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Tales from a Revolution
The Declaration: South-Carolina
A hardworking tobacco farmer in the Carolina Uplands, Justin wants only to provide for his family. The outbreak of revolution turns his life upside down, and he cannot anticipate how even his seemingly most inconsequential actions will touch the lives of generations yet to come. Through crushing setbacks and hard-won victories, Justin's perseverance serves as a gift to his descendants.
216 pages, Paperback
First published July 2, 2014
14 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Lars D.H. Hedbor
25 books56 followersWhat made the American Colonists turn their back on their King, and fight for independence? How were they different from us–and how were their hopes and fears familiar to our own hearts?
These are the sorts of questions that I think are important to ask in examining the American Revolution, and in the pages of my novels, I suggest some possible answers.
I am an amateur historian, linguist, cuckoo clock restorer, brewer, fiddler, astronomer and baker. Professionally, I am a technologist, marketer, writer and father of six.
My love of history drives me to share the excitement of understanding the events of long ago, and how those events touch us still today.
These are the sorts of questions that I think are important to ask in examining the American Revolution, and in the pages of my novels, I suggest some possible answers.
I am an amateur historian, linguist, cuckoo clock restorer, brewer, fiddler, astronomer and baker. Professionally, I am a technologist, marketer, writer and father of six.
My love of history drives me to share the excitement of understanding the events of long ago, and how those events touch us still today.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 19, 2014
Another great addition to the “Tales from a Revolution” series.
Lars Hedbor has a magical way of bringing the revolution alive for the reader and this newest addition to the series does not disappoint. I love the transition between the two storylines (present day & revolutionary) and how they relate to each other. Although I admit, I was confused at first, because it was so unlike the others I had read.
I was especially drawn to the character, Katie Harris, in the present day storyline. She discovers a chest in her grandparent’s attic that holds some items from the revolutionary times. The wonder, excitement, and curiosity that Katie experiences in her discovery is hard to describe, but Hedbor captured it beautifully.
When it comes to the revolutionary past storyline, Hedbor once again beings the Revolution alive for the reader. Justin Harris & Terrance felt so real that I wondered if they were based on a real life people. I found myself rooting for them as they faced the troubles the world placed at their doorstep.
Originally, I had planned to read these novels in order, but I had to skip The Smoke because it was “liberated” by another reader in my household. Thankfully, these novels stand perfectly by themselves and you do not need to read them in a specific order, although I encourage you to read them all.
Lars Hedbor has a magical way of bringing the revolution alive for the reader and this newest addition to the series does not disappoint. I love the transition between the two storylines (present day & revolutionary) and how they relate to each other. Although I admit, I was confused at first, because it was so unlike the others I had read.
I was especially drawn to the character, Katie Harris, in the present day storyline. She discovers a chest in her grandparent’s attic that holds some items from the revolutionary times. The wonder, excitement, and curiosity that Katie experiences in her discovery is hard to describe, but Hedbor captured it beautifully.
When it comes to the revolutionary past storyline, Hedbor once again beings the Revolution alive for the reader. Justin Harris & Terrance felt so real that I wondered if they were based on a real life people. I found myself rooting for them as they faced the troubles the world placed at their doorstep.
Originally, I had planned to read these novels in order, but I had to skip The Smoke because it was “liberated” by another reader in my household. Thankfully, these novels stand perfectly by themselves and you do not need to read them in a specific order, although I encourage you to read them all.
April 2, 2015
The Mecklenburg Declaration was a declaration of independence made by citizens of North Carolina in 1775, a full year before Jefferson penned THE Declaration of Independence. Because the first known reference to the document was in 1819 and no authentic copy of the original has ever been found, it remains highly controversial.
In The Declaration, Mr. Hedbor offers us a fictional account of a present day family finding a broadside of the Mecklenburg Declaration in the attic of their Revolution-era house. But what makes the story so effective is a side-by-side narrative of events taking place two hundred years before. We’re actually able to live the history being discovered in the attic.
