Unlikely Heroes: Ordinary Men and Women Whose Courage Won the Revolution

by Ron Carter

The story of the founding of the United States may be the single greatest event in the history of the rise and fall of nations. Thirteen infant colonies challenged the mightiest military power on earth and won! what sustained them through the six long years of war? It was their dream of freedom and liberty that drove them on- a dream shared by thousands of men and women whose deeds and names are now mostly forgotten. The true stories in this book will inspire readers and help them value the freedom we may take for granted. You'll gain a new appreciation for the unsung heroes who helped give birth to a nation!

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Historical, Biography, American History, American Revolutionary War, Book Club

254 pages, Hardcover

First published September 11, 2007

About the author

Ron Carter (1932-2008) was born in Salt Lake City and reared in Twin Falls, Idaho. He served received a bachelor’s degree in industrial management from Brigham Young University. He received a juris doctor degree in 1962 after attending the law schools at George Washington University and the University of Utah. Recently he has been a research and writing director for the Superior Court system of Los Angeles County, California. He published his first work in 1988.

Ron is married to LaRae Dunn Carter of Boise, Idaho, and they are the parents of nine children. The family resides in Park City, Utah.

Reviews

[Grumpus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a collection of 31 short stories averaging 8 pages in length. It makes for a very quick read.

Each story tells the tale of a little known, seemingly insignificant event (at the time) that had a profound impact on the American victory over the British during the Revolutionary War.

It was inspiring to read of the perfervid patriotism of these people given their ordeals of facing the mightiest military in world with little training, their near starvation, irregular pay, and various states of dishabille. Many were barefoot in the winter and had to cut off their own frostbitten toes!

How Washington and his generals were able to maintain morale among these troops is a testament to their leadership and devotion to country. It’s amazing to think of our nation today from these humble beginnings.

[Ang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is no David McCullough or Steven Ambrose - both are my favorite historical authors. These stories are great to know about -but the style he writes them in is nothing short of frustrating to me at times! He puts things into the story like; "his long hair tied back with a leather thong,..... shifted the quid of tobacco stuffed in his cheek, spat, wiped at this tobacco- stained beard thrust a sealed document toward Shelby, and shook his head". This may not be the best (worst) example- just one I read most recent. The whole thing starts to sound like fiction and not a historical account. Drives me crazy to read real history like that! Don't add things into old stories for the purpose of dramatizing it. THAT being said, I still love to read about US History and how ordinary people did extraordinary things, and helped to bring about the miracle of the greatest country ever w/ the greatest hope for man. So I give so many stars for the happenings in the book, not the authors penning of them.

[Margaret]

I started this book excited, read one chapter, and I am now questioning if it is fiction or non-fiction. It doesn't appeal to me as a fiction, and there were too many parts of the first chapter that seemed false. If I learn in the future it truly is non-fiction, I will be very sure to read this book. In the meantime I have put it on hold.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a compilation of short stories about ordinary men and women who did extraordinary things that helped win the Revolutionary War. Reading it reminded me how evident the hand of God was in winning that war - by every calculation, the British should have won and won easily.

This was an easy read but very inspiring!

[Shellie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love U.S. History and this book contains History that we don't learn about in History Class. I was very humbled and impressed by the small means that brought great victory for the Colonies. Many people sacraficed so much. My favorite story was about one of George Washington's spies. Even his family thought he was a Brittish sympathizer.

[Holliann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was perfect for a mom with short little story chapters. There were even some stories that I knew from visiting some of these famous sites. It was a quick read, and very inspiring. Definitely for History lovers, or those that are inspired by ancestors sacrifices.

[Bigfatdummy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not highest quality writing. The book is a collection of short stories spanning the revolutionary war and a few years beyond. I found the stories to be quite interesting and somewhat amusing.

[Bonnie Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is different from what I normally read. It is a book of short stories of men and women who made a difference in the Revolutionary war.

[Universitybabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are a few stories that I either knew or sounded familiar but they were interspersed with the ones I hadn't heard.

[Christopher Beadle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collection of American Revolution stories that aren't as well known. Just like the title says, "Ordinary Men and Women Whose Courage Won the Revolution," the stories here are powerful examples of people who made a huge difference in many lives. There is a very wide range of types of people; there are women, men in the army, men just trying to help, children, and more. The stories are very straightforward and paint a great picture of the circumstances these Americans were in. I do feel some stories are short and it's not a continuous story all the way through, so that would be why I would rate it not quite all 5 stars, it's hard to avoid but I wish it didn't feel as chopped and separated. I do like the fact that we can see lots of different stories and see the situation from different perspectives, as well as getting more information on a overall story we already know.

[Chrisanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I dislike fictionalized non-fiction. But I was curious to see who made it to the list. I learned a lot... but I didn't take it as seriously (and certainly wasn't as engrossed) as I am with masters like McCullough and Goodwin.

I also felt like it told 18th century stories with a 21st century viewpoint--meaning that a 16-year-old in that time wasn't the child we see them as today.

[Brian Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read on many Patriots of the War for Independence. Each chapter is its own story, and easy to learn how Patriots became heros when the new USA called up them to step up. A book we should read this year of 2026.

[Danni · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was really good.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting stories about men, women and a teenage girl that helped America win the Revolutionary War.

