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Summary: Screen play for a movie?
Review: This "docu-drama" style novel is entertaining and engaging. The novel focusses on the private and professional lives of three persons - John Adams, General Thomas Gage and Ben Franklin. Shaara verbalizes their inner feelings and thoughts. These are the only three charcters whose private family life is also part of this novel. By restricting the focus on only these families he avoids mass confusion of having too many characters in a novel. He does bring in many other characters, Washington, Sam Adams, Jefferson, Hancock etc. but none of them in a very personal way as he does with the other three. Shaara also brings you upfront in various battles. Novel also contains maps to accompany battle narration. I found them of enormous value. Overall, I think this novel is a good material for a movie.
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Summary: An extraordinary, exciting tale of our nation's birth
Review: Sufficient detail is provided by other reviewers so I'll just say this about this wonderful book: It is too bad that this period of American history is not taught as interestingly as Jeff Shaara presents it in Rise to Rebellion. It is among one of the best books I have ever read and eagerly await its sequel.
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Summary: Browsing in the bookstore
Review: Saw this, love all the Shaara books. Could not wait to read it. Not as exciting as the Civil War books, but a great lead in to the next one; which I bet will be fantastic. Adams (getting tired of him these days), Franklin, Jefferson, Washington- all the lead players. Could not have a better script.
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Summary: History Made Real!
Review: Jeff Shaara brings the characters to life in this wonderful novel about the events in the years preceeding the signing of the Declaration of Independence, but keeps the essence of the historical facts. A must read for history buffs.
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Summary: A Tour de Force ¿ Superb
Review: Jeff Shaara is rapidly emerging as one of our finest historical novelists. Now in Rise to Rebellion he tells deftly the story of the initial phase of the American Revolution. From the Boston Massacre and John Adams' decision to defend a British officer in court (a key step toward the rule of law which made the American Revolution so different from its French and Russian successors), to Benjamin Franklin's desperate and patient ten year effort to be an Englishman while representing the colonies in London to the quiet emergence of Washington as the disciplined force on which the revolution would succeed, Shaara creates a tour de force.
Anyone who would seek to understand the origins of the American Revolution and the precepts of political order, private property, individual liberty and the rule of law which made this the keystone for human freedom will find this a compelling book.Shaara captures with remarkable accuracy the process of how these revolutionaries placed themselves at enormous risk to create a new future. His portrait of how the Continental Congress moves slowly and with great agony toward independence is worth the entire book. His portrait of Franklin gradually becoming first disillusioned then embittered, then angry and finally defiant against the very Britain he had wanted to belong to is worth a dozen books.
I cannot recommend this book too strongly if you would like to understand how America came to be. I am looking forward to the promised second volume.
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Summary: Good history in fictional form
Review: Jeff Shaara has provided an excellent history of the American Revolution from the Boston Massacre to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. That he does so through the eyes of such famous figures as Franklin, Adams and Washington, is both a plus and minus.
There is no denying the conributions of these men to the break from England and consequent drive for independence. We learn much about them and their achievements, often quoted verbatim. However, Shaara tacitally diminses the incalubale contribution of the common people to the Revolutionary cause. If one didn't know better, there could be the assmption that "the people" were sheep who followed their inspired leaders. There could have been no Revolution without the countless Colonials who, not only rallied to the cause, but helped start it.
While Shaara is obviously a believer in the "Great Men" school of history, his novel still serves as a superb look at some unique men and provides a terrific oveview of the events that brought about the revolution. Moreover, the writing is engaging and the narrative never bogs down.
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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: History Comes to Life
Review: Nothing new to add to all the other reviews, I'm afraid. While I absolutely loved this book (and all the others), I think my favorite parts are always the introductions, when we hear straight from the author's mouth why these historical figures are so fascinating and valuable to our American heritage. Shaara writes that it is more fashionable in our modern age to "dig up the dirt" on these famous historical figures and expose their weaknesses. Yes, they were human and they had faults, but does that make their accomplishments for this nation any less great? He thoughtfully shows us how heroic they truly were. This will definitely stir your patriotic emotions. A great read.
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Summary: Different yet similar
Review: Michael Shaara's success of the "Killer Angels" was followed by his son Jeff who wrote two additional Civil War novels to create a great trilogy. Then, Jeff branched out, releasing his Mexican War novel "Gone for Soldiers" last year. Now, he continues his fine production of historical novels with this first of two volumes about the American Revolution. "Rise to Rebellion" on the one hand is similar to the other Shaara novels in that it views the subject from the eyes of several key figures of the period. Here, these figures include Franklin, John Adams, General Gage, Washington and other great personalities of that era. The novel is different than the others in that it leads up to the summer of 76 and the Declaration of Independence. It is more about the growth of the revolutionary movement in the colonies than about military battles. Oh sure ... recounted are battles such as Lexington and Concord, and Breeds Hill. Furthermore, the book concludes with a lead in to the battle of Long Island which will probably be a key event in Shaara's next novel. But, the book is more about growing dissatisfaction with England in Boston, and the great debates in the Continental Congress held in Philadelphia. Like the other Shaara novels, this is a pretty good way to learn history since it is fairly easy to determine, on the one hand, the actual events and the reason behind those events, and on the other hand, what constitutes a novelist's license. I don't always agree with his interpretation, however. Specifically, I feel that Shaara presents John Dickinson, a member of the Continental Congress from Pennsylvaia, as being just short of a Tory. However, in reading Joseph Ellis's book "American Sphynx" (about Thomas Jefferson) it seems that Dickinson was very much a patriot, albeit very conservative about the prospect of war with England. It is important to note that Dickinson shared the dissastisfaction with the way England treated the colonies to a much greater degree than you would guess from reading "Rise to Rebellion." Nonetheless, regardless of the interpretation, Dickinson was a conservative force who was deeply concerned about the consequences of breaking away from England but, he showed great statesmanship when he abstained rather than possibly stand in the way of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by voting against it. Paranthetically, I have recently read McCullough's biography of John Adams which segued well into this novel.
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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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