cover image Founding Fathers: The Fight for Freedom and the Birth of American Liberty

Founding Fathers: The Fight for Freedom and the Birth of American Liberty

K.M. Kostyal. National Geographic, $40 (352p) ISBN 978-1-4262-1175-1

National Geographic senior writer Kostyal (Great Migrations) traces the earliest days of the United States, from before the revolution through the adoption of the Constitution, in this basic, inclusive, and traditional telling of the political, military, and intellectual conditions that led to America’s independence. She takes readers through the events at Lexington and Concord, George Washington’s many difficulties, the important battles of the war, the pivotal courting of France as an ally, and the writing of the Constitution after the Revolution’s success. Inserted at appropriate places amid the chronological accounts are informative biographies of the major players—King George III, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison, and, of course, Washington—which humanize the revolution and offer insightful contextualization. Kostyal successfully ties together the disparate pieces of the revolution while clarifying the its causes, course, and outcome. Supporting Kostyal’s text are wonderful reproductions of colored pictures, maps, and famous letters and documents that bring to life the events of the revolution. The graphics are delightful and Kostyal’s work is perfect for families to study and read together. Color Illus. [em](Nov.) [/em]