Rise to Rebellion: A Novel of the American Revolution
by Jeff Shaara

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Book Reviews of Rise to Rebellion: A Novel of the American Revolution

Book Review: Shaara works his way back to the start of the Revolution
Summary: 4 Stars

For Jeff Shaara his father's Pulitzer Prize winning novel "The Killer Angels" has been a twin edged sword. In writing a prequel ("Gods and Generals") and sequel ("The Last Full Measure") to Michael Shaara's story of the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as a story of the Mexican American War ("Gone for Soldiers"), Jeff Shaara has emulated his father's approach in focusing on a few key participants. However, in "The Killer Angels" not only was the focus on just four participants (Lee, Longstreet, Armistead and Chamberlain), the event being covered was a three-day battle. My main complaint with Jeff Shaara's books is the conceit is stretched too thin; we move from significant event to significant event to catch the highpoints. Reading "Rise to Rebellion" reminds me of going back and rereading my favorite parts of a beloved novel. The ebb and flow of the times are lost and it seems like everything is at high tide from start to finish.

Please do not take this to mean that I did not enjoy the novel and am not recommending it to those interested in historical fiction in general or this time period in particular. "Rise to Rebellion" is a fine read and I really feel I have learned more about the people and the period. Certainly I developed a better sense for how the myopic views of the British government facilitated the spirit of rebellion. However, I think I would have enjoyed a book using this format that had focused just on Lexington/Concord or on the debate over the Declaration of Independence (yes, I am a big fan of "1776"). Ultimately, because so much is covered in "Rise to Rebellion," I feel a bit disappointed. There is so much more to learn about not only these four major characters but also the supporting figures, such as Abigail Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who have but a brief scene or two on Shaara's stage. So, while I am waiting for the second half of Shaara's saga to be published, I think I will finally get around to devouring that biography of John Adams that has been doing well.

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