Our Lives, Our Fortunes, and Our Sacred Honor: The Forging of American Independence, 1774–1776

In this comprehensive account, Beeman examines the American colonists’ transition from “loyal” subjects of the British Crown in 1774 to the “radical” rebels of 1776. The University of Pennsylvania history professor argues that the journey along the revolutionary path was a slow one, and freedom was never the guaranteed endpoint. His take on the matter is full of fascinating details, like the Sons of Liberty footing the bill for a pack of tailors to dress up the “notoriously” scruffy Samuel Adams for the First Continental Congress, as well as Patrick Henry’s metamorphosis from failed merchant to lawyer to the Virginian “son of thunder.” Beeman also profiles lesser known figures like Charles Thomson, secretary of the Continental Congress, who burned all of his secret notes on the revolution in order to preserve the myth of the “supposed wisdom and valor” of America’s foremost liberators. But fascinating particulars aside, the narrative contains little new analysis—Beeman’s Founding Fathers are the familiar ones. It’s clear that the National Book Award finalist (for Patrick Henry) knows his stuff, but unnecessarily stodgy prose (“there was no shortage of places in which they could find opportunities for the convivial consumption of alcohol”) will likely deter casual readers. Illus. Agent: John Wright, John W. Wright Literary Agency. (May 7)