Rise to Rebellion

American Revolutionary War #1

by Jeff Shaara

Jeff Shaara dazzled readers with his bestselling novels Gods and Generals, The Last Full Measure , and Gone for Soldiers . Now the acclaimed author who illuminated the Civil War and the Mexican-American War brilliantly brings to life the American Revolution, creating a superb saga of the men who helped to forge the destiny of a nation.

In 1770, the fuse of revolution is lit by a fateful command "Fire!" as England's peacekeeping mission ignites into the Boston Massacre. The senseless killing of civilians leads to a tumultuous trial in which lawyer John Adams must defend the very enemy who has assaulted and abused the laws he holds sacred.

The taut courtroom drama soon broadens into a stunning epic of war as King George III leads a reckless and corrupt government in London toward the escalating abuse of his colonies. Outraged by the increasing loss of their liberties, an extraordinary gathering of America's most inspiring characters confronts the British presence with the ideals that will change history.

John Adams, the idealistic attorney devoted to the law, who rises to greatness by the power of his words . . . Ben Franklin, one of the most celebrated men of his time, the elderly and audacious inventor and philosopher who endures firsthand the hostile prejudice of the British government . . . Thomas Gage, the British general given the impossible task of crushing a colonial rebellion without starting an all-out war . . . George Washington, the dashing Virginian whose battle experience in the French and Indian War brings him the recognition that elevates him to command of a colonial army . . . and many other immortal names from the Founding Family of the colonial struggle - Abigail Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Joseph Warren, Samuel Adams, Richard Henry Lee - captured as never before in their full flesh-and-blood humanity.

More than a powerful portrait of the people and purpose of the revolution, Rise to Rebellion is a vivid account of history's most pivotal events. The Boston Tea Party, the battles of Concord and Bunker Hill: all are recreated with the kind of breathtaking detail only a master like Jeff Shaara can muster. His most impressive achievement, Rise to Rebellion reveals with new immediacy how philosophers became fighters, ideas their ammunition, and how a scattered group of colonies became the United States of America.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, American Revolution, American History, Historical, War, American Revolutionary War

492 pages, Hardcover

First published July 3, 2001

About the author

JEFF SHAARA is the award-winning, New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of seventeen novels, including Rise to Rebellion and The Rising Tide, as well as Gods and Generals and The Last Full Measure—two novels that complete his father's Pulitzer Prize-winning classic, The Killer Angels. Shaara was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, grew up in Tallahassee, Florida, and lives in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Mr. Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect with Rise to Rebellion. I had read Shara's Civil War books and knew what to expect in terms of execution. Shara follows a handful of characters throughout the great events of the time so that, as a reader, I receive a first hand view from a number of the key actors on both sides of the conflict. In the case of Rise to Rebellion, the characters are assorted but representative - Gage, Franklin, Adams, Washington, and a smattering of others.

The approach is effective. Part of my attraction to historical fiction is learning about new periods of time and how people reacted in those great events. Rise to Rebellion delivers that in spades. The result was not exactly what I had expected but is probably closer to reality and the way that things actually unfolded. There was no rush to rebellion. The colonists were extremely reluctant and initially very opposed to breaking ties with England.

It was all very tragic - like watching a car accident in slow motion. It took extraordinary mismanagement and willful ignorance on the part of Royal Governors, Parliament, the King, and generals to effectively force the break. Knowing that the administration was taking a harder line, generals, commanders and Royal Governors, some of the actions are simply mind-boggling. The Gaspee raiding commerce off of Rhode Island, the burning of Falmouth and Charleston, the raiding of farms for provisioning, etc. The British literally drove the colonists into the welcoming arms of the agitators like Sam Adams.

Of course, in the end, the break does happen. And, it is enjoyable to watch the reluctant, conservative colonists take the plunge. John Adams is the first to change, recognizing that it can't be simply a revolution of propertied men. That they had to give the people something to fight for. A government of the people, all the people. (Yes, yes, obvious omission of slaves and women. It was a baby step towards liberation. And it is worth mentioning that Abigail Adams is kind of badass in the book, John's counterpart and partner, exchanging ideas, etc. She also grills him on half the population being left out of the new order.)

