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Declaration: The Nine Tumultuous Weeks When America Became Independent, May 1-July 4, 1776
by
(American History) 9.5 x 6.5", hardcover, original jacket. First Edition, number line counts to 1. The rambunctious story of how America came to declare independence in Philadelphia in 1776. Fine/Fine condition.
Hardcover, 288 pages
Published
June 1st 2010
by Simon & Schuster
(first published 2010)
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Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
I think most people, when they think of the pre-Revolutionary days, are aware of two groups--those that supported independence and those that did not. But Hogeland shows how much more complex the real story was. There were those that wanted war with England leading to independence. There were those who wanted no war and no independence--the loyalists. But there were also those who wanted war but no independence--those who wanted reconciliation and thought that the system was ideal but that it wa
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Just when you think you know everything there is to know about the Declaration of Independence, along comes a book and author to set you straight. In the nine weeks that led up to the Declaration, there was a lot of turmoil and intrigue that included many famous characters such as John and Samuel Adams, Ben Franklin, Benjamin Rush and others, but also quite a few relatively obscure personalities, who still figured prominently in the drama that led up to the audacious and brave decision to sever
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Not quite what I was expecting when I read the title. Certainly, just by title alone the work is quite ambitious, as there's a lot that happens in those nine weeks before we officially declare independence. The book largely follows Philadelphia and events that occur for Pennsylvania specifically. I had hoped to read about the discussions that occurred in Congress leading up to Independence. Instead this book - not long at all - attempts to cover far too much, highlighting pieces that I feel coul
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In Declaration William Hogeland tells the untold story at the continental congress in which Samuel and John Adams completely negated Pennsylvania’s pro-reconciliation election results, isolated John Dickinson’s fervent espousal of rapprochement with England and persuaded the congress to declare independence. All in nine weeks. Had they failed Great Britain would have picked the colonies off one by one.
Well researched. Engaging read. Not nearly the clean process our high school history books lead us to believe. And particularly good at depicting the distinction between the desire for freedom and equality versus the drive for independence. Worth digging into the extensive notes provided at the end of the narrative.
My tradition of reading American history around July 4th... I learned more details and viewpoints about our forefathers. The “reconciliationists” almost overcame those for independence. It was close!
I had mixed feelings about this read. I really enjoy the idea behind the book: explain the ties between the restructuring of the Pennsylvania state government and the Declaration of Independence. I have read a great deal about the discussions and deliberations behind the production of the Declaration, but I knew very little about the radical overthrow of the chartered government led by John Dickinson. I am confident I am not the only person whose knowledge about that process is lacking, which is
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One of my favorite movies is 1776, the musical version of the events that took place in the Continental Congress from May through July 4, 1776. I've often wondered how accurate the positions taken by the characters in the film actually are. Certainly I am aware that much creative license was taken (i'm fairly certain that Edward Rutledge never spontaneously sang about the Atlantic slave trade during a Congressional sessio, for instance), but the idea of what occurred behind those closed doors ha
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A fine account of how "Philadelphia's radicals ... Once rank outsiders, with Samuel Adams's help, overturned one of the oldest legislative bodies in the English-speaking world."
It isn't quite the story I was looking for, which is OK, but the point of the book seems to be, "You need to know more about Philadelphia politics in the 1770s to understand American Independence." OK.
Gotta say, the stuff on Declaration dissenter John Dickinson is marvelous, and some of the snippets on Sam Adams and Ben ...more
It isn't quite the story I was looking for, which is OK, but the point of the book seems to be, "You need to know more about Philadelphia politics in the 1770s to understand American Independence." OK.
