Rise to Rebellion

by Jeff Shaara Book 1 in the The American Revolutionary War series.

First published 2001

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4.3(12,661)

The novel begins with the Boston Massacre in 1770 and follows the political crisis that transforms protest within the British Empire into armed rebellion. John Adams defends the soldiers accused in the killings, Benjamin Franklin attempts to preserve a workable imperial relationship in London, and Thomas Gage confronts resistance that his orders and troops repeatedly intensify.

As taxation, punishment and colonial organisation harden opposing positions, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and other leaders move towards independence. The narrative reaches Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill, showing revolution as the result of courtroom argument, public persuasion, political misjudgement and violence rather than an inevitable national awakening.