Four stars out of five.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. First, I love that it's in novel form; this makes it much more engaging than, say, 1776, which although filled with great info, was kinda dry and hard to get into. Second, Shaara makes the characters so memorable. He has a great knack for bringing characters to life, and while I'm fairly sure he just turns letters into thought monologues, or exchanged letters into conversations, I don't mind. Third, I liked the changing viewpoints and how the story, when told from a British viewpoint, helped me understand those "Lobsterbacks" more empathically.
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I started this audiobook when I found my rental car has a working CD player. I was amazed at how fast I was moving through the story, compared to my wife who is reading the hardback copy simultaneously, and to my horror, I discovered I have the abridged version. I feel cheated. Like I mistakenly downloaded a pirated video in with Chinese subtitles.

[Karl Jorgenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shaara does a fabulous job of putting us on the scene, living in the American colonies in the 1770s among John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington. I assume the history is accurate; one can only be amazed the fledgling Americans could flock together long enough and with enough determination to answer King George's random oppression. This is the way to learn history and see some of the nuance on both sides.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

History comes alive in this novel that takes us from March 1770 through the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The events unfold through the eyes primarily of John Adams, Ben Franklin, General Thomas Gage and George Washington. I did learn a few new things and had my memory refreshed on assorted others. It is also amazing to read of discussions and ideas that are still reflected in our debates of the current day. We have come so far but seem to run into the same obstacles over and over again as we make our way forward.

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Rise to Rebellion Jeff Shaara tells the story of the years leading up the start of the American Revolution and the early days of the fledgling American colonies as they discern who they are and what they must do to achieve what they need.

It is the story of a growing awareness – as told from the vantage of several prominent contemporaries of the era, specifically Sam, John and Abigail Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Gage, and George Washington with others figuring in more minor capacities – of the currently untenable relationship with Great Britain.

The strength of Shaara’s writing is in his adept ability to portray different perspectives despite competing objectives even among parties supposedly on the same ‘side’. For example, it was never a forgone conclusion the American colonies were going to sever ties with, fight for independence from, or form a new political government independent of, Great Britain. Many colonials saw revolution as disloyalty to the King and treason.

Another excellent historical novel! Highly recommended especially as an audio book. Looking forward to the sequel, The Glorious Cause!

[Corey Woodcock · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic novel of the American Revolution. Jeff Shaara does a wonderful job of bringing you back to the Eighteenth Century.

This book starts years before the war proper, and chronicles the politics of the colonies, and the slow deterioration of the relationship with England. Most characters here are completely real—the novel is told from the point of view of guys like Ben Franklin, John Adams, British general Thomas Gage, George Washington, etc… It is not one sided, and it’s very clear early on that most people on both sides did not initially want this war. Appeal after appeal to King George, English military leaders who believed the war to be unwinnable, many of whom had a passion for the colonies. The book kicks off with the Boston Massacre (which was really more of a misunderstanding than anything), and builds from there. By the time the “ungrateful and petulant” colonists throw case after case of the King’s tea into Boston Harbor, the die is cast.

There is very little of the actual war presented here—this is mostly what lead to it. But it is never boring. I don’t say that to spoil anything, but only to warn anyone looking for nonstop musket fire and fife and drum, that this isn’t that book. Shaara’s next novel, The Glorious Cause, appears to cover all that (which I will get to very soon).

I only have one main relatively minor complaint; the main one being an odd thing that I was just not fully able to warm up to in Shaara’s writing. A stylistic choice that I think could’ve been done a bit better. Each section changes characters and is told in the third person. This is fine, but there is tons of inner monologue that switches to first person, and I just felt that this wasn’t always smooth. I recall Michael Shaara (Jeff’s father, author of the brilliant Killer Angels ) doing something similar, but it working a bit better. I’m not sure why, and it’s been twenty years since I read that book, but that’s how I’m feeling about it.

So we had some slightly clunky inner monologue, but other than that I absolutely loved this book, and I’m excited as all get-out to move on to the next book. I also can’t wait to dig into some of Shaara’s other books. It seems he keeps the same format, and I can’t wait to read about the Mexican American War, The Korean War, World War I, and others. The guy really does bring these events to life in the ways I’m looking for when reading an historical novel.

Loved it! 4/5

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of American history and the events leading up to and during the revolution this book and its sequal "The Glorious Cause" are a MUST READ! As far as historical fiction authors go, Jeff Shaara is unparalleled in his ability to give the reader a since of the "everyday" thoughts and actions of history's most prominent fiugres as well as the common citizen/soldier. Benjiman Frankilin and George Washington to Lord Cornwallis and General Howe are transformed from an idea to living, breathing, able to touch human beings. Although you know the "end game" of the revolution, you find yourself rooting for or against both sides as if The American Revolution weren't history, but a current event.

[Alicja · Rating 4 out of 5]

rating: 4.5/5

This is a mix of fiction and nonfiction, the events of the 1770s are seen through the POVs of figures such as John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, General Gage, Paul Revere, General Washington, etc.; each of these men a prominent figure in the American Revolution. From the Boston Massacre through the 1770s, it explores the lives and minds of some of the most prominent historical figures as tensions between England and the American colonies intensity resulting in rebellion and war.

Even though both sides are explored, there is definitely a bias toward the American colonies, a given righteousness of the rebels. Honestly, I didn't expect any different from such a novel. The writing style pulls the reader into the events and even thoughts and feelings of the historical figures. However, Shaara doesn't seem able to get away completely from idealizing the founding fathers. The writing is a bit stiff, restrained without the coarseness that is usually associated with reality. Sometimes I forgot I was reading a work of fiction instead of a really good historical nonfiction. I think this may be the result in trying to tackle so many idealized American historical figures in an accurate manner (i.e., non offensive to Americans) while at the same time giving them depth and a three-dimensional feel. The emotional connection with the characters was intermittent, sometimes I was able to connect like I did with Franklin and Washington, but other times no matter how much I tried, some characters seemed plastic such as John Adams.

Despite this, it is still an amazing work of fiction and probably one of the best out there on the American Revolution, one that portrays it so accurately and yet in such an interesting manner. It makes American history enthralling and accessible, there is no excuse that any American shouldn't at least know the basics presented in this book (and this book is a brilliant way of obtaining it).

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had few expectations for this book; it was a used bookstore find. I read it in September, just as I was gearing up to teach American history. So the timing was perfect: this is a book about the early American Revolutionary period, with great details about the battles in Lexington and Concord and the Continental Congress meetings. The history is solid and sound; with enough details for someone well-versed in the subject. I would think that readers who don't teach US history for a living would also enjoy the book.

Shaara does a nice job dramatizing the history; creating individual stories for men like John Adams and General Gage without becoming melodramatic or maudlin. The events are real, some of the conversations are of the author's imagining (based on a solid reading of the facts). The result is engaging. The book is a quick read; well worth your time, especially if you've been sucked in to the Joseph Ellis-style works of late.

The book well-exceeded my expectations; I really enjoyed it.

[Barbm1020 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made the roots of the American Revolution clearer to me. I met the Sons of Liberty as real people, and Ben Franklin, and George Washington and the other movers & shakers who drew the Colonies together in defense against the tyranny of the British governors and the Redcoats. It reads like a great novel, but it's history, told in a more lively way here than in our old High School textbooks.

