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The British Are Coming: The Graphic Edition, Volume 1
Not yet published
Expected 2 Jun 26272 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 2, 2026
13 people want to read
About the author
Rick Atkinson
39 books1,850 followersRick Atkinson is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of seven works of history, including The Long Gray Line, the Liberation Trilogy (An Army at Dawn, The Day of Battle, and The Guns at Last Light), and The British Are Coming, the first volume of the Revolution Trilogy. His work as a historian and journalist has won numerous awards, including three Pulitzer Prizes.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you, NetGalley, for granting me a free digital copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
It’s been a minute since I listened to Rick Atkinson’s YA adaptation of The British Are Coming, and most of the books about this period that I’ve read in recent years have focused on the cultural and ideological side of the American Revolution. It was refreshing then to see a detailed timeline (as detailed as any graphic novel can be, anyway) about the early years of the war, when the odds were stocked against the Americans and defeat was only a heartbeat away. Atkinson regales many intense and unsavory moments often forgotten in our retellings, including the torching of villages (both loyalist and patriot), the doomed, grueling campaign to capture Quebec, and the 1776 liberation of Boston by Washington’s Continental Army. This first installment ends months before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and therefore doesn’t cover major moments like the Battle of Yorktown or the crossing of the Delaware River. Atkinson makes up for this with a focus on logistics (including maps), and by adding some shades of gray to the black-white narrative young people are often presented about the Revolution, including the refusal by many colonists to question slavery, and the early leadership of famed traitor Benedict Arnold.
What’s less clear is how The British Are Coming works as a graphic novel. The illustrations are fine, and they go a long way in conveying how arduous and miserable war can be, but the storytelling itself is somewhat scatterbrained and at times hard to follow. Most of the characters look alike, and often lines that should be written as narration or consigned to a thought bubble are presented as dialogue, typically delivered by background characters. I would recommend reading the physical book rather than the electronic version, since that will undoubtedly ease the flow a bit. Even still, the writing often fit awkwardly within the confines of a graphic novel.
3.5 stars
It’s been a minute since I listened to Rick Atkinson’s YA adaptation of The British Are Coming, and most of the books about this period that I’ve read in recent years have focused on the cultural and ideological side of the American Revolution. It was refreshing then to see a detailed timeline (as detailed as any graphic novel can be, anyway) about the early years of the war, when the odds were stocked against the Americans and defeat was only a heartbeat away. Atkinson regales many intense and unsavory moments often forgotten in our retellings, including the torching of villages (both loyalist and patriot), the doomed, grueling campaign to capture Quebec, and the 1776 liberation of Boston by Washington’s Continental Army. This first installment ends months before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and therefore doesn’t cover major moments like the Battle of Yorktown or the crossing of the Delaware River. Atkinson makes up for this with a focus on logistics (including maps), and by adding some shades of gray to the black-white narrative young people are often presented about the Revolution, including the refusal by many colonists to question slavery, and the early leadership of famed traitor Benedict Arnold.
What’s less clear is how The British Are Coming works as a graphic novel. The illustrations are fine, and they go a long way in conveying how arduous and miserable war can be, but the storytelling itself is somewhat scatterbrained and at times hard to follow. Most of the characters look alike, and often lines that should be written as narration or consigned to a thought bubble are presented as dialogue, typically delivered by background characters. I would recommend reading the physical book rather than the electronic version, since that will undoubtedly ease the flow a bit. Even still, the writing often fit awkwardly within the confines of a graphic novel.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The British Are Coming is a graphic novel that streamlines the early stages of the Revolutionary War. It opens with the Boston Tea Party and ends with the Continental Army reclaiming control of Boston. I found it to be an engaging and creative way to present history. As is common with graphic novels, the emphasis falls more on the illustrations than on lengthy narration. The book covers the essential events but does not go deeply into every detail.
It feels like a title designed for middle school and high school readers, offering a visually driven introduction to an important period in American history. For teenagers who may be reluctant to pick up a traditional history book, this format could be an accessible entry point. Ideally, the story sparks enough curiosity that young readers seek out more information about the events and figures of the Revolutionary War.
While I am clearly not the intended audience, I enjoyed the opportunity to absorb a quick, visually rich overview of the first phase of the conflict. My hope is that this book encourages more teenagers to take an interest in history and motivates them to explore the real events that shaped the nation. Thank you to NetGalley, Rick Atkinson, Clarkson Potter, and Ten Speed Press for a free advance copy for an honest review.
It feels like a title designed for middle school and high school readers, offering a visually driven introduction to an important period in American history. For teenagers who may be reluctant to pick up a traditional history book, this format could be an accessible entry point. Ideally, the story sparks enough curiosity that young readers seek out more information about the events and figures of the Revolutionary War.
While I am clearly not the intended audience, I enjoyed the opportunity to absorb a quick, visually rich overview of the first phase of the conflict. My hope is that this book encourages more teenagers to take an interest in history and motivates them to explore the real events that shaped the nation. Thank you to NetGalley, Rick Atkinson, Clarkson Potter, and Ten Speed Press for a free advance copy for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
So you think you know your American Revolution? Or are you just a big fan of Rick Atkinson? In either case, you are in for a treat with this volume! Nora Neus has teamed up with illustrator Federico Pietrobon to provide a graphic telling of the the opening section of Rick Atkinson's book The British are Coming!. They open with the Boston Tea Party and then graphically present British government policies and colonial reactions that led to Lexington, Concord, Bunker Hill, and beyond. Volume 1 also covers the invasion of Canada and the siege of Boston, ending in early 1776. The art is superb and the pace of the story flows nicely. This is a nice addition to any non-fiction graphic collection and a joy to read!
Thanks Netgalley and Ten Speed Graphic for the chance to read this title!
Thanks Netgalley and Ten Speed Graphic for the chance to read this title!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews