Desperate Sons audiobook

This book covers the ten year period between the end of the French and Indian War and the start of the American Revolution. During that period, the British government tried to recoup some of there debt for protecting the colonies and their interests during the war. This was done by taxing the colonists. That we know from the history books. What this book explains, is the process by which the colonists resisted these taxes with the help of a radical group called the Sons of Liberty. Many cities in the colonies had bands of radicals during this time, but none so influential as the Sons led by Samuel Adams in Boston. He sparked the colonies into revolt against Britain, which led to our becoming a new nation.This is a very well-researched and well-written book that goes into detail of how those patriots decided to break away from the mother country. So much was learned by reading this book.

Article first published as Book Review:Desperate Sons: Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, John Hancock, and the Secret Bands of Radicals Who Led the Colonies to War by Les Standiford on Blogcritics. The History of our past and the beginnings of our liberty and freedom are a constant reminder of what it takes to make a strong America. Schools teach us the history in the fashion it has been taught for hundreds of years, yet there must be more. Who were these entrepreneurial men, ready to put their lives at stake in the pursuit of liberty?In Desperate Sons by Les Standiford, we are accorded a history of the radicals known as the Sons of Liberty, those who put their lives on the line in an effort to give the colonies the right to be a part of their own rule, and if that failed, find a way to gain their liberty from a nation that was intent on using them to build their coffers. The intrigues and ideal of this secret group of young men, begin as a few muttered concerns, but bring about the Revolution and the freedom and liberty of America as we know it. Some of the names are known for numerous reasons and often are accorded their place in history, Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, and John Hancock to name a few, but there was more to the depth of the accounts that stirred up the hornets’ nest that became a revolution. With both sides taking a strong stance, ego was a powerful weapon. When peace was a possibility it would take only the fire of incredulity to fan the breezes. Many of the actions and happenings are documented, other are just told from bits and pieces passed down through generations, but there is no doubt that the men between these pages had an incendiary part of the happenings of the fate of all those in the colonies during the time before revolution raised its head. Standiford has taken us on a journey into the past, into the very lives of the men we find most interesting. The organization and building of such a strong radical force took time and strong conviction, and Samuel Adams was full of both. With his other compatriots they set the stage for fairness, freedom and liberty. Unlike the histories from our early school years, Desperate Sons draws you in to the insidiousness of trade and taxation, and how it affected the early settlers. The consequences of such actions could not have been foretold as they came to happen. If you enjoy history and politics this is a must have for your library. Many of the concepts and ideas are well charted and organized. This would be an excellent book for a reading or discussion group. Be prepared to bring your arguments. This is a fascinating read, taking you to the depths of flame that still flickers to this day. The actions set in motion a finely crafted set of events the progressively lead to the American Revolution. This book was received free through the publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.

Because my family moved to Canada when I was a kid, my depth of knowledge of the American Revolution stopped at the Grade 4 level. Which was actually a great level, because it was all patriotism and good-looking guys with ponytails and nice calf muscles. Nathan Hale was like, my first pin-up idol.But in recent years I've tried to gain a more adult perspective on history. Although I now understand the Founders were humans, and have learned more about their faults and failings, I am still amazed by the the lengths to which they were willing to go to resist a government that they saw as despotic. But what I most admired was the fact that they organized themselves, and at every stage, set out their principles, or as they called them, their "Resolves," and submitted those facts to a candid world. But there was also some degree of intimidation and mob violence. I just wasn't knowledgeable about how much, or how people reacted to it at the time, so I chose this book."Desperate Sons" is a detailed recounting of the activities and beliefs of the Sons of Liberty, the ad hoc, loosely organized activists who helped propel the colonies into open rebellion against the Crown. Standiford provides a literally blow-by-blow account of the arguments, street fights, and assorted acts of civil disobedience which culminated in Lexington and Concord and the 'shot heard round the world.' He also presents the attitudes and reactions of the English so that the reader can understand the point of view of both sides in the conflict. This is not a comprehensive biography of Sam Adams. He basically appears, fully-grown and radicalized, in the narrative, so I may have to read more about this person who played such a pivotal role. The writing style is designed to place us squarely in the middle of the action. I particularly enjoyed following along with the midnight ride of Paul Revere.There is a comprehensive bibliography.

The best treatment of the pre-Revolution confrontations between Parliament and the Colonies that I have read, The collective Sons of Liberty are really explained in detail with appropriate background, Imminently readable even for the non-history buff, and gives excellent understanding of the events. It;\'s what we probably should have learned in American History when we went to school.

Forerunners of the Revolution StoryThis is the best book I have ever read on the people and events that led to the Revolution. The author puts together the events that led to the Revolution and tells the stories of those who led the movement. It is an easy to follow and is well-written.

It does an excellent job of relating those long ago events to contemporaneous events. Not in content but in the emotions they produced. It gives a real feel for what was going on in the streets. Gives a much needed perspective on what was going on then. It wasn't as Walt Disney portrayed it.

Great History!Very informative reading and an excellent job of reporting the truth about the beginning of the Revolution. Recommend to all history buffs! E

Great book. Very easy reading. Very informative. Learned a lot of things that weren't taught.

Of the many books I have read on the 1753 to 1815 time period, this excellent work by Les Standiford stands out. With compelling prose and an expert sequencing and pacing of events, the author had me hooked from the very beginning. I would have finished this in a single day had I picked it up in the morning rather than late afternoon. Standiford is not afraid to show the Sons of Liberty warts and all, and even mentions the historical vacillations of figures such as George Washington. There is good red meat in this short 312-page volume, though I would have enjoyed deeper background on attitudes driving opposition to the Stamp Act of 1765. This book should be read and enjoyed by all students of the era.

Good book about the resistance to British taxes and the buildup to Lexington and Concord.