Those Turbulent Sons of Freedom: Ethan Allen's Green Mountain Boys and the American Revolution

by Christopher S. Wren

The myth and the reality of Ethan Allen and the much-loved Green Mountain Boys of Vermont—a “surprising and interesting new account…useful, informative reexamination of an often-misunderstood aspect of the American Revolution” ( Booklist ).

In the “highly recommended” ( Library Journal ) Those Turbulent Sons of Freedom , Wren overturns the myth of Ethan Allen as a legendary hero of the American Revolution and a patriotic son of Vermont and offers a different portrait of Allen and his Green Mountain Boys. They were ruffians who joined the rush for cheap land on the northern frontier of the colonies in the years before the American Revolution. Allen did not serve in the Continental Army but he raced Benedict Arnold for the famous seizure of Britain’s Fort Ticonderoga. Allen and Arnold loathed each other. General George Washington, leery of Allen, refused to give him troops. In a botched attempt to capture Montreal against specific orders of the commanding American general, Allen was captured in 1775 and shipped to England to be hanged. Freed in 1778, he spent the rest of his time negotiating with the British but failing to bring Vermont back under British rule.

“A worthy addition to the canon of works written about this fractious period in this country’s history” ( Addison County Independent ), this is a groundbreaking account of an important and little-known front of the Revolutionary War, of George Washington (and his good sense), and of a major American myth. Those Turbulent Sons of Freedom is an “engrossing” ( Publishers Weekly ) and essential contribution to the history of the American Revolution.

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

320 pages, Paperback

First published May 8, 2018

Reviews

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t know much, if any, about the Green Mountain Boys. I found this to be informative albeit a little dry. It was interesting to see how much discord there was between the American colonies and groups and also how many people were wooed (or an attempt was made) by the British to give up their cause. I’d recommend to fans of The American Revolution.

[Breck Baumann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Green Mountain Boys often play fiddle to Ethan Allen, and in Those Turbulent Sons of Freedom, Christopher S. Wren chooses to flip that role while also casting doubt on the "heroics" of Ethan Allen. The focus transfers from Ethan, Ira, Levi, and Ebenezer Allen, their cousin Seth Warner, Justus Sherwood, Remember Baker, and other backwoods inhabitants from the New Hampshire Grants (present-day Vermont), while providing insight on their revolving loyalties from both Patriotic leanings and those of the Crown.

Wren follows all of their escapades from their early run-ins with Crown officials that flamed the embers of the Revolutionary War, to their taking of Ticonderoga, Battles at Bennington, Lake Champlain, Crown Point, and their invasion of Canada. Ethan Allen's egotism—alongside that of his then-competitor for the spotlight, Benedict Arnold—is referenced throughout, as well as his scheming and double-crossing nature that soon began after he was taken prisoner and brought to England for trial. Even the likes of General Philip Schuyler and Washington were not to be duped by Ethan and his deceitful machinations of creating Vermont as either its own separate territory for the British Crown, or as a new member to the union of the budding United States:

Allen galloped off to Bennington to tell Vermont’s General Assembly about the truce and prisoner cartel, but not his secret agenda on reunion with Britain. The legislators let Allen discharge his militiamen, who went home to their farms to plant winter wheat. Their abrupt demobilization raised suspicions beyond Vermont.

“The conduct of some people at the eastward is alarmingly mysterious,” General Schuyler told New York’s Governor George Clinton, “a flag under pretence of settling a cartel with Vermont has been on the Grants; Allen has disbanded his militia, and the enemy in number upwards of sixteen hundred are rapidly advancing towards us.” Allen had done some kind of deal with the British, he wrote General Washington, “and unless a speedy interposition takes place, the consequences may prove extremely prejudicial to the common cause.”