As ever, Mr. Hedbor’s strength lie in his ability to make the past come alive by giving it a face and a name and a heart. I am especially a fan of the careful vernacular he uses that fits the time period so well. And I love that he chooses to illustrate lesser know corners of the Revolution. I’m a history geek, but the Mecklenburg Declaration was only a hazy name in the back of my mind from a long ago college course. This gave me a new facet of a much-loved era to ruminate about. I confess I read up on it a bit afterward, and Mr. Hedbor’s story rings completely true. Highly recommended.
In The Declaration, Mr. Hedbor offers us a fictional account of a present day family finding a broadside of the Mecklenburg Declaration in the attic of their Revolution-era house. But what makes the story so effective is a side-by-side narrative of events taking place two hundred years before. We’re actually able to live the history being discovered in the attic.
As ever, Mr. Hedbor’s strength lie in his ability to make the past come alive by giving it a face and a name and a heart. I am especially a fan of the careful vernacular he uses that fits the time period so well. And I love that he chooses to illustrate lesser know corners of the Revolution. I’m a history geek, but the Mecklenburg Declaration was only a hazy name in the back of my mind from a long ago college course. This gave me a new facet of a much-loved era to ruminate about. I confess I read up on it a bit afterward, and Mr. Hedbor’s story rings completely true. Highly recommended.
October 25, 2014
This is my favorite book of the series. Lars always provides an unusual perspective for his stories and I liked this one that went between contemporary and historical times, telling the history of the family and of the Revolution.
I love this series!
I love this series!
July 12, 2019
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily leaving this review and all opinions expressed herein are mine.
This story is told by mixing a present day story of the owners of a property with flashbacks to the owners of the same property during the time of the Revolutionary War. Here, Katie has volunteered to help pack up her grandmother's house so that it can be sold and her grandmother moved to a nursing home. As Katie is going through the attic, she finds a chest containing papers dating back to the Revolutionary War. A local historian is called to authenticate the documents. During the Revolutionary War, the same property is owned by tobacco farmer Justin Harris and his family. The Harris family is forced to make decisions related to their farm, becoming involved in the uprising against Britain and their slave Terrance.
I am a big fan of historical fiction - escpecially when the story is based on lesser known historical facts. The author deftly weaves together the present and past to create an engaging tale. History comes to life with real heart and thanks to this author's stories, the people who persevered are longer faceless cold facts in a long forgotten history book.
I listened to this book - the narrator did a wonderful job. He did various voices for the different characters and really made the story come alive.
This story is told by mixing a present day story of the owners of a property with flashbacks to the owners of the same property during the time of the Revolutionary War. Here, Katie has volunteered to help pack up her grandmother's house so that it can be sold and her grandmother moved to a nursing home. As Katie is going through the attic, she finds a chest containing papers dating back to the Revolutionary War. A local historian is called to authenticate the documents. During the Revolutionary War, the same property is owned by tobacco farmer Justin Harris and his family. The Harris family is forced to make decisions related to their farm, becoming involved in the uprising against Britain and their slave Terrance.
I am a big fan of historical fiction - escpecially when the story is based on lesser known historical facts. The author deftly weaves together the present and past to create an engaging tale. History comes to life with real heart and thanks to this author's stories, the people who persevered are longer faceless cold facts in a long forgotten history book.
I listened to this book - the narrator did a wonderful job. He did various voices for the different characters and really made the story come alive.
June 11, 2019
•audiobook•
Tales from a Revolution are a series a tales with settings scattered within the Thirteen Colonies. Each book is a stand alone tale centered in a little known town/village and how the war effected, impacted, or changed the way of life.
Lesser known historical facts are woven into or leading up to the more pivotal or History Class taught battles.
These are more than “A Day in the Life”. It’s heavy with emotion and turmoil.
The Declaration is a phenomenal book and, hands down, my favorite.
While cleaning the attic of the home of a deceased patriarch, Kate, in modern day, finds an aged newspaper which reported Mecklenburg County in North Carolina was the first to declare their Independence from England.
We travel between the 18th and 21st centuries and it unravels. The present includes realistic reactions from experts, professors, and media coverage.
