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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
informative
fast-paced
Although the title of this book is Bunker Hill, it actually covers the entire period from the Boston Siege to the British abandonment of Boston in some depth. Philbrick tells a vivid and engaging story, with a good balance between the big picture and personal anecdotes. My one complaint is that at times he draws out salacious aspects of the story far beyond what the historical evidence would warrant. Joseph Warren's possible child out of wedlock is mentioned maybe a half dozen times, but the actual story is mostly speculation, and once would be enough. He also says that George Washington preferred generals with pretty wives, a claim which I have seen no good evidence for.
A popular history refreshing to this novice of the period. The focus is justly more on politics and society than the actual engagements of Concord/Lexington and the apparent misnomer Bunker Hill. Without them, the clash of arms makes no sense. This goes for all wars, but I feel more so for the American Revolution. As British contemporary lament of "a few bloody noses" indicates, there was no great need for a war of independence in this exact timeframe, as inevitable as the maturation of any colony may be. Mr. Philbrick would do well to continue his narrative up to 1783 in further books. His focus on dr. Joseph Warren is never instrusive, as I feared from other reviews it would be.
I'm focusing my serious reading this year on the American Revolution.
This was a good read about the early battle.
If anyone has recommendations for other books to check out, let me know.
This was a good read about the early battle.
If anyone has recommendations for other books to check out, let me know.
Like all of Philbrick's books this one has his characteristically compelling narrative and more than I remember other of his books, a substantial reliance upon journals, diaries and family and community history. The activities, personal, political and military leading up to Lexington and Concord and the events that precipitated from them are laid out in great, but engaging detail. I found myself eager to see when encounters and interactions led, and never once did I feel burdened by supporting actions. He weaves it together masterfully. Well worth the read, particularly in light of current events.
About more than just the Batlle of Bunker Hill, the book covers the whole sweep of events in and around Boston from the early 1770s through the British evacuation in spring 1776, with particular focus on the role and character of Joseph Warren, the Boston doctor turned patriot leader who was killed at the battle. There was much here that I had not known - about the British administration's missteps and the patriot conspiracies that heightened tensions, about the evolution of the military situation after Lexington and Concord, and about the battle itself.
I thoroughly enjoyed Bunker Hill. Philbrick is one of my favorite nonfiction authors. He makes the people come alive, even the minor ones, and having lived in Boston, I found his descriptions of the old city fascinating. The maps and two sections of color pictures added greatly to the book
He doesn't sugarcoat the beginnings of the Revolutionary War. Even the heroes are flawed. Ego (instead of brilliance) plays a larger role than is usually portrayed. There are a myriad of interesting facts that I didn't know before. I found the roles of some of the wives especially interesting. (I started to list more facts, but instead will leave them for you to discover.)
Even if you don't care for history books, this one is a must read.
He doesn't sugarcoat the beginnings of the Revolutionary War. Even the heroes are flawed. Ego (instead of brilliance) plays a larger role than is usually portrayed. There are a myriad of interesting facts that I didn't know before. I found the roles of some of the wives especially interesting. (I started to list more facts, but instead will leave them for you to discover.)
Even if you don't care for history books, this one is a must read.
informative
inspiring
reflective
Philbrick once again proves himself a masterful storyteller, bringing to life history in a way that allows the modern reader to easily relate. The eponymous event acts as the center point in a story beginning with the rising tensions in Boston and the events at Lexington and Concord and ending with the British Army's evacuation of Boston a year later. One of the more important achievements of the book is to remind readers of the importance of Joseph Warren, killed during the battle, to the early revolution. He reminds us of the influence individuals can have on the course of events and makes us consider what may have happened had this charismatic man lived to take on a prominent role in the struggle for independence. All around an excellent narrative history that should appeal even, as did Philbrick's earlier Mayflower did, to non-history buffs.
Similar to Philbreck's Mayflower in terms of scope and attention to personality of key individuals, Bunker Hill was an interesting lesson on the events leading up to and following after the Battle of Bunker Hill. The event remained the bloodiest battle of the war resulting in the death or wounding of more than 1000 British regulars. I learned a lot about the battles of concord and lexington which were rather skipped over by my earlier education. I also continued to be amazed that our country came to be as it was always on the precipice of destruction from without or within. We will soon begin studying this era with my sons so Im glad to have more of the story.