Most poignant novel about living during the American revolution I've ever read!
346704
Laura Frantz has truly created another symphony of words that bring to life characters, who in their thoughts, statements and actions, stir the reader to share their joys and sorrows. Never before have I experienced to this extent such a sense of unity, as though their pain was my own, holding to faith in God's word to bring about good no matter the circumstances faced, throughout the revolutionary war and birth of a new nation under God.  Frantz provides her readers a cinematic excursion through this epic time in our history. Her characters are living and growing page by page. Get out your tissues and reschedule your day; you will not want to lay this book aside until the last word is read.  "Mistress of Tall Acre" is appropriate for any reader, middleschool and older, but girls of any age are likely to "get into it" more than their male contemporaries. My sincere thanks to Revell and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
3837756
I absolutely adored this book! Riveting, moving, and relevant, it is difficult to put down. I confess I did not know too much about the Cuban Revolution before reading this novel, and Cleeton's story allowed me to both learn something at the same time as it was very thought-provoking and also a great read - essentially everything I love in a novel! Both storylines were equally compelling, and Marisol's story both mirrored and diverged from Elisa's in poignant and meaningful ways. Havana is portrayed so vividly that I truly felt like I was there.
2170226
I have never read any of David McCullough's books before and my dad loaned this one to me. I have to say that if this book was written twenty years ago when I was in high school, taking AP history, I would have fallen in love with history a whole lot sooner! This is perhaps one of the best historical pieces I have ever read!

1776 focuses on General Washington and his crew throughout the year. It was not a good year for the American rebels in spite of signing the Declaration of Independence. Today's history buffs would be singing a different tune and should be singing a different tune because of the odds that faced that motley army. They did not win a lot of battles. But the ones they did win ended up being the turning point of the war, the battle at Trenton at Christmas.

This book focuses on General Washington and his staff. There are intercerpts of letters from different people, like Nathaniel Greene, Henry Knox and various other people. There are intercepts of letters from the British side of the war. This book is written well ~~ and with a white-knuckle grip on the reader's part. Yes, we know the outcome, but little did we know just how high the odds were against us. Little did we know just how much these men sacrificed for their country who was just starting out.

The Revolutionary War should be studied more in high school (maybe it is, but it wasn't when I was in school) ~~ as it's such a key part of our history. Other than the Civil War, Americans have never lost as many lives as they did in the Revolutionary War. Nor have Americans cling so fervently to the hopes of being independent from Great Britian and against such odds. After all, our forefathers faced the greatest military machine at the time with little than the guns in their hands and the clothes on their backs.

It is an inspiring book as well as a thorough book. It definitely sparked my interest in reading more of the men and women of the 1700s. It is a great introduction to American history and one that every serious history student should read ~~ regardless of their age and nationality.

