Tyrants and Rogues: Understanding the Declaration of Independence

by Robert G. Parkinson

An acclaimed historian presents a sweeping new look at the Declaration of Independence, focusing not on the lofty principles of the preamble but on the list of grievances levelled against King George III.

For the 250 years since it was written and proclaimed to the world, the Declaration of Independence, and the immortal words of its preamble―“all men are created equal,” “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”―have animated those striving for freedom in the United States, and around the world. Yet as historian Robert G. Parkinson shows in this revelatory work, the men who wrote the Declaration did not view the preamble as the important part; rather, it was the list of twenty–seven grievances that they spent their time laboring over, in those hot summer days. The grievances identified the tyrants and rogues who oppressed the colonists with their attacks on colonial assemblies and courtrooms throughout the imperial crisis, and eventually waged war on them, inflamed slave revolts, forced them to fight against their countrymen, and more. Parkinson gives us the Declaration anew―and in the process opens up an expansive view of the contingency of the Revolutionary moment, showing that the patriots were not so much philosophers as they were politicians and war–makers.

Genres: History, Politics, Nonfiction, American Revolution, American History

352 pages, Hardcover

First published June 9, 2026

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was on the hunt for a good nonfiction read as I have read quite a bit of lighter fictions lately and stumbled upon this book at the library.

I really appreciate that it was informative, while also being written like a book and not a dissertation, so it is approachable for the casual reader who enjoys history but doesn't need every grueling detail on everything.

The way the author introduces these "villains" of the Patriots as tyrants and rogues and outlined each of them and their stories in depth, was very interesting. I also liked how he split up the Declaration into it's grievances. While the average person likely is quite familiar with the preamble, I'm sure they are less so with the actual content of the Declaration. This is especially intriguing as the Preamble was more of an after thought.

I appreciated that this book is well researched and neutral. It recognizes some of the hypocrisy, cruelty, and instigations of the Patriots, while also not condemning them. I found the violence that was committed against Loyalist to be very unsettling. While yes, I was aware that happened on both sides, I suppose I didn't realize quite how bad it was for the Loyalist and that they were targeted to such extremes. I also found the omitted grievance referring to how depraved slavery was and blaming King George III for it (not the only grievance I found to be baseless, blaming King George III that is, not the actual depiction of slavery), when Thomas Jefferson himself had an extensive number of slaves.

I appreciated the thought provoking read and for me,it really illustrated how human and not black and white the situation was. Britain's treasury had been massively drained by defending the colonies, especially from the Seven Years' War, and I can see why they would want to impose a small tax to try and help make some of that up. In fact, the tax was significantly less than what those on mainland Britain were paying and many had become resentful of footing the colonists' bill with heavy tax burdens that came at such a huge cost to them. From that perspective, their fit about paying small tax on imports and stamps probably seemed nonsensical to some. The colonists had been effectively ignored though in regards to how they were managing things up until around 1760 and they had developed a very different type of government. It didn't matter that the tax was small and that it was being paid for their defense and that Britain's own people, by and large, didn't have a vote, it seemed to be the principle of the thing. Obviously as they rejected these new laws and Patriots rioted, tarred and feathered their tax collectors, burned down houses of Loyalist and those sent from Britain, military presence increased and things escalated from there. So I can understand both perspectives, even if I side more with one than the other. Personally, if I was Britain, I would have been thinking good riddance as they suffered great loss in both casualties and finances.

All in all, a great read and a fun one to fit into the 250th anniversary of the United States. While I do enjoy historical reads from this era, I probably have not really dived into the Declaration this much since AP US History, and seeing as how that was like 17 years ago and my views and perspective have changed, it was high time I did revisit it. This book made it much more enjoyable than just reading and pondering it and illustrated some details that deepened my understanding of why some things were included, or what precipitated their inclusion at least. I also found myself further researching related questions that came up, as I was reading, so I may have gotten a bit more than I bargained for when I picked up this book, but no complaints from that.

[East of Reality]

Most of what I knew about the Declaration of Independence comes from the musical 1776, (great musical, definitely worth the watch!), and with America’s big 250 coming up it felt like the perfect time to grab this book of the ARC list. And I’m glad I did.

