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Walter R. Borneman
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American Spring: Lexington, Concord, and the Road to Revolution Paperback – Illustrated, April 14, 2015

by Walter R. Borneman (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 227 ratings
Editors' pick Best History
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A vibrant look at the American Revolution's first months, from the author of the bestseller The Admirals.

When we reflect on our nation's history, the American Revolution can feel almost like a foregone conclusion. In reality, the first weeks and months of 1775 were very tenuous, and a fractured and ragtag group of colonial militias had to coalesce rapidly to have even the slimmest chance of toppling the mighty British Army.

American Spring follows a fledgling nation from Paul Revere's little-known ride of December 1774 and the first shots fired on Lexington Green through the catastrophic Battle of Bunker Hill, culminating with a Virginian named George Washington taking command of colonial forces on July 3, 1775.

Focusing on the colorful heroes John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Mercy Otis Warren, Benjamin Franklin, and Patrick Henry, and the ordinary Americans caught up in the revolution, Walter R. Borneman uses newly available sources and research to tell the story of how a decade of discontent erupted into an armed rebellion that forged our nation.
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  1. Print length
    496 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    April 14, 2015
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 1.25 x 8.25 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    031622099X
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0316220996
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for American Spring:

"Likely to be one of the enduring accounts of the opening of the American Revolution.... Loaded with intriguing details, sort of historical nonpareil candies sprinkled throughout the account.... A pleasing marriage of scholarly research and approachable language."―David Shribman, Boston Globe

"Walter Borneman has written an engaging and illuminating account of some of the most critical weeks in American history. Here is how it all began."―Jon Meacham, author of Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power

"Borneman delivers a gripping, almost moment-by-moment account of the nasty exchanges and bloody retreat of British troops followed by hundreds and then thousands of militia who camped around Boston and laid siege.... A first-rate contribution."―Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Praise for The Admirals:

"Superbly reported... Historian Walter R. Borneman tackles the essential question of military leadership: What makes some men, but not others, able to motivate a fighting force into battle?" -- Tony Perry, Los Angeles Times

"Engagingly written and deeply researched... Mr. Borneman makes it easy to understand the complex series of maneuvers and counter-maneuvers at Leyte Gulf...which is not always the case with accounts of the battle." -- Andrew Roberts, Wall Street Journal

"The first book to deal with the four [admirals] together, focusing on their intertwined lives, friendships, and rivalries.... Very well-crafted." -- John Lehman, Washington Post

"A riveting introduction to the only four men in American history to have been promoted to the five-star rank of Admiral of the Fleet in recognition of their extraordinary feats." -- The History Channel

"An epic group portrait of Nimitz, Halsey, Leahey, and King. Not since the heyday of Samuel Eliot Morison has a historian painted such a fine portrait of the five-star admirals who helped America beat Japan during the Second World War. Highly recommended!" -- Douglas Brinkley, Professor of History at Rice University and author of The Wilderness Warrior

"They were completely different in temperament and personality, but the U.S. Navy's four five-star admirals in World War II shared a sense of vision, devotion, and courage. Walter Borneman has written a rousing tale of victory at sea." -- Evan Thomas, author of The War Lovers

"This is Walter Borneman at his best. The portrait of the forgotten admiral, Leahy, is worth the whole book. But there's scarcely a page where a reader won't learn something unexpected, and occasionally shocking." -- Thomas Fleming, author of Time and Tide

About the Author

Walter Borneman is the author of eight works of nonfiction, including The Admirals, 1812, The French and Indian War, and Polk. He holds both a master's degree in history and a law degree. He lives in Colorado.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Back Bay Books; Illustrated edition (April 14, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 496 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 031622099X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316220996
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.09 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.25 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 227 ratings

About the author

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Walter R. Borneman

Walter R. Borneman

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Walter R. Borneman writes about American military and political history. His most recent book, Brothers Down: Pearl Harbor and the Fate of the Many Brothers Aboard the USS Arizona, was published in May 2019 by Little, Brown. The Pearl Harbor story has never been told through the eyes of the seventy-eight brothers—members of the same families—serving together aboard the battleship that fateful day.