2-1-06
3867037
I truly relished this book!  This was my first Michener novel and I plan on reading many more.  The book did an excellent job of portraying the events of history.  One may think that a novel involving history would be very dry and uninteresting.  This one will prove those people wrong.  A lot of American history with a twist of a modern-day tale proves to be entertaining.
 The introduction "The Starrs" acquaints the reader with the main problem at hand.  Norman Starr, a decorated solider is to go to trial on Monday in front of a Senate committee.  His lawyer recommends that he learn all about his ancestor's roles in American history.  The novel then takes the reader through stories of seven of his ancestors.  Through his searching records and discovering their attributes, Norman gains vigor to fight his own accusations.
 The first narrative is of Jared Starr, a lively and intelligent man who signed the Declaration of Independence and helped to develop the idea of a strong, central government.  His son, Simon took over his father's role at the Constitutional Convention.  There are numerous notes and observations written by Simon during the convention.  Simon's son, Edmund,  earned the rank of major in the Revolutionary War and obtained a seat on the Supreme Court.  He eventually became Justice Starr.  Next in line was Hugh Starr.  He attended West Point and was active in the military during the Civil War.  Due to his keen mind and bravery, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel Starr, Army of the Confederacy.  So far the legacy has passed through the men of the family; however, the daughter of Hugh Starr is next in the family legacy.  Emily Starr was a major participant in the Woman's Suffrage movement.  The last male was Richard Starr, who was Norman's grandfather.  He lived through the Great Depression and helped to develop programs to get the country out of that state.  The second to last member of the legacy is Norman's mother, Rachel.  She worked to have cities and rural areas possess balanced representation in voting.
 These trips into the past help prepare and encourage Norman in his own troubles.  The accuracy of the events in history draw the reader into the story and might even teach you a little.  When reading this book, people will realize what exactly our ancestors have given us.  Whether you are aware or not, they have provided us with everything we take for granted.  Michener does an excellent job of tying together the facts and his own fiction.  Two thumbs up!
3610003
This book was one of the best historical narratives, with elements of fiction added, that I have read in a long time. It is very true to the story of the person of David Crockett Whitt and his family, from the time of his youth and throughout his life. You will be right there in the room as he is born, and hear the stories and tales that have been passed down from generation to generation about his life, his adventures, and his service in the War and eventual imprisonment in a POW camp in Maryland, held there even after the War Between the States had ended. You'll learn what it was like living in those hard times; how they loved, fought, worked, and died. Reading this story is like having a first person view of all of the struggles that people endured in those times, as well as what it took merely to survive while this country was being forged from the rough wilderness, and villages that required long trips through treacherous and sometimes hostile areas via horse and carriage just to earn a living. I grew up hearing these stories from my grandmother, as passed down from her from her ancestors, as the person this book was written about was my Great-Great-Grandfather, who dies only 6 years before my Grandmother was born. To read these accounts and remember those stories firsthand is something that I believe the whole world would love to experience for themselves. This is the story of a patriot, a fighter for independence, a hard working man that descends from both Revolutionary War soldiers and from Native American blood. These are the stories that make this country great, and that we must cherish, so that we will always know from whence we came and what makes us what we are as a great nation. Don't pass this book up! This is one of those stories that you'll want to pass on to your children and give them pride in what earlier men had gone through in order to give us the lives that we enjoy today!
977957
OMG!  I loved this historical fiction novel that I read it in two days and I am a SLOW reader.  I could not put it down!  There is a quote, Sue Monk Kidd, wrote in the very end of her book that says it all.  The quote is by Julius Lester, "History is not just facts and events.  History is also a pain in the heart and we repeat history until we are able to make another's pain in the heart our own."  We are still experiencing the same things we did 200 years ago.  Yes, it is a lot better but one would think we should have evolved so much more by now.  Headed in the right direction now I hope the politics do not turn the tide and go back to reactionary conservative times where women and minorities are set back into slavery.
1250134
In Menotomy Village (now Arlington, Massachusetts) on the first day of the American Revolution, more lives were lost than in any other town between Concord and Boston. I love early American history, and this fictionalized account of a real family in Menotomy and of how they suffered but survived this period made it come alive for me. We may think of the American colonists in absolute terms, either completely for or against revolution. In Betsy, we see what it must have been like for many of them, fearful of war, reluctant for their fathers and brothers to commit to the revolution, angry and grief stricken over personal loss, and able to love their enemy when God called them to.
4646479
Jeff Shaara demonstrates growth as a writer, undertaking the early Revolutionary War period in his latest historical fiction piece RISE TO REBELLION. A strongly crafted work, RTR at times makes you forget that you have already heard parts of these stories. The author delves right into the psyche of all the players surrounding the founding, and represents both sides with considerable finesse and remarkable insight. He portrays main character viewpoints John and Abigail Adams, Ben Franklin, and Thomas Gage exceptionally well. Despite the fact that this book must be considered fiction, as we had no 21st Century multimedia recording the actual events in the 1770s, Shaara shows off top level research, and a keen mind able to visualize what those intimate feelings and moments must have been like.
Some highlights to look forward to in the novel are the fascinating sequences of Benjamin Franklin in England. The historical references ring true, and the personal habits displayed and descriptions written make for an interesting picture of Franklin. It makes me want to re-read his autobiography. Other highlights include the opening act of the Boston Massacre, the much anticipated ride of Paul Revere, and the initial battles at Lexington and Concord, all of which gave me goosebumps. John Adams has become so popular this year and Shaara writes Mr. and Mrs. Adams very well. The characterizations of the British officers and government officials are evenhandedly represented throughout the story.
RISE TO REBELLION is very much worth reading if you appreciate American history, or historical fiction works in general. Any more specific details about John and Abigail's randiness and it would have everything. The style is quite enjoyable and even though you know exactly what is going to happen, the book is hard to put down. I really can't wait until the second part goes to print.
1329758
I Thoroughly valued this book for many reasons, not the least of which were the many times when the prose bespoke the highly dangerous times our nation struggled through toward victorious independence. The cost to all was staggering, and the hardships, violence and surprises never ending.
Another aspect of the book was life going on despite the circumstances, and how the courageous just kept at it, working in ways that none of us can imagine in this world of relative ease we now live in. The farming as well as midwifery depicted were both fascinating and lure me back to a harder but perhaps saner life than is the norm today.
There was much to love about the book, and I enjoyed it in laughter as well as tears, but it bolstered my already great respect for the patriots who founded this country.
1870237
My maternal great-grandparents were Quakers - or Friends - so this book grabbed my attention because it is about a young Quaker named Hannah who gets caught up between doing what she feels is right and what her religion feels is right in this book set during the Revolutionary War in Pennsylvania.

