Patriots: Men Who Started the American Revolution | 
 enlarge | Author: A.j. Langguth
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Category: Book
List Price: $18.00
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Avg. Customer Rating:  76 reviews
Sales Rank: 344899
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 640
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.7
ISBN: 0671675621
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.3
EAN: 9780671675622
ASIN: 0671675621
Publication Date: March 15, 1989
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Paperback. Text unmarked. Cover shiny with mild wear. Page edges a little dirty.
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Product Description
With meticulous research and page-turning suspense, Patriots brings to life the American Revolution -- the battles, the treacheries, and the dynamic personalities of the men who forged our freedom. George Washington, John Adams, Samuel Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry -- these heroes were men of intellect, passion, and ambition. From the secret meetings of the Sons of Liberty to the final victory at Yorktown and the new Congress, Patriots vividly re-creates one of history's great eras.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 71 more reviews...
 Really Excellent Book November 18, 2008
I think this is one of the best history books I've read. It's one of those few books that you can go back to and re-read year after year.
 Unique Narrative of American Revolution October 14, 2008
At over 600pp (563pp main text), this is a good-size introduction (or review) of the causes and events of the American Revolutionary War. It has a nice combination of socio-political (mostly pre-1775), military, and congressional events.
The chapters aren't numbered, but if they were, they would be as follows:
1) Otis 1761-62
2) Adams 1762-63
3) Henry 1763-64
4) Riots 1765
5) Politics 1765
6) Hancock 1765-68
7) Occupation 1768-69
8) Massacre 1770
9) Trial 1770
10) Tea 1771-73
11) Port Act 1774
12) Congress 1774-75
13) Lexington 1775
14) Arnold 1775
15) Bunker Hill 1775
16) Washington 1775
17) Lee 1775
18) Jefferson 1775-76
19) Independence 1776
20) Long Island 1776
21) New York 1776
22) Trenton 1776
23) Princeton 1776-77
24) Gates 1777
25) Saratoga 1777
26) Valley Forge 1777-78
27) Monmouth 1778
28) Paris 1778-79
29) Betrayal 1780
30) Yorktown 1781
31) Victory 1781
32) Farewell 1781-83
The chapter headings can seem a little misleading, in that the particular person/place/event named isn't the only thing discussed in the chapter; in fact, sometimes it isn't even mentioned until half-way through the chapter. I guess you might think of it more as an "anchor" for the chapter. (Not necessarily a bad thing -- just something to be aware of.) While the person/place/event may have previously been mentioned in passing, the chapter with its name on it is where it really becomes a major "player" in the narrative. When it is a person, a biographical sketch -- usually including a physical and/or temperamental description -- is then given of the individual. I thought that approach worked pretty well.
Generally speaking, Langguth's writing is quite fluid, relating a lot of information smoothly, without getting "bogged down" in too many details. We get to meet various personages from different walks of life and perspectives (e.g., parsons, smiths, lawyers, rich landowners, professional soldiers & politicians, etc.), which gives the reader a broader understanding of the issues and events. Sometimes the actions or reactions of either Americans or British seem rather extreme or harsh, but we get a sense of the frustration, anger, disbelief, indignation, courage, integrity, wonder, pride, and a myriad other raw emotions that characterized those difficult times.
I was a little disappointed that certain events (e.g., most of the Southern campaign; fighting on the western frontier; naval battles, especially those in the West Indies or around Europe) are either given short shrift or barely mentioned, if at all. Also, there are a few fairly notable people who are either barely mentioned (e.g., Edmund Burke) or not mentioned at all (e.g., Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox; George Rogers Clark; John Paul Jones). On the one hand, one might rationalize that Langguth couldn't reasonably cover EVERYTHING. True, and I'm not suggesting that he should have. But, an extra 50-100 pages could have covered a lot of ground (and water) and given a much fuller picture of the whole thing.