Wren aptly closes his chronicle out with a look at the futures and post-war stages of the Allen brothers and the famed Green Mountain Boys, while also supplying the whereabouts for some of the loyalists and British personnel whom were always at odds with these revolutionaries. All in all, this is a fun and interesting history of a group of hardy citizens-turned-soldiers, that from 1775 onwards switched from leader to leader in their continued defiance as rebels for the Continental Cause.

[Grumpus · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm an avid history reader, especially US revolutionary. Although I learned some new things, the writing did not engage me. Still, this was a worthy read in terms of understanding others things that were going on during the more well documented aspects of the time but don't expect too much.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book received from NetGalley.

Review to Come

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read but not terribly exciting. Would have liked more details on the role of the Green Mountain Boys in battle - seemed to be glossed over. The parts about Vermont nearly making their own separate peace with Britain were interesting though

[Ben Boulden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly enjoyable and interesting look at Vermont's role in the Revolutionary War. It details the factual history of the major players, including Ethan Allen, Ira Allen, Seth Warner, and Justis Sherwood. It shows the major contributions of Vermont's Green Mountain Boys, under the command of Seth Warner, at the Hubbardton and Bennington battles against the British Army. It also adds new details about Vermont's and the Allen brother's flirtation with aligning with the British when the U.S. Congress declined to add Vermont as the fourteenth state. An overall excellent history written for a wide audience.

[Craig Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am giving this book four stars with reservations. Most Americans who paid attention in History class would have given high marks to Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys. This book clarifies his participation in the revolution and puts him in a well deserved bad light. I am sure most Vermonters are unaware of his real history. The most glaring problem with this book was its treatment of the defeat of Burgoyne, or lack of it, at Saratoga. It seems the author or publisher left out a whole section related to Burgoyne's defeat by Gates. Vermonters had to have had some involvement but we will never know. The author also glossed over the history of the beginnings of Vermont. Where did the legislature come from? Who was Governor Thomas Chittendon? I did enjoy the American Revolutionary history in a section that is overlooked by most histories.

[Lady Alexandrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before reading this book I had only a vague idea who Green Mountain Boys of Vermont were, so it was interesting to learn more about their role in the American Revolution and the creation of the state of Vermont. I enjoyed the author’s style of writing. The history told by Christopher S. Wren was easy to follow and enjoy. His writing was historically accurate and it revealed dramatic events from American history.

It these times the independence of Vermont was uncertain and its future built on shifting sands. Ethan Allen and his brothers, cousins and friends all fought for what they perceived as their survival and triumph against difficult odds and enemies. Their visions of future weren’t always identical and some of them might see themselves more well-off as British subjects. Paradoxically their prolonged flirting with Britain might be essential for the successful creation of the state of Vermont against the opposition from the Southern states.

On a grander scale the author showed how the actions of individuals in the time of change could shape the destiny of the whole country. He wisely abstained from judging the people that he wrote about and showing them as black and white. Without a doubt they were a formidable force and a colourful bunch of misfits. Their disrespect for authority and deadly skills as fighters with tomahawks and muskets made them a rebellious force to reckon with.

My only “complaint” is that I would like to read more about how Ethan Allen and Green Mountain Boys of Vermont were perceived by their contemporaries and how their legend took roots in the collective imagination. Otherwise this book was a perfect treat for somebody interested in American history and especially in Green Mountain Boys of Vermont.

I received "Those Turbulent Sons of Freedom: Ethan Allen's Green Mountain Boys and the American Revolution" from the publisher via NetGalley. I would like to thank the author and the publisher for providing me with the advance reader copy of the book.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wren’s book covers a period in the history of the formation of the United States and the State of Vermont that I not read about since high school. I always regarded Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys as true American Heroes who fought off the British.

This book explains so much more and casts doubt on that hero status for Ethan Allen. Concern for money and property rights and the on going struggle against the State of New York over land defined the the true goals of men like Allen with their shifting allegiances.

