In Rise to Rebellion, bestselling author Jeff Shaara captured the origins of the American Revolution as brilliantly as he depicted the Civil...
read full description
reviews
Mar 15, 2011
John
rated it: 
Thanks to an old friend for both introducing me to and loaning me this book. Right along the same vein as the Biography of John Adams I read, this book deals with the American Revolution. While not 100% verifiable - it IS historical fiction, it feels just right to me. The research meshes with that done for John Adams. Interestingly, he is almost completely absent from this book, so it makes a good companion piece, as they complement each other.
I gained a(nother) new appreciation for th More...
I gained a(nother) new appreciation for th More...
Oct 13, 2010
Grayson
rated it: 
Grayson Coleman
Ms. Minniear
1st period
10/11/10
The Glorious Cause is a historical fiction book written by Jeff Shaara. It is set in the new country
of America during the Revolutionary War.
It is told so that all the commanding generals of both sides tell the story. For example one
chapter might be titled “Washington“, and the next “Cornwallis.” There is really no main character but
here are some of the characters, George Washington, Nathanael Greene, More...
Ms. Minniear
1st period
10/11/10
The Glorious Cause is a historical fiction book written by Jeff Shaara. It is set in the new country
of America during the Revolutionary War.
It is told so that all the commanding generals of both sides tell the story. For example one
chapter might be titled “Washington“, and the next “Cornwallis.” There is really no main character but
here are some of the characters, George Washington, Nathanael Greene, More...
Jan 11, 2010
Steven
rated it:
Jeff Shaara has written his familiar novels about a number of wars--beginning with his Civil War novels, and continuing with works on the Mexican War, World Wars I and II. This fictional narrative explores the Revolutionary War.
His by-now-familiar style of using several characters to report on the events works reasonably well, although it sometimes prevents a birds-eye view from a larger perspective.
In this volume, key actors include George Washington, his crack lieuten More...
His by-now-familiar style of using several characters to report on the events works reasonably well, although it sometimes prevents a birds-eye view from a larger perspective.
In this volume, key actors include George Washington, his crack lieuten More...
Mar 10, 2009
Chris
rated it:
The second half/conclusion of Shaara's Revolutionary War narrative focuses primarily on the military aspects, mostly from the perspectives of Washington, Greene and Cornwallis. The diplomatic end of the story appears through Franklin's eyes, but somewhat infrequently. Other characters prominent in the first book, such as John Adams, are barely mentioned in the second.
I did enjoy it - personally, I find the earlier days of the Revolution (the events covered in the first book) to be More...
I did enjoy it - personally, I find the earlier days of the Revolution (the events covered in the first book) to be More...
Jul 26, 2011
David
rated it:
This epic sequel to "Rise to Rebellion" continues the story of the American Revolution, with this novel covering the years following the signing of the Declaration of Independence through the war's conclusion. Shaara does an admirable job of covering so much action and history through the eyes of several characters. My only complaint is that, while "Rise to Rebellion" included the battles as well as the pursuit of the congress and some of the home lives, this book is almo
More...
Aug 14, 2011
Charles
rated it:
The Glorious Cause is book 2 on of Jeff Shaara’s two book set on the American Revolutionary War. This book really shined through as an excellent piece from Shaara. It goes from the invasion of New York to the siege of Yorktown. The primary focus of the book is the battles and the armies. Shaara writes from the point of view of different people (Washington, Lord Cornwallis, Greene, etc). The history is true; the conversations are Shaara’s idea of what was said. If you are interested in the Americ
More...
Dec 11, 2010
Frank
rated it:
It's been a long time since I laid down a book having finished it completely, and come away with the same feeling of thorough satisfaction. Rise to Rebellion and The Glorious Cause by Jeff Shaara completely filled the hours of my evenings and nourished my thoughts for almost three months. Never once did my interest lag as so often had happened in the past when working through the twists and turns of some fictional novel. It's true I had come to these books with an already piqued interest in hist
More...
Jan 28, 2012
Julia
rated it:
This is the follow-up novel to Rise to Rebellion about the American Revolution; this books is just as good. General George Washington lead the Colonials through victories and loses from New York to Pennsylvania. The stunning victory at Trenton began a saga of victory and defeat that concluded with the British surrender at Yorktown, a moment that changed the history of the world.
Jeff Shaara does great research and makes his novels interesting and compelling. I really enjoyed both boo More...
Jeff Shaara does great research and makes his novels interesting and compelling. I really enjoyed both boo More...
Feb 24, 2009
Ann
rated it:
It took a little bit to get into this book but once started I got hooked . It made me really appreciate what our founding fathers did for this country and what a miracle that America ever came to be. Once again Jeff Shaara has done meticulous research so you come away feeling like you know a few of the men who made America a little better. I have new feelings of patriotism for our country not that I didn't before but now my feelings are heightened. For one of the first times ever I can say tha
More...
Jan 26, 2012
Nathaniel
rated it: 
Nathaniel read this book, thought, "my, this book is a piece of crap and Jeff Shaara is a lazy hack coasting off of his much more talented father's reputation." Sitting in a train station in Spokane for 14 hours with nothing but a half-filled container of sunflower seeds, he cursed the bookstore at which he had purchased this volume for $2. Then the British attacked uneventfully and he got to meet George Washington engaged in existential struggle. Or something.
Seriously, t More...
Seriously, t More...
May 14, 2007
Jonelle
rated it:
I ended up loving this book more by the end than I initially did.
(One point of personal interest for me as realizing how many Revolutionary figures are notable names near where I live (Greene, Pickens, Huger, Sumter, Marion...)..all streets and counties near me.)
But the main love I have for this book comes from the re-awakening about just how amazing it is that a scrappy bunch of farmers and craftsmen beat the most professional and experienced army in the Western world a More...
(One point of personal interest for me as realizing how many Revolutionary figures are notable names near where I live (Greene, Pickens, Huger, Sumter, Marion...)..all streets and counties near me.)
But the main love I have for this book comes from the re-awakening about just how amazing it is that a scrappy bunch of farmers and craftsmen beat the most professional and experienced army in the Western world a More...
Sep 30, 2010
Jonathan
rated it:
This book covers the American Revolution and follows the same format as the previous book, telling the story from the viewpoint of actual people (Washington, Cornwallis, Greene and Lafayette) are the main characters. I never realized that so much of the Revolutionary War was standing around. Every time the British would win a battle they would take a really long break, (sometimes almost a year it seemed), before they felt the need to do anything else. This of course helped out the Continental
More...
Aug 01, 2011
Tom
rated it:
A wonderful companion to "Rise to Rebellion", Shaara takes us through the American Revolution military campaigns through the eyes of both Washington and Cornwallis. The history is solid (I check constantly)and Shaara helps bring to life the thoughts of each general, from Washington's frustrations with support and performance of his army, to Cornwallis' frustrations with the ineptitude of his commanders. Also chronicled is Benjamin Franklin's brilliant diplomacy. I loved both volumes. T
More...
Mar 09, 2008
Ryan
rated it:
I have been waiting several years to hear how the American Revolution concluded :) Now I no longer have to wait for David McCullough to write a 1777.
Again, Jeff Shaara delivers in a real, living way the heroes & villian* of our nation's founding. The story gets considerably more complex as Washington moves on from the victory at Boston and upholds the Declaration of Independence. If I hadn't been reasonably sure of the victor, I would've reached into my CD player and strangled Charle More...
Again, Jeff Shaara delivers in a real, living way the heroes & villian* of our nation's founding. The story gets considerably more complex as Washington moves on from the victory at Boston and upholds the Declaration of Independence. If I hadn't been reasonably sure of the victor, I would've reached into my CD player and strangled Charle More...
Jan 01, 2009
Mary Karlee
rated it:
I loved this book! I found my heart beating as each new battle unfolded. Of course I knew the Americans won the war, but since my Revolutionary War knowledge was limited to cliches like "the crossing of the Delaware" and names like Vally Forge, I never knew how each individual battle would turn out. I surprised myself by really getting into the battle strategies and even studying maps. I now have such a profound admiration for George Washington, too. What a great leader! We won the w
More...
Nov 03, 2009
Nathaniel
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book. And yes, I like commas (but not as much as this author). I usually prefer history books to historical fiction, but this was very good. It had enough details to keep me interested and didn't get too ridiculous. It had a nice balance of emotions, speaking, and nuggets of fact.
You really get hooked on the book because it plays out the Revolutionary War from the first-person viewpoints of the people who made it happen. The events and timeline are real, but obvi More...
You really get hooked on the book because it plays out the Revolutionary War from the first-person viewpoints of the people who made it happen. The events and timeline are real, but obvi More...
Dec 02, 2011
Rachelle
rated it:
Jeff Shaara does a fine job of bringing to life the sometimes cardboard figures of American Revolutionary history. George Washington becomes very real as he navigates an unconventional war, the politics of Congress, feeding/clothing his army and using his own strong character to build loyalty in his troops. Shaara also tells the story from the perspective of the revolving door of British commanders, Benjamin Franklin, Nathanaell Greene etc. My only criticism is that not every character is as d
More...
Dec 31, 2009
Ryan
rated it:
(American Revolutionary War (1776-1783)) – Excellent historical fiction regarding America’s fight for independence. Picks up where Rise to Rebellion left off. Excellent epilogue giving details of what happened to the characters in real life after the conclusion of the novel.
Mar 16, 2011
Brianna
rated it:
An absolutely mind-numbing story. Shaara manages to take history and write a novel. The writing is superb and as much as I love history, I never fell in love with the characters quite like how I did with this book. I recommend to everyone, along with the prequel, Rise to Rebellion.
Dec 02, 2010
Sandy
rated it: 
This book was interesting, if a bit slow moving. I felt like I better understood some of the possible motivations of Washington and other figures of the Revolution. Jeff Shaara did have an annoying, repetivite phrase that just about drove me nuts. (blah blah blah, thought, blah blah blah)
Jan 12, 2009
Monica
rated it: 
This guy just doesn't hold a candle to his father. I read a few of his books before I read Killer Angels and I enjoyed them, then after reading that Pulitzer Prize winner, I couldn't read the son again. Too bad for me, because I love the subject matter. Maybe I'll try again.
Jan 10, 2008
Dave
rated it:
Oh you crazy Americans! Marching and fighting and marching some more, standing and shooting and running and charging...what a way to make a country. Book is a continuation of Rise to Rebellion, but focuses on the fighting versus those dastardly British after the Declaration of Independence. Good book. Learned a lot (for example: Nathan Hale was a U.S spy who was hanged by the British. Who knew? Well, I suppose most Americans would. Driving through Connecticut I saw a sign for a Nathan Hal
More...
Jul 25, 2010
Ken
rated it:
Another "beauty" by the Master of the Historical Novel, painfully researched and respectfully offered to keep the people and events of our history alive.
My recommendation is to grab a copy of any of his Histoical Novels and from above see how our history unfolded in the incredibly competent hands of those who sacrificed everything to allow us OUR country.
Take your pick; the Civil War, The Revelutionary War, The War of 1812, The Mexican American War, and the Worl More...
My recommendation is to grab a copy of any of his Histoical Novels and from above see how our history unfolded in the incredibly competent hands of those who sacrificed everything to allow us OUR country.
Take your pick; the Civil War, The Revelutionary War, The War of 1812, The Mexican American War, and the Worl More...
Nov 13, 2009
Debbie
rated it:
It had been so long I had to reread the first of this two-book series (Rise to Rebellion) before starting this. Picking up right after the Declaration of Independence, this one is quite battle heavy (as you would expect) although a bit of Franklin's experiences in France are covered.
I found the first book more interesting but probably because I find the maneuverings leading up to the war a bit more interesting. Done as well as most of the Shaara historical novels. If you like them, More...
I found the first book more interesting but probably because I find the maneuverings leading up to the war a bit more interesting. Done as well as most of the Shaara historical novels. If you like them, More...
May 19, 2008
Jennifer
rated it:
This was a pretty good book, and to me, it unfolded as if I didn't know the story, which in fact, I didn't. Or I didn't remember enough American history from 10th grade and one or two field trips to amount to anything. It took me a while to get into it, but once I did, it was a page turner. Ian and I had listened to Rise to Rebellion (the prequel) once as a book on tape in the car, so I had some context. The author (Jeff Shaara) is the son of the guy who wrote the book Killer Angels (about the c
More...
Feb 22, 2009
Suzanne
rated it:
Listened to this book on CD-- enjoyed the description of parts of the Revolutionary War I wasn't familar with and hearing it from different points of view (especially the British). The dialogue, though, was fictionalized and sometimes so cheesy, I thought.
Oct 09, 2011
Laura
rated it:
Three stars looks like a bad review, but it really isn't. I couldn't give it four stars because it was so hard to get into. The writing style was the main thing that tripped me up. I'll paraphrase. 'Cornwallis rode along the Delaware, thought, this war is never going to end if Howe keeps letting those pesky rebels escape.' I had to read all such sentences four times for the first 200 pages or so. Using commas to combine two unrelated sentences was just crazy to me and I always wanted to rea
More...
May 27, 2011
William
rated it:
A powerful novel of the Revolution that feels true to the people whose story it tells. From Washington, Franklin, and Greene to Cornwallis and Tarleton, the history comes alive in this novel. Jeff Shaara does his father's legacy proud with this novel.
Dec 04, 2010
John
rated it:
This history of the Revolutionary war was "just OK". I liked how it focused on some of the central figures of the time, like George Washington, General Lafayette, Cornwallis, Howe, Lee, Benjamine Franklin, etc., however Shaara used a "storytelling" method to tell the story - a sort of "fictional" non-fiction - that was awkward and confusing at times. He's not the best writer using the prose style. Not bad. Worth a few hours to learn about what an incredible leader G
More...
Oct 31, 2011
Edie
rated it:
Didn't think I would like this book, because I thought it would be a dry accounting of battles and names. Instead, I finished feeling I knew Washington, Cornwallis, and Lafayette as real people. Don't let the history part scare you.
