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Summary: Shaara is simply the best!
Review: His writing style gives the reader a sense of what the times were like and what the feelings of the people of those times were.
In this book, the chapter on the Battle of Monmouth has to be the most stirring account of American warfare I have ever read. Anxiety, fear, hope, anger and pride were stirred up in mass quantities for me.
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Summary: Best fictiom history I have ever read
Review: I am a junior in high schol and i hadf to read this for summer reading and it was a great book. If you know and love American history this book is definitely for you. it shows both the American and British side, which was really different because I had only read about the Americans side of the war.
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Summary: The Path to Freedom.
Review: I've entered in touch with Mr. Jeff Shaara works, reading his prequel and sequel to his father's "Killing Angels", situated in the Civil War times. So I was quite sure this book will be fine. And it is. Real good!Mr. Shaara continues with his tested recipe of following key historical characters thru an expanse of time. Here both confronting American and British are depicted with impartial judgment. There are neither "monsters" nor "bronze heroes", just human beings subjected to historical forces. Some are very conscious of the momentous times they are living; others just go thru them like in a dream.
The key scene of "The Boston Massacre" is described in a very realistic way without entering in a pamphletary scheme. The battle of Bunker Hill and the signing of the Declaration of Independence (with all the backstage negotiation) are shown with sure hand.
Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, George Washington, General Thomas Gage and his American wife are portrayed with their doubts, fears and certainties. Mr. Shaara makes his point to show how human soul is more important to the facts, than the facts themselves. Independence fresco will be completed with "The Glorious Cause". A book to read more than once!
Reviewed by Max Yofre.
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Summary: A Delicate Balance
Review: If you walked up to the average American standing on the street and asked them on what date The Declaration of Independence was signed the most likely answer you would get is "Everyone knows that, July 4th, 1776." Or try asking him "Which hill was the Battle of Bunker Hill was fought on?" I'll give you a hint... it wasn't on Bunker Hill.
The fact is that many Americans carry around these types of iconic myths regarding the era of the American Revolution. Jeff Shaara's fourth novel, "Rise to Rebellion," the first of two books to cover the period of the American Revolution, dispels many of these myths.
Spanning six and a half years, beginning with the Boston Massacre on March 5th, 1770 and ending with the signing of the Declaration of Independence on August 2nd, 1776, Mr. Shaara follows the lives such noted historical personalities as Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, John and Abigail Adams, George Washington, Thomas Gage, Thomas Hutchinson, John Dickinson, Thomas Paine and John Hancock as they struggle to further their causes, both for and against, the independence of the American colonies from the rule of the British crown.
Once again, using his father, Michael Shaara's, tried and true method of multiple view points we view events such as the Boston Tea Party, The Battles of Lexington & Concord, and the Battle of Bunker Hill through the eyes of the characters who participated in the actual historical events. The genius of the Shaara formula lies not only within the shifting viewpoints but in the balanced approach to the material, not only concentrating on the American point of view, but also that of the British. He also shows the military struggle between the two sides and the political and diplomatic struggles of both sides as well - most notably following Benjamin Franklin as he navigates the stormy political seas of the British Parliament and the royal court of King George III. To balance military, political, diplomatic and social history is a difficult task and yet Shaara has succeeded masterfully at it.
However the one drawback of "Rise to Rebellion," and one that I fear Jeff Shaara will never break free of, is that of the formulaic structure of the book itself. Alas it is the alternating, multiple viewpoint structure that he inherited from his father, Michael Shaara, author of the Pulitzer Prize winning, The Killer Angels. Though it works well to provide a well balanced view of the contrasting sides, it impedes the author from trying a more literary approach to his story telling.
Mr. Shaara's novel is a sweeping, yet balanced, panorama of the people and events which gave birth to the United States of America and is worthy of its place on the bookshelf of American historical fiction
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Summary: Founding Fathers brought to life
Review: Jeff Shaara breathes life into George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and other American icons that (unfortunately) many Americans know only from their familiar faces on currency and from grade-school lessons long ago. History readers well know the characters and thoughts of many Civil War heroes, but for whatever reason, the American Revolution is often overlooked in narrative history and in well-researched historical fiction. "Rise to Rebellion" fills this gap in the familiar Shaara style--describing events from the points of view of various key characters. John Adams and Ben Franklin get the most "airtime," but others, from British General Gage to the loyalist governor of Massachusetts Hutchinson are used to great effect. As usual, Shaara's ability to get inside the heads of these men and women is admirable, and the story is well constructed and at times even suspenseful, as political events snowball toward the explosion of violence and, eventually, the Declaration of Independence. For the most part, this is not a battle book, but the two battle scenes are compelling--Shaara's choice to describe the Battle of Bunker (Breed's) Hill from the point of view of the doomed Joseph Warren is particularly inspired. And the best parts, in my view, are inside the debates of the Continental Congress and, in one chapter, a memorable audience with King George III. Shaara does his share of myth-debunking (reminding us, for example, that Paul Revere wasn't regarded as a hero until Longfellow made him one), but he also satisfies the casual reader who just wants to "root for the home team" and boo the bad guys in red. The 480 or so pages goes by quickly, and leaves you looking forward to the next installment. Don't let the historical nitpickers in some of the reviews below keep you from this book. Enjoy it for what it is--a well-written novel that reminds that our Founding Fathers were real and courageous people who changed the world forever.
