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catladyreba's review against another edition
2.0
This book had a lot of interesting content, but it didn't seem like a lot of it would stick. I could feel myself forgetting these men even as I read about them. It was a decent read, but I'm a little stumped at assigning it to an age group. It was shelved in the Children's section at my local library. Really? Maybe Young Adult, but I'm not buying it as a children's book. Though perhaps some of the snarkiness and innuendo would go over the heads of younger readers. That might be a shame though, since that's what made the book fun to read. All in all, something amusing to have on the shelves to browse through or read a snippet here or there, all the while learning more about the Declaration of Independence.
mrsmarch's review against another edition
4.0
A lively and accessible introduction to 56 men who changed American history, only 3 of whom are probably at all known to modern Americans. Okay, 4 --- if you happen to like beer. I'm enjoying it immensely, although I'm not sure whether it would be a good read for a colonial-history newbie: the authors bandy about names, dates, and places that probably mean little to readers who don't have a passing knowledge of pre-Revolutionary and Revolutionary history already. It may have been a better developmental choice to put the Time Line in the front of the book instead of the back, as well as a map of the colonies. But it could be a good introductory text if readers take the initiative to follow up on the men and events mentioned in the book. As I said, the writing is immensely accessible, light-hearted, and not at all boggy, stuffy, or musty. I'd rather a fledgling start here than with, say, 1776.
One problem so far: the authors have wrongly named the church in which John Adams is interred. They call it the First Unitarian Church, when in fact its name is the United First Parish Church; I would know, as my husband and I were married just feet above the subterranean granite vault where the two Presidents Adams and their wives are interred. It's nitpicky of me and 99% of readers probably won't even pick up on it.
One problem so far: the authors have wrongly named the church in which John Adams is interred. They call it the First Unitarian Church, when in fact its name is the United First Parish Church; I would know, as my husband and I were married just feet above the subterranean granite vault where the two Presidents Adams and their wives are interred. It's nitpicky of me and 99% of readers probably won't even pick up on it.
pickled_books's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
3.5
This is a nice, fast paced book of mini biographies of all the men who signed the American Declaration. Good for people who don’t study history but want to know a little more about these people. Though often it felt that the authors were too sympathetic to some of these men.
cmbwell's review against another edition
4.0
An extra star because I finally learned WHY Hamilton & Burr fought a duel.
historyh22's review against another edition
4.0
"We must hang together, gentlemen, or else we shall most assuredly hang separately."- Benjamin Franklin
'Signing Their Lives Away' was quite the good read. A short, but sweet look at the lives of each of the signers of the American Declaration of Independence!
'Signing Their Lives Away' was quite the good read. A short, but sweet look at the lives of each of the signers of the American Declaration of Independence!
jennifer_carroll's review against another edition
4.0
Well-researched book on the signers of the Declaration of Independence. The authors imbued it with just the right mix of respect, humor and little-known tidbits to make this lofty, revered group seem human. Really enjoyed this read.
genxyogireader100's review against another edition
Very easy to read and a light study of the signers of the constitution. I recommended for students too.
stephb413's review against another edition
5.0
An interesting work of nonfiction that discusses the relationships between Founding Fathers unlike many other texts. A super easy nonfiction read that seriously had me laughing at parts.