Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
Left to do pretty much as they pleased, the colonies had been free to pursue economic growth unhindered by the onerous taxes paid by most British subjects. But by the end of the French and Indian War in 1763 -- a war fought, in large part, on the conlonies' behalf that had saddled Great Britain with a dept of about $22.4 billion in today's U.S. currency -- the ministry determined that it was time the colonies began to help pay for their imperial support... Rather than propose a means of raising revenue that they deemed fair, the colonials were more than happy to direct their considerable energies toward opposing whatever plan the British ministry put forward. -- pg 6 -- This made me laugh and try to find information about the politics of Philbrick. Is he making a comparison of tea partiers from today vs. their colonial counterparts?
The Bostonians had objected to paying a tax on British tea, but they were more than willing to fund an expensive public works project if it helped the town get through the crisis... John Andrews complained that while the poor had the town to relieve them and the rich had their savings and rents, small merchants such as himself had nothing. "[The] burden falls heaviest , if not entirely, upon the middle people among us," he wrote. And yet, despite all these anxieties, Andrews was amazed by how well his fellow citizens were holding up." [There is] ease, contentment, and perfect composure in the countenance of almost every person you meet in the streets," he marveled, which "much perplexes the governor and others." 52
"Our three generals [Howe, Clinton and Burgoyne} came over in high spirits and expected rather to punish a mob than fight with troops that would look them in the face; there is an air of dejection through all our superiors which forebodes no good, and does not look as things ought to after a victory." Before Lieutenant Colonel James Abercrombie died of the wounds he received on Breed's Hill, he delivered a deathbed speech of sorts, " My friends," he was reputed to have said, "we have fought in a bad cause, and therefore I have my reward." 234
The Bostonians had objected to paying a tax on British tea, but they were more than willing to fund an expensive public works project if it helped the town get through the crisis... John Andrews complained that while the poor had the town to relieve them and the rich had their savings and rents, small merchants such as himself had nothing. "[The] burden falls heaviest , if not entirely, upon the middle people among us," he wrote. And yet, despite all these anxieties, Andrews was amazed by how well his fellow citizens were holding up." [There is] ease, contentment, and perfect composure in the countenance of almost every person you meet in the streets," he marveled, which "much perplexes the governor and others." 52
"Our three generals [Howe, Clinton and Burgoyne} came over in high spirits and expected rather to punish a mob than fight with troops that would look them in the face; there is an air of dejection through all our superiors which forebodes no good, and does not look as things ought to after a victory." Before Lieutenant Colonel James Abercrombie died of the wounds he received on Breed's Hill, he delivered a deathbed speech of sorts, " My friends," he was reputed to have said, "we have fought in a bad cause, and therefore I have my reward." 234
This book does a good job in providing some insights to the early stages of the American Revolution, but is not an incredibly strong narrative historical work, nor does it provide new analysis on the topic.
Once again Nathaniel Philbrick reminds us that history is ultimately a story-our story. This book is an excellent depiction of Boston in the 1770s, and fills in the details of the people and events which led to the American Revolution.
As usual, Philbrick crafts a narrative that makes a person understand what it might be like to go through historical events. Although titled after the famous battle of Bunker Hill, this book actually covers the time period from around the Boston Massacre in 1770, through Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, and the eventual evacuation of the British from Boston. A must for any students of American history.
challenging
informative
slow-paced
informative
medium-paced
It was good and well researched but I didn't find it as compelling as Mr. Philbricks other books. Perhaps it was the historical evidence available or because there were so many people involved, but I wasn't as transfixed as I was reading The Mayflower. It's a good book, but I think that there are much better books about the summer of 1775 and the Battle of Bunker Hill.