The chapters alternate between the viewpoint of a local pub owner and Colonial spy, Jeremiah, and Hannah the young Quaker.  Jeremiah will do anything to further the cause of the Colonials, even convince a young pacifist Quaker girl to become a messenger for his cause.  Hannah will do anything to visit her twin brother in jail along with other Colonial rebel soldiers to bring him food and supplies, even deliver messages for Jeremiah even though her family's religion does not believe in supporting the soldiers. As Jeremiah and Hannah learn more about each other's' convictions they also learn more about themselves.

This book started out a little slow and was a little hard to keep track of which character's chapter you were in at first, but the deeper I got into the story I couldn't put the book down! It was the first Christian Fiction book I've read about Quakers and I enjoyed the nice change of pace. It was the perfect mix of romance, history, courage, loyalty, and love.
2467327
Moving, haunting, compelling. Three words that describe this wonderful book, which is now a keeper on my bookshelf. Susan Meissner did her job a little too well, if that's even possible. The horror and heartbreak of the Salem Witch Trials was brought to life for me in a way I've never before experienced. Oh, I knew the history - but in a detached, factual way. After reading The Shape of Mercy, I was able to see how it would truly have felt to be a part of that history: terrified for myself, afraid to lose a member of my family, afraid to leave my home, wondering what kind of madness this was, wondering where God was hiding Himself. That last evokes a lot of emotion - the experience would have tested my faith in a huge and new way. I just can't believe that all of that really happened, that people could be imprisoned and hanged based on accusations in a fear-driven society.

The main theme of this story is love, and choices. Not a love-at-first-sight kind of love, but a sacrificial, unselfish, true love. Lauren and Abigail are each affected in different ways by the love demonstrated in Mercy's diary, which was heartbreaking and bittersweet. It was too real - sometimes I forgot I was reading fiction, though of course it was not far from what a young girl like Mercy would have felt and thought at that time. I was also able to relate to Lauren's struggles. I felt for her as she searched her mind and heart and Mercy's diary, trying to find herself and figure out what life is really about.

I did not want The Shape of Mercy to end.* It. Was. Amazing. Without a doubt my best read this year, at least when it comes to most memorable and cared-for characters. The settings, both present-day and historical Salem, were rich and vivid. I loved the description of Abigail's library, and when I read that Lauren was reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn I knew I would have to read it, too. There are so many layers to this book, it's one that you'll want to pick up and read again and again. I can assure you I will be reading this again, and finding author Susan Meissner's other books as soon as possible!

*Hey, wait! It doesn't have to end! Awesome author Susan Meissner has created a blog that continues the story with posts by characters Abigail, Lauren, Clarissa (Lauren's roommate), Esperanza (Abigail's housekeeper), and even newly discovered writings by Mercy! I was so thrilled when I discovered this! Go check it out once you've read The Shape of Mercy!
4955964
I rate this book at the very top because it brings the exciting history of our Revolutionary War to life.  It focuses on the pivotal Battle of Trenton, when all odds were against Washington and his Army, and things seemed hopeless.  It is very inspiring and memorable. I would even say this book can be a life-changer.  You will never forget it. This is a book that definitely everyone should read, especially Americans, but not only Americans.
4428354
I love this book. Despite the 1000+ pages, I have read it twice, and will probably read it again. Kenneth Roberts is such a fabulous historian, and what he did with this book is truly remarkable. As a history major I can honestly say that until I read this book I do not believe I had even begun to glimpse what really happened during the American Revolution. By telling his story through the eyes of a few staunch royalists, he somehow manages to show the less heroic (but realistic) side of the revolution, while highlighting the series of amazingly illogical events that led to England's loss of this country.

Unlike another reader, I do not think it is necessary to read all four of Roberts books in order to fully appreciate this one. The other books are also great reads, but the themes and perspectives of them deal with more well-known aspects of the Revolution, while this book introduces facts and ideas that most Americans have never been introduced to.

