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American Spring: Lexington, Concord, and the Road to Revolution

Walter R. Borneman

3.89 · Rating details · 323 ratings · 63 reviews

A vibrant new look at the American Revolution's first months, from the author of the bestseller The Admirals When we reflect on our nation's history, the American Revolution can feel almost like a foregone conclusion. In reality, the first weeks and months of 1775 were very tenuous, and a fractured and ragtag group of colonial militias had to coalesce rapidly to have even ...more

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Hardcover, 469 pages

Published May 6th 2014 by Little, Brown and Company (first published January 1st 2014)

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Dec 03, 2013 Jerome rated it really liked it

A readable, broad, and well-paced if almost overwhelmingly detailed history of the Battles of Lexington and Concord in particular and the beginning of Revolution in Boston in general. Accordingly, Borneman gives us fine portraits of the Adamses, Hancock, Revere, and Joseph Warren, as well as Thomas Gage, Lord Percy and William Howe. Borneman gives the reader a full picture of these events by including the experiences of such lesser-known figures such as various women and blacks, although the res A readable, broad, and well-paced if almost overwhelmingly detailed history of the Battles of Lexington and Concord in particular and the beginning of Revolution in Boston in general. Accordingly, Borneman gives us fine portraits of the Adamses, Hancock, Revere, and Joseph Warren, as well as Thomas Gage, Lord Percy and William Howe. Borneman gives the reader a full picture of these events by including the experiences of such lesser-known figures such as various women and blacks, although the rest of the rebellious colonists remain faceless; it often appears from the narrative that they do nothing without direction from Hancock or Adams. Borneman’s description of the the battles of Lexington and Concord are gripping, as well as the lesser-known clashes at Noodles’ and Grape Islands.

Of course, Borneman clearly explains the protest surrounding British taxation policies while noting the irony that that the taxes in question were among the lowest in the entire British Empire. Britain had neglected the colonies for over a hundred years, leaving more or less self-governing entities that were hostile to change. Borneman handles Thomas Gage sympathetically since he had a much better understanding of the situation in the colonies, but, of course, the ministry would turn against him later due to his dithering (the London government called him “the old woman”) and be replaced by Howe, Burgoyne and Clinton, who would embark on their fateful American commands and the subsequent ruin of their careers.

At one point Borneman claims that Samuel Adams single-handedly triggered the Boston Tea Party using a coded speech, although this remains a matter of dispute. Also, Borneman’s depiction of the British is almost cartoonish; almost all of them come off as incompetent villains; Borneman claims that all of the British spies in Boston were motivated by nothing more than “British sterling,” for example, while British soldiers come off as ill-disciplined bullies. Among more minor quibbles, Borneman writes that British soldiers wore “boots,” that they employed “Royal Marines,” and in the space of two pages describes the pace of Gage’s troops as both quick and leisurely. And at one point, Borneman writes that American militia commonly favored competent officers over popular ones, even though community standing was a more important factor. Oddly, he also repeats the common misconception that the militia were well-prepared as guerrilla fighters due to their experience in the French and Indian War. Borneman ignores the fact that the militia were ill-trained and most only began regular drilling in 1774, and that Massachusetts had had barely any Indian wars for quite some time. The writing can also be breezy and conversational (typical Borneman): "The western boundaries of the existing colonies---many of which had been thought to extend westward to---well, no one was quite sure---were now given a finite demarcation."

Still, a fast-paced and easy read on an interesting subject. ...more

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Mar 06, 2014 Kristen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: first-reads, revolutionary-war-and-founding

First, I should disclose that I received an advance uncorrected proof of "American Spring: Lexington, Concord, and the Road to Revolution" as part of a Goodreads first-reads giveaway.

American Spring is a highly readable account of the first months of the American Revolution, roughly the first six months of 1775. The book begins with the seldom-told story of a little-know ride that Paul Revere made in December 1774 to warn New Hampshire that "The regulars are coming!" This ride, made four months First, I should disclose that I received an advance uncorrected proof of "American Spring: Lexington, Concord, and the Road to Revolution" as part of a Goodreads first-reads giveaway.

American Spring is a highly readable account of the first months of the American Revolution, roughly the first six months of 1775. The book begins with the seldom-told story of a little-know ride that Paul Revere made in December 1774 to warn New Hampshire that "The regulars are coming!" This ride, made four months prior to his more famous ride to Lexington and Concord, was to warn Portsmouth that the British were on their way in response to the colonist's seizing the powder and arms at Fort William and Mary on New Castle Island off of Portsmouth Harbor. The British did eventually show up, but by then the rebels had dispersed and hidden the powder, so the British left.

