Americans know about the Boston Tea Party and “the shot heard ’round the world;†but sixteen months divided these two iconic events; a period that has nearly been lost to history. The Spirit of '74 fills in this gap in our nation’s founding narrative; showing how in these mislaid months; step by step; real people made a revolution. After the Tea Party; Parliament not only shut down a port but also revoked the sacred Massachusetts charter. Completely disenfranchised; citizens rose up as a body and cast off British rule everywhere except in Boston; where British forces were stationed. A “Spirit of ’74†initiated the American Revolution; much as the better-known “Spirit of ’76†sparked independence. Redcoats marched on Lexington and Concord to take back a lost province; but they encountered Massachusetts militiamen who had trained for months to protect the revolution they had already made. The Spirit of ’74 places our founding moment in a rich and new historical context; both changing and deepening its meaning for all Americans.
#252920 in Books 2015-02-10 2015-02-10Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 1.16 x 6.32l; 1.25 #File Name: 1616149604336 pages
Review
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating history from the Civil War to Little BighornBy RichardAs a reader of Western U.S. history; entwined with some Civil War interest; I found “Thieve’s Road†on a par with the lecturing of my very best college history professors. The book delivers an array of hard facts; woven with engaging comments and inquiring prose into a much better understanding of post-Civil War America – and the role of the Army within a depression torn and gold hungry America. I never knew the extent of so many “Gilded Age†events and attitudes leading to Custer’s disaster at Little Bighorn. Having toured Gettysburg and appreciating the leadership of many dedicated officers – including George Armstrong Custer – I had never been able to reconcile Custer’s largely successful and colorful career with his June; 1876 catastrophe. I now appreciate a much more nuanced view of the 11 years from the end of the Civil War to the end of Custer.From the nitty-gritty of Army and Indian life to politics and corruption at all levels...from the selling of railroad bonds to the ultimate plight of most Indians...from the non-treaty Indians to those on the reservation...from the Lakota to other Sioux... from smallpox to bad doctoring... from Custer's prose and PR...to Sheridan to Sherman to Grant...and the naming of Bismarck - and the Thieve's Road......It is fact filled; most interesting and fascinating non-fiction. I recommend this new history of America - from the end of the Civil War (and a bit before) to Little Bighorn.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Very good information and for the most part avoids a lot ...By dakotaspikeVery good information and for the most part avoids a lot of opinions rather than facts. Some times he gets a little tedious repeating the same assumptions over and over; as if to justify his point to himself. Seems to be well researched .0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent; well sourced and enjoyable read.By CustomerExcellent; very well sourced; organized and annotated description of the economic and social pressures around the exploration and subsequent settlement of the Black Hills before the death of Custer at Little Big Horn.