This book also reminds readers what hard times are and the struggle to earn a living. Soldiers had to leave their platoons to reap the harvests of their farms. Many soldiers fought without adequate food, clothing, or equipment. In addition to the dangers of battle, cold and disease also preyed on the men.

An excellent read for history lovers.

[William Barber · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4/5

Pretty good and quick book about Vermont’s role in the Revolutionary War, and that general time period. Definitely felt lacking at times in terms of detail. But overall an enjoyable read, especially if your looking into more niche topics of this period. As a Vermonter I enjoyed it.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Turbulent sons of Freedom follows the early history of what would become Vermont and the pivotal figures that would shape its history including Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys. This group of fighters who got their start settling land disputes in what was called the New Hampshire Grants that would eventually become the state of Vermont. The irregular force that would fight with distinction to help capture Ticonderoga and march on Montreal was a critical force in the early days of the revolution. Noted for their green coats and tomahawks that were carried the Green Mountain Boys would become part legend part militia as they fought for the American Revolution. Its members would fight on both sides of the war with an equal hatred of the British and the state of New York. Their distrust of the continental congress would lead Ethan Allen to enter into secret negotiations with other Green Mountain Boys that had joined the British to possibly pull Vermont into a new part of the British Empire. Ultimately other forces prevail, and Vermont ends up in the United States as we know it today. This is a well written fast paced read that presents a little told part of the American Revolution in a concise and interesting way. For a State whose motto is Unity and Freedom I think the reader will find them fitting words as they follow this history of the United States.

[Jack Tracy]

Just okay but it lacked any maps and they were needed.

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Review of the Audiobook

Published by Tantor Audio in May of 2018
Read by Peter Berkrot
Duration: 7 hours, 4 minutes
Unabridged

I pounced on this history because Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys have always been a mysterious presence in my readings on the Revolutionary War. They show up during the early days of the war and add a zest of mystery and frontiersman derring-do that blunts British momentum. And then...they just disappear from the typical history.

The book follows the timeline history of the American Revolution, going back and forth between a series of the Green Mountain Boys. My fleeting impression of them was that they were some sort of super-patriotic mountain men. The reality, on the surface, seems more nuanced. But, in reality, I think that I was right. They were super-patriotic mountain men, but their loyalties did not lie with the United States - their devotion was to Vermont and only Vermont.

Vermont was not a colony when the Revolutionary War started. At best, it was the beginnings of a colony, but it was claimed by New Hampshire and New York - especially New York. Before the Revolution, the Green Mountain Boys were already fighting a low-level insurgency against the colonial government of New York in an attempt to make themselves a separate colony.

When the Revolution began, many Vermonters looked at the confusion of the was an opportunity to break away from New York, especially if Vermont could prove itself useful to the 13 colonies as an ally. But, repeated attempts to officially become the 14th state were rebuffed and some of the Green Mountain Boys began to court the British in an attempt to play both sides against each other. The goal was always the same - an "independent" Vermont. There were three options: 1) become the 14th state, 2) become a colony attached to Canada but with its own government, 3) become an independent country (not seriously considered by many, but it was always a thought on the back burner).

Ethan Allen tried all of these options at one point. Some of the Green Mountain Boys dedicated themselves to just one course, and if their course failed, they were forced to move away or suffer other consequences.

There was not as much detail to the book as I would have liked. Sometimes, it seemed like the author was skimming the surface, bouncing back and forth as the narrative moved forward.

I "read" Those Turbulent Sons of Freedom as an audiobook. The reader, Peter Berkrot, has a beautiful voice for audiobooks, but his presentation was too dramatic. He made every sentence sound like it was the most dramatic moment of the book - even mundane sentences like lists of supplies that were captured in forts and crops sold by Vermont to Canada. There were certainly plenty of dramatic moments in this book, but the overall effect is weakened when so much of the book is presented as a dramatic moment. It made the book tiresome rather than enjoyable.

I rate this book 4 stars out of 5.

http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2018/...

