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Derek W. Beck
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Igniting the American Revolution: 1773-1775 Hardcover – October 6, 2015

by Derek W. Beck (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 104 ratings
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"For those who like their history rich in vivid details, Derek Beck has served up a delicious brew in this book....This may soon become everyone's favorite." ―Thomas Fleming, author of Liberty! The American Revolution

A sweeping, provocative new look at the pivotal years leading up to the American Revolution

The Revolutionary War did not begin with the Declaration of Independence, but several years earlier in 1773. In this gripping history, Derek W. Beck reveals the full story of the war before American independence-from both sides.

Spanning the years 1773-1775 and drawing on new material from meticulous research and previously unpublished documents, letters, and diaries, Igniting the American Revolution sweeps readers from the rumblings that led to the Boston Tea Party to the halls of Parliament-where Ben Franklin was almost run out of England for pleading on behalf of the colonies-to that fateful Expedition to Concord which resulted in the shot heard round the world. With exquisite detail and keen insight, Beck brings revolutionary America to life in all its enthusiastic and fiery patriotic fervor, painting a nuanced portrait of the perspectives, ambitions, people, and events on both the British and the American sides that eventually would lead to the convention in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776.

Captivating, provocative and inspiring, Igniting the American Revolution is the definitive history of these landmark years in our nation's history, whose events irrevocably altered the future not only of the United States and England, but the whole world.

" Integrating compelling personalities with grand strategies, political maneuverings on both sides of the Atlantic, and vividly related incidents, Igniting the American Revolution pulls the reader into a world rending the British Empire asunder." – Samuel A. Forman, author of the biography Dr. Joseph Warren

Previous page
  1. Print length
    480 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Sourcebooks
  4. Publication date
    October 6, 2015
  5. Dimensions
    6.25 x 1.25 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1492613959
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1492613954
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

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"Air Force officer and debut author Beck evidently relishes his subject, and he gives a fully fleshed portrait of the major patriots, both American and British...Beck's description of the "spreading flames of rebellion" and the taking of the forts at Crown Point and Ticonderoga is as engaging as fiction. A knowledgeable, elegant account full of elaborate depictions, complete with a thorough bibliography." - Kirkus

"Recommended for history lovers, those who want a refresher on the American Revolution, and those who enjoy quality nonfiction." - STARRED Library Journal

"It is in the clear, engaging telling of a complex story that Igniting the American Revolution by Derek W. Beck stands out. Rather than telling a heroic tale of heroic Patriots defying a tyrannical monarchy, Beck shows us the well-meaning efforts of participants on both sides to take what they believed to be just and legal courses of action. " - Journal of the American Revolution

"This is a good light read for those new to the subject and willing to continue with the series." - Historical Novel Society

About the Author

Award-winning author Derek W. Beck has always had a passion for military history, which inspired him to start his career in the U.S. Air Force. He has served as an officer on Active Duty in science roles and in space operations. In 2005, he earned a Master of Science degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he also fell in love with Boston's revolutionary past. To more fully pursue writing, he later transitioned to the Air Force Reserves, though he still remains quite active, presently holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Derek's first book, Igniting the American Revolution: 1773-1775, was published in October 2015 by Sourcebooks. When not working on future history books, Derek is a frequent contributor to the online Journal of the American Revolution. You can follow or connect with him through his website at www.derekbeck.com.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sourcebooks; First Edition, First Printing (October 6, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 480 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1492613959
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1492613954
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.48 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1.25 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 104 ratings

About the author

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Derek W. Beck

Derek W. Beck

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Derek W. Beck has always had a passion for military history, which inspired him to begin his career in the U.S. Air Force. He has served on Active Duty as a science officer and a space operations officer. In 2005, he earned a Master of Science degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he also fell in love with Boston’s revolutionary past. To more fully pursue writing, he later transitioned to the Air Force Reserves, though he still remains quite active, presently holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and is the recipient of numerous medals and awards for his achievements, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. When not working on future history books, Derek is a frequent contributor to the online Journal of the American Revolution. You can follow or connect with him through his website at www.derekbeck.com.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
104 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

