the progressively lead to the American Revolution.

This book was received free through the publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

[Lona Manning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because my family moved to Canada when I was a kid, my depth of knowledge of the American Revolution stopped at the Grade 4 level. Which was actually a great level, because it was all patriotism and good-looking guys with ponytails and nice calf muscles. Nathan Hale was like, my first pin-up idol.
But in recent years I've tried to gain a more adult perspective on history. Although I now understand the Founders were humans, and have learned more about their faults and failings, I am still amazed by the the lengths to which they were willing to go to resist a government that they saw as despotic. But what I most admired was the fact that they organized themselves, and at every stage, set out their principles, or as they called them, their "Resolves," and submitted those facts to a candid world.
But there was also some degree of intimidation and mob violence. I just wasn't knowledgeable about how much, or how people reacted to it at the time, so I chose this book.
"Desperate Sons" is a detailed recounting of the activities and beliefs of the Sons of Liberty, the ad hoc, loosely organized activists who helped propel the colonies into open rebellion against the Crown. Standiford provides a literally blow-by-blow account of the arguments, street fights, and assorted acts of civil disobedience which culminated in Lexington and Concord and the 'shot heard round the world.' He also presents the attitudes and reactions of the English so that the reader can understand the point of view of both sides in the conflict.
This is not a comprehensive biography of Sam Adams. He basically appears, fully-grown and radicalized, in the narrative, so I may have to read more about this person who played such a pivotal role. The writing style is designed to place us squarely in the middle of the action. I particularly enjoyed following along with the midnight ride of Paul Revere.
There is a comprehensive bibliography.

[Laurie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I try to read books that provide different perspectives and challenge my thinking. In this case, I think the author has clearly lost his mind. To liken our founding fathers to terrorists is unforgivable and ignorant.

[Adam Meek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sam Adams, Charles Gadsden, and Isaac Sears have been eclipsed by Washington, Jefferson, and Madison but these rough and ready rabble rousers were the driving force behind the American Revolution. Standiford injects his own politics here and there (criticisms of Republicans and communists) but that shouldn't distract from the epic tale of the Sons of Liberty in the lead up to independence.

[Brandon Creel · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the author mentions, there really has never been a book solely dedicated to the activities of the Sons of Liberty like there is here. As a result, this volume is a great go-to reference for examining the relationship between the British government and the colonies leading up to the Declaration of Independence, and how it all irreparably broke down. Although there are many history books and biographies that examine this topic as well as part of those stories, some treat the topic more competently than others, and hardly any dedicate this much effort to it. I also appreciate the author's attempt to relate the financial impact to colonists in terms of modern economics (realizing that it is inherently imperfect, but that is ok), which I find absent in most other books. I wasn't as much of a fan of relation to the politics of today as some other reviewers have mentioned (e.g., Tea Party), especially since these references can quickly become dated. Nonetheless, it did not detract much for me in the overall excellence of the book.

[Peter Mayeux · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provided an excellent perspective about events and circumstances that led colonists to resist British rule and move forward with the revolutionary war against the British. There are excellent discussions of how and why colonists, especially the Sons of Liberty, revolted and moved toward freedom. There is effective use of primary sources to describe the turmoil surrounding battles over the use of stamp act materials. This book provides a very complete discussion of events and personalities surrounding the Sons of Liberty and their activities during the American Revolution effort.

[Jane Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forerunners of the Revolution Story

This is the best book I have ever read on the people and events that led to the Revolution. The author puts together the events that led to the Revolution and tells the stories of those who led the movement. It is an easy to follow and is well-written.

[Patrick Macke · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book generally gets a little caught up in the weeds, but it does provide a valuable context for understanding the root cause of the Revolution and the key role Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty played. The Revolution doesn't happen without them and we are indebted to these Patriots who refused to tolerate any compromising of their liberties.

[Mark Butler · Rating 3 out of 5]

a very interesting book, showing the political maneuvers the colonies and our founding fathers went through to get the country to decide on war. I found it really amazing how close things were to not happening, that a simple change by the British or being even a little bit accommodating to the colonials might have completely changed history.

