Bunker Hill
A City, A Siege, A Revolution
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4.0 • 228 Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
The bestselling author of In the Heart of the Sea, Mayflower, and In the Hurricane's Eye tells the story of the Boston battle that ignited the American Revolution, in this "masterpiece of narrative and perspective." (Boston Globe)
In the opening volume of his acclaimed American Revolution series, Nathaniel Philbrick turns his keen eye to pre-Revolutionary Boston and the spark that ignited the American Revolution. In the aftermath of the Boston Tea Party and the violence at Lexington and Concord, the conflict escalated and skirmishes gave way to outright war in the Battle of Bunker Hill. It was the bloodiest conflict of the revolutionary war, and the point of no return for the rebellious colonists. Philbrick gives us a fresh view of the story and its dynamic personalities, including John Adams, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere, and George Washington. With passion and insight, he reconstructs the revolutionary landscape—geographic and ideological—in a mesmerizing narrative of the robust, messy, blisteringly real origins of America.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Like most popular historians, Philbrick writes about discrete events, not large developments. And he's good at it, even if the larger context is rarely considered and critical analysis gives way to story and celebration. Here, his focus is on events that began with the humiliations of the British at Lexington and Concord and ended with the siege of Boston, the American victory at Bunker Hill in 1775, and the departure in 1776 of British forces from New England's largest city. Philbrick correctly presents the battle at Bunker Hill as a critical moment in the opening stages of the War for Independence, and displays an empathy for the out-maneuvered British caught in the traps that the Patriots laid for them. He wisely makes as one of his central figures the Patriots' charismatic leader, Joseph Warren, who was killed at Bunker Hill, and who has since been largely forgotten, despite having been the man responsible for "orchestrating the on-the-ground reality of a revolution." Philbrick tells his tale in traditional fashion briskly, colorfully, and with immediacy. The book would have benefited from a point of view more firmly grounded in a contemporary evaluation of the battle, but even as it is no one has told this tale better.
Customer Reviews
Bunker Hill
Terrific read. Philbrick writes history as if it were a novel, bringing historical events and personalities to vivid life. This book grabbed me from the opening pages and never let up. This is historical writing at it's finest. If you have any interest in our country's formative years (and even if you don't), this is a captivating read.
Disappointing "History"
Don't read this book for a well crafted history of the beginning of the American Revolution in and around Boston in 1775-76. This is a historical novel. There are so many references to who was sleeping around, where they hid their mistresses, what personal angst may or may not have affected George Washington. It's history as reported by the "National Inquirer" vs. "The New York Times". If you want insight into the British experience during the revolution read the far better "Fusiliers" by Mark Urban.
Stellar
Quite frankly one of the most engaging and enjoyable books I have ever read.