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chickahorse's review
5.0
I enjoyed this book immensely. Though when I downloaded it as an audiobook, I expected it to be historical fiction (it wasn't). The author wove in many cases personal details about the historical figures associated with the beginning of the American Revolution in such a way that it almost read as a novel. I enjoyed getting to know my favorite “characters” a bit better.
This narrator is superb, as well! He has a great tone of voice - nothing droll and monotonous as one might expect from a narrator for this genre.
This narrator is superb, as well! He has a great tone of voice - nothing droll and monotonous as one might expect from a narrator for this genre.
aradne's review
In truth, I abandoned this book. It's a play-by-play historical book, so I didn't have much to connect with.
However, it isn't written with the normal patriotic zeal, and I could see myself enjoying it more if I had been looking for information rather than entertainment. This book is a great example of 'truth is stranger than fiction'.
I hope that you read it, even if I didn't finish it.
However, it isn't written with the normal patriotic zeal, and I could see myself enjoying it more if I had been looking for information rather than entertainment. This book is a great example of 'truth is stranger than fiction'.
I hope that you read it, even if I didn't finish it.
kieranhealy's review
5.0
Philbrick has painted an incredible portrait of the first battles of the American Revolution. Free of imaginary anecdotes and patriotic bravado, this book shows the true heroism of the farmers, merchants and proffesionals who fired the first shots of the war. At the lead is Dr. Joseph Warren, a flawed but ingenious man who, by sheer force of will and personality, convinced a city and then the 13 colonies to take on the might of the most powerful kingdom on the planet. Simply because they felt their rights were taken away. Not to start a country or expel the British from the continent. Fascinating work and highly recommended.
sevenlefts's review
4.0
I'm a fan of Philbrick's having read several of his books (In the Heart of the Sea, The Last Stand, Why Read Moby Dick?) and I knew this one would be good, although I wasn't as psyched about the subject matter. I should have known that he can write engagingly on just about any topic.
The title is a bit misleading. Although the Battle of Bunker Hill would seem to be the major topic of the book from the title, the battle is really just the centerpiece around which the story of Boston's role in the beginnings of the American Revolution is arranged. The first part of the book talks about the earlier conflicts (the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party) and then goes into greater detail around the battles of Lexington and Concord. The final third of the book centers on the Americans' siege and the British evacuation of Boston.
As usual, Philbrick is able to take the pieces of which history is made, which can bring on yawns when considered individually (eg., troop movements, diary entries), and pulls them all together into a compelling and cohesive narrative. The epilogue, in which a very famous witness to these events looks back on them 68 years later, gave me chills.
The title is a bit misleading. Although the Battle of Bunker Hill would seem to be the major topic of the book from the title, the battle is really just the centerpiece around which the story of Boston's role in the beginnings of the American Revolution is arranged. The first part of the book talks about the earlier conflicts (the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party) and then goes into greater detail around the battles of Lexington and Concord. The final third of the book centers on the Americans' siege and the British evacuation of Boston.
As usual, Philbrick is able to take the pieces of which history is made, which can bring on yawns when considered individually (eg., troop movements, diary entries), and pulls them all together into a compelling and cohesive narrative. The epilogue, in which a very famous witness to these events looks back on them 68 years later, gave me chills.
ttodd86's review
3.0
I liked some of this, maybe even much of this, but I found manyof the same issues as other reviewers, namely that the book seems to lack focus -- a bit like catchall for everything from before Lexington through the conclusion of the Boston siege. I'm surprised that nobody in the publishing process thought to change the title, which is a bit misleading to readers. Yes, this book is about Bunker Hill in the sense that Bunker Hill is covered, but so are numerous other events to the same -- arguably even greater -- depth.
Still, worth a read if you are interested in this period of American history, but just know that this is not an in-depth an expansive piece focused on Bunker Hill.
Still, worth a read if you are interested in this period of American history, but just know that this is not an in-depth an expansive piece focused on Bunker Hill.
patmcmanamon's review
4.0
Detailed and in-depth look at events in Colonial Boston leading up to and after the battle of Bunker Hill. The book soared nothing and nobody. even criticizing and questioning George Washington. It also explains the haphazard yet dedicated birth of our country. A must read for those interested in history, especially Colonial history. Full of great research and anecdotes.