Rating: 
Summary: History Made Fun!
Review: I am by no means an avid reader. Nor am I a history enthusiast. I was however, thouroughly impressed with, and entertained by this history lesson as told by Shaara.
Rating: 
Summary: "You Are There"
Review: Jeff Shaara's latest work takes you back to the time of the American Revolution (and before), attempting to show the "domino effect" of events that led to the conflict. Shaara's style (if you are not aware) is to tell a story from the point of view of some of the participants themselves. In "Rise to Rebellion," he chooses four individuals from the American side (Samuel and John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington) and one from the English (Thomas Gage). Through these people, and others, we witness some of the events and turning points that led to the Declaration of Independence.Because there is so much background from which to choose concerning the origins of American thoughts on liberty (the writs of assistance, the Sugar Act, the Stamp Act, etc.), it seems that Shaara decided to "settle" with beginning at the Boston Massacre and proceeding from that point forward. Interestingly enough, the first character the listener meets is not any of the aforementioned giants but a simple soldier named Hugh White, who happened to be standing guard the day of the Boston Massacre. Through him, you experience the lonliness of sentry duty (e.g., what might run through a sentry's mind as he tries to keep warm?). Then, slowly, you are taken through a whirlwind of happenings and before you realize it, you have just witnessed the Massacre! It is at this juncture that John Adams appears, and before long you are introduced to Sam Adams, Gage, Franklin and the rest. I thouroughly enjoyed this book but I would like to mention that not everything is covered here (not that Shaara is to blame - a lot happened!). For example, although Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson make appearances, it is only for brief periods. But again, Shaara really can't be blamed for this. He obviously chose to concentrate on a few individuals and "stay" with them for large parts of the book. That worked well enough. I would also say that Shaara's narration also worked (those times when the story was not being told from any particular person's point of view). His blow-by-blow version of what happened at the battles of Lexington and Concord were very moving - I had to stop the CD and think, because I actually had a weird feeling inside - like I just witnessed the "point of no return" between America and England. It is writing like this that has won Shaara many fans - myself included - and I will now wait impatiently for the upcoming sequel! Highly recommended...four stars!
Rating:
Summary: What a great read!
Review: Bravo, Jeff Shaara! Rise to Rebellion is a compelling, entertaining, well-researched study of the fractious sentiments and events leading up to America's Declaration of Independence. It is obvious that Shaara has mastered, and now artfully applies, a comfortable, reader-friendly historic novel technique that he learned from his father (William Shaara, Killer Angels). I can't wait for Jeff's next in what hopefully will become a rich body of work dealing with this period in our history.
Rating:
Summary: HISTORY IS A SEDUCTIVE BUT ELUSIVE SIREN
Review: The American Revolution is one of the most tumultuous and influencial events in the history of the modern world. It may be the genesis of the modern world--the monumental chain of events in North America that effected in some manner all events in all places that followed. Historians, political philosphers, and almost everyone else seeking an advantage in disputes with their opponents have argued about the causes and consequences of America's rebellion against Great Britain and the independence that victory secured. Recent voices as disparate as George W Bush and Maxine Waters, Timothy McVeigh and Rudy Guilani, Ehud Baruch and Yasir Arafat, have all cited American Revolutionary patriots and their ideals, as embodied in The Declaration of Independence, as guideposts for their own beliefs and often diametrically opposed actions. The answers to the questions, "Why did the British colonies in North America rebel against the mother country?" and, more importantly, "How does the American Revolution effect me today?" have challenged historians for over 200 years. The answers have often been shaped by the historian's perspective, biases, limitations and personal agenda. Scholars and scoundrels, patriots and con artists, the wise and the foolish can all find a "usable" past to exploit in the voluminous writings and rantings about the American Revolution. Jeff Shaara has written a wonderfully readable work of historical fiction in RISE TO REBELLION that attempts to answer the first of these perennial questions in a balanced, exciting and dramatic manner. RISE TO REBELLION chronicles the road to independence taken by Britain's American colonies from The Boston Massacre in 1770 through the reading of The Declaration of Independence to George Washington's army in New York in 1776 as seen through the eyes of key participants such as John Adams, Ben Franklin, Joseph Warren, and George Washington among the rebels, and Thomas Gage, Thomas Hutchinson and Thomas Pitcairn among the British loyalists. Shaara is a very good writer and excellent story teller. He is not as successful a psychologist or political analyst. His characters are not fully fleshed out, their passions and motives are not always believable or understandable except at a somewhat sophomoric level. In the post 9/11/01 "temper of the times," RISE TO REBELLION reads like a good, old-fashioned, high school history class exhortation, only more interesting and well told, and that ain't bad! I do not often read historical fiction. I prefer biographies and historical monographs even when written from a point of view that I cannot embrace. My son gave me RISE TO REBELLION and I enjoyed it and recommend it with the following reservation: The truth about the American Revolution is far more elusive, intriguing, complicated, exasperating and elevating than the story Jeff Shaara has told. I suggest David McCullough's excellent biography of John Adams as a very good starting point in fleshing out the stick figures offered in RISE TO REBELLION.
