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27th out of 67 books
—
91 voters
Henry Knox: Visionary General of the American Revolution
by
Mark Puls
Here is acompelling portrait of the Revolutionary War general whose skills as an engineer and artilleryman played a key role in all of George Washington's battles including the Siege of Boston (where his use of cannons at Dorchester Heights won back the city) and the Battle of Trenton (where he was in charge of Washington's crossing of the Delaware River). Knox became an m...more
Hardcover, 288 pages
Published
February 5th 2008
by Palgrave Macmillan
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This is an excellent biography of very “famous” person very few of us know very much about – except for Fort Knox, named for him, of course. He was a young Boston bookseller, self-taught in artillery and military tactics from reading books, who was at the side of General George Washington from the opening of the Revolutionary War in Boston to the final battle in Yorktown – actively participating in each. He was responsible to plan and execute the crossing of the Delaware for the successful Battl...more
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I knew Knox as the fat bookseller who dragged the cannon from Ticonderoga over the Berkshires in winter so that Washington could use them to drive the British out of Boston on March 17, 1776. I did not know what a great career he had after that. Although the book is not as well written as it could be, it has one of the best summary chapters I've seen in recent years. I would recommend this for any American Revolution buff.
Another interesting note - Knox attended Boston Latin School for only one...more
Another interesting note - Knox attended Boston Latin School for only one...more
This book was a pretty quick, approachable read but was a very informative account of the life of one of the lesser known members of the Washington administration. Despite receiving little attention from scholars over the years, Gen. Henry Knox was one of the pivotal figures of the Revolution and in the establishment of the government under the Constitution. I liked Puls' writing style as it was easy to get invested in the narrative. His energy in writing about Knox comes across. My only complai...more
Henry Knox was the Forrest Gump of the American Revolution. As biographer Puls puts it, “His life was replete with adventure, and an examination of his career provides a virtual tour of many of the most significant events of his time…. It almost stretches credulity that one individual could play as many key roles in such a variety of historical events.”
In order to realize the political ideals of the American Revolution, a war first had to be won. A strong argument could be made that it wouldn’t...more
In order to realize the political ideals of the American Revolution, a war first had to be won. A strong argument could be made that it wouldn’t...more
Here is a compelling portrait of the Revolutionary War general whose skills as an engineer and artilleryman played a key role in all of George Washington's battles including the Siege of Boston (where his use of cannons at Dorchester Heights won back the city) and the Battle of Trenton (where he was in charge of Washington's crossing of the Delaware River). Knox became an major advocate of the U.S. Constitution and served as the nation's first Secretary of War. He was co-founder of the U.S. Navy...more
I finally finished this book when I traded in my worn out Nook for a new color Nook. The book tells the story of one of America’s somewhat forgotten heroes. Henry Knox was a surprisingly thin tall strapping teenager who was part of a Boston gang who battled another Boston gag in street fights. Henry loved to fight and was extremely good at it according to accounts of the day. But as well as being a brawler he was a very affable and smart young man. He decided to open a Book Store in Boston and h...more
I have a vested interest in the subject of this book. If you view my avatar, you can see that I portray General/Secretary of War, General Henry Knox for three different acting/theater companies, and as an independent actor.
I would qualify myself as a person who knows much more about General Henry Knox than the average scholar of the Revolutionary or early Federal republics eras.
A significant book about good old, Harry, as his close friends called him, is published about once every 50 years so I...more
I would qualify myself as a person who knows much more about General Henry Knox than the average scholar of the Revolutionary or early Federal republics eras.
A significant book about good old, Harry, as his close friends called him, is published about once every 50 years so I...more
Very good book detailing the extraordinary accomplishments of Henry Knox. While most people know who Henry Knox was, very few realize the scope and importance of his service in revolutionary America. It is hard to imagine that the Revolution could have been successful without his contributions. He suffered through personal tragedy and hardship yet remained dedicated in his service. We have Henry Knox to thank for our modern Navy, our great Army, the Military Academy at West Point and even our Co...more
Fantastic biography of one of the most underrated heroes of the American Revolution.
I knew him only as the man who dragged the cannons from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston in order to help expel the British from the city—giving Washington his first victory of the war. There is however, much, much more to his life story.
He always happened to be where history was being made—from the Boston Massacre to every battle with Washington throughout the war. The military aspect is obviously what he is known for...more
I knew him only as the man who dragged the cannons from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston in order to help expel the British from the city—giving Washington his first victory of the war. There is however, much, much more to his life story.
He always happened to be where history was being made—from the Boston Massacre to every battle with Washington throughout the war. The military aspect is obviously what he is known for...more
An excellent biography of an overlooked Revolutionary hero! Left at age nine by his father, young Henry Knox takes charge of his family and rises to become a leading Boston bookseller before stumbling into some of our nation's most important events like the Boston Massacre and Boston Tea Party. A self educated man, Knox rises through the military ranks to become one of General Washington's indispensable subordinates during the Revolution. Arguably Knox's dragging of the guns from Fort Ticonderog...more
Like others here, what I knew about Knox came only through oblique references about him in biographies of others such as Washington, Hamilton and Adams. I wanted to learn more about the "supporting cast" and so have read about Nathanael Greene, John Jay, Benedict Arnold, etc. And now it was time for Knox.
He had a lot in common with both Greene and Hamilton. Like Hamilton he had been deserted by his father at very young age and forced to fend for himself and his mother. And like Greene he was a s...more
He had a lot in common with both Greene and Hamilton. Like Hamilton he had been deserted by his father at very young age and forced to fend for himself and his mother. And like Greene he was a s...more
Its amazing how vital this man was to the Rvolution, yet is relatively unknown. from the Boston Massacre, to the siege of Boston, to the English surrender at Yorktown to the creation of West Point. This man did it all.
Knox was such an amazing general that I had never learned much about. He was really indispensable to Washington
I must admit that I was somewhat unfamiliar with the story of Henry Knox before I read this book. Now I am amazed at our debt to this man, who (it is no exaggeration to say) made possible the victory over the British in the Revolution and furthermore envisioned the future United States Constitution whilst still living under the Articles of Confederation . . . Knox takes his place in my mind beside Greene and Washington as patres patriae . . .
a great book about a little known figure, who was more instrumental to the revolution than many names you've known your whole life! He was Washington's #2 general for a long time, was at the Boston Massacre, helped break the seige of boston, lead the troops at the Battle of Bunker Hill, etc. A great story of a huge man. It even includes some negatives, which helps to show the whole man!
A good in-depth recountingof Henry Knox's life; however, the last two chapters really drag. Had to work to finish this book.
Some interesting facts but the book was very basic in style and presentation. I still have no feeling for the man behind the events. Joseph Ellis thought well of this biography it's too bad that Joseph Ellis didn't write it. Perhaps then it would have been a "good read".
Decent biography of Knox, who was Washington's artillery chief, and first Secretary of War.
Henry Knox didn't captivate me but nevertheless I was happy to know more about this remarkable man, his service, relationships, politics, military mind, courage and his long-suffering revolutionary wife.
May 19, 2013
Diane
marked it as to-read
Apr 09, 2013
Nicholas Anthony
marked it as to-read
Mar 16, 2013
Quincy
marked it as to-read
Feb 03, 2013
Chris
marked it as to-read
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