Gotta say, the stuff on Declaration dissenter John Dickinson is marvelous, and some of the snippets on Sam Adams and Ben ...more
This book reads like a novel and it is hard to put down. It is not really about the writing of the Declaration : it is about the conditions that led to the Declaration being ratified.And boy was it a close thing. The hero of the story is Samuel Adams the radical ringleader whose machinations set up conditions that put events in play.. He is joined by his more conservative but equally driven cousin John. They are aided by the brilliant propagandist Tom Paine who presents the concept of independen
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Hogeland offers a fascinating take on the emergence of the Declaration of Independence during nine frenetic weeks in May, June and July of 1776. He confines the action to Philadelphia, and focuses even more tightly on a handful of actors among them Samuel Adams and his allies in the Continental Congress, the reconciliationist John Dickinson of Pennsylvania, and an odd conferacy of radicals who successfully toppled Pennsylvania's charter legislature. Hogeland writes supportively of the pro-indepe
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A detailed snapshot of how thirteen colonies declared their independence from Great Britain in 1776. This relatively short book made for a nice Fourth of July read. The author is clearly more of a journalist than a historian (I really wish he had used his footnotes differently!) and is prone to utilizing a more modern vocabulary that somewhat displaces the story from the 18th century. Overall, though I enjoyed this book and learned a few unexpected things about how the Declaration of Independenc
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This book focuses on the political manueverings of Samuel Adams and his supporters to gain control of the constitutional convention and issue the Declaration of Independence. The main focus is on Adams attempt to overthrow the charter government of Pennsylvania in favor of a new one that would appoint Pro-independence representatives. Hogeland does a good job of representing John Dickenson as his honorable foe. Well written and effective yet austere. Good depth and still less than 300 pages.
I'd give it 3 1/2 if I could. Interesting to learn more about the pivotal role Samuel Adams played in securing a vote for breaking with England in 1776. Along the way, he threw his lot in with some real radicals...those wanting to give men without property the right to vote, those who believed in the rights of Native Americans and women, and other radicals like the disreputable Green Mountain man Ethan Allen. Proto-socialists helped the founding fathers (or were some of the founding fathers) ass
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This account of American Independence was alright, but not spectacular. I learned some things, particularly about John Dickinson of Pennsylvania, that I did not know, but I also felt the author spent too much time centered on him,and on the government of the Pennsylvania colony. Some portions were very interesting, and other parts seemed to drag. I'm not sorry I read it, but I don't think I would choose to read it again.
A short and lively presentation of the weeks before Philadelphia and the Declaration. Backroom politics at work. Scholars will no doubt wring their hands at the warts and all treatment of our founders but Hogeland has obviously done his research. A genuinely refreshing book that focuses on a period that tends to be ignored when studying the formation of the Declaration.
Covers the nine weeks leading up to the vote for Independence and the issuance of the now more famous Declaration. Details the complex movements warring for control of America ... Popularism, Proprietary rule, democracy vs republicanism, Paine vs Adams, etc. Nice to read as we head into learning about the Revolution this year.
Jul 13, 2010
Linda
added it
After seeing the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution at the National Archives, I bought this book and its store. It is a great historical read about the liberal and brilliant men who declared our independence on July 4, 1776. Thomas Paine was quite the thinker behind the movement. Written in narrative form, it is quite good. I love American history now.
I learned a lot from this book that I previously was unaware of regarding the Declaration of Independence and the major political players involved in the lead-up to the actual written document. Interesting book, quick read, a bit dry in spots but overall an enlightening read.
Aug 03, 2011
Bruce
added it
This was a very good read in the sense that I learned a lot of new things about the decision to declare independence from Great Britain. It amazed me how close it came to not happening. But the writing was not great. Overall I give it 3 Stars.
Philadelphia:
Working class revolution
Brings independence.
Working class revolution
Brings independence.
Declaration is a good summary of events and personailies leading to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Starts slow, but ends great. Really enjoyed reading this book!
May 30, 2010
F.C. Etier
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
anyone interested in today's politics
Reading to review for Blogcritics before July 4.
There is folk tales and there is the way it really happend. John Adams was not a friend to the common people.
Hogeland is out to prove that nothing in our Founding Era was easy and backroom politics was part of our government.
The rough and tumble of politics hasn't changed. Friends today are not friends tomorrow as the days lead up to the 2nd of July.
It was neat to read and learn new things about the singing and dancing Congress. I am seeing some of the Founding Fathers in a new (song-free) light.
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