Patriots: The Men Who Started the American Revolution [Hardcover]

A. J. Langguth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1991

With meticulous research and page-turning suspense, Patriots brings to life the American Revolution -- the battles, the treacheries, and the dynamic personalities of the men who forged our freedom. George Washington, John Adams, Samuel Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry -- these heroes were men of intellect, passion, and ambition. From the secret meetings of the Sons of Liberty to the final victory at Yorktown and the new Congress, Patriots vividly re-creates one of history's great eras.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Working with contemporary letters and public statements, Langguth, who heads the journalism department at the University of Southern California, produces a closely knit and continuously interesting drama of the American Revolution by following the principal and secondary actors, from Prime Minister George Grenville and his plan to raise revenues by a stamp tax in the colonies to General Washington's farewell to his officers at Fraunces Tavern. Figures whose names are familiar but whose deeds are vaguely known are brought into sharp focus. We know, for instance, that Benedict Arnold is our most infamous traitor, but not necessarily what drove him to do whatever it was he did, precisely. Washington definitely crossed the Delaware, but what did he do when he reached the other side? Read this rousing history and find out. Illustrations. BOMC main selection.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Langguth, a journalism professional and a former Vietnam correspondent, offers a narrative history of the American Revolution (1761-1783). Writing in a dramatic style, he focuses on major political figures, e.g., Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, the Adamses, and on such notable events as the Boston Tea Party, the meetings of the Sons of Liberty, battles in the Continental Congress, and the final victory at Yorktown. Though well written, the book deals with characters, military battles, and political machinations that have been described in detail by countless authors. It adds little to an understanding of the impetus behind the American Revolution. David Szatmary, Univ. of Washington, Seattle
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 637 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; First Edition edition (November 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671523759
• ISBN-13: 978-0671523756
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.5 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (91 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #474,547 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Patriots belongs on your bookshelf, November 2, 2000

By 

Kevin Baird (Independence, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Patriots: The Men Who Started the American Revolution (Paperback)

Not being much of a history buff myself (though this is changing)I decided to pick up a copy of Patriots after reading several impressive reviews here. Needless to say, I wasn't disappointed.

The author paints an excellent picture of the American Revolution from it's first spark (The Stamp Acts) to the tide turning defeat of Cornwallis at Yorktown. Read about Washington's stunning and strategic retreat out of New York as if you were actually there seeing it for yourself. Read about the significant roles patriots like Samuel Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Hancock among others played in the founding of our great republic.

Although the book is lengthy (about 563 pages)it is well worth your time and is extremely enjoyable and easy to read. Battles, personal information about the patriots, and detailed information regarding the events that formed our country fill this book and makes Patriots an essential necessity for each and every person wanting to learn about how freedom started and eventually triumphed in America.

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How Sam Adams started the American Revolution., May 3, 1998

By 

[e-mail] or G... (Chicago, Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Patriots: The Men Who Started the American Revolution (Paperback)

As a lifelong history buff I thought I knew how the American Revolution began. I didn't, not until I read PATRIOTS, The Men Who Started the American Revolution. For the first time I was INSIDE the political actions, you might say the political conspiracy, that brought America to independence. Finally, and in full-color, I could see how Sam Adams sparked a handful of activists to struggle for years through all kinds of adversity to awaken the American People to their own rights, and to the need to defend them. Sam Adams, John Hancock, Patrick Henry, John Adams, George Washington and others come to life as human-beings and as "political animals" in this incredible pean to the power of the individual to change the world. This fascinatingly readable book takes all the boredom out of history. If you read only one book on the American Revolution in your whole life, make it this one.

40 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book of Great Men, February 4, 2000

By 

Wayne A. Smith (Newark, DE) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Patriots: The Men Who Started the American Revolution (Paperback)

You won't want to put this book down.

Meet the makers of our revolution. For almost any reader, you'll find a well written portrait of those you know and be introduced to those who history has not favored with as much coverage as they deserve.

These thoroughly American personalities are the story of our Revolution. Anyone who doubts the "Great Man" theory of history will be hard pressed to counter the argument that but for the stout hearts and devoted souls who grace the pages of PATRIOTS our struggle for independence may not have come off.

The tale of these heroes is majesticly told by the author. Not a chronology of the war, but a portrait of the mind and spirit of the revolution as reflected in those who risked all to wage and win it. This is a great book that will fill you with pride and wonderment and hopefully thankfulness for those brave enough to bring forth the American nation.