The Signers: The Fifty-Six Stories Behind the Declaration of Independence

Rating:
Summary: Non-fiction to read for pleasure
Review: "The Signers" tells "The 56 Stories Behind the Declaration of Independence." Okay, so, riddle me this: how many of those 56 can you name before you read this book? John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams should be easy. But can you get to double figures? The only reason I can easily do so is because I watch the musical "1776" every Fourth of July, which means I can name at least one member of every delegate from each of the 13 colonies that made up the 2nd Continental Congress. If you know your American History you should be able to come up with Samuel Adams; if you collect state quarters you might remember Caesar Rodney; if you know about rare autographs you might even recognize Button Gwinnett. My father had a book about the signers of the Declaration of Independence, which I read through as a kid, but all I really remember is that it had pictures of all of their gravestones.

Author Dennis Brindell Fradin and illustrator Michael McCurdy reintroduce those 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence in this fascinating volume written for ages 10 and up (I qualify). Within these pages we meet Samuel Adams, the Father of American Independence; George Wythe, Teacher of Presidents; Stephen Hopkins, the oldest of the signers (except for Benjamin Franklin); and Edmund Rutledge, the youngest of the signers (except for Benjamin Franklin). There is Richard Henry Lee, the first President under the U.S. Constitution; Benjamin Harrison, the father of one President and great-grandfather of another; and Betsy Ross' Uncle George. Of course the entries on the likes of Jefferson and Franklin can only touch on their service to the founding of the nation, so it is the lesser names whose stories are more fascinating, such as George Walton, who was wounded and captured by the British during the war; George Read, who signed the U.S. Constitution twice; and Joseph Hewes, who became one of the main founders of the U.S. Navy.

McCurdy's illustrations were created on scratchboard, which certainly resonates with me, mainly because I did one of these of "Old Ironsides" in grade school. Consequently, I associate the art form with early American history (go figure). For each signer there is a headshot and a representative scene from their life. For a young student of American History in general and the struggle for American Independence in particular, "The Signers" would be a very interesting read and the first place to look for information about these early American patriots.

Rating:
Summary: A Tribute to 56 Heroes.....
Review: As Dennis Brindell Fradin tells us in his illuminating introduction: "...The signers of the Declaration, rather than those who voted for independence, have long been honored as the nation's founders. That is because, by placing their names on the Declaration, they announced to the world their willingness to risk everything for the cause of independence. The British targeted the fifty-six signers for special punishment. The homes of twelve signers were burned, and nearly twenty of them lost much of what they owned. According to some estimates, nine signers died as a result of hardships they suffered during the Revolution. Yet not one signer changed his stance on independence. All of them kept the promise they had made in the Declaration of Independence-that they would stake their "Lives...Fortunes, and...Sacred Honor" on their country's cause." Meet America's first fifty-six heroes whose belief in independence was so strong, each was willing to risk everything for freedom. Mr Fradin cleverly divides this book into thirteen sections, one for each colony, and begins each chapter by first discussing the background and history of the colony, before detailing the life of each signer. Each fascinating biographical sketch includes details about their lives, both before and after they signed the Declaration, and the contributions each made to America's independence. Mr Fradin's easy to read and intriguing text, engages, and is enhanced by illustrator, Michael McCurdy's evocative artwork. Together, word and art inspires, and brings the stories of these brave men to life on the page. Perfect for youngsters 10 and older, The Signers celebrates the triumph of the human spirit, and includes a readable copy of the Declaration of Independence, an Afterword, Bibliography, and Index to augment lessons and further enlighten. This is non-fiction at its very best, and definitely a living history lesson that shouldn't be missed. "Independence forever!"

Rating:
Summary: What about the rest?
Review: John Adams thought July 2nd would be the day Americans would celebrate, not the 4th. That is just one detail Fradin and McCurdy bring out. History is so easily made bland, but their work breaks many assumptions apart in an easy to digest way. An important book for students and a good book for adults, with enough information between the lines to keep some of the rebelion alive. History is made not by dates, but by people decidedly taking steps toward multiple goals. I recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Good to know how July 2nd changed our lives.
Review: John Adams thought July 2nd would be the day Americans would celebrate, not the 4th. That is just one detail Fradin and McCurdy bring out. History is so easily made bland, but their work breaks many assumptions apart in an easy to digest way. An important book for students and a good book for adults, with enough information between the lines to keep some of the rebelion alive. History is made not by dates, but by people decidedly taking steps toward multiple goals. I recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Readable, entertaining, questionable
Review: This reads like a storybook, telling a great deal about the men who signed our declaration. Fillng in gaps in the men's stories, it is also a lively read about life in revolutionary times.

The author seems to try to be even-handed, saying that we will never really know about Betsy Ross's involvement in the flag, for instance, but that she and her family were indeed important at the time. Reasonable.

It is all the more disturbing, in this seemingly well-researched book, to have Fradin assert that Thomas Jefferson certainly was the father of Sally Hemings' children. Just like Betsy Ross, no one knows. (DNA evidence was found to link a Jefferson male with ONE of her 6 known children--but there were 25 other Jeffersons in the area at the time.) Unfortunately now a good many of Fradin's other assertions are suspect.

I just don't have the time to check every single fact in a history book; I want to enjoy the book, itself. I'll be reading this volume with a much more critical eye now, and cautious about recommending it to children.

Rating:
Summary: Non-fiction to read for pleasure
Review: Very readable and enlightening story of all the signers of the Declaration. Fradin is a master of choosing just the right details about the lives of these men to bring them alive and interest his readers. It will also strike young people how precarious the lives of women and children were.