The War Before Independence: 1775-1776

by Derek W. Beck, David Colacci (Narrator)

The United States was creeping ever closer to independence. The shot heard round the world still echoed in the ears of Parliament as impassioned revolutionaries took up arms for and against King and country. In this captivating blend of careful research and rich narrative, Derek W. Beck continues his exploration into the period preceding the Declaration of Independence, just days into the new Revolutionary War.

Genres: History, American Revolution, Nonfiction, American History, American Revolutionary War, Audiobook, Military Fiction

Audio CD

First published June 1, 2016

Reviews

[Swimminghitsuji · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpectedly Moved to Tears




There was a point during Derek Beck's, The War Before Independence, and his description of the Battle of Bunker Hill that moved me to tears. The bravery of the men fighting in this battle was brought vividly to the pages of his book. The bravery of both the Americans and British were well represented. Growing up on the west coast, the history of the Revolutionary War was miles and years away. I knew the highlights that had been taught in school but never considered it further. This book and his previous book, Igniting the Revolution, do a wonderful job of completing the picture and filling in many gaps that were there. For instance, I had no idea any battles were fought in Canada. Derek's cinematic description of the battles, especially Bunker Hill, make a potentially difficult subject an enjoyable read. Reading this book, I was struck by the realization of how small the armies were in comparison to today's standards. The total number of men from both the Americans and British for the entire war, wouldn't fill a quarter of an NFL stadium. One man could make a difference! Men like Dr. Joseph Warren did make a difference. I recommend this book and his previous book to everyone. It was a great read and I learned quite a few things.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a Kindle copy of this book courtesy of Net Galley and Sourcebooks, the publisher. It was with the understanding that I would publish a review on Net Galley, Amazon, Goodreads and my blog. I have also posted it on my LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus pages.

I requested this book because I have an interest in the american revolution and I read the first book in this series by Derek Beck - Igniting the American Revolution 1773-1775.

As with the first book this one is well researched and well written. The author has a writing style that makes it more like reading a novel versus a dry recitation of historical facts. This book centers mostly on the events surrounding Boston during the buildup to the Revolutionary War leading to the Battle of Bunker Hill. He also covers other conflicts such as the invasion of Canada and Quebec and the challenges that the early stages of the war presented to George Washington.

I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the events leading up to and including the Revolutionary War. While this functions well as a stand alone piece on early American History, I strongly recommend reading Derek Beck's first book in the series.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author takes you through the battle of Bunker Hill like you have never been taught before. The names that he mentioned I had only heard just a few, and you also get the feel of the new colonies fighting not together but each militia fighting separately. Rode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and others. How they would run out of gun powder, and food not expecting to be their but just for a short while. He also shows you how they were already looking at stopping the British through killing their livestock since they did not have any beef, and fruit with them. He also takes you through the Battle of Quebec where one man before he would turn traitor was actually a good leader and planer that man General Arnold. You also see the problems that begin to rise when Washington arrives from Congress with notice that he is to from an army and his struggles in doing so. A very good book in the first year 1775-1776 and the author does a good job of giving you both sides of the information which is nice. A very good book. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like when a Netflix series ends on an unresolved cliffhanger. And is then canceled. Disappointing only in hindsight.

Beck's 2016 "War Before Independence" is the follow-up to his 2015 "Igniting the American Revolution." As before, this is a very Northeastern & Massachusetts-focused work centering on the Battle of Bunker Hill, the siege of Boston, and (expanding out a little bit) the Battle of Quebec. The little details Beck provides throughout are enjoyable and compelling and, coupled with a lively prose, makes for an engaging read. History never goes far beyond Massachusetts or the Northeast, so the sense that the conflict is growing "wider" is lost.

Most regrettable is that the book ends prior to the Declaration of Independence (by design) but no subsequent volumes look to be forthcoming -- Beck seems to have not written anything other than these two books and that's unfortunate. He has a strong authorial voice and weaves a coherent narrative throughout, but alas, it doesn't look like there will be a conclusion to this story.

Which begs the question: BUT WHO WON??!

