Looks at various individuals in the revolution. Some nice primary sources used and some fun anecdotes. ( )

Fabulous book if you like the American Revolution or just want to learn more. The structure of the book is its best selling point--a chapter setting the stage and time frame of Colonial New England and what led to the Revolution, followed by a biographical chapter on one of the more important figures at that moment/time frame. Very effective bio-history all in one and a book I'd love to use in a history class.

Highly recommended! ( )

An enjoyable and easy read that delves a little deeper into some of the events that occurred prior to and during the American Revolution. This aspect was a welcomed surprise to me, for I had expected a simple collection of biographies. ( )

I sort of read this books to tatters. I refuse to throw out the tattered copy. I loved this book. I was *obsessed* with this book. This book is the reason I will name my cat Molineaux when I get it. ("Stop, Mr. Molineaux! Stop, Mr. Molineaux! Gentlemen, if Mr. Molineaux leaves us, we are forever undone." I HAVEN'T OPENED THIS BOOK IN THREE YEARS AND I AM PROBABLY CLOSE TO IF NOT ACTUALLY WORD-PERFECT ON THAT QUOTE.)

I don't know *why*. I somehow doubt it is actually all that brilliant. And yet! I WAS OBSESSED OMG.

This book has forever poisoned me against non-narrative history. HISTORY IS EXCITING AND SHOULD BE TOLD IN GRIPPING NARRATIVE. If you can't tell a story that keeps me on the edge of my seat, you are doing it rong.

(How much do I love James Otis and Mercy Otis Warren? It is this book's fault! How much do I love Thomas Jefferson the horny twenty-year-old? It is this book's fault! How much do I love Thomas Paine the one-step-ahead-of-debtor's-jail hack? It is this book's fault! THEY ARE ALL SO EPIC I LOFF THEM OMG.) ( )

Five stars for readability and research. Stopped reading Flexners 4 vol Washington to read this for a broad perspective of the times. this book does far more than who did what when. The personalities and personal characteristics of well know historical figures helps establish why some were bold and others were not. The incidental details provide much more than trivia expertese, they fill out the people as humans and the times as hectic. Here you do more than see the action, you smell and feel it as well. A highly recommended read for those interested in history. Should be required reading for HS students. A book to remind modern day victims (all of us) of the self serving nature of today's politics, that once upon a time men rose to fight for their beliefs and not just for their wallets. ( )