The characters are wonderful (Thomas Buel is probably one of the best characters I have ever read in any book) and the story is incredibly entertaining for such a long and detailed historical novel. Great book, I highly recommend it - especially if you think you know all there is to know about the American Revolution.
1234302
If you enjoyed Nathaniel Philbrick's Mayflower you'll love The Razing of Tinton Falls. A shorter book, set around a single incident with no great historical world-shattering significance, Michael Adelberg's Tinton Falls brings to life the characters and world of the American Revolution. A single village's demise is seen through eyes of Loyalists, Patriots, businessmen and women, slave, servant and child. The history is beautifully researched and the details ring powerfully true. The known facts of each character are given in brief paragraphs of introduction. Then the author slides very naturally into the voice and viewpoint of another protagonist, bringing readers eagerly behind him and driving the story inexorably forwards.

I never imagined the war of independence as a civil war, but now I learn how neighbors and friends were pitted against each other, politics drawing dividing lines, violence breaking the barriers of good behavior. The author paints no side with angel's wings, but describes the different aims and desires of protagonists with a deft touch for human need and, sometimes, human greed.

If war brings out the best and worst in people, The Razing of Tinton Falls paints that best and worst in human colors, bringing history into focus, and shedding historical light on the world's present trials. How we'd love to define the sides in modern conflict as good and evil, but this novel reveals the human emotions behind events, the inevitable consequences of mistake and accident, and the personal cost of destruction to people on both sides of every line. I was quickly absorbed, genuinely intrigued, and painlessly educated by this book, and I really enjoyed it.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. Being English, I had no idea what I'd make of it, but I loved it.
3879708
The words from this book jumped off the page and into my heart. Once I picked it up, I could not put it down.

I was delighted to find out that the book was based on a true story of the Grimke sisters who were abolitionists and feminists in the early to mid 1800's. The research that Sue Monk Kidd did looks fascinating and I might want to read some more about the real women.

The author truly wrote from her heart in this book and boy--can she write! Oh, what I would give to be able to write like that. This review cannot possibly do her justice, but I will try.

It is the story of a family in South Carolina in the early 1800's and follows the lives of two of the sisters--Sarah and Nina along with a slave named Handful. The story alternates between Sarah and Handful's point of view.

Here is a quote from Sarah when she is struggling to find out her purpose in life. I love how she uses the symbol of a button which she carries with her to try and help figure out what her purpose is:

"They say in extreme moments time will slow, returning to its unmoving core, and standing there, it seemed as if everything stopped. Within the stillness, I felt the old, irrepressible ache to know what my point in the world might be. I felt the longing more solemnly than anything I'd ever felt, even more than my old innate loneliness."

Handful and her mother, Charlotte, were expert seamstresses. Since she could not write, Charlotte told the story of her life through patches that were sewn into a quilt. She also had this relationship with the tree near her shack on the plantation that she called her "spirit tree".
Her daughter Handful says:

"She sat under the tree every day, working her story onto the quilt. Even if it drizzled, I couldn't budge her--she was like God mending the world. When she came to bed at night, she brought the tree with her. The smell of bark and white mushrooms. Crumbs from the earth all over the mattress."

Sue Monk Kidd says one of her inspirations for writing the book was the following quote by professor Julius Lester:

"History is not just facts and events. History is also a pain in the heart and we repeat history until we are able to make another's pain in the heart our own."

I miss Sarah and Handful already as well as so many other characters in this book. Highly recommended read.
4875100
The characters in this book brought the American Revolution to life for me. So many of the movers and shakers of that time were made more real to me than just heroes in a history book. What sacrifices were mad on our behalf! The story of Noble and Liberty will remain in my memory for a long time to come (barring dementia, of course ).
3844868
Stealing Home by Allison Pittman is a stunner of a historical novel. Ellie Jane Voyant has lived her life in 1905 Picksville, Mississippi as an eccentric outcast. Ned Clovis has loved her since he was 12 years old, but his life of silence since he lost his hearing has made him an outcast as well. Morris, a 12 year old Negro boy has a life very different in Picksville from Ned and Ellie, but he's trying to make something of himself, with a future and an education. Their lives are all irrevocably changed by the appearance of Duke Dennison, a high-priced baseball player drying out from alcohol abuse in their small town. Pittman captures perfectly the atmosphere of an insular small town with its petty abuses and crimes, along with the joy of a game of baseball. Baseball becomes the unifier of these four disparate characters giving Ellie a place of her own, Ned a voice, and Morris a presence. Duke's struggle to be more of a man is its own beautiful story. I don't want to give anything about this beautifully written story away, so please get a copy and read it!