First, I’m amused that the rest of the world didn’t see the preamble as the masterpiece my elementary school teachers did; I had to memorize it for a history test in 3rd grade. And it’s fun to read a book by someone so passionate about and invested in the Declaration. Not only is the research impressive, but they delved into all the parts I never thought to look at, and asked — and answered — questions I had no idea about.

While this is a wonderful addition as a historical research book for politics or US history, it’s also sadly very topical. So many of the issues raised by the original signers of the US Constitution are still here, and getting worse every day. Abuses of power, a lack of trust in the government, in the judicial system that is supposed to keep the law fair, the use of armed individuals to threaten, harass, and imprison people for little to no reason.

The writing isn’t as conversational as I, personally, prefer, but that’s no fault of the book. However, that doesn’t mean it’s difficult to read. It’s just more like a history paper and wasn’t a book I was able to sit and read in one go, but one I had to take my time (and take breaks from.) All said, this is very worth the read.

Thank you so very much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Steve's Book Stuff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Put yourself in the mind of an American colonist in the 1770s. Can you explain to modern Americans why you are upset with the British and want independence? Most of us today, if we can think of anything to say, will probably know the phrase “taxation without representation”, and likely know that tea was thrown into Boston Harbor because of an “unfair tax” on tea. But can we explain why the tax was unfair, or what else may have driven colonists to rise up, grab their muskets and revolt? We probably couldn’t, at least not without doing some research or at least googling.

That’s where Robert G. Parkinson’s Tyrants and Rogues comes in. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Parkinson takes us beyond the famous preamble and into the 27 (by his count) grievances of the American colonists outlined in the document. Here, in the Founding Fathers’ own words, are the reasons why they declared a revolution.

Those reasons include insults and incidents that you’ve certainly heard of, and many others that you may not have.

As Parkinson explains in the Acknowledgements at the end of this book, the grievances outlined in the Declaration have been a focus of his study for almost a quarter-century. Ever since 2002 when he began work researching the background of the grievances for a museum exhibit his interest has led him back to researching the grievances repeatedly over the ensuing years. That research has made him uniquely suited to putting a book like this together.

Parkinson’s book walks through the grievances in the order you find them in the Declaration and tells the stories that gave rise to them. It’s a very clever and compelling (though not chronological) way of telling the story of the American Revolution. I’ve read several books about the Revolution over the years and yet I found stories here I had not encountered before.

The stories of grievance focus on those who caused them - governors, admirals and generals who brought hardship and misfortune to colonists. They are the tyrants and rogues of the book’s title. As Parkinson points out at one point, some of their names may not be familiar today but they would have been well known in the American colonies of the 1770s.

This is a well-researched, well written and highly readable book. During our nation’s 250th birthday year you may be looking for a book on the American Revolution, one that can help you better understand the forces that drove Americans to revolt. Look no further - this is that book.

[Andrea Wenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Declaration of Independence is often remembered for its soaring ideals, but it also includes a list of grievances that fueled the American Revolution. This book examines the conflicts, personalities, and British policies that convinced the colonies that independence was their only option. Interesting and informative, this book provides a different perspective on the Declaration and the reasons behind the Revolution.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Bruce Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tyrants

Most of us know about the preamble to the Declaration of Independence, but most of us are not familiar with the 27 Greviences that made up body of the document. These were what the colonists thought to be the legal reasons for demanding independence. Each grievance was there for a reason. The author explains the reasons behind each one. I learned new things about the history of our nation. It is a very good book.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

The comparison with Leacock's play made things confusing; the author, after making comparisons, seemed to refer to the historical figures by their fictional monikers for a time. Unfortunately, I was listening (well-done audio), so I couldn't flip back to clarify the author's reference.

[Daniel Gullotta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not how I would have framed all of it, but if you want to under the parts of the Declaration no one reads (the grievances) this is not a bad read. In fact, very informative and well written. Though, I do take issue with some of his tone. A bit too cynical.

[Clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting look at the origins of the revolutionary war through the men the colonists hated due to politics. It also looks at how hypocritical the founding fathers were.

[Grouchy Historian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thought provoking. Really enjoyed it.

[David Dunlap · Rating 5 out of 5]

(review to follow)