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Summary: **FICTION Beats REALITY Again!**
Review: Jeff Shaara demonstrates growth as a writer, undertaking the early Revolutionary War period in his latest historical fiction piece RISE TO REBELLION. A strongly crafted work, RTR at times makes you forget that you have already heard parts of these stories. The author delves right into the psyche of all the players surrounding the founding, and represents both sides with considerable finesse and remarkable insight. He portrays main character viewpoints John and Abigail Adams, Ben Franklin, and Thomas Gage exceptionally well. Despite the fact that this book must be considered fiction, as we had no 21st Century multimedia recording the actual events in the 1770s, Shaara shows off top level research, and a keen mind able to visualize what those intimate feelings and moments must have been like. Some highlights to look forward to in the novel are the fascinating sequences of Benjamin Franklin in England. The historical references ring true, and the personal habits displayed and descriptions written make for an interesting picture of Franklin. It makes me want to re-read his autobiography. Other highlights include the opening act of the Boston Massacre, the much anticipated ride of Paul Revere, and the initial battles at Lexington and Concord, all of which gave me goosebumps. John Adams has become so popular this year and Shaara writes Mr. and Mrs. Adams very well. The characterizations of the British officers and government officials are evenhandedly represented throughout the story. RISE TO REBELLION is very much worth reading if you appreciate American history, or historical fiction works in general. Any more specific details about John and Abigail's randiness and it would have everything. The style is quite enjoyable and even though you know exactly what is going to happen, the book is hard to put down. I really can't wait until the second part goes to print.
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Summary: Good read
Review: Jeff Shaara's "Rise to Rebellion" is a worthy effort that pays dividends to its readers. He does indeed breath life into historical figures long ago relegated to the dusty confines of old American History books. His plot takes the reader from the opening days of discord between the colonies and England to the high tide of the Revolution, the summer of 1776, and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As well as rounding off his cast of characters -- George Washington, John Adams, Ben Franklin, British Gen. Thomas Gage, and others, Shaara's plot unfolds nicely. At times, I was reliving the opening days of the Revolution via Shaara's pen, but only for an instant. Despite Shaara's qualities, he gets bogged down in long winded renditions of the inner workings of the minds of his characters. In doing this, he at times breaks away from some climax or point of action. The result -- a feeling of being let down. He is most guilty of this when writing of the fighitng at Bunker Hill. Instead of bringing that scene to a close, he tappers off into the mind of his characters. If not for this, I would have rated the book with five stars. Notwithstanding, "Rise to Rebellion," is still worth the investment of time and money.
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Summary: It will draw you into a period never known to people today
Review: Perhaps it's because I remember when this country went all out to celebrate the bicentenial years (1975-1976) of the beginings of the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence is why I love this book.
Most of the early plot is centered around Boston, and British laws that were thought to be unfair to Bostonians. Led by Sam Adams, and later bolstered by his cousin John Adams, the Sons of Liberty work to usurp British rule. Many think the Boston Tea Party was the origin of the American Revolution, but that was an act that had been almost a decade in the making.
Shaara's works always add depth and details to historic events, and not everybody is that interested in history. However, this time in our nation's history is very important, and one that is often overlooked in education.
Shaara develops the cause for rebellion and allows insight into men like Sam and John Adams, along with Benjamin Franklin. Franklin is almost the comic relief of Rise to Rebellion, and he comes across as a kindly grandfather. Just from his perspective this book is worth the price I paid for it.
Also, fairly enough, he shows the British side of the story, too. You almost feel sorry for British Gen. Thomas Gage.
The battle scenes are faily well told, if too short, but Shaara turns his focus mainly to the politics and development of the first Congress and drafting of the Decleration of Independence.
This book will add to a reader's understanding of why America broke with England.
Shaara divides the work between John Adams, Ben Franklin and at the end Gen. George Washington. Adams is the constant throughouht the work and you see his opinions, emotions and many doubts about the cause developed throughout.
Be warned, however, this is book one in a two-part series -- sort of like Herman Wouk's Winds of War and War and Remembrance.
I bought both Rise to Rebellion and The Glorious Cause, book two which deals with the American Revolution, at the same time. So if you finish up Rise to Rebellion at 11 p.m. on a Saturday night, and don't have the next book, then you might have to wait a while to go on to The Glorious Cause.
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Summary: Charmingly written
Review: The author of this book accomplishes what is genuinely difficult: giving voice to figures who are both historical and beyond history. Franklin, Washington, Adams- three names that we have heard countlessly in school and as adults who are interested in history, yet who were real men with dreams, sorrows, ambitions. In this book, the thoughts of these great people are conveyed with compassion, and the novel shows us how history can unfold from everyday events. The descriptions of the Boston Massacre, Franklin's days of diplomacy in England and the Congressional debates are vivid and just plain interesting. I am already reading The Glorious Cause, so Shaara obviously hooked me.
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Summary: Book to Read once
Review: this book is a great book if u really luv histroy. In my opinion, it gets a bit confusing with all the excerpts, but gives a good idea of the american revolution.
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