[Bob Price · Rating 3 out of 5]

History is most riveting when it is read as a story with heroes and villians...but sometimes this leads to shallow readings of the complicated events and personas at the core of history.

When I was a child, I heard stories of Ethan Allen (not the furniture store!) and the Green Mountain Boys, although I could say that I never understood why they were celebrated as heroes or name one battle they contributed to.

Christopher Wren seeks to fill in those blanks with Those Turbulent Sons of Freedom: Ethan Allen's Green Mountain Boys and the American Revolution. There was much about these early Americans that I didn't know or had forgotten along the ages.

What emerges from these pages is a story of a man and a time that is uncertain in direction and character. We tend to view the American Founders as united in cause against Great Britain and the all the Colonies forging a nation. But the reality was much...messier. Ethan Allen emerges because Vermont is waging war against...New York. The Green Mountain Boys were loyal to Vermont. In the early stages of the Revolution, they fought against the British. Later as their dream of Vermont being added as the 14th State seemed to drift further away, some conspired with the British to have Vermont return to the royal crown.

In the midst of these events are stories worthy of Hollywood Blockbusters. Battles against all odds and unlikely heroes emerge from the stories handed down to us. The Green Mountain Boys take Fort Ticonderoga but later face defeat near Quebec. The epic stories of the army's trudge against the elements in of itself makes this a worthwhile read.

Wren's writing may be difficult at times and I was frequently confused as to the sequence of events to which he was referring. He does however avoid speaking in academic jargon and has riveting passages where he describes life on the run for the Green Mountain Boys.

I recommend this book to those that are are interested in American History and might enjoy a story they don't know too much about.

Grade: B

[noreast_bookreviewsnh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Those Turbulent Sons of Freedom: Ethan Allen’s Green Mountain Boys and the American Revolution by Christopher Wren
.
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A revered and honored name in Vermont’s history is that of Ethan Allen; leader of the famed Green Mountain Boys, who fought for freedom during the war for independence. This book delves into the Vermont’s convoluted rise to statehood and its short duration as an independent republic with no allegiance to any country. Vermont was formerly known as the New Hampshire grants; land granted from the governor of New Hampshire, Benning Wentworth. These land grants were constantly in dispute between New York and New Hampshire (sometimes even Massachusetts), and the men who settled these lands were eager to defy the elitists from New York and make their own way as the 14th state. As the revolution progressed, Vermont’s lake Champlain became a vital area to the British for troop and material transport, and Ethan Allen and his green mountain boys were ready and willing to exploit this fact. Ethan would be captured and held prisoner of the British early on in the rebellion and would only return in the final stages of the war. Meanwhile, Colonel Seth Warner would continue the fight against the British while commanding the green mountain boys regiment with honor and respect. Ethan would return from captivity in a prisoner exchange to engage in secret talks with the British to make Vermont a dominion of the British empire if Ethan and his family could convince Vermont’s populace to go rogue and turn on the Americans and aid the British just like the turncoat Benedict Arnold. Eventually the continental congress came around and made Vermont the 14th state and the rest is history. Ethans treasonous plot for Vermont to become a British territory failed when the British and the new American government came to a peace agreement and the United States won its independence and was never spoken of again. General Ethan Allen is seen as one of Vermont’s founding fathers and rightfully so; it is true that he wanted Vermont to be prosperous and free, no matter who the territory was aligned with. His allegiance was to the people of Vermont and not to the United colonies.

