Excellent book. Just the part when Paul Revere was ...
590527
Excellent book.  Just the part when Paul Revere was captured lends astonishment when I do a Libertyseed.
3121789
The last chapter is the best one and the only one that at all references the title (fortunately). Some of this is better for people who already have some background in the period. I would not recommend this book for anybody who does not have an interest in the history and politics of the era of the American Revolution. If you love Ben Franklin, as I do, then this book is a must-read.
2852661
The rating I would give this book would be nine out of ten.  I thought it was very well written, and thoroughly explained the events with great detail.  The best part of this book is it was written in the perspective of John Wilkes Booth.  There are many books on the assassination of President Lincoln, but none in the perspective of the assassin.  I thought the book was slow to start and took awhile to reach the main plot of Lincolns assassination.  But, I would highly recommend this book to others who are interested in the events that has shaped the country we live in today.
2300409
David Hackett Fischer explores the events immediately preceding, occurring during, and immediately following Paul Revere's Ride. He argues in his introduction that historians and academicians in general have largely ignored the extraordinary role Revere played in the development of the revolutionary movement. His book, then, seeks to bring Revere to light. In so doing, Fischer holds a magnifying glass to Massachusetts in the year 1775, and describes in astonishing detail the Whig-ish beginnings of the United States of America.

  His book is a mixture of biography and military history. It has two primary foci; one, make great the name of Paul Revere; and two, delve into the militaristic proceedings of both the colonists and Britain's "Regulars." Wherever possible he tries to intertwine the two; when an event is occurring that does not involve Revere-the skirmish at Lexington, for example, he goes to great lengths to explain what Revere was doing at the time (during the skirmish, he was removing a heavy chest from a tavern). Whenever Revere is involved in the event, Fischer takes great pains to portray his role as critical.

  Insofar as military history is concerned, one learns exactly why the Regulars march on Lexington and Concord failed. From mistaken assumptions about the colonists to unreceived communication from General Thomas Gage, Fischer includes it all. He provides detailed maps to show the movements of the two camps, and further illuminates the human side of the conflict with plenty of photographs, portraits, and captions. With the very small exception included in his epilogue, in which he gives brief life summaries of the main characters following the conflict, he never discusses that conflict's ramifications outside the militaristic exacerbation of the revolution.

  Fischer's book is interesting for the most part, but as to its historical accuracy, this reader has some concerns. The detail of Revere's and others' movements and thoughts is so fine, one must wonder if Fischer allowed himself some historical license for the sake of readability. It does, in fact, read like Herman Wouk or Gore Vidal. One also wonders about the near deification of Paul Revere. The tone is like an overly enthusiastic response to an overly unenthusiastic academic circle. For two centuries, historians have ignored Revere; Fischer's answer is to elevate Revere to the level of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Certainly, his book is extremely well researched, perhaps enough to create a highly readable work without sacrificing any integrity whatsoever. Perhaps enough also to justify his exuberance for the man that was Paul Revere. All the same, the extents of both leave doubts in the mind of this reader.
2638653
Excellent book! My wife and I hoth read it and found it very factual and engaging. Since the area in question is right up the street from us we knew it was an accurate potrayal. The indian attack is actually the Brookfield Town Seal (center of Quaboag Plantation) but actually occurred in West Brookfield. Many historical markers described the events. Great book!
1463215
I used this book as part of the third grade curriculum.  We are studying Massachusetts History.  This book and its partner books about Sarah Morton, a Pilgrim Girl and Tapenum a Wampanoag Indian boy were excellent!!

The texts and pictures were well researched and presented.  Plymouth Plantation and the reenactors there provide an authentic setting.  Homes, clothing, work and play of children during this period are acurately shown.  These books should be in every school library.
2183863
This book is part of a wonderful series published by Golden Press, no less.
I wish it would be reprinted because it is so well written.

This particular book has a wonderful description of the American Revolution.
3091265
Down loaded and read this book on my 1st edition Kindle.  Excellent book about an ugly part of American history.  Even in the most evil of people, good comes through.
3470893
Excellent history book...... I am very much interested in American history and this was the perfect book to read and learn more
1789006
Excellent book. Reads like a mystery novel but is the true storyof a little known part of history.
3106697
An excellent history until Johnson reaches about the 1960's where he begins to be partial. Probably a casualty of closeness. Granted it must be hard to write objectively about a moment in time he is living through...Otherwise the book is very good.

This is a history of the American people, and, not a history of a bunch of hyphenated-Americans. It is exactly what is needed in a time of insane, ahistorical, and for the very most part, adulterated historical self-hatred in The United States. I highly recommend Paul Johnson. He seems to pick up where Will Durant left off.
4149099
Excellent book.  A very readable explanation of this battle and some of the background leading to decisions made just before and during the battle.
613634
It was an excellent read. It covered only a few months and was very thorough with very good descriptions of Washington, the Howes, John Adams, Franklin and Jefferson. I learned things about them that I was not previously aware of. Ellis' tale is interesting and balanced.
776044
Excellent book.  As you read it transport you to Puerto Rico in the late 1898 to 1899.  You could feel that you have lived that time.  Can't wait to read the other books by this writter.
612441
I just finished this book and thought it was excellent.  It is very well written, unbiased, fair, detailed and, while long, it is a good read.  While I wish he had not disclosed some of the details he did in the last chapter, "Aftermath", this is a minor complete.  I highly recommend this book.
450440
Excellent book. Skidmore did an excellent job of giving the background of the conflict and the torturous road taken by each party to end up a Bosworth Field. I found it a bit confusing with all of the Edwards and Henrys all of whom seemed to feel they had a claim on the English throne, but the family tree provided really helped keep everyone straight. It is amazing to me that reading the beginning of the book it seems impossible that Henry Tudor would end up in possession of the throne.

Skidmore did an excellent job of tracing the two claimants to the throne and their backers. It did get a bit confusing and dragged a little in the middle, enumerating all of the prices paid for a variety of things was probably not necessary and was a little sluggish at times. The variety of sources used with the personal stories, letters, and information about so many participants was helpful.  Once Henry arrived in Wales the story really picked up and I couldn't put it down. The maps were quite helpful in tracing the future king's route.

The only disappointment was the one short chapter on the battle itself. It was a little confusing trying to figure out what was happening and who was where and what exactly happened. It seems to me that with such a large army, there would have been more to talk about than the fight between Oxford and Norfolk and the battle between Henry and Richard. The map of the battle was helpful and I would have liked it in the front of the chapter instead of the back.

It was interesting to see what happened to all of the participants of the battle in the subsequent years. It would have been nice to have a bit more of a focus on Henry and his immediate family. It mentioned his marriage and some of his children, but even just a summary of his children would have been nice.

Those are just little quibbles, however, overall it was an excellent book. It was nice to see the mention of the renewed interest in Richard as well as the discovery of his body. Very nicely done!
652974
This book is excellent! I like how James Robinson presents his thoughts in a concise manner, with scripture to back it up. I also like that he wove early American history into the book as well. I appreciated that he didn't shy away from some of the more difficult subjects that go hand in hand with politics and Christianity. This book is full of common sense and was just an excellent, easy to read book. I highly recommend it!
I received this book from Worthy publishing in exchange for my honest review.