[Ranee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved these stories! Though war is awful, the bravery & the undeniable hand of God in the US winning the war is awesome. Reminded of some of the stories in the Book of Mormon in the "War chapters"

[Patrick Trent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short stories about heroes whose courage helped win the Revolutionary War. I really enjoyed these short vignettes.

[Josie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars.
I love reading about the American Revolution. This was a collection of about 31 stories ranging from about 5-10 pages, each featuring a different person from the Revolution. It is dramatized non-fiction, and that caught me off guard and bugged me a little in the beginning because it made me wonder how much the author was making up, and how much was fact. But I got used to the writing style and it didn't bug me too much by the end.
I especially liked the stories of the heroic women (I guess I'm vain like that) but they really did some amazing things.
One thing I learned that I had never considered before was that the war cost money and congress wasn't allowed to levy taxes at the time, so all these soldiers were fighting with the promise of being paid, but it took so long to get money to pay them.
This really is an amazing country with an amazing beginning.
I didn't get to finish the last couple chapters because I accidentally left the book at the park and it's gone now :(

[Verona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love American history, so it is no surprise that I really enjoyed these short stories of the mostly unknown and unsung heroes of our American Revolution. Each story took me back in time to appreciate the unselfish, incredible sacrifices that our forefathers made for us. It touched me with renewed patriotism to know of the acts of patriotism that these ordinary people performed for our country. They didn't think of themselves; they just did what needed to be done. They had known what life could be like in the "old country," and that gave them courage to seek a better one here in America by their own determination and actions. It was fun to have a book that I could read one story a night while I was reading another novel, too. I like that style for a change. I highly recommend this book to any who love America and want to appreciate our heritage.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a collection of short stories about little known and unlikely people who contributed to the American victory of the Revolutionary War. I really enjoyed this book. Unlike some war history books, it was an easy read and it seemed appropriate to finish it on Independence Day. It reminded me that the freedoms we have were not free and there are many soldiers that we are indebted to. The men and women in this book endured so much for their freedoms and for the rights that we continue to enjoy. We should be more grateful for those rights and for the soldiers and average civilians who suffered, fought and died that we might have them.

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read! I learned so much about our Revoluntionary War and have so much respect for the men and women and families that risked their lives, and in some instances, gave up their lives, for the chance to live in a free Nation.
This book is compromised from a series of stories from those folks that helped win the war between the US and Britain . . . while some are war heros and soliders, many are normal towns people that saw a need for help and rose to that call.

This is a different style read for me but if you want to learn a little bit of history about our Nation this is a fantastic book and something I want to one day read with my own children.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of short stories about incidents connected to the American Revolution. It was interesting to find out about some of the "little people" who helped make a difference, including the man who appeared to be a Tory and yet helped Washington know what to do once he and his troops crossed the Delaware that Christmas, and the man who helped find money to pay the troops and keep the new country going financially. There are some good stories here--worth reading in order to know about them.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really interesting. It tells the stories of people that most people have never heard of who did extraordinary things during the revolution. Reading this book helps you understand what a miracle it was that the US even won. They British Army was superior in every way, but the US found ways here and there to win major battles. It's not very long and easy to read, so I would recommend it.

[Camille · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book consists of different stories about ordinary men and women who helped win the Revolutionary War and save America. Some are funny others are inspiring. It made me focus on my own life and if I would ever have the same courage some of them had to sacrifice everything I had, including my own life, for the cause of freedom. If you enjoy American History and you enjoy learning about real people who helped make America what it is, you will most definitely like this book.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!!! Every chapter is a new story about some person you have probably never heard of before, who had a significant impact on the Revolutionary War. Inspiring, amazing stories of people who risked everything for the cause of freedom. A great quick read to give you some American history without being bombarded with facts. I would recommend this book to ANYONE, regardless of genre preference or interest level in reading!

[Becky Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, this was such an enjoyable read! From Daniel Boone's cross-eyed cousin who shot British soldiers in her dining room with their own muskets... to Martha Washington's visit to the home of a dying soldier... to the Jewish broker whose financial acumen and contacts kept the Revolutionary War from bankrupting the American cause. I love the description on the back cover - "Inspiring stories about the mostly forgotten people and events that helped turn the tide of the Revolutionary War."

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved these stories of lesser-known heroes of the Revolutionary War era. My favorites were John Honeyman, Deborah Samson and the unknown sailor who helped John Paul Jones. I loved learning new inspiring stories and also hearing once again of famous heroes like George Washington:
"Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray but almost blind in the service of my country." -p. 226

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. I just hated American History in high school and now as penance I cannot get enough. This book had fascinating stories of patriotism far beyond what I have even imagined really happened. It really made me think about the effect our beliefs have on others-and how our convictions can really change what happens in our life. Really uplifting book!

[Chelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great! It is a great compilation of stories from ordinary men and women who helped in the American Revolution. We never hear stories like these. The amazing things the people in this book did just goes to show that God definitely had a hand in the U.S. winning this war, that we really should not have won!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of stories about ordinary men and women whose brave actions made them heroes during the revolutionary war. The writing style struck me as fairly simple, but the stories were very inspiring. If you have read much about the American Revolution before, you may recognize some of them, but others were new to me. It is definitely worth reading.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I expected. Each "chapter" is a different story about someone's heroism during the Revolutionary War. I thought it would be more of a flowing story, but it was a compilation of different tales. I learned some fascinating facts. The writing wasn't the best. The book wasn't compelling. It took me months to read. Overall, it was okay. I recommend the book for US history buffs.