vladb
5.0 out of 5 stars An even more detailed account of 1774-1775 in Boston than "Paul Revere's Ride"
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2016
Verified Purchase
"Paul Revere's Ride" by David Hackett Fischer has been the definitive popular history of Lexington & Concord since 1995. To the question of "Do we really need another such account?", the answer is an unequivocal "yes", especially for Revolution buffs like myself who live in the Boston area. Derek Beck's new work is an interesting and useful update, providing more insight, more British perspective, and drawing on further research and analysis from the last 15 years. His artful and descriptive prose is at times almost novelistic, and yet he's always careful to separate known events from tradition and myth. The Gunpowder, Portsmouth, and Salem alarms are all covered at the level of detail I haven't read before. The military intelligence side of the events is also very well explained. Many primary sources (again, with more emphasis on the British side than usual) are skilfully integrated into the narrative. This is a great read for anyone interested in the subject, including those who have seen the atrocious "Sons of Liberty" miniseries and would like to learn the facts, according to the latest research available. The audible version is also quite good.
9 people found this helpful
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Robert Charlier
5.0 out of 5 stars Can't wait to read his next book...and then his next
Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2018
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While vacationing in Wolfeboro New Hampshire I visited The Country Bookseller and purchased The War Before Independence. Then I realized that the author previously published Igniting the American Revolution. I could never read the second book first! So, I also purchased his first book. It is a wonderful book. It is narrative history that reminds me of Page Smith’s work. It is very detailed yet not in a tedious way. I liked the impartiality of the author. I pitied the British soldiers as they were picked off by the militiamen on their long march back to Boston. Ammi White’s act was disturbing to say the least. I was relieved when General Percy arrived. Deacon Joseph Adams was the minuteman that abandoned his wife and family, in a minute. Luckily he married a brave woman. Derek Beck introduces you to these colorful minor historical characters that makes the book read like a novel. When you read the book, refer to the notes or you will miss out on some very interesting historical pearls.
I am not a historian though history is all I read. I wasted my educational years studying pharmacy. I am tired of historians denigrating our history. Our history is something all Americans should all be proud of. Howard Zinn, rest in peace. Lieutenant colonel Beck, thank you for your service and thank you for this book.
p.s. Mr. Robison, please read the preface before criticizing the author.
9 people found this helpful
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Steven Peterson
4.0 out of 5 stars Leading to Revolution. . . .
Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2016
Verified Purchase
A view of the pre-Revolution events that led to the Revolution. . . . This book covers the period from 1773-1775. These years began to provide the momentum for Revolution.

This book does a very fine job of providing detailed discussion of key events. We have all heard of the Boston Tea Party. The volume provides a great deal of information about this. We learned of the decision making process and the role of Boston's leaders. The background of the Party is nicely told.

The march of the British forces to Lexington and then Concord, the ultimate target, to take colonial armaments. Much detail; one gets a very good perspective on the background for English General Gage's decision to move ahead. We learn of the role of the colonials' responses to the mission of the infantry as they marched toward Concord. Then the bloody retreat of the British troops, as they moved toward the safety of Boston.

Aftermath? A siege of Boston by colonial militia and the resulting logistical problems. Side stories include the roles of the Green Mountain Boys and Benedict Arnold in taking Fort Ticonderoga and the potential of its artillery and powder.

In the end, a well constructed work. . . .
11 people found this helpful
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M
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellant
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2015
Verified Purchase
This book was a nice relaxing read. At the same time it provided a very good history lesson. In all the history classes I've been to and documentaries I've seen on the subject I was shocked at how uniformed I was until I read this book. The research and the writing of this book was top of the line. I have pre-ordered Derek Beck's next book and look forward to others in the future.
4 people found this helpful
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Andrew Van Genderen
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding original research, distilled into clear, concise language ...
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2016
Verified Purchase
Outstanding original research, distilled into clear, concise language that is as engaging as it is informative. The footnotes and appendices alone make this book worth scholarly attention, but the narrative is compelling and artful, supported by many primary sources in the form of hitherto unpublished journals and letters. Readable and illuminating; the reader can't help but turn the page.
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Stephanie Corwin
5.0 out of 5 stars Very detailed and engaging
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2017
Verified Purchase
Though the author occasionally takes some imaginative license, the historian always acknowledges it. The details are fantastic, allowing one to understand much more intimately and deeply what happened and how in the lead-up and immediate aftermath to "the shot heard round the world".
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Rick Klemenc
4.0 out of 5 stars a good read
Reviewed in Canada on April 14, 2019
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