[Kevin Kazokas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Derek W. Beck brings history to life in "The War Before Independence: 1775-1776."

He writes a non-fictional account rich in research and facts tracing Revolutionary War momentum from the Battle of Bunker Hill through the Battle of Quebec and the resulting American campaign to rout the British from Boston. Beck lays out each stage in stunning detail, including battle maneuvers, personality eccentricities of the key players and big-picture impacts of various strategies.

Most importantly, Beck helps the reader understand the people who shaped this foundational American experience. He reveals their motivations, their strengths, their weaknesses and insecurities as well as their bravery and commitment to duty. The author manages this from a neutral lens, portraying both the American and British causes and personnel in equal light.

The reader learns the profoundness of the loss of Dr. Joseph Warren to colonial morale, along with the initial tenuous efforts of General George Washington in maintaining sufficient complement and rallying unity among the thinning ranks of the Continental army and varying local militias.

Beck dissects the discord among and between the British generals and the crown. He broaches the philosophical differences between Lt. Gen. Thomas Gage and his eventual replacement, Maj. General William Howe in shaping the British approach and perspective in confronting the colonists.

Since the book focuses on one time segment of the American Revolution, it leaves it upon the reader to research much of their own backstory in the leadup to these events. Readers may benefit from braving Beck's initial installment, "Igniting the American Revolution: 1773-1775," before venturing into this meticulous historical exploration. The author assumes the reader carries a knowledge base of earlier events, making it apparent that both books were conceived as one sweeping academic effort before being bifurcated into more digestible pieces for marketing purposes.

The author's narrative in some cases reads like a historical suspense novel. Beck does a great job foreshadowing downstream impacts of key battle decisions. He outlays strategies from conception to their respective climactic outcomes so the reader clearly understands not just what happened but why. As battles unfold, Beck's narrative builds momentum and sets the tone for the next stage in the ongoing revolution, ensuring appropriate historic perspective is shined on each event.

Despite the tedium of understanding the play-by-play of each battle, Beck appeals to the reader's curiosity by sketching all the important players in vivid realism, using their letters and diaries to glimpse more than just their traditional two-dimensional renderings in history books. He adequately paints the setting by including important details about weather and the unique geographical features that played into the configuration of each confrontation.

He does all of this within a moderate 328 pages.

Even non-academics can indulge in and appreciate this important historical account.

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audiobook is a fascinating military history on the first few months of the American War of Independence. Tantor Audio turned the written book into an audio book. While the physical book is over five hundred pages long the book in audio format comes in at 13 hours and 49 minutes long. The narration was good and both the reader and the content of the book captured my attention from start to finish.


The book is divided into two parts with the first titled “Commitment to War” and the second part titled “Crucible.” Each part is divided up chronologically with part one covering May to October 1775 while part two focuses on October 1775 to Spring 1776. Early in the book the author tells us that he wishes to be as fair as possible and warned readers that at times it might seem like he’s critical of the colonists while at other times it seems like he’s critical to the British. The author tells us that his goal is to give us the history of how things unfolded. I appreciated this caveat in the beginning of the book and I think he did accomplish the task of being factual.

The book discusses about some of the early battles such as Bunker Hill and Lexington/Concord. There were of course other smaller battles and skirmishes along the way. The book also include details of the build up to the war. One of the intriguing details of the book is the author’s description of the British military and the different leaders of the Redcoats. I found it intriguing because you get to see how the British Army, as professional as it was and better trained compared to the rebelling colonials, were still human and their leaders made mistakes and individual soldiers also experienced fears and setbacks. It reminded me how frail even the strongest army and soldiers are.

Fascinating audiobook. Again I enjoyed it.