Rating:
Summary: Just fantastic!
Review: I'm not big on hyperbole, but "Rise To Rebellion" is simply one of the best books I have ever read. As a college student way back when, I read Michael Shaara's "Killer Angels" and loved it. When I saw his son, Jeff, followed up on this with "Gods and Generals" I was bit leery, but gave it a shot. Glad I did, as it was terrific, but, "Rise to Rebellion" is even better. If you read this book, you will be transported back to the Revolutionary War days and swear you are in the room with Franklin, Adams (John and Sam), Gage and Washington.
Rating:
Summary: Real People
Review: We all know the outcome of this story. We all in some way have heard about the people. In this book, we meet the people, described in both precise and beautiful pros. And that is the value of this work.
Rating:
Summary: Another hit!
Review: Mr. Shaara's done it again...like the Civil War series this book is a wonderful, engrossing read that left me with the feeling of having just been made aware of this story for the first time. Like his father, Jeff Shaara makes the learning of our country's history an effortless and highly enjoyable journey. History was never a subject in which I had any great interest, but having the facts relayed to me in such an unassuming and subtle manner as are written in this book has created a need within myself to know more. The story, woven so artfully around the facts, results in bringing our founding fathers into the reality of their once having been living, feeling human beings instead of only names in a history book. As found in his previous novels, this book contains a commendable element of fairness and unbiased relating of facts and fiction that, in my opinion, make the reading of these historical events much more worthy of remembrance. The fact that there are always two sides to every situation is something that isn't often stressed by those for whom the responsibility lies to educate others about any particular subject. If you haven't had the opportunity to read any of the other Shaara novels, this book would be a great place to start. Thank you, Mr. Shaara, for another thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Rating:
Summary: a must read
Review: I have to admit that I have never read any of the other books by Mr. Shaara (or his father) because I am not that interested in the Civil War. When I heard that he would be writing an American Revolution time period book, I was thrilled, knowing his reputaion as a writer from the other books. I was not disappointed. It just so happens that I was reading this book during the awful tragedy of Septmeber 11, and it actually made the book more meaningful. For those of you not familiar with Mr. Shaara's work, all I can say his he makes history come alive.When I finished this book, I wished that schools would use this book to stimulate a teenagers interest in history, and an interest in the forming of our country. I look very forward to the next book in this 2 book series and to this author, a big thank you for a wonderful read.
Rating:
Summary: Exciting Story of the American Revolution
Review: This is a wonderfully-engrossing book. It begins with a British soldier shivering in the cold outside Boston's Custom House in 1770. Before the night is out, the young soldier is in the midst of the Boston Massacre, and British subjects in the American colonies are on the road to revolution. As we travel the road, Shaara gives us fascinating views of John Adams and his fiery cousin Samuel, Ben Franklin, Joseph Warren, Thomas Jefferson, and finally the imposing figure of George Washington. We see them as humans with personal problems, doubts, and worries as they move down the dangerous path to rebellion. And we see the brutal British treatment that leads the colonies to revolution. The book ends with the Declaration of Independence, and you can almost hear the bells ringing as the colonies celebrate. It's a thoroughly-enjoyable book.
Rating:
Summary: Shaara's best one yet!
Review: Jeff Shaara has outdone himself again! His father would be proud! Rise to Rebellion brings to life the events that lead up to the American Revolution.
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