The book then portrays the simmering atmosphere in the colonies during the months leading up to the shot heard round the world at Lexington and follows the the action through to the Battle of Bunker Hill and ends as George Washington arrives to take command of the colonials in July 1775. Borneman's battle narratives are vividly told. The Battle of Bunker Hill is especially gripping. There are also 10 maps that help to orient the reader to the areas and battlefields discussed.

Along the way, he introduces the major characters in the early days of the rebellion and provides a brief background of each. He also addresses several myths that have arisen over the years as previous authors have repeated other authors' speculations as facts. Mr Borneman goes back to the source material (some of which is newly available) of letters, diaries, personal papers and official documents for verification rather than relying on the work of others. I'm now curious to read some of his other work including his books on the French and Indian War and the War of 1812. In some ways, the book reminded me of David McCullough's 1776 as both authors have an engaging narrative style and attention to accuracy.

American Spring would make a nice addition to anyone's Revolutionary War library.

...more

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Aug 02, 2014 Bob Price rated it really liked it

In American Spring, Walter Borneman intends to give a history of the events of spring 1775 that helped launch the American Revolution. This tumultuous time sparked the incidents that would go down in history as the start of the War of Independence.

In his epilogue, Borneman says that he set out to tell a story, and that is exactly what he did. He narrowed his narrative down to the events between March and June, with giving only a little bit of the pre- and post history.

In this, Borneman should b ...more

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Jun 03, 2014 Rick rated it it was ok

There seems to be a lot of books discussing the opening salvos of the American Revolution. Nathanial Philbrick's book is much more interesting and tells the exact same story with some attention payed to the larger deliberations and a stronger back story. Paul Lockhart wrote a book a few years back which in my mind is a much better book about the Battles of Lexington and Concord even thought it's true focus is on Bunker Hill. While Bornerman does a decent enough job he doesn't add anything new to ...more

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May 24, 2016 Darren rated it it was amazing

A little slow in places, but by far the most in depth review of the battles of Lexington and Concord as well as the battle of Bunker (Breeds) Hill that I've read. The author has done a great job of researching sources on both sides of the conflict and presents compelling arguments behind why many of the major characters took the actions that they did or reacted in the way history remembers. Overall, this is a great recounting of the major historic events of the first half of 1775, the contributi ...more

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Oct 12, 2017 Berry Muhl rated it it was amazing

If you're like me, a former 1970s-era elementary school student, you got a fairly shallow treatment of the Revolutionary War era. You might have learned about the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, Lexington and Concord, the Declaration of Independence, and Washington's eventual victory.

This book fills in some of the gaps, providing a deep discussion of the events taking place over six months in 1775. It begins with the political wrangling and debate, including the propaganda war between Bri If you're like me, a former 1970s-era elementary school student, you got a fairly shallow treatment of the Revolutionary War era. You might have learned about the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, Lexington and Concord, the Declaration of Independence, and Washington's eventual victory.

This book fills in some of the gaps, providing a deep discussion of the events taking place over six months in 1775. It begins with the political wrangling and debate, including the propaganda war between Britain and the Colonies. Again, if you're like me, you have a tendency to get bogged down when reading period speech. (It's why Moby-Dick took me so long to read, among many others.) And the first few chapters are rife with this, and with exposition setting up the action.

But it picks up. As Revere and his two counterparts set out to warn the colonists of the Brits' intention to seize weapons and gunpowder, the book seamlessly transitions to an adventure story, and becomes a page-turner.

Revere is but one of many luminaries the book follows. Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Israel Putnam, William Prescott, Ethan Allen, Artemas Ward, James Warren and Joseph Warren play essential roles on the American side (along with, for a time, at least, Benedict Arnold). On the British side are Generals Gage, Howe, Burgoyne and Clinton, along with Lord Hugh Percy, Admiral Graves and a smattering of other officers. And we are given the words and writings of some characters often neglected by histories, including black men (some slaves, some free), such as Peter Salem and Prince Estabrook, and women, such as Abigail Adams and Mercy Otis Warren. (We are also treated to intrigues, the work of spies on both sides, whose names I won't reveal.) But the main cast consists of John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock, the most prominent among the leaders in the growing rebel cause.