This is a very entertaining book. It’s highly recommended for history enthusiasts and those who want a heart tugging deeper story with a dash of historical fiction.
Tales from a Revolution are a series a tales with settings scattered within the Thirteen Colonies. Each book is a stand alone tale centered in a little known town/village and how the war effected, impacted, or changed the way of life.
Lesser known historical facts are woven into or leading up to the more pivotal or History Class taught battles.
These are more than “A Day in the Life”. It’s heavy with emotion and turmoil.
The Declaration is a phenomenal book and, hands down, my favorite.
While cleaning the attic of the home of a deceased patriarch, Kate, in modern day, finds an aged newspaper which reported Mecklenburg County in North Carolina was the first to declare their Independence from England.
We travel between the 18th and 21st centuries and it unravels. The present includes realistic reactions from experts, professors, and media coverage.
This is a very entertaining book. It’s highly recommended for history enthusiasts and those who want a heart tugging deeper story with a dash of historical fiction.
September 1, 2021
This is a fascinating book. It really is two books with alternating chapters.
SPOILER ALERT -
In one "book", in the 21st century, a woman finds a truly historic document amongst her ancestors papers. This narrative is very compelling. I raises the always-longed-for lost treasure theme many of us have within our bones. The other "book" is the historical narrative of the American Revolution in South Carolina where the characters participate in history and then, unintentionally, leave behind the historic document for their distant descendant to discover in the 21st century. It all works out extremely well. My only wish was that the book was longer as I hated for it to end.
SPOILER ALERT -
In one "book", in the 21st century, a woman finds a truly historic document amongst her ancestors papers. This narrative is very compelling. I raises the always-longed-for lost treasure theme many of us have within our bones. The other "book" is the historical narrative of the American Revolution in South Carolina where the characters participate in history and then, unintentionally, leave behind the historic document for their distant descendant to discover in the 21st century. It all works out extremely well. My only wish was that the book was longer as I hated for it to end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2021
Historical Fiction
I enjoyed this story as the first part of a three book boxset.
I found this story to be fascinating and the historical facts to be very educational!
The narration was again wonderful, (this is the second book in this series that I've listened to) and I look forward to finishing this anthology and series!
The only thing missing in my opinion was a bit of romance and clarification on what the modern day father did for work.
I enjoyed this story as the first part of a three book boxset.
I found this story to be fascinating and the historical facts to be very educational!
The narration was again wonderful, (this is the second book in this series that I've listened to) and I look forward to finishing this anthology and series!
The only thing missing in my opinion was a bit of romance and clarification on what the modern day father did for work.
September 29, 2019
Audible:Excellent!The finding of a document among papers in an attic set the scene for a tale of past and present of one family both in the Revolutionary war and now.Shamaan Casey was a wonderful narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
December 30, 2022
I liked the historical fiction storyline. I wasn't as keen on the modern storyline, that felt forced, and took me out of the historical story I was enjoying. I will read more from this author. I like going back in time.
April 17, 2018
Disclaimer: our family used to be American Revolutionary War reenactors.
I thought that this was an excellent historical. The idea of a family of today finding a prewar document is possible, and the parallel voicing of today and then is very well done. The characters are interesting and engaging and quite believable. Good for nearly any age.
The choice of narrator is interesting, but as I loved listening to him that says it all.
I requested and received a free review copy.
I thought that this was an excellent historical. The idea of a family of today finding a prewar document is possible, and the parallel voicing of today and then is very well done. The characters are interesting and engaging and quite believable. Good for nearly any age.
The choice of narrator is interesting, but as I loved listening to him that says it all.
I requested and received a free review copy.
March 5, 2023
I loved this book! Well researched premise and sympathetic, believable characters. Looking forward to reading more from this author!
November 25, 2023
Excellent clean fiction. Excellent story. Enjoyed the character development and interaction.