[Peggyzbooksnmusic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some years back I read a comment that the best non fiction reads like fiction and the best fiction reads like non fiction. This historical fiction novel of the American Revolution was a WOW! read for me. It's #1 in a two part series and follows the events from the Boston Massacre in 1770 through the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Each chapter is told from the perspective of the historical characters on both sides of this monumental event in history. John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Paul Revere, Dr. Joseph Warren on the American side and Lieutenant General Thomas Gage, Major John Pitcairn and Governor Thomas Hutchinson on the British side. The author has taken so much information that came from diaries, journals, letters, documents, etc and given a new "voice" to the events. Highly recommend for any reader wanting to understand how these events transpired. Looking forward to reading #2 The Glorious Cause which follows the main part of the War and the forming of the American government.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently reread this excellent historical novel in preparation for my first visit to that cradle of American democracy, Philadelphia. The second reading was even more satisfying than the first. Shaara's novel opens in 1770 at the Boston "Massacre" and concludes with the tremendously moving scene of George Washington having the Declaration of Independence read aloud to his troops in 1776. Shaara tells each chapter from the perspective of a different historical figure, (Washington, Adams, Franklin, Cornwallis, Howe, Nathanael Greene, etc.)
Shaara does a great job building drama around those momentous events known to all: the battles of Lexington and Concord, the Battle of Bunker Hill, etc., but is at his best when he relates those behind-the-scenes intrigues generally known only to historians: Ben Franklin's subtle intrigues in England, the Machiavellian machinations of Sam Adams, the relentless ideological struggles of John Adams in the Continental Congress, etc. It is in these moments that Shaara best captures the personalities, strengths, and failings of these "great" men.
I believe I've read five or six of Jeff Shaara's novels, but Rise to Rebellion is surely deserving of my heartiest approbation.

[Caleb M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining and informative read. I was recommended this by one of my customers. I have been trying to be more willing to accept recommendations and start them so I started this right away and it proved to be really fun!

It's written a lite dry, so it couldn't read in big large sessions like I sometimes like to do. But the author stated in his introduction just how much he wanted it to be as absolutely accurate as possible. I think it paid off in the end. It everything needs to read like a entertainment extravaganza. And while I couldn't read in big long sessions I did have a great time while reading. Learning more about the history of my country and the founding fathers was a blast.

[Brian Eshleman]

Definitely interesting. Getting into the heads of both the British and the Americans adds depth to the story. Objectively portray the passion with which American Loyalists held to the belief that their king could not knowingly perpetrate stress that on them a deprivation of liberty made the story more touching.



Anybody intrigued by this should read the nonfiction Founding Brothers. Joseph Ellis has chosen episodes that read like a novel and are compelling in their detail.

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. Shaara is not sure if he wants to write a pure history book or a good historical fiction book, and therefore he does neither task well. To anyone familiar with the period, there are enough small historical nuggets that demonstrate the book is well researched with respect to specific happenings and quotes. However, the characters themselves come off as flat and two-dimensional, bad stereotypes rather than three-dimensional people. This Washington, for example, bears absolutely no resemblance to the man described and brought by life by Ron Chernow. This Adams is stripped of the liveliness and personality that jump off the page from reading the actual man's letters. By revering the characters so much, to the point that he is blinded by their accomplishments, Shaara robs them of nuance and flattens them to cardboard.

Even worse, Shaara completely ignores the controversial to paint his heroes in a good light. For example, the book describes Washington's trip up to Cambridge after he is voted general of the Continental Army, and as it's a historical fiction work, we get a lot of his inner thoughts, dialogue with others, etc. We also get a lot of Washington's POV in Cambridge and Boston. However, Shaara conveniently leaves Billy Lee, Washington's enslaved servant, out of the entire book, despite the fact that he was there the entire time with Washington. He instead subs in soldier-servants in Washington's headquarters, and because the book is well-researched in many respects, the absence of Billy Lee feels intentional, jarring, and disrespectful. Shaara knew what he was doing. The absence of acknowledgment of slavery or literally anything that could sully Shaara's heroes is glaring. It does the real people behind the revolution a grave disservice.

If Shaara's point was to make the revolution real by giving the characters dimension, by grappling with their triumphs, turmoil, and faults, he failed all around.

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished at last!

I really did enjoy this book. Believe me, it was not a lack of enjoyment that kept me from finishing it in a timely manner. (No, it was these awful summer classes that take up so much of my time!)