[Scott Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Audiobook) When we look at the Revolutionary War, most are well-versed in the initial battles at Lexington and Concord, the nomination of George Washington to the Commander-in-Chief position for the Continental Army, and the eventual evacuation of the British from Baltimore. Yet, a lot of critical military action from 1775 tends to get buried in the back-pages of history. Yet, there is plenty there to read for history’s sake, and in some cases, that history might take on newer relevance. Enter Beck’s The War Before Independence. This fairly concise work looks at the military history aspect of that part of US history. In particular, he offers focus on the Colonial efforts to invade Canada. Led by General Montgomery and Colonel Arnold (yes, that Arnold), the Colonies did manage to actually occupy Montreal, but failed miserably when trying to take Quebec City. It was an example of poor logistics, some lost nerve by junior leadership, and a flawed strategy. Also, it likely cost the colonies a potential star general in Montgomery. You come to learn a great deal from this work, more than I had in previous readings/understandings.

The narrator is solid and the work moves briskly, but keeps you engaged. It does not get bogged down in military minutiae, so anyone could read it and gain a great understanding of the 1st year of the war. Worth the time to read, listen.

[Alec · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the second book in Derek Beck's American Revolution series, The War Before Independence was an excellent lead in to the monumental events of July 1776. As mentioned in my review of the first book, Mr. Beck's books really focus on smaller chunks of time and give more in-depth analysis of battles (including topography, troop formations and movements). While I'm not quite a diagram it out or get the salt and pepper shakers out kind of guy, I did appreciate the descriptions of battles and how movements add urgency and perspective to how things played out.

The books also allow for more study of historical figures whose role or place in history should be noted. As mentioned, the first highlighted Governor/British General Thomas Gage and I was glad to understand him better. In this book, my admiration for Joseph Warren grew immensely. Listed among the Founding Fathers, his energy, example, and dedication to the cause were moving. I didn't know much about him beforehand, but found myself wanting to know even more about him.

I hope Mr. Beck continues the series. I really enjoy his writing style and attention to detail. As a complement to the broader Oxford History, it has been a perfect companion and I'm glad I took the time to read them.

[Josh Lossing · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second addition to Derek Beck's continuing series on the American Revolution does not disappoint. Picking up where he left off we now dive into the early days of the American Revolution. Covering in detail major battles and key victories on both sides. Battles such as Lexington and Concord as well as the Battle of Bunker Hill come to life in this vivid detailing. The cost of victory becomes increasingly apparent the further you read. Vicious combat permeated this war. A war of passionate "rabble in arms" against the well trained British soldiers is put on full display. The miracle of eventual American victory is clear when fully understood. A victory that should never have happened against the excellent leadership and professionalism from the British. I am looking forward to Beck's next addition as the war drags on into its latter years.

[Rahobeth Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The combined stories of the actions that took place before the Continental Congress officially declared Independence. From Bunker Hill, to the Siege of Montreal, and the Siege of Quebec, and the building of the fortifications at Dorchester Heights that finally convinced General Howe to leave Boston. Draws from actual written letters and reports to help connect the dots. Does better than the general overviews usually given to these battles, including in most cases the potential answers as to why certain actions / decisions were made. Also, provides the reader with a more intimate knowledge of how the actions of certain militia groups led to the reformation of the Continental Army in general, and enlistments in particular.

[Richard Subber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delightfully readable helping of Derek Beck’s well-informed prose exploring all the realities of the shooting war that erupted in 1775 during the American Revolution.
There are extensive notes and appendices that add circumstantial detail to the story. Among other themes, Beck gives a foundational account of the fact that many of the British soldiers were unblooded recruits who didn’t know the first thing about combat, and many of the colonial soldiers thought of themselves as Englishmen who weren’t keen on exchanging gunfire with their countrymen who wore the red coats.
The War Before Independence is matter-of-fact and appealingly dramatic.
Read more of my book reviews and poems here:
www.richardsubber.com

[Gilbert Stack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many Americans tend to think of July 4th as the day the Revolutionary War started. It actually started at least a year earlier at the Battle of Concord and Lexington. This book, The War before Independence, picks up the account of the war after Concord and Lexington and takes it up to the period we traditionally think of as the Revolutionary War. It is highly detailed depicting many things I was unfamiliar with, but also giving excellent accounts of more famous events such as The Battle of Bunker Hill helping to understand both why the Americans lost the battle and why victory was so devastatingly

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good amount of information that I didn't learn in school about the Revolutionary War's beginnings, or information I had forgotten about. Easy read, thanks to the author for writing a very informative book.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and certainly added to my appreciation and knowledge of the opening two evenings of Ken Burns' "American Revolution." That being said, there were chapters that were a bit of a slog. Still, an excellent reference book for my shelf.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway**

Well written, fascinating look at history that is often skimmed over.

