Rating: 4.00 (1 ratings)
First published 2020
Rick Atkinson examines the opening phase of the American Revolution from April 1775 through winter 1777. The Pulitzer Prize winner behind An Army at Dawn brings his signature research depth to this violent struggle for independence. Atkinson traces events from Lexington and Concord through the battles at Trenton and Princeton, showing how American militiamen and the Continental Army confronted Britain's superior military machine. He profiles key figures including Henry Knox, the bookseller turned artillery expert, Nathanael Greene, who evolved into a skilled battle commander, diplomat Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington learning leadership under extreme pressure. The narrative incorporates British viewpoints alongside American perspectives, revealing both sides of this mortal conflict. Atkinson uncovers fresh details and previously untold episodes while chronicling the heroes, villains, sacrifices, and mistakes that shaped the war's early years. This opening volume of the Revolution Trilogy captures the brutal reality of America's fight for freedom.
Genres: historical-fiction, non-fiction, military-history, american-history
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-fiction
Setting: Lexington, Concord, Trenton, Princeton
Period: 1775, 1777
564 pages · Paperback · Holt McDougal