Walter Borneman has done this before, bringing a dramatist's sensibility to history. He does a wonderful job of pointing out the errors and missed opportunities on both sides, analyzing those first crucial battles with a tactical and strategic mind...and pointing out the ironies inherent in a simmering fight for independence that, initially, did nothing to improve the independence of slaves or women. At the same time, he suggests strongly that this turn toward independence, this result of a uniquely American mindset and experience, is what, much later, made possible the emancipation of slaves and the suffrage of women. ...more

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Oct 23, 2017 Jeff rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

When I read histories, I have a few criteria that divide the average from the elite. Does the author engage me as a reader? Does the book contain new information — or present information in a way — that I haven't seen before? Do I have a clearer understanding of the topic?

In American Spring, Walter Borneman has met my criteria with flying colors. The scope of Mr. Borneman's tale is actually quite limited: revolutionary actions and imperial reactions in the North American British colonies during ...more

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Aug 16, 2017 Andrew Canfield rated it liked it

American Spring is a so-so primer for anyone wanting to get a feel for the first year of the Revolutionary War. Taking place before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, this book centers around the early battles (1775) between the British troops and American colonists at the beginning of the Revolutionary War.

Walter Borneman is a decent history writer; he is not in the ballpark of a David McCullough or Robert Remini, but he is able to write with a certain degree of spark. American Spr ...more

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Jan 08, 2019 Ed Bernard rated it liked it

Maybe 3.5 stars

I live in Concord MA, so April 19th is a date not, shall we say, unknown to me. For more typical Americans, April 19th, 1775 was the day that British troops marched to Lexington and Concord to seize weapons and supplies, and perhaps arrest folks like Sam Adams and John Hancock. This all led to the first actual battles of the American Revolution. American Spring tells that story in deep, occasionally excruciating detail. The best parts, for me, were the explanations of he events th ...more

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Dec 26, 2018 Charles Monagan rated it really liked it

I wanted a clear-headed book about the earliest days of the American Revolution, and "American Spring" truly delivered. The writing is friendly and not without humor or sly references to the present day. The research is admirable. The tying together of disparate elements is clear and helpful. If you've always had just sort of a vague idea about Lexington, Concord, Bunker Hill, etc., this account will set you straight, adding pocket profiles of Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Israel Putnam, British ...more

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Jan 07, 2018 Jim Gallen rated it really liked it

“American Spring” tells the story of the American road to Revolution and Independence from Lexington and Concord in December 1774 through the Battle of Bunker Hill, which was not very satisfactory for either side, to George Washington’s assumption of command of the American Army on July 3, 1775. Author Walter Borneman has crafted an engaging work that draws the reader into the drama and holds his interest until the end. He involves main characters on both sides and illustrates how the colonial f ...more

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Oct 12, 2018 Joe rated it really liked it

This is a very good and readable review of the first several months on the American Revolution. Borneman goes into greater detail in describing the battles on Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill. For example, who carried the lanterns up the steeple of the North Church to send the message to Paul Revere. I enjoyed reading book and strongly recommend it.

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Jan 21, 2019 Rob Roy rated it really liked it

Shelves: 42-hist-us-rev-war

The beginning of our Revolution was touch and go on both sides. This well-written history delves into January through June 1775 and our nation's beginnings. Who were the embattled farmers, and who were their leaders? Even if history is not your thing, learning about the men and women who began it all is well worth it.

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Apr 18, 2018 Paulcbry rated it really liked it

A very detailed account of the Battle of Bunker Hill.

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Dec 22, 2017 Salina Baker rated it it was amazing

My review. https://wordpress.com/post/salinabake...

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Mar 22, 2019 Emily rated it really liked it

Excellent. Some nights I had to force myself to put it down and go to bed. I got a little lost with names in a few parts but that may have been because I was too tired!

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Jul 23, 2017 Christopher Ennen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Slow to get going but by the end I was enjoying the book. Lots of detail about the time before the war really started.

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Mar 08, 2018 Nick rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Really well written book about the beginnings of the American Revolution. Very detailed and contained a few little facts that I had never heard before.

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Jan 28, 2019 Sandi rated it it was amazing

Good read about the the beginnings of the zrevolution I am always happy those guys fought what this country is

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Aug 02, 2018 Larry rated it liked it

Solid narrative of the opening stanza of the Revolutionary War. Rich in detail.

