John K. Alexander

This is a perfect book for historians.
It features many informative details, over and over so intent is not missed.

The back and forth on the committee meetings go on nearly forever with the same boring non resolutions.
Comprehensive, yes; but, very slow moving.

The Tea Act and Continental Congresses pep things up.

Intriguing quote: "With the new grievance of military occupation,
the harsh tone on the June 1768 indictment gave way in June 1969 to undisguised, sarcastic viciousness." Go Samuel.

Adams' pledges to Native Americans rang "hollow." Very unfortunate,
as was his not including the end of slavery, which he hated, in any of the Constitutions or Bill of Rights.

Why he didn't get someone to help him with tax collecting is never explained.
Contrasts between Samuel Adams stance on virtue and John Hancock's dissolute city are illuminating.

Also, there are parts missing in the chronology: When did he suddenly end up a Governor?
When and where did all the colonies suddenly unite and ll decide to arm for War?

"He put his political opponents on the defensive and hammered them." Hello Bobby Kennedy!… (meer)

Samuel Adams: The Life of an American Revolutionary by John K. Alexander

★ ★ ½

Samuel Adams is sometimes said to be one of our Founding Fathers of the United States. From early on in his life, he was a huge proponent of freedom and not just of the country but religious freedom, educational freedom (education for ALL, not just rich, white males), and freedom of people (freedom from slavery). He was ahead of his time and considered a radical of the period. He was deemed as one of the first politicians of the new United States who would continue to fight for rights and freedom for all until the end of his life in 1803.

This book is full of information, I mean REALLY full of information. It’s a lot to take in. On the information and detail alone, this book would get a much higher rating. It’s the presentation and it’s dryness that drops my rating for this book significantly. I haven’t read such a dry book since my years in college. The American Revolution was a time of struggle and battles and yet this author even makes those sections of the book a snoozefest. The author has a pesky habit of repeating himself…over and over again. For instance, did you know the Samuel Adams believed that the British couldn’t establish their laws and taxes on the U.S. because the U.S. couldn’t properly be counted in voting and meetings since they were so far away? I did..since the author pointed it out at least a couple dozen times within the first half of the book alone. Just too bland and dry for me, and that’s coming from a girl with a huge passion for all this history. Definitely not a light read. I give myself a high-five for finishing this book – even if it did take me over 3 weeks.

… (meer)