I've long been a fan of Colonial American history, and this was just the book to feed that passion. Shaara takes the heroic characters of the Revolution, with whom we are all familiar, and draws them as the real people they were. Each one is portrayed in a wonderfully nuanced way (John Adams was my favorite -- loved any time a chapter was from his perspective), and it's fascinating to look into their lives beyond what was happening in the movement toward independence, delving into each of their personal concerns: their families, their homes, their jobs, their passions. Everything that's individual about their lives and dear to them is put on display here. Real historical events and people are fleshed out in the style of a novel, and the result is a masterful, un-textbook-like telling of the Revolution.

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in this period of history. (If you're not a history buff, though, you will likely find it pretty boring.)

[Jillian Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Call me a nerd but I love history and I learn it best following a story. It was fun to see more of a personality assigned to these famous characters in our nations founding and to learn some new characters as well. My favorite chapters were the ones from the perspective of Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. I didn’t love that the author spent just one chapter or a few chapters with some of the characters but I understand he wanted to give highlights from different perspectives. I also loved the depiction of Abigail Adam’s and the intrigue of Margaret Gage. I will definitely be reading the sequel!

[Sukesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This should be required reading for any student studying the revolutionary war! This was far more interesting and engaging than any textbook could ever be. The author makes you feel as if you’re right there alongside with some of US history’s most important figures during the most important moments that led to the revolution.

[Lisa Ferris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted a Revolutionary War book in novel form and this was exactly what I was looking for.

[Kaite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fourth time reading this book over the years. Incredible story and beautifully told.

[Bobby Bonser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an excellent historical-fiction account that tells the story of Independence like no other I have read. Getting into the heads and hearts of so many of the figures and leaders of both sides of the war was so enlightening and made me understand and appreciate why the events happened. Far from being dates on a page, like I learned history in school, this book was fresh, fun, accurate, and informative.

[Isaiah Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a captivating blend between historical narrative and well-written dialogue.

[Zena Ryder · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was ok. And that's about it. The best thing it has going for it is the plot. It is a good depiction of what happened during the lead up to the American Revolution, and it did pique my interest to learn more about Washington and Franklin, who are the two most interesting, quirky characters in the book.

The second best thing about the book is that the writing is, for the most part, not annoying.

However, there was a particular technique that the author used very frequently, which made it a distracting rather than transparent device that the reader shouldn't have noticed.

Each chapter is from the perspective of one of the principal characters — Franklin, Adams, Washington, and so on — and the title of each chapter is just the name of the character whose perspective it is from. So you know right from the beginning who each chapter is about. However, Shaara would begin almost every chapter (especially towards the beginning of the book) with a few sentences referring to "he", rather than stating the character's name, or starting off talking about someone other than the main character of that chapter, or beginning with a description of the surroundings or of an event. I’m not sure what the point of this was, but it got very irritating, not because it is inherently bad, but because it was noticeable that the author was doing the same thing over and over.

But the bigger things wrong with the book are that the characterization is not good enough, and there is not enough emotional contrast.

If the characterization in this book had been excellent, then the reader would have been able to feel that one chapter was from Franklin’s perspective, the next one from Washington’s perspective, and so on. But, although the events in the story can indicate who is being written about, the tone, the patterns of thought, the speech, and so on — none of those things gave the reader any impression of character. All the chapters were written with the same tone, same type of dialogue, etc. The reader doesn’t feel any difference between any of the characters.

The other major flaw is that there is really very little emotional expression in the book. Although I could understand the American colonists’ anger and frustration with the British king and his representatives, I never really felt it. I didn’t feel the fear of an impending battle. I didn’t feel the elation of finishing the Declaration of Independence. It’s all rather emotionally flat.

This book is 500+ pages long, and by the last quarter or so, I was desperate to finish it. The plot was just enough to keep me wanting to finish it; but it wasn’t enough to make me enjoy it.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just arrived from USA through BM.

Page 46:
Colonists cannot be represented inParliament. Never will be. They simply are not an equal part of the empire. They are not, nor will they ever be, Englishmen.
Benjamin Franklin

Page 48:
You cannot suddenly decide to tax us, exploit us, drain our resources. You cannot do with us as you please. With your wast army and your great navy, you may have the power. But you do not have the right.
Benjamin Franklin

This is the first book of the series American Revolutionary War and describes the story of Sons of Liberty as well as the Boston Tea Party.



Several historical characters are very well described in this splendid book, such as: Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, George Washington and Lieutenant General Thomas Gage.

The Glorious Cause is the sequel of this book.

[Jayna Baas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love history but wasn't sure what I would find when I gave this book a try. I was blown away by Shaara's narrative style and attention to detail. His writing makes real people out of historical figures. I could feel the anger on the streets of Boston, see Dr. Warren's day of being a soldier, sense the frustration of John Adams and the doubts of the newly appointed General Washington. The battle scenes were vivid but not gratuitously so, and the rhythm of the narrative has influenced the way I write such scenes in my own historical novels. My only real objection is the amount of strong language (although I'm sure that is historically accurate as well); still, there's less than I've seen in some other war novels. Shaara doesn't fully describe the role faith and conscience played in the "rise to rebellion," but he captures well the deist philosophy of many of his main characters. If you want an "inside look" at the Revolution and the men who initiated it (both American and British), you would do well to check out this book.

[Joe Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the Shaara style, I was bounced around to the worlds of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Thomas Gage, and others. The time frame is from Spring of 1770 to the summer of 1776 and the primary settings are Boston, London, and Philadelphia.
If you have read and enjoyed McCullough's, "1776", and/or watched the HBO series, "John Adams", you will thoroughly enjoy comparing and contrasting them to the Shaara book as you read it.
I found that I became so immersed in the plight of Boston from 1770-1776 that I started mental planning for a Boston trip to visit, explore, and photograph the places so effectively described in "Rise to Rebellion".
This book put me in very close touch with the activities of the Continental Congress, the Sons of Liberty, and the lives and activities of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Gage.

[Ob-jonny · Rating 4 out of 5]

The interesting thing about this book is that it allows the reader to experience history in the format of the founding fathers speaking in everyday dialogue. It lets the reader experience what it would have actually been like to be there as it was happening. Ordinary history will give a summary of events and their significance but this book gave a look at the more human side of the historical events. For instance, it described how nervous John Adams was when he addressed a group at a town hall meeting which was his first revolutionary act. Reading the characters' actual dialogue makes them seem more real and familiar. The details of the dialogue are fictional but the reader can assume that something similar was actually said. This book brings history to life and the content is more memorable than a conventional history book.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Jeff Shaara takes you on a journey through the leading days to the American Revolution through the eyes of Ben Franklin, John (and Abigail) Adams, George Washington, and British General Thomas Gage. We see the Boston Massacre, the turmoil surrounding taxation, and the attempts to get Parliament and the King to treat the colonies as regular citizens. The characterizations and plot development make this book flow very well; you learn about people's background and motivations that aren't necessarily common knowledge for historical figures. It's a wonderfully written book that should be required reading in schools. It portrays the time and place of the American Revolution and its importance very well.

[Darin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books about the American Revolution time period. This is definitely one of my favorites. Jeff Shaara has hit upon a great formula which pulls you into the story and teaches something along the way. He does a great job of using fictionalized dialog to convey history without straying too far from the facts. I definitely recommend this book as a starting place for anyone interested in learning more about the founding of our country.

[Jason Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded down to four.