[Charles Inglin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vermont at the time of he Revolutionary War was something of a problem. Known as the Hampshire Grants, jurisdiction was contested between the neighboring colonies, which were giving out conflicting land grants to settlers. The settlers were a pretty rough and unruly lot who found natural leaders in Ethan Allen and his brothers and cousins in a bid to create a new colony of Vermont, free from both New York and New Hampshire, acquiring the name "Green Mountain Boys" in the process. When the revolution started, Allen led a militia force to seize the lightly held British posts at Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point. New York sent its own competing expedition. Success was followed up by an expedition to seize Canada, which failed and resulted in Allen's capture and spending the next several years as a prisoner of war. Leadership of the Vermont militia fell to his brothers, among others. The next major event in the story is the British expedition led by General John Burgoyne, which came to grief first at Bennington, Vermont, at the hands of the Vermont militia, and then was forced to surrender after the Battle of Saratoga, New York. Curiously, the author gives only a slight mention of Saratoga, presumably because it was more of a New York militia and Continental army battle. The war in that part of the colonies then receded into more of low grade conflict of raiding and, surprisingly, a considerable amount of behind the scenes negotiating, with the British governor of Canada trying to suborn the Vermont leaders into abandoning Congress and returning to the British fold. His efforts were encouraged by the failure of the Continental Congress to approve Vermont's request to become the 14th state, something New York strenuously opposed. How seriously the governor's offers were considered is probably unknowable, but they did raise suspicions in the Continental Congress. A very colorful story about people who became the archetypes of the American frontiersmen.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excerpt: Vermonters preferred to live under benign British rule, or so Ethan and Ira Allen claimed, to being dismembered by New York and deprived of their right to keep what they had cleared and settled in the New Hampshire Grants. As from the beginning, their rebellion was about the land.


Christopher Wren delivers a history lesson on the state of Vermont and its well known local heroes, Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys. Set during the Revolutionary War the book covers in detail the reality of Ethan Allen, a compelling frontiersman, and his closest comrades; his brother Ira, his cousin, Seth Warner, and Justus Sherwood, a close friend. Contrary to a great deal of popular lore, Ethan’s boys were wild, rebellious, and land hungry men. Not trusted or well liked by General Washington, their disrespect for any type of authority created great havoc. However, their local guerilla style warfare using tomahawks and rifles made them more effective by far than the American Army regulars.

Read this interesting, detailed non-fiction tale of Ethan Allen and his time spent trying to take Fort Ticonderoga, his drive to take Montreal, and his months in British captivity. The book reads similar to a historical fiction tale of the frontier. Form your own opinion on whether Allen was a good guy as many local Vermonters feel or whether he was a land grabbing, egotistical man. Interesting read for history lovers!

This copy was received from Simon and Schuster and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.

[Robert Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew very little about the Green Mountain Boys of the Revolutionary War era, and their capture of Fort Ticonderoga under the leadership of Ethan Allen. The Green Mountain Boys were certainly a turbulent group of men who pushed into the frontier, created Vermont and then joined the Revolution in hopes of being an independent state. The tale of the tension between New York, New Hampshire, the the emerging Vermont , created friction that pushed some to side with the British in hopes of finding that recognition. Wren details the careers of Allen and Seth Warner, the latter of whom should be remembered as the real hero of the story. The long ignored military career of John Stark, who won major victories in the North during the war, is also highlighted. I was familiar with the name of Ethan Allen but in this telling he emerges less as a hero and more as a land speculator with venal interest above honor. He was, in many ways, cranky and a troublemaker who seemed to delight in those roles. This is a complex story of early American identity and loyalty that needed to be told and deserves to be remember. The true story of the difficulty and desperate fight simply to stay alive was well told by Christopher Wren who did a good job on a confusing and sometimes complicated subject.

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

An engaging, well-written history of a poorly-covered and fascinating topic of the Revolutionary War, but limited in it's historical scholarship and precision.

I have long been searching for a definitive text concerning the true nature of the much-apocryphied Green Mountain Boys, and Mr. Wren presents an eminently readable and brisk submission. Mr. Wren's success in relating such a sprawling topic in so short and engaging a manner, however, is also his biggest failing here, as his news-man treatment of details and specifics tends to gloss quickly over events that deserve far closer to a paragraph or a page than a throwaway phrase.