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Mar 01, 2014 Amy rated it it was ok

Shelves: first-reads, history, my-personal-library, read-in-2012-2015, reviewed

American Spring is an extremely detailed account of the first spring of the American Revolution (January-June, 1775). In fact it essentially gives a play-by-play account of everything that occurred, including all of the key, prominent, and famous people (note: not all key figures are mentioned in the textbooks!). In the book's opening, readers are first provided with detailed description to how and why the colonists were angry at Great Britain, mostly over taxes, acts, actions, and their effects American Spring is an extremely detailed account of the first spring of the American Revolution (January-June, 1775). In fact it essentially gives a play-by-play account of everything that occurred, including all of the key, prominent, and famous people (note: not all key figures are mentioned in the textbooks!). In the book's opening, readers are first provided with detailed description to how and why the colonists were angry at Great Britain, mostly over taxes, acts, actions, and their effects (ex. Tea Act, Intolerable Acts, Quebec Act). It also includes some information about key figures (Generals George Washington and Thomas Gage) and locations (ex. Fort Carillon/Ticonderoga) roles in the French and Indian War that comes into play during the Revolution. Next, it addressed the earliest "rebel" thinking and key figures, such as John and Samuel Adams and John Hancock.

The next section of the book concerned the events surrounding the Battles of Lexington and Concord. It opened with the warning rides to towns outside Boston about Gage's planned actions to take control of "rebel" ammunition stores in those towns. The most famous rider was, of course, Paul Revere. Then the British do come and there were the battles on Lexington's Green and an at a key bridge in Concord. Readers were presented with examples of how disorganized the British troops entering the battle and how quickly the Colonial militia was able to respond. In fact, the militia troops were so swift in arrival that they had to wait for the British to arrive and at first believed it was a false alarm and spent time in pubs! While who fired the first shot is debatable, these battles were seen as an act of war to the British. The book then goes into the effects of Lexington and Concord. News spread quickly for the era, angering those living in other colonies and to the disbelief of those in England. In reaction, George III sent three new generals to the New World to assist Gage (William Howe, John Burgoyne, and Henry Clinton). And the colonist hold the Second Continental Congress to draft plans to protect themselves and their interests.

The final section described the first planned battle of the Revolution: Bunker Hill. This time when word reached the colonists of a plan of action to protect Boston, colonial militias planned to meet the forces head on. Taking over a strategic area near Boston, they dug in on Bunker and Breed Hills. The British then altered their plans in order to attack the emplacement. While colonial leadership in the battle was unclear to the soldiers, the British failed to take full advantage of their Navy and land troops in a way that could ensure quick victory. En short, it was chaos. The battle made both sides see that war was the only path and that reconciliation was unlikely to occur. It also led to leadership changes for the British. Keep in mind, while George Washington was now commander and chief of Colonial forces, he had yet to arrive in the vicinity of Boston after his nomination in Philadelphia.

Where this book seems to have original analysis is in its debunking of common myths. Borneman pointed these out in context of their chronology and provided evidence on how they are not true. Among these myths are how one person is credited with each of two famous rides (Revere and Isaac Bissell [on the route of taking news about Lexington and Concord to Philadelphia]) when they were but one of many on the Pony Express-like route. Another addresses whether or not Margaret Kemble Gage, Thomas Gage's wife, was or was not the spy in his household.

In all, this was an educational read. However, the amount of detail could be burdensome. In my opinion, it would make an excellent research resource. Or a great book to use in an upper level American history college course. However, for casual reading, it depends on the reader. Some may enjoy the level of detail. Others may make the same observation I did. Or it may fall somewhere in between for a particular reader. I will admit I have had another of Borneman's books on my to-read list, The Admirals: Nimitz, Halsey, Leahy, and King—the Five-Star Admirals Who Won the War at Sea, but reading this work has me rethinking tackling that one. ...more

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Feb 27, 2017 Gerry Connolly rated it really liked it

In American Spring Walter Borneman recounts the 1774-76 uprising in and around Boston. He effectively debunks the myth of Gen Gage's wife being a rebel spy. Good read.

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Sep 03, 2014 A rated it liked it

Shelves: first-reads

In the spirit of full disclosure - I won this book as a Goodreads first read. Okay now for the review.

On one level this book gets the full five stars. The research is exhaustive and the attention to detail is focused. Walter Borneman clearly spent hours and hours researching all the expected sources to find information for this book and double that time searching the unexpected sources to learn the little "extra" details; or help debunk some errors in previous histories on the subject. The docum In the spirit of full disclosure - I won this book as a Goodreads first read. Okay now for the review.

On one level this book gets the full five stars. The research is exhaustive and the attention to detail is focused. Walter Borneman clearly spent hours and hours researching all the expected sources to find information for this book and double that time searching the unexpected sources to learn the little "extra" details; or help debunk some errors in previous histories on the subject. The documentation behind that research is deep, as about 1/5 of the book is references.

