Helpful Score: 1
Shaara's hefty fifth novel, the second in a two-volume series about the American Revolution, is an epic saga of what Shaara calls our first civil war and the first truly world war, told with emotion, energy and historical precision. Using the formula of character-driven fiction employed by his father, Michael Shaara (The Killer Angels), Jeff Shaara presents the dramatic history of the revolution as seen through the eyes of the major players. In describing the battles, skirmishes, victories, defeats, blunders, intrigues, treason and bickering, Shaara illuminates the circumstances whereby a rebel collection of motley amateurs dared to confront a mighty empire and its vaunted army. The narrative establishes immediacy in its colorful profiles of the participants. Shaara depicts George Washington as a general whose force of will and strong character earn the loyalty of soldiers who are defeated by the British again and again. Washington's relationships with other principals are profound and surprising. Having regarded Gen. Charles Lee as a friend, he is stunned by the behavior of his second-in-command on the battlefield and behind his back. He thinks highly of Gen. Nathaniel Greene and the Marquis de Lafayette, and neither will disappoint him. Having enjoyed the "pleasantly sociable" company of Benedict Arnold, Washington discovers too late that there are two traitors at West Point. He also learns firsthand how "Mad Anthony" Wayne earned his nickname. Shaara takes equal pains to characterize the British, men like dawdling Gen. William Howe, arrogant Henry Clinton and the capable but hapless Charles Cornwallis. This is vivid and compelling historical fiction, but also a primer on leadership and the arts of war and diplomacy. Shaara reaches new heights here, with a narrative that's impossible to put down.
Helpful Score: 1
Everything Shaara writes is great and this is no exception.
A story of the American Revolution. This is a very down to earth story of the shortcommings of both the Americans and the English. It is a very good story. A Must read.........
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the first one "Rise to Rebellion" Mr. Shaara does and excellent job of keeping your interest and the lives of the characters vividly before you.
He is a genuine story teller.
A GREAT BOOK I LOVED IT. BOTH OF THEM.
He is a genuine story teller.
A GREAT BOOK I LOVED IT. BOTH OF THEM.
The best book on the American Revolution I've ever read.
excellent book. starts a little slow like a lot of jeff shaara's books do. gives you a whole new look at the revolutionary war
Good job of making history come alive. I have read historical accounts of this period, and I can't see that the author has done any disservice to the historical record.
Shaara is great.
A wonderful insight into the early history of our nation.
Great book about American REvolution. Historical fiction.