Perhaps it is actually an overall recommendation of this book that I frequently found myself sufficiently inspired by an anecdote or throwaway line to thumb to the footnotes in the back in search of source references; however, often as not I was disappointed to find no such support for the topic of my interest. While this makes for a very engaging summer read for anyone who enjoys a bit of historical tourism, I do not, therefore, think it will fully scratch the itch of serious historical scholars in search of the ephemeral definitive history of the Vermont experience during the war.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

An incredibly solid title, “Those Turbulent Sons of Freedom” makes a bold and engrossing foray into a lost chapter of Americana. Stripping the varnish of myth, and shirking the superhero status of its subjects, Wren sculpts the lives, deeds, and mindsets of the Allen’s, Seth Warner, Justice Sherwood, etc. into a pillar of pride, ambition, and humanity, a living monument to the “men of the Grants.” One is reminded of that tempestuous epoch, when the American Revolution hung in balance, and freedom wasn’t the gleaming beacon of certainty we express today. As a historical narrative, “Turbulent Sons” does a bang-up job of storytelling, with excellent vignettes and conflict narration, particularly on the Battles of Hubbardton and Bennington, Ethan Allen’s captivity and truce talks with Britain, and the 1775 Quebec Campaign. The sole weakness occurs when this book glides into popular history, and attempts to encompass all events in one; the Battle of Saratoga is made insignificant, and the center section reads with much less vigor then its beginning and ending brethren. Nevertheless, it’s a well-deserved 3.5 rating, and a most certainly recommended read.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was more impressed with this book than I thought I would be. I have long studied the Green Mountain Boys and their impact on the American Revolution. Ethan Allen is usually depicted as an unvarnished hero. Wren removes the mythic veneer while giving credit to Ethan Allen when it was deserved. He also devotes a few pages to Jacob Bayley, one of the uncredited heroes of the Revolutionary War in Vermont.

The book is very readable by those who are unfamiliar with the Vermont aspect of the war or the Green Mountain Boys and who want sound general insight into why things evolved the way they did. My only fault with the book is that dates of events were not clear. This may make a book more readable for a general audience; it makes things a bit muddled for the connoisseur. Despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the American Revolution, in particular the northern theater, and those interested in the Green Mountain Boys or early Vermont History.

[Indydave1958 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an intriguing examination of a part of the American Revolution that doesn’t show up in great detail in many Greatest Hits histories.

But like a lot of B-sides, “Sons of Freedom” shows that what we commonly appreciate and celebrate has many hidden textures.

Instead of a rugged American hero as portrayed in folklore, Ethan Allen is presented here as an enigmatic plotter whose allegiances were based more on personal interests than love of country. For those of us with only a passing knowledge of his place in history, that’s a startling conclusion.

Christopher Wren, however, brings a journalist’s sensibilities to the task of unraveling the nuanced and complicated saga of Vermont’s role on the northern frontier in the Revolution and Allen’s inextricable place in it. Exhaustively researched, this book whets the appetite to learn more about one of the more misunderstood characters in American history.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a solid book even though it wasn’t my favorite. There was a lot of information and I learned quite a bit from the book but the writing style was dry. Even though the style was lacking the story of Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys was full of drama, intrigue, and conflict. The author gives minimal analysis of how these individuals and the Green Mountain Boys effected or reflected the Revolution or the Founding of America and fails to put them in a larger context which is a shame. In fact, there doesn’t seem to be a point other than to tell the story of the Green Mountain Boys. Of course, telling a forgotten or neglected (whether intentionally or not) story is a worthy pursuit in and of itself but I think greater historical context would have enhanced this book. Still if you are a fan of war stories, morally ambiguous characters, the American Revolution, or Vermont
- this is worth a read.

[Hannelore Cheney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for the eARC.
This was a confusing read for me. Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys of Vermont were no heroes but seemed more like a bunch of greedy land grabbers. Allen never served in the Continental Army, but tried to take Fort Ticonderoga from the British, making an enemy of Benedict Arnold. General George Washington was no fan of his either, he was leery of Allen. He then tried to capture Montreal which earned him a trip to England in 1775 to be hanged. Set free a few years later, he tried to bring back Vermont under British rule to avoid New York's attempt to grab the land. He was not successful.
I was expecting an adventurous historical novel, but this meticulously researched book would be an excellent addition to any school's library and was too dry for my liking.

[Todd Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vermont is one of the more misunderstood entities of the American Revolution. Wren does an admirable job relating the history of its development from a contested region of malcontent settlers from New England and New York, to an important independent political entity, ultimately to the 14th state of the United States, the first to join following the original 13 colonies’ ratification of the United States Constitution.

Wren establishes the true story of Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys and their involvement in the war. Far from the popularly accepted perception that they were unwavering Patriots in the cause of American liberty, they were more complex and heavily entertained the notion of returning to British rule to keep their independence intact. A well researched and easily readable account of a neglected aspect of the American Revolution.

[Jonathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though certainly an enjoyable read, I just couldn't stand the lack of citations. I have no doubt it is well researched and the facts within are verifiable, but none are cited! There's a "notes" section that says what books he got some info from, but a lot of info is just not included in this "notes" section. It's rather a pity, as I liked the book. It was also somewhat choppy, jumping to fact to fact with little transition or interpretation, but I like that sort of thing. Much of the interpretation of people's actions only really came at the end of the book, and even then there wasn't much. It's all rather a pity, as I enjoyed the book otherwise.

Also a distinct lack of maps, which is definitely required when discussing old land disputes, obscure locations, and conflicting boundaries of states.

[Pat B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this back to back with Randall’s biography of Ethan Allen and enjoyed them both. This was a bit more readable, and galloped right along, but I missed some of the detail and anecdote from the much longer Randall tome. Nice complements, in practice.
One criticism of the Wren treatment is that he glosses over the role and plight of the indigenous peoples who were so key to the ambitions of the three major factions operating in the New Hampshire Grants (the British, French, and Green Mountain Boys). I realize that as a biographer of Ethan Allen, this would be a big can of worms to open, but I felt Randall did a better job of recognizing and contextualizing the critical role played by the natives during those turbulent (and for them, tragic) times.

[Chad Manske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through original archivist material Wren busts the myth of Ethan Allen as a hero of the American Revolution. Allen and ‘those turbulent sons of freedom’ were seemingly ruffians only interested in land and preserving their corner of the world. Untrusted by George Washington, likely for good reason, Allen was captured in 1775 and sent to Britain to be hanged, only to return to North America with the rest of the Green Mountain Boys of Vermont, lobbying to keep the yet-to-be state of Vermont territory loyal to Britain. This is a fascinating account and part of American history little known to most Americans, I am certain.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ethan Allan and the Green Mountain boys are legendary American Patriots who fought the British in the Revolution however this book tempers that legend at least as far as Ethan Allen is concerned. The Green Mountain Boys were formed to chase off New Yorkers and land speculators in the Vermont territories by Allen and his cousins and went on to fight valiantly in the Revolution. Allen however attempted to invade Montreal when ordered not to and ended up captured by the British, his only real combat experience against them. After his release he engaged in negotiations to bring Vermont to the British side. An interesting look at the story of Allen and the Revolution in Vermont.

[Liam Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid and concise history of the Green Mountain Boys. Some notes for any interested readers - as the Green Mountain Boys were an admittedly small group in a pretty remote region of early America, much of this book focuses on the context in which they were fighting - the invasion of Canada, the defense of northern New York, etc. There are decently sized chunks of writing dedicated to commanders, engagements, and actions that somehow influenced the actions of the Green Mountain Boys, but did not actually involve them. Still, that doesn't detract from the excellence of the research, nor from the ease at which Wren conveys the history.