July 23, 2014
Katie Harris, near modern day Charleston, is helping her grandmother clear her house in preparation for moving into a nursing home. Starting in the attic Katie finds an ancient trunk bearing the name ‘Elizabeth Harris.’ Inside she finds letters and documents dating to the Revolutionary period. An historian from the university arrives to authenticate them and uncovers an even more earth-shattering and plan changing discovery. Nearly two-hundred and fifty years earlier Justin Harris ekes a living on his tobacco farm on the same piece of land that Katie’s Gram occupies today, however, his dreams of peace and prosperity are haunted by the growing rebellion. Risking all by joining the Whigs’ cause, Justin earns a commendation for his heroism in defense of Charles Town, but it comes with hefty price.
This homey tale continues relating the stories of two generations of the Harris family separated by more than two centuries. Being a fan of both history and genealogy, this book had much appeal for me. I am also greatly enamored of Charleston and the Low Country in general, so all aspects of The Declaration were calling me. However, I must offer a constructive criticism: the dialogue is unconvincing. The characters never speak to one another without referring to each other by name. If a husband and wife are talking, how frequently do they call each other by their proper names? I was particularly bothered by the conversation of the slave, Terrance, who spoke like he had been educated at Eton and referred to Justin as “Mister Harris” instead of “Massa.” Ignoring the overly formal speech and the political correctness, Lar D.H. Hedbor’s Declaration is worthy of attention.
This homey tale continues relating the stories of two generations of the Harris family separated by more than two centuries. Being a fan of both history and genealogy, this book had much appeal for me. I am also greatly enamored of Charleston and the Low Country in general, so all aspects of The Declaration were calling me. However, I must offer a constructive criticism: the dialogue is unconvincing. The characters never speak to one another without referring to each other by name. If a husband and wife are talking, how frequently do they call each other by their proper names? I was particularly bothered by the conversation of the slave, Terrance, who spoke like he had been educated at Eton and referred to Justin as “Mister Harris” instead of “Massa.” Ignoring the overly formal speech and the political correctness, Lar D.H. Hedbor’s Declaration is worthy of attention.
July 22, 2018
This story is set in both the past and the present. We follow a present-day grandmother and granddaughter as they find a copy of an old paper up in their attic. It was kept safe for many generations and finding it has a huge impact on their lives.
We also follow the story of their ancestors during the time prior to the writing of the Mecklenburg Declaration. The colonists, due to the horrible treatment by the British troops, band together to fight back and protect their own. Our main character joins the Committee of Safety’s patrol. We get insight into the plight of his family and other colonists. We also get a glimpse into the hardships endured by the slaves on the tobacco plantations. Many colonists suffered injustices under the British, but many more slaves suffered by the hand of the British soldiers and the colonists.
I read / listen to a lot of historical fiction and I found it unique that the main family is not inserted into pivotal roles or conveniently by the side of those that made the Declaration. They are everyday people doing what they feel is right to survive. That makes this book read more like a historical biography than fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This is the first book I’ve listened to by this author and I will look for more! A lot of research went into this book.
Shamaan Casey did a great job voicing this book. Distinct voices were used for each character and the female voices were well done. He did everything from a young woman, to grandmother, to a deep voiced man. His cadence was very pleasant. I’d love to listen to another story by this narrator.
There are no explicit sex scenes, excessive violence or swearing.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review
We also follow the story of their ancestors during the time prior to the writing of the Mecklenburg Declaration. The colonists, due to the horrible treatment by the British troops, band together to fight back and protect their own. Our main character joins the Committee of Safety’s patrol. We get insight into the plight of his family and other colonists. We also get a glimpse into the hardships endured by the slaves on the tobacco plantations. Many colonists suffered injustices under the British, but many more slaves suffered by the hand of the British soldiers and the colonists.
I read / listen to a lot of historical fiction and I found it unique that the main family is not inserted into pivotal roles or conveniently by the side of those that made the Declaration. They are everyday people doing what they feel is right to survive. That makes this book read more like a historical biography than fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This is the first book I’ve listened to by this author and I will look for more! A lot of research went into this book.
Shamaan Casey did a great job voicing this book. Distinct voices were used for each character and the female voices were well done. He did everything from a young woman, to grandmother, to a deep voiced man. His cadence was very pleasant. I’d love to listen to another story by this narrator.
There are no explicit sex scenes, excessive violence or swearing.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews