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 … 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.
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A very entertaining way to get a glimpse of history, way beyond “and this happened, then this happened, then this….” While we can’t be certain of the dialog, the author has done sufficient research to make the conversations and thoughts of the people seem very real plausible.
Insider view of the American Revolution in the words of the founding fathers and mothers.
Great historical story-telling. Not in the sense of fictional characters against an historical background, but a “you are there” view of the most import moments of the country’s founding.
It was just so-so. It gave good information on the Mexican War but was very slow moving.
Interesting and informative. It gives a good lesson on characters involved in the lead up to the revolution and the main events of the time.
However, it has taken me a month or so to read it as it is not an action packed page turner (I guess it is not supposed to be).
I have read three other books in between going back and reading a few chapters …
Mr. Shaara delivers another masterful work of intriguing interest and commendable historical accuracy.
Excellent!
We all know the signers of the Declaration of Independence, a few of the storiesp, and other basic facts. What this writer did was make these men of history real, with their quirks, faults, personalities. Each man be came like a well known friend and their stories personal ones. So glad I read it.
This is an entertaining and informative account of the events between the Boston Massacre and the Declaration of Independence that resulted in the American Revolution. The events and characters are all historically correct, and only the conversations and musings of the characters fictional.
Brings history to life
,written well.
Should be required reading for High School juniors.
Jeff’s writing style and presentation of historical detail were not annoying me yet, since this was the first of his books that I attempted. I made it all the way through. I then read his WW1 history and decided that even a John Jakes presents historical fiction in a more interesting way.
A marvelous depiction of the Revolutionary War. As in other Jeff Sahara war stories, the reader becomes a member of the cast of characters. It is so-o-o-o realistic. This is a great way to learn our American history.
A nice read, factual, but the facts dont dominate. The charadters do. Shaara takes the events and builds a human drama and drive.
Makes it a good read.
If your looking for numbers and dates this is not it. If your looking for a plausible humanity to the main players and a nice read this is it.
Being a history buff I found that this book was easy to read and follow. It takes the beginnings of the causes of the American revolution and gives the reasons from both the American Revolution and the British reasoning. This was slanted towards the American side. In all honesty the American colonists understood public relations much better than …
Loved the history refresher and his characterization.
a well written historical novel very worth reading
Jeff Sharra is one of the great historical novelists of our time and this first book is proof enough!
Very engrossing and entertaining. This author has the ability to bring history alive and easy to understand. The characters were very believable, warts and all. I’ve shared this book with people who are outspoken in their dislike of historical novel and even they admitted that they would probably sample others of his books!