The book seems very well-researched and appropriately documented. There are 40 pages of endnotes, which were great, yet done in a style I found a little... odd. There is a very helpful, 10-page Bibliography; however, many of the books included are 50-150 years old. This doesn't mean they aren't worth checking out. But, many of these older volumes are either hard to find or quite dated in both style and content. Also, it has been 20 years since the book was published, so many newer works based on recent scholarship are not included. (I only mention this for those who may want to study the people & events further and try to track down Langguth's source material.) There is, of course, an index. Plus, one thing I really appreciated were the maps on the inside covers. They aren't exactly plentiful, so they don't cover all the campaigns/battles. But, the ones that are covered, while not great, are still much better than in other volumes I've seen. I also like the B&W reproductions of several paintings -- usually at the beginning of a chapter.
Overall, Mr. Langguth has done a wonderful job in producing a quite readable, informative narrative that integrates many different sources into an overview of the people, causes, events, and circumstances in which the American Revolution was fought. I found it an enjoyable read and usually had to force myself to put it down so I could get some sleep. Recommended!
Content: 4
Style & Structure: 4
Average Score: 4
 How much is myth? March 4, 2008
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book has been very popular over the years, mainly I think because it retells a lot of "feel good" stories of selfless Patriots of the Revolutionary era. Not a lot of interpretation, and much of this is retelling of myths without really exploring the veracity of them. I'd recommend it for high school readers.
Patriots the men who started the american revolution January 1, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
One of the most fascinating books about our American Revolution. Well written, I felt I had gone back in time and could feel what the colonists felt. It was great to read about our early history and renew my sense of patriotism. If you love history, you won't be able to put this book down.
A riveting account of our Revolutionary history August 25, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
They are our heroes, the bedrock men upon which our country's foundation was built. In this stirring historical narrative, A.J. Langguth's Patriots - The Men Who Started the American Revolution elucidates the players in the drama that was the American Revolution.
Utilizing actual speeches and thoughts gleaned from personal writings Langguth takes us from pre-tea party Boston to the victory of the Continental Army at Yorktown over Lord Cornwallis. This riveting account of America's beginnings brings alive all the familiar names such as Paul Revere, Thomas Jefferson, Benedict Arnold, and our first Commander-in-chief and President George Washington. The beauty of this particular text is the manner in which it transports the reader back to 1761 Boston to experience the mood in Boston, from the first Bostonians James Otis and John Adams. Here you learn the beginnings of the rumblings in colonial America, and the man John Adams described as "perhaps, the only man in the world who could have brought on the controversy between Great Britain and America ...", Thomas Hutchinson. We are brought from that beginning through the chess match played across the Atlantic by both the colonials and the British, right through the actual war itself. Langguth refreshingly relocates the reader into the bitter cold of Valley Forge, there to experience the lack of food as George Washington ponders his next moves. In the end, the war is complete, your view of historical figures is more complete, and questions concerning America's beginnings are answered.
This text teaches you so much more than what we learned in grade school; its' target audience is the person who knows that the Boston Tea Party occurred, but not the precursors to that event. If you remember the stories about Paul Revere's ride, but do not know why he made the journey, Langguth brings that event to life in vivid detail. We all know that one of America's most notorious traitors was Benedict Arnold, but do you know exactly what he did, and what lead up to his duplicity? Benjamin Franklin, the author of Poor Richard's Almanac and countless other texts/papers, is explored, but not in the usual dry manner. Did you know that Franklin had to continuously rebuke the amorous advances of many women while on his diplomatic mission in France? Neither did I. Langguth transports us back to the Revolutionary War to experience the failures and triumphs of America's generals, from battle to battle, and through the weary marches in-between.
Langguth captures with vivid detail all the important players and all the drama of the American Revolution from the initial Patriot meetings in Boston's pubs, through the pretentious meetings of the Continental Congress, to the riveting victory at Yorktown. A.J. Langguth's Patriots - The Men Who Started the American Revolution is necessary read for any champion of history, and a great companion to the student learning about the period of history.
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