The book is nicely focused on the events that occurred in the first half of 1775 leading up to and immediately following the battles of Lexington and Concord in April of that year. The problem is that the book reads more like a PhD thesis than a riveting story. I know it is a non-fiction book about history, but that doesn't have to be dull. Look at Bruce Catton's books about the US Civil War they are deep, well researched, and riveting all at the same time.

This book never related the events in a way that helped you to place yourself in the action. It was a litany of people, the things they did and the days on which they did those things. The writing in the book gets 1.5 to 2 stars, thus the 3 star total.

The place where Borneman kind of pulls in the reader is in his description of the motivations and decisions made by the British, especially those in the colonies during this period. I feel that if the story had been related completely from that point of view then it might have risen to the four or even five star score. Instead what you have is an updating of a story told many times over. Granted a very well researched story with several nuances not before shared and debunking of some stories shared incorrectly for many years previously.

In conclusion - if you are really interested by American History, especially the history of Colonial America and the events of that Spring of 1775 then read this book. ...more

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May 26, 2014 Jonathan rated it really liked it

I found the initial chapters of American Spring setting the background of division in colonial America did not engage me and it was slow going at first, but I am glad I stuck with it. Once Borneman reached February 1775 when General Gage really began to struggle to take positive action to survey the countryside about Boston by dispatching spies, and to try and seize arms at Salem. Then, of course come April we have the attempt to seize the arms held at Concord... Even though we all know how that ...more

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Feb 12, 2017 Matthew Werner rated it it was amazing

Shelves: revolution-era-history

I though this was a well written and interesting read concerning that crucial spring of 1775 which put us in path to independence. Learned new things not covered in basic survey. Well researched and pointed out where some things can't really be proven but remain part of American ideas of this time.

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Mar 19, 2016 Robert Papas rated it it was amazing

This is a thought-provoking, very well-researched book. Mr. Borneman has gone to great lengths to make the first six months of 1775 not only readable but understandable.

He also completely transformed my understanding of Battle Road and the Battle of Bunker Hill, which I've seen traditionally described as a crushing British victory but which Borneman shows was anything but. The attackers held the field but at a cost, beautifully described and exhaustively chronicled.

He also spent a good deal of ...more

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May 27, 2014 Steve rated it really liked it

Shelves: history

I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway and it was an advanced proof copy. It was missing some page numbers and the index, but there were few errors within the body of the book.

Whenever you have a history book, you have to deal with names and dates and I thought the author did a real good job of providing a good mix of that info without going overboard. The author kept the number of individuals through which the story was told to a minimum so this helped to avoid data overload but included ...more

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Mar 31, 2014 Aaron rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: historians, Revolutionary War buffs, re-enactors

Shelves: goodreads-first-reads

Per FTC regulations, I received this book as a GoodReads First Reads giveaway.

From before the opening shot at Lexington Green to the Battle at Bunker Hill, Walter Borneman mines an eclectic trove of principal documents to concoct an early history of the Pre-Revolutionary War battles that led to the epic conflict. It's always exciting to read books "written" by those who lived the experience and Borneman has done a great job of weaving the well-knowns with the unknowns to create a tableau of how ...more

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Apr 01, 2014 John rated it really liked it

Shelves: history, u-s-history, good-reads-giveaway

I received a copy from a Goodreads giveaway.

It's been quite awhile since I have read a book about the American Revolution. Walter Borneman's 'American Spring' has given me a nice reintroduction into this time period. Covering the early months of the Revolution, Borneman covers Lexington, Concord, Bunker Hill, and a few other events in between. As another reviewer noted, women and African American roles and impact are lightly touched upon, and it would have been great to read even more on their s ...more

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Jul 28, 2014 Kristi Richardson rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audible, history, non-fiction

This was a good book on the first year of the American Revolution. There is some very in depth details on the first shots fired at Lexington and Concord and the Battle at Bunker Hill is told in explicit detail.

There are some little known people that are used as observers in this book. Mercy Otis Warren was a female poet and political satirist that I had never heard of before this book. She was a very interesting person for that time period.

I enjoyed the details about the traitor Benjamin Churc ...more

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About Walter R. Borneman

Walter R. Borneman

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Walter R. Borneman, b.1952, an American historian and lawyer, is the author of well-known popular books on 18th and 19th century United States history. He received his B.A. in 1974 from Western State College of Colorado, and received an M.A. in history there in 1975 for a thesis on "Irwin : silver camp of the Ruby Mountains"; in 1981 he received a law degree from the University of Denver, and prac ...more

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“As if to underscore the seriousness of her charge, Abigail, only partially in jest, went on to assert: “If perticular care and attention is not paid to the Laidies, we are determined to foment a Rebelion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice or Representation.” — 1 likes

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