[Steve Horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best treatment of the pre-Revolution confrontations between Parliament and the Colonies that I have read, The collective Sons of Liberty are really explained in detail with appropriate background, Imminently readable even for the non-history buff, and gives excellent understanding of the events. It;\'s what we probably should have learned in American History when we went to school.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It does an excellent job of relating those long ago events to contemporaneous events. Not in content but in the emotions they produced. It gives a real feel for what was going on in the streets. Gives a much needed perspective on what was going on then. It wasn't as Walt Disney portrayed it.

[Bethany Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

As a teacher of South Carolina history, this should be required reading. The accuracy and reading prose are recommended for any student of American history. The generation that founded our nation were truly remarkable in their ability to break the colonial ties.

[Ed Egbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great History!

Very informative reading and an excellent job of reporting the truth about the beginning of the Revolution. Recommend to all history buffs! E

[Tom O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Very easy reading. Very informative. Learned a lot of things that weren't taught.

[Don Loren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good insight into Sam Adams. The political slant took away from the book.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Les Standiford reminds us in Desperate Sons the story of the Sons of Liberty groups in the colonies and how they influenced not only each other but also public opinion in the colonies to support prosecution of the rebellion against Britain and its oppressive actions against the colonies. But there are always at least two, if not many, sides to every story including this one. The communications process between Parliament and King George III on one side and the rebellious colonists of all stripes on the other became so strained, so distant that they not only were not listening to each other, but did not want to listen to each other. Was the armed conflict really inevitable? Perhaps, but perhaps not. Perhaps the stubborn and hotheaded partisans on both sides could have acted differently, but perhaps time and distance was too great for any possible reconciliation.

In any event, Sam Adams' influence on the outcome of what has become American history, seems to have been understated. Yet today many would think about him and the Sons of Liberty as terrorists and dangerous cells of dissent against the prosperity of life for most of their fellow citizens. There are many pieces to this story, and Mr. Standiford brings the pieces to life for us.

[Pearson Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of the many books I have read on the 1753 to 1815 time period, this excellent work by Les Standiford stands out. With compelling prose and an expert sequencing and pacing of events, the author had me hooked from the very beginning. I would have finished this in a single day had I picked it up in the morning rather than late afternoon. Standiford is not afraid to show the Sons of Liberty warts and all, and even mentions the historical vacillations of figures such as George Washington. There is good red meat in this short 312-page volume, though I would have enjoyed deeper background on attitudes driving opposition to the Stamp Act of 1765. This book should be read and enjoyed by all students of the era.

[G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great overview of the role of the Sons of Liberty leading up to the American Revolution. It's filled with interesting anecdotes of the passionate group and it gives a rounded portrait of Samuel Adams as a leader of the Sons. The author does occasionally try to pick apart the motivations of the time in a bit of mild revisionism, but this is excusable. I would have enjoyed a little more information on Hancock and Henry, but this book is both informative and entertaining.

[Don Gorman · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was pretty dry. A slightly interesting recap of the times from about 1760 (stamp act) up to the onset of the Revolutionary war. Some good stuff about a few minor players and a recap of the post war efforts of the important guys couldn't save it from the tediousness that preceded. I was hoping for a little more.

[Dave Hoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably should be required reading, unfair taxation. A bit hard reading, but gives readers a taste of the 1766-1776 troubles. Sam Adams treated better in book than in others. John Hancock & Otis, other famous men. Starts with Stamp Act, ends at Concord. No taxation without representation.

[Walter Szafranski]

Very informative and good detail.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book since Les will be attending the 2014 Key West Literary Seminar. I am going to the event which has the theme "The Dark Side".

[Phyllis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Terrific little book that lays out the pre-revolution revolution, and provides a well-rounded look particularly at Samuel Adams' role.

[Drew Shifley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book about the resistance to British taxes and the buildup to Lexington and Concord.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good study of the Sons of Liberty and pre-revolutionary agitation; I read it trying to answer the question of how the Sons were "tamed" into what became a fairly disciplined rebellion.

On the negative side: It was a popular history, so I found myself disappointed with the lack of footnotes. But altogether, this was worth the time, and quite a breezy read. Recommended, if you're interested in the period.