Borneman won the Samuel Eliot Morison Prize in Naval Literature for The Admirals: Nimitz, Halsey, Leahy, and King--The Five-Star Admirals Who Won the War at Sea (Little, Brown, 2012). A national bestseller, The Admirals tells the story of the only four men in American history to achieve the rank of fleet admiral. Together they transformed the American navy with aircraft carriers and submarines and won World War II.

Borneman's other titles include MacArthur at War: World War II in the Pacific (Little, Brown, 2016), a finalist for the Gilder Lehrman Prize for Military History; American Spring: Lexington, Concord, and the Road to Revolution (Little, Brown, 2014); Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America (Random House, 2008), which won the Tennessee History Book Award and the Colorado Book Award for Biography; and 1812: The War That Forged a Nation (HarperCollins, 2004).

His commentary has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, and on FoxNews.com. He lives in Colorado and has spent many days climbing its mountains.

QUOTE: My overriding goal in writing history has been to get the facts straight and then present them in a readable fashion. I am convinced that knowing history is not just about appreciating the past, but also about understanding the present and planning for the future.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
227 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

wylie smith
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent tale
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2023
Verified Purchase
If the devil is in the details, then this is devilishly good book. Bondsman fills in the Oct told story of the early days of the Revolution. But unlike others, he takes the time to discuss early encounters at Salem, Portsmouth, and other places. He tells of John Hancock's beginnings which makes Hancock less of a cardboard character. Going back to the sources, he questions some of repeated wisdom that are not really all that wise.
And Borneman's writing was easy to digest, like a bag of potato chips. Along with Rick Atkinson's "The British Are Coming," " American Spring" rekindled my interest in the year 1775.
2 people found this helpful
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GLCMECH
5.0 out of 5 stars American history at its best.
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2023
Verified Purchase
I heard a podcast by the author that caught my attention. When I learned he had written the book American Spring - I wanted to learn more and I wasn't disappointed. Finding a used copy at a bargain price made the deal even sweeter. It is a great read and I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about our country and the events leading up to 1775.
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DC Roset
4.0 out of 5 stars For those who love history, this book is for you!
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2020
Verified Purchase
My high school daughter really enjoyed this book. The stories were were exciting due to a good level of detail. The people are accurately portrayed supported by their own writings and other primary source evidence. If you have a love of history, this book is for you!
3 people found this helpful
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MSP
5.0 out of 5 stars Well-written and researched
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2023
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This is a balanced history into the origin of our nation. Expert in every way. I highly recommend it to any student of history.
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Rich Bragg
5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice read
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2023
Verified Purchase
Good history
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Robert S. Field
5.0 out of 5 stars Satisfactory transaction, glad i bought.
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2023
Verified Purchase
For those interested in this portion of American history, a very detailed, but also very informative read.
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Earl
4.0 out of 5 stars A good book ... which had the potential to be even greater.
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2014
Verified Purchase
I felt this was written more as a novel with far more expected by me in historical fact, more detailed event discussions and footnote/bibliography support as reference. With so many good books available covering the title, a refreshingly in depth look - chronologically, unique anecdotes and/or character nuances perspective would have been appreciated and appropriate. This was my first impression, after two read-throughs.

I have several of Walter R. Borneman's books. I enjoy his style and usually his respect for details when the need arises. However, as mentioned earlier, although this is a good read, and I rated it so, I was disappointed that an author of his caliber, with so many well written books - having his credentials - did not choose to write THE book that is necessary. Examples would be classics such as Coddington's "Gettysburg Campaign" or Gordon Prange's, "At Dawn We Slept" come to mind in covering windows of American conflict. Selfishly, I felt he is the author gifted to have his name spoken of, in this light. For the birth of our nation's military history.

Also, with what we now know about the movement of troops - on both sides - I was somewhat displeased with the detailed graphic maps included. I just wish there had been more, and as I indicated - more detail.

Maybe next time. An author of his stature surely has the notes, references and skill to pen a companion novel to move readers to the next level.
3 people found this helpful
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Leesa
5.0 out of 5 stars Great condition and quickly received.
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2023
Verified Purchase
Having read this book several years ago I wanted to read it again before a trip to Boston and vicinity. A great overview of the circumstances leading up to the American Revolution. Thank you for the quick delivery Book Outpost!
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