A Single Blow: The Battles of Lexington and Concord and the Beginning of the American Revolution. April 19, 1775

by Phillip S. Greenwalt, Robert Orrison

“I have now nothing to trouble your Lordship with, but an affair that happened on the 19th instant . . .”

General Thomas Gage penned the above line to his superiors in London, casually summing up the shots fired at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775.

The history of the Battles of Lexington and Concord were the culmination of years of unrest between those loyal to the British monarchy and those advocating for more autonomy and dreaming of independence from Great Britain in the future. On the morning of April 19th, Gage sent out a force of British soldiers under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith to confiscate, recapture, and destroy the military supplies gathered by the colonists and believed to be stored in the town of Concord.

Due to the alacrity of men such as Dr. James Warren, Paul Revere, and William Dawes, utilizing a network of signals and outriders, the countryside was well-aware of the approaching British, setting the stage for the day’s events.

When the column reached the green of Lexington, Massachusetts, militiamen awaited their approach. The first shots of April 19th would be fired there. The rest of the day unfolded accordingly.

Historians Phillip S. Greenwalt and Robert Orrison unfold the facts of April 19, 1775, uncovering the amazing history that this pivotal spring day ushered in for the fate of Massachusetts and thirteen of Great Britain’s North American colonies with A Single Blow.

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

192 pages, Paperback

Published March 12, 2018

Reviews

[Brad Dexter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would be a great travel guide for anyone going to Boston. Not an in depth read, but excellent information to start telling the story.

[Don Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt a little confused, reading this book. I like the idea of mixing historical narrative with a travel guide approach, but found that those elements interfered with my following along with and making sense of the events described. I did learn things that I had not known. In my experience, while the Civil War was well covered in my schooling, less was taught about the details of the Revolutionary War. I wonder if others also had that same experience.

[Joseph Ficklen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting a more in depth look at the battles of Lexington and Concord but this was an introductory work compared to David Hacket Fischer’s Paul Revere’s Ride. It had many pictures of modern historic landmarks in the Boston area, and I would definitely consult this book if I was visiting there. But I didn’t learn much, and found it fraught with Yankee Whig propaganda.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide book for those interested in visiting the various sites involved with the start of the American Revolution. The photos along with descriptions of why each site is significant is really helpful. This book is compact and serves as a great reference book and can be carried with you during your visit.

[Cathy Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of detail about what happened in Lexington and Concord in 1776. Includes guides to visiting the historical sites in and around Lexington, Concord, Boston and other towns in the area. Very well put together. Makes you want to go visit and follow their guides.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and easy read. A concise retelling of the events of April 19, 1775. Liked the addition of sites to visit along the route.