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6th out of 40 books
—
13 voters
Signing Their Lives Away
by
Denise Kiernan (Goodreads Author),
Joseph D'Agnese (Goodreads Author)
In the summer of 1776, fifty-six men risked their lives and livelihood to defy King George III and sign the Declaration of Independence—yet how many of them do we actually remember? Signing Their Lives Away introduces readers to the eclectic group of statesmen, soldiers, slaveholders, and scoundrels who signed this historic document—and the many strange fates that awaited...more
Hardcover, 256 pages
Published
May 1st 2009
by Quirk Books
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Denise Kiernan and Joseph D’Agnese wrote the book Signing Their Lives Away to inform people of all of the things that happened to the men who signed the Declaration of Independence. They wrote this so people can better understand American History. The theme of this book is bravery and strength. These themes can be seen in the men who signed the Declaration of Independence. Bravery was essential for these men because if they were not brave they would not have signed the Declaration. Strength can...more
This book was about the men who signed the Declaration of Independence. It shows the signatures, birth dates, death dates, age at signing, and where they are buried. The signers are grouped in states -- starting from the top and going down.
I really like this book. It gave me information about them that I didn't know. There were a lot of men that I didn't know that signed the document. Some of them are even ancestors of famous people. For example, William Ellery, from Rhode Island, is related to...more
I really like this book. It gave me information about them that I didn't know. There were a lot of men that I didn't know that signed the document. Some of them are even ancestors of famous people. For example, William Ellery, from Rhode Island, is related to...more
Brisk, extremely readable and very witty look at each of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence, detailing their lives to 1776-77 and what followed thereafter.
Pick a fate and you'll find it here: the celebrated man who signed and then languished into obscurity; the noble soul who did this one good thing in his life and then vanished from history; the spirited extrovert, the humble introvert, the rock stars of the Revolution (read: Adams, Franklin, Jefferson) and the ones dragged...more
Pick a fate and you'll find it here: the celebrated man who signed and then languished into obscurity; the noble soul who did this one good thing in his life and then vanished from history; the spirited extrovert, the humble introvert, the rock stars of the Revolution (read: Adams, Franklin, Jefferson) and the ones dragged...more
The book was entertaining in a "People Magazine" style sort of way. It was uncannily similar to an earlier book, "Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence," by Benson J. Losing (2/1/95). Denise Kiernan, the author, failed to proofread the edition I read, and there were annoying spelling mistakes and typos throughout. The book did provide an accurate sense of the sacrifices, personal and financial, that the founding fathers made unlike our elected politicians of today. I am now wai...more
This is a great volume of short biographies of each signer if the Declaration of Independence, arranged by state. It is written in a lively and slightly irreverent style. Each signer gets two or three pages, so this is very readable. The writers do not downplay the courage it took to sign a treasonous document, but also do not shy away from each of their very human foibles. Each signer is treated as an individual. If you have ever worked on a committee, you can imagine how SLOOOW the process mus...more
A lively and accessible introduction to 56 men who changed American history, only 3 of whom are probably at all known to modern Americans. Okay, 4 --- if you happen to like beer. I'm enjoying it immensely, although I'm not sure whether it would be a good read for a colonial-history newbie: the authors bandy about names, dates, and places that probably mean little to readers who don't have a passing knowledge of pre-Revolutionary and Revolutionary history already. It may have been a better develo...more
In the summer of 1776, fifty-six men risked their lives and livelihood to defy King George III and sign the Declaration of Independence—yet how many of them do we actually remember? Signing Their Lives Away introduces readers to the eclectic group of statesmen, soldiers, slaveholders, and scoundrels who signed this historic document—and the many strange fates that awaited them. Some prospered and rose to the highest levels of United States government, while others had their homes and farms seize...more
Hmm. I WANTED to like this. Parts of it were well done and it's always good, IMO, to remind Americans today what people went through to establish our liberties.
However, this particular volume has some weaknesses.
1. Errors. One egregious example is an assertion that the French killed their king, Louis XVI, "two years" after 1785. Umm, we'd need to make that EIGHT years.
2. Controversial opinions cited as fact, not footnoted at all, so readers cannot read the original works and decide among differ...more
However, this particular volume has some weaknesses.
