Scan barcode
katieem's review
5.0
This book gets 5 ⭐️from me, simply for the fact that I learned so much about the Revolutionary war. It opened my eyes to the other sides viewpoint and that in itself changes my view on our history. How is it that we arnt taught this in school? Anyways, I digress, if you want to be challenged in your view of early American history, read this book ☺️.
sinuhe's review
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Like many people, I had a vague sense of there having been a General Howe involved with the American Revolution ... and that was it. I really had no idea what to expect from this book.
However, the Howes turned out to be a fascinating opening for a window into Georgian society. The dynasty begins with Charlotte von Kielmansegg, niece of George I (via his illegitimate sister) and immigrant from Hanover; she married Emanuel Howe and had several children, including the future military commanders George, William, and Richard. But her daughters, though extremely obscure today, would also be quite important power players in politics as well. Caroline in particular would be of great importance in two ways: her letters would survive while her brothers' would not, leaving her (female and long-ignored) voice to be the only one to tell their story, and she would be the crucial lynchpin connecting Benjamin Franklin to the American Secretary in George III's government.
At the same time, they're far from singular. If there's one thing I hope that readers take away from this book, it's the fact that women like Caroline, Charlotte, Juliana, and the other female Howes existed in a world that was not entirely accepting of female political activity or achievement, but did still allow it.
However, the Howes turned out to be a fascinating opening for a window into Georgian society. The dynasty begins with Charlotte von Kielmansegg, niece of George I (via his illegitimate sister) and immigrant from Hanover; she married Emanuel Howe and had several children, including the future military commanders George, William, and Richard. But her daughters, though extremely obscure today, would also be quite important power players in politics as well. Caroline in particular would be of great importance in two ways: her letters would survive while her brothers' would not, leaving her (female and long-ignored) voice to be the only one to tell their story, and she would be the crucial lynchpin connecting Benjamin Franklin to the American Secretary in George III's government.
At the same time, they're far from singular. If there's one thing I hope that readers take away from this book, it's the fact that women like Caroline, Charlotte, Juliana, and the other female Howes existed in a world that was not entirely accepting of female political activity or achievement, but did still allow it.
More...