No event in American history was more pivotal-or more furiously contested-than Congress's decision to declare independence in July 1776. Even months after American blood had been shed at Lexington and Concord; many colonists remained loyal to Britain. John Adams; a leader of the revolutionary effort; said bringing the fractious colonies together was like getting "thirteen clocks to strike at once." Other books have been written about the Declaration; but no author has traced the political journey from protest to Revolution with the narrative scope and flair of John Ferling. Independence takes readers from the cobblestones of Philadelphia into the halls of Parliament; where many sympathized with the Americans and furious debate erupted over how to deal with the rebellion. Independence is not only the story of how freedom was won; but how an empire was lost. At this remarkable moment in history; high-stakes politics was intertwined with a profound debate about democracy; governance; and justice. John Ferling; drawing on a lifetime of scholarship; brings this passionate struggle to life as no other historian could. Independence will be hailed as the finest work yet from the author Michael Beschloss calls "a national resource."
#1889160 in Books University Press of Mississippi 2010-07-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.02 x .76 x 5.98l; 1.14 #File Name: 1604737530336 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Views to ComprehendBy fredric leighI read an earlier edition several years ago. Later I gave books to three Kru men from the area _ they appreciated the gift and what it meant for their understanding. I bought this edition for a Kru woman who knows these three Kru men. She did not want to read it. I do not know why. Perhaps her suffering during the war years affected her differently.Now I have an older and newer version of the story. (smiles) Not much was new.Settling in Liberia and the subsequent dominance of the settler class is not the most profound story in this book. That reality is told well elsewhere. What is shamefully profound and still telling today is the account of family members who wanted to ignore the will and oppose the daughter that they might profit from enslavement and hold on to privilege. Redistricting; voter ID initiatives are the legacy of the shameful.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Awesome slave history from Africa to The U.S. And back to Liberia; Africa and back to the U.S.- must readBy Philip ThompsonOutstanding historical perspective of one man's ownership of slaves in Mississippi and his intent to free them so that they could emigrate to Liberia. One greedy member of his family took legal action to discredit the Will. The migration to Liberia was not well planned and filled with significant issues threatening the survival of the immigrants. Just an awesome story!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Wow! just Wow!By JoelI now live in this part of Mississippi and was very familiar with all the places around Port Gibson and Jefferson County. This book has filled in so many blanks and enriched my knowledge of the area. I wasn't able to put it down. I am reading it for the second time now. I love southern writers! so easy to read yet still rich in detail!