1. Errors. One egregious example is an assertion that the French killed their king, Louis XVI, "two years" after 1785. Umm, we'd need to make that EIGHT years.
2. Controversial opinions cited as fact, not footnoted at all, so readers cannot read the original works and decide among differ...more
Most people, if pressed, could name perhaps 1-5 of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. But there are lots of other people who signed this document. D'Agnese tells the stories behind every one of these men with a fair dose of humor. He is determined not to romanticize their actions and makes it clear that almost none of these men were victimized for the stand they took against British rule. This book probably works best as a reference work--one of many places to go for information abo...more
I thought this book a magnificent assembly of accounts telling what freedom really costs to the people who dare stand up for it. My copy was back ordered but I was not disappointed.
The book can be read in pieces. Its compartmentalized arrangement leaves room in the brain to look up the details and to write reflections or ask questions. beautifully done.
The book can be read in pieces. Its compartmentalized arrangement leaves room in the brain to look up the details and to write reflections or ask questions. beautifully done.
The phrase "it makes history come alive" is clichéd... but I don't know how else to describe this book. Signing Their Lives Away is a marvelous work. Kiernan and D'Agnese peel back the layers of historical posturing to show us the fifty-six signers of the Declaration as real human men. These portraits are painted with humor, honesty, and respect, making the book infinitely readable and immediately accessible. This is a great book for the armchair patriot and the Constitutional revolutionary alik...more
The book contained individual stories of all 56 signers which seemed tedious at first but they were all connected. Each seemed to add a nugget of interesting information to the story of what happened to all of them. No boring detail. Vital information about each, written with humor and insight.
The 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence are covered in this amusing book. Each person has a short bio with a focus on their role during July 1776. Many funny stories and facts are also related in this book. Where else can you learn about “Old Bacon Face”? It’s a great read for both the amateur and the expert.
It gives a nice review of every single signer of the Declaration of Independence, not just the famous ones such as Thomas Jefferson or Benjamin Franklin. Though it isn't to detailed, it gives a nice overview of these brave Americans' contribution to the United States of American and provides insight into other aspects of their lives.
Now a bit of criticism. Often times, an event is mentioned in several places throughout the book under different descriptions; sometimes it's the event's name and ot...more
Now a bit of criticism. Often times, an event is mentioned in several places throughout the book under different descriptions; sometimes it's the event's name and ot...more
I enjoyed this easy read. The brief bios were full of interesting trivia. Did you know Treat Williams, David Crosby, and Reese Witherspoon were direct descendants of signers? I also appreciated the refresher read of the Declaration of Independence at the end of the book.
This should be required reading for anyone in High School US History. There was so much about the signers of the Declaration of Independence that I didn't know, and some of the things I thought I knew were wrong. This book straightened everything out for me.
Don't wait until next July 4 to read this ---- you should read it now so that you'll be prepared to celebrate July 2, August 2, or even that other day that is credited for the independence of the USA.
NOTE --- if you're wondering why I mention...more
Don't wait until next July 4 to read this ---- you should read it now so that you'll be prepared to celebrate July 2, August 2, or even that other day that is credited for the independence of the USA.
NOTE --- if you're wondering why I mention...more
This is somewhat of a coffee table book in concept - a collection of 3-5 page summaries an the lives of all 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence.
With that in mind though, it was pretty interesting to read about what a diverse bunch of guys (relatively) the founding fathers were. There were land-holding aristocrats and guys who had been indentured servants, active ministers and guys who were later thrown into debtors' prisons (one of whom was a sitting Supreme Court justice), signers wh...more
With that in mind though, it was pretty interesting to read about what a diverse bunch of guys (relatively) the founding fathers were. There were land-holding aristocrats and guys who had been indentured servants, active ministers and guys who were later thrown into debtors' prisons (one of whom was a sitting Supreme Court justice), signers wh...more
Well-researched book on the signers of the Declaration of Independence. The authors imbued it with just the right mix of respect, humor and little-known tidbits to make this lofty, revered group seem human. Really enjoyed this read.