There are several factors to consider for the rating. The writing gets a four or maybe 3.5. Discounting the fact that this is history dressed up as a story, I guess the story would get three stars? Maybe? That's difficult to say because real life and literature don't work the same way. I love the American Revolution because of what followed, and I'm pretty sure my patriotism is affecting my enjoyment. I sometimes tried to make myself see this as just a story, and I couldn't do it. The historical part gets five easy stars, but the story itself... maybe three? It is incomplete, after all, and covers events only from the Boston Massacre through the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Other events that led to the colonists' disgruntlement with the mother country such as the Stamp Act, Townshend Acts, and the aftermath of the French and Indian War occurred before this. Those are summarized in the introduction, but a little knowledge of history is helpful. Some characters show up for just a scene or two, but that's because that's all they did in real life. E.G. Paul Revere gets one POV chapter, and he's never heard from again. Then there's the fact that a war's been going on for over year when the book ends and still has five years of fighting before its conclusion, so this is structurally unwieldy from a literary perspective. Luckily, that's not what this is really about.

I guess if it had to wear a label, "historical fiction" would work as well as any other, though it's closer to non-fiction than most historical fiction novels. Strictly speaking, historical fiction usually involves fictitious characters and events taking place during some real life historical event, like Gone with the Wind or House Divided set during the Civil War among real battles, etc. All the characters in here really existed and the events really happened but they've been put into prose format. It's a subtle distinction. Shaara explains this in his note to the reader, so maybe I just better let him tell you.

By definition, this is a novel. As painstaking as I try to be in telling you this story through the voices of the characters themselves, in their own words and through their own experiences, the dialogue and thoughts must be read as fiction.

I'd say Shaara did a great job there. For example, Dr. Warren has one POV chapter, and we get his thoughts during the Battle of Bunker Hill right up until he died. We know of some of his actions that day due to eye-witness accounts and the people with whom he conversed who survived, but knowing what he was thinking as those events unfolded is impossible because he was no longer around to give an account.

This is told mostly through the eyes of John Adams (and sometimes Abigail), Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Gage, and eventually George Washington, but all the major players make an appearance. I'm not sure how accurate Shaara is with their personalities. I always thought Adams was more querulous than he's depicted here, but this was early in the conflict, and most of what I know about him is from his time as vice president and president where almost everyone agrees that he was a prick. He seemed to be trending that way by the end of this (and who can blame him with what he had to put up with). I also thought Washington was a little more sure of himself, but maybe that will change as the war goes on. Benjamin Franklin came across the way I thought he should, and I should be a halfway competent judge since I just finished his autobiography right before this. As for Thomas Gage, I got nothing. Before I read this, he was just the bad guy general at the start of the war.

But is it as simple as good and bad? Of course not. Characters in fictitious stories can be simply good or bad, but I went through a lot of trouble to point out that this isn't strictly fiction. Real life is more nuanced. I can see where Gage was coming from just like I could see where the colonists were coming from.



Yep. Pick a side and roll with it, and that's just what everyone did. It's also not an issue of right or wrong. In fact, everyone was often simultaneously in the right and wrong. Take the Boston Massacre for example. A drunk 13-year-old kid got that ball rolling by harassing a British officer at the Custom House with his friends. A sentry saw this and intervened. Insults were exchanged, then some poking while the kid's friends started throwing snowballs and other objects. The sentry eventually knocked the kid in the head with his musket. Kid went crying off to somewhere, and by and by about nine British soldiers found themselves facing 300-400 angry Bostonians who were continuing to throw snowballs and other objects and taunting them to fire their weapons. One of the objects knocked over one of the sentries, someone else was advancing with a cudgel and hit two of them. More people were advancing and grabbing for the guns, the soldier who fell over fired into the crowd, then the rest followed suit though the captain never gave the order to do so and instead tried to stop them. What did the crowd expect would happen? That the soldiers would just take it indefinitely and turn over their weapons? And yet, tensions were running high in the first place because the British had made life mighty uncomfortable and downright onerous for the citizens of Boston for quite a while, and the soldiers' very presence was an affront to them. What did the British expect to happen? That the citizens would just bend over and take it? Alas, that's exactly what they did expect. This book shows that, especially the parts with Franklin in London where he witnesses firsthand the disdain with which the Brits treat their inferior, second-class American cousins. Shaara does a great job of taking facts I've known for most of my life and giving them emotional depth.

This won't appeal to everybody, but if you're looking for historical events put into a readable, emotionally-charged story format, then you'd probably enjoy this.