The Revolution as a Story
Patriots: The Men Who Started the American Revolution is a dramatic and fascinating narrative of the events before, during, and immediately following the Revolutionary War. The author of the book approaches the Revolution as a story and focuses on the principal actors as they moved from the writs of assistance trial in 1761 to General Washington's resignation from the Continental Army in 1783. Sam Adams, John Adams, George Washington, John Hancock, and Thomas Jefferson are the major figures of the narrative but we also learn about Patrick Henry, Charles Lee, Benedict Arnold, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin. The chapters on the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party are especially well written and informative. Author A. J. Langguth is light on analysis and interpretation. However, he capably portrays the events of the American Revolution with the use a biographical narrative of the men and women involved in this important event in American history. Eight battle maps, a bibliography, and an index are included. This is must reading for any student or teacher of the American Revolution. Highly recommended.