[Karl Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of stuff I did not know before the popular revolution took off.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

As with the first one, too much speculation for me to truly enjoy.

[Lyle Probert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A throughly enjoyable account of the war up to the declaration in 1776, the highlight being the discussion of Bunker Hill.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

While American political resolve to resist British colonial policies in North America assumed a pacifistic veneer at the Continental Congress in the summer of 1775, clashing personalities and armies on battlefields to the north of Philadelphia arguably shaped events more critically than schoolbook history conveys. It is that lesser appreciated story that Mr. Beck offers as his authoritative and eminently readable ‘The War Before Independence.’
This books follows up on ‘Igniting the Revolution’ by picking up the story of the Siege Of Boston from the days immediately following the outbreak of hostilities at Lexington and Concord through its successful conclusion for the American Continentals in March of 1776. The other major campaign of this period – the invasion of Canada – is chronicled in the same engaging manner. The book contains a detailed account of the Battle of Bunker Hill and the epic winter trek led by Henry Knox bringing Fort Ticonderoga's heavy cannon, weapons deployed brilliantly by George Washington to break the siege. Readers may be surprised by the out-sized impact at the Second Continental Congress of news of skirmishes in May of 1775. Equally enlightening is Beck’s account of how the Continental Army became a more effective institution and fighting force by weathering early challenges of organizing the artillery, dealing with cowardice and confused chain of command revealed at Bunker Hill, and establishing the rule of law evident in the court marshal of Dr. Benjamin Church, America’s first notable spy. Victory at the Siege of Boston was achieved with a brilliant strategy and grit , resulted in minimal loss of life, and spared occupied Boston from destruction. The campaign embodied American aspirations in war and served as an arena for Washington’s maturation as a military leader. Meanwhile the Canadian foray offers a counterpoint, where early revolutionary fervor, heroics, and Benedict Arnold’s audacity could not prevail in the face of equipment gaps and a smallpox epidemic.
This is a companion volume to ‘Igniting the Revolution,’ but stands alone. One can read and enjoy one or both. Those more into popular military history should start with ‘The War Before the Revolution,’ since the focus is entirely on conflict and personalities once the military contest began.
Derek Beck continues with his signature cinematic, writing immersing the reader in dramatic scenes. You will feel that you are an active witness of events and personalities from both the American and British perspectives. Characterizations are novelistic and flow freely. Yet seventeen appendices prove the depth and breadth of primary sources consulted. Appendices and end-notes together number almost 140 pages in fine print, treasure troves sure to delight antiquarians. General readers will do fine confining themselves to the main narrative, and can be assured that what they are reading is based on meticulous scholarship.
As the modern biographer of Dr. Joseph Warren, a founding figure of the Revolutionary era, I was delighted to see his agency interwoven into the main narrative. An appendix corrects myths concerning Warren's heroics at the Battle of Bunker Hill (Breed’s Hill for the purists, Charlestown Entrenchments to many contemporaries).
I note that the action takes place chiefly in New England, Northern New York, and Canada. This is not a regional bias but rather a fact of how the Revolutionary War played out. The chief theaters of war in 1775 and the first few months of 1776 were predominantly in the north. One might say that what was begun in the North was finished and decided in the South in the early 1780s. I quibble. Do read ‘Igniting the Revolution.’ You will never again think of the eighteen months prior to the Declaration of Independence in quite the same way.
- Samuel A. Forman, author of Dr. Joseph Warren: The Boston Tea Party, Bunker Hill, and the Birth of American Liberty and the young adult historical novel Twenty-One Heroes.

[Alec Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good account of the military aspects of the War's early period covering the 10 months or so just after Lexington/Concord through the departure of the British from Boston. Bunker Hill and Quebec are covered in extensive detail.

Full review here: https://allthingsliberty.com/2016/06/...