Red Dawn at Lexington: "If They Mean to Have a War, Let It Begin Here!" [Hardcover]

Louis Birnbaum (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The author, who died three years ago, was an award-winning California teacher, and his dedication to his craft certainly shows in this first-rate popular history of the opening salvos of the American Revolution. Using eyewitness accounts extensively, Birnbaum brings to life events in and around the Boston of 17731776: the arrival of British reinforcements; the rising tensions among colonists; and the ensuing battles at Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill, all related in vivid details that allow us to see many different individuals and the issues at stake within the framework of that era. This was surely labor-of-love writing for Birnbaum, and even history buffs knowledgeable about the period will find the book a pleasure to read. Photos.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 402 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin; First Edition edition (April 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395388147
• ISBN-13: 978-0395388143
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,989,326 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent history, January 22, 2000

By 

Paul Wiese (Vacaville, California, US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Red Dawn at Lexington: "If They Mean to Have a War, Let It Begin Here!" (Hardcover)

I found this book to be a truly fascinating history of the beginning of the American Revolution. Don't be fooled by the title. It covers much more than just Lexington and Concord. It gives good background information on the origins of the war, and follows the conflict through the British evacuation of Boston nearly a year later. It is a very fast paced, well written book. I highly recommend it.

5.0 out of 5 stars It reads like a Novel, November 29, 2006

By 

Dave Traill "twopar3s" (Wilmington, DE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Red Dawn at Lexington: "If They Mean to Have a War, Let It Begin Here!" (Hardcover)

I first read this book back in the late '80s in prep for a vacation to the Lexington/Conord, Ma area. I couldn't put it down. It is so well written and factual but reads like a novel. If someone is interested in the history leading up to the American Revolution this is the book to start with. It lays out all the details of the American and British sides while keeping the reader totally involved. After reading my library copy I went out and bougth a copy, that's how much I loved this story.

5.0 out of 5 stars Red Dawn at Lexington, June 24, 2003

By 

Leslie R Bergquist (Northridge,, Ca USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Red Dawn at Lexington: "If They Mean to Have a War, Let It Begin Here!" (Hardcover)

The author presents rich insights to events and characters on both sides involved in our nations struggle for independence. The amont of research the author has done is tremendous and it seems that much of the information is newly discovered. The book is full of history yet reads very well.

I had not realized before reading this book how many of our nations early heros had developed their military background and leadership ability through their experiences in the French and Indian Wars and how the military leaders on both sides had developed respect for the other because of those shared battles.

I think every American History teacher should own and read this marvelous book to supplement what is available in traditional texts.