Another book that I'd entered to win as a first reads giveaway, but didn't. A fun romp through America's early years and the men who were formative to our development as a nation. I liked that each chapter was short (only a couple of pages), so this book read quickly. If you aren't familiar with The 1st and 2nd Continental Congress, Articles of Confederation, and other historical terms, you may want to wikipedia them as you read. I liked the humor and the controversies presented (who's buried wh...more
May 24, 2012
Chad
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
us-history-revultionary-war
This was a very fun book to read for me as a student of the Revolutionary War. It gives an average of 3 small pages to each and every signer of the Declaration of Independence, and shines a light into the lives of the men who signed that great document. The book is humorous and sometimes a little irreverent, but its such an easy and entertaining read that almost anyone would be able to enjoy it.
At a time like now where our government is increasingly out of touch with the average American and is...more
At a time like now where our government is increasingly out of touch with the average American and is...more
Not perfect, but fun. This book is not a peer-reviewed academic text. There is little to no sourcing within the text, but for commercial history I feel that's okay (although even commercial history should hold itself to rigorous academic stands, IMO--it's the history that becomes cultural memory, after all). I have idea how much of the text is inaccurate or oversimplified, but it is FUN to know what happened to the guys who signed the Declaration. And if if inspires further historical research f...more
Amazing -- this has taught me so much about the lesser-known founders, all of whom were inspiring in their own rights. This book also alerted me to a different perspective on more well-known historical figures. Who knew that James Wilson was put into debtors' prison? (Or that he actually voted for independence, and did not provide the tie-breaking vote, as 1776 would have you believe).
I think a section on the men who chose not to sign the declaration (read: Dickinson) would have been interestin...more
I think a section on the men who chose not to sign the declaration (read: Dickinson) would have been interestin...more
This kind of irreverent, bouncy narrative is the kind of thing that gets people interested in history. The authors do a service by illuminating the historically obscure lives of most of the Declaration's signers, and by doing so in such an emminently readable fashion. It makes these men into human beings rather than wig-wearing monuments, and debunks some cherished myths about them. As each biographical sketch covers only a few pages, this is suitable for toilet or bedside reading. I would recom...more
This book would be a good addition to libraries and schools, a great way to introduce young people to the American Revolutions. Short, informal essays of each of the signers. Clever book cover unfolds and in the interior is the declaration of independence. So little is taught about the ordinary signers of the declaration. Teachers have so much ground to cover there is little time and less information about the individuals who stood behind Jefferson and Washington, Burr and etc. This book is an e...more
This is not a book to sit down and read from cover to cover, but I enjoyed picking it up and reading about one or two of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. It was fun to find out that one of them is buried just a few miles from where I grew up. Who knew?
I love books like this. Short chapters packed with tons of information I never knew. I will definitely use this in my class.
This is the perfect book for anyone looking to become more well aquainted with the men who risked hanging to make us free.
this is a great book to give you basic info on the signers of the declaration. it's witty, funny and still very informative about the men and the times. good book to keep for a light resource!
I liked this little book of mini biographies about our founding fathers. It's great for school projects too.
"Signing Their Lives Away: The Fame and Misfortune of the Men Who Signed the Declaration of Independence" by Joseph D'Agnese and Denise Kiernan is very well researched. Every child studying this time in American History should have this non-fiction as required reading. The facts about all 56 signers are presented in a very short, interesting and entertaining manner. The attention to details by the authors, in the dust cover and the pages of the book is remarkable. I want to thank the authors, I...more
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Denise Kiernan is the author of the New York Times Bestselling nonfiction title, "The Girls of Atomic City" (Touchstone/Simon & Schuster). http://GirlsOfAtomicCity.com).
As a journalist, her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Village Voice, Saveur, Discover, Ms., Sports Illustrated for Kids, Conde Nast Sports for Women and others. In addition to her books for...more
More about Denise Kiernan...
As a journalist, her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Village Voice, Saveur, Discover, Ms., Sports Illustrated for Kids, Conde Nast Sports for Women and others. In addition to her books for...more
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“So the Next time September 17 rolls around, eat a hot dog, watch some fireworks, and celebrate Constitution Day - that fateful date in 1787 when thirty-nine sweaty men dressed in stockings signed their names to the United States Constitution.”
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