Bunker Hill

A City, a Siege, a Revolution

By: Nathaniel Philbrick

Narrated by: Chris Sorensen

Length: 12 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

The best-selling author of In the Heart of the Sea, Mayflower, and In the Hurricane's Eye tells the story of the Boston battle that ignited the American Revolution, in this "masterpiece of narrative and perspective" (Boston Globe).

In the opening volume of his acclaimed American Revolution series, Nathaniel Philbrick turns his keen eye to pre-Revolutionary Boston and the spark that ignited the American Revolution. In the aftermath of the Boston Tea Party and the violence at Lexington and Concord, the conflict escalated and skirmishes gave way to outright war in the Battle of Bunker Hill. It was the bloodiest conflict of the revolutionary war, and the point of no return for the rebellious colonists. Philbrick gives us a fresh view of the story and its dynamic personalities, including John Adams, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere, and George Washington. With passion and insight, he reconstructs the revolutionary landscape - geographic and ideological - in a mesmerizing narrative of the robust, messy, blisteringly real origins of America.

©2013 Nathaniel Philbrick (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Masterly.... Philbrick tells the complex story superbly." (Wall Street Journal)

"A masterpiece of narrative and perspective...." (Boston Globe)

"You will delight in the story and the multitude of details Philbrick offers up." (USA Today)

Philbrick brings it to life

Vignettes of life and relationships are masterfully woven throughout. The backdrop of martial intrigue takes on a new relevance lacking in my schoolboy imaginings.

Excellent Narrative of The Period

The Battle of Bunker Hill. Most Americans have heard of this famous battle. June 17, 1775, the British forces led by General William Howe attacked the newly fortified Colonial position on Breed’s Hill and were repulsed on the first two attempts. On the third attempt the Colonial forces were finally forced to pull back due to lack of powder. The battle was not a large battle, fewer than 6,000 soldiers were involved. This would have been considered barely a skirmish in Europe. Yet this fight lives on in American legend.

Nathaniel Philbrick turns his talent to the story of this famous battle. He starts the book well before the events of that fateful day. He recounts the struggles between the colonial population and the British government over issues such as taxation. He gives a lot of detail about the nature and use of mob violence in colonial world. Philbrick spends a lot of time on this subject. He paints a rather terrifying spectacle of these mobs. One of the stories he relates is of an outspoken supporter of government policy who is taken from his home, dragged through the town, tarred, feathered, beaten, and almost hanged before the crowd is through with him.

There are two prominent characters in this book that we don’t hear enough about today: Joseph Warren and Samuel Adams. These were the two primary leaders in the anti-government movement. Samuel Adams, the elder of the two was a well known rabble rouser. He understood how to work the crowds and to use every situation to his advantage. Joseph Warren was one of the most respected physicians in Boston. He was also dedicated to the cause of liberty. He was, by all accounts, a great orator and a tireless worker on behalf of the cause. Philbrick spends a lot of time speculating as to whether he fathered a child by a maid. This may be the weakest part of the book. It really doesn’t matter whether or not Warren fathered this child and it does nothing to tell the story.

A good amount of the book deals with the lead up to the British march on Lexington and Concord, and with the actual fights on that April day. I was not aware of the British atrocities committed on the retreat to Boston until I read this book. Many of the dead Americans were civilians who were simply murdered by the British who were enraged over being forced to retreat.

Philbrick spends a lot of time on the battle itself. The main part of the battle was actually fought on Breed’s Hill, not Bunker Hill. The colonial forces were supposed to fortify Bunker Hill, but went to far forward and dug in to a less defensible position on Breed’s Hill. The British success drove the colonial forces off of Breed’s Hill and then Bunker Hill. It was in the defense of Breed’s Hill that Joseph Warren has killed. His loss was felt strongly by all who knew him.

Philbrick is a very good writer and knows how to keep the narrative flowing. He has found a lot of interesting stories and a lot of interesting characters. This is an easy to read, enjoyable book that can read with little or no background knowledge of the subject.

Riveting.

Slow start and the reader isn't quite as good as valiant ambition but it gathers steam and the end is unputdownable. The characters and the action comes to life. Brilliant if the revolutionary war is of any interest to you at all

Well written history of the start of the American

This is a good, well - written book about a part of American history that very few of us know much about. they are very few movies or TV programs about this era, even though it has a tremendous impact on us today. I've been stepping through American history starting with some of the Indian wars, through the French and Indian war, and now the American revolution. I know it's trendy too magnify the role of women and minorities in our history, but I'd rather hear about what happened without having to put labels on everyone.

Very informative

this was one of the most informative books of that time i have read. And it was easy to listen to, not boring and dull. very enjoyable. Learned a lot.

Well supported historic presented compellingly

Really interesting dive into a specific place, time and people that led to the beginning of the American Revolution. Lots of food for thought, highly recommend.

Great Story enjoyed it

Enjoyed listening to this book and learning. Narrator seems to belong here. descriptive information but not over the top

Excellent history

If you are really interested in history you will really appreciate this book. I had not thought about what an unruly bunch our founding fathers were. This is a very interesting, well researched and presented book that explains the various people and events that lead to the American Revolution. It is kind of scary to think how far our country has strayed from their ideals, although the author doesn't go there, he just gives us the unvarnished facts. The David McCullough book "1776" picks up where this book leaves off and it is a must read after finishing this one.

Entertaining and Insightful

I enjoyed this book immensely. Though when I downloaded it, I expected it to be historical fiction (it wasn't), the author wove in many cases personal details about the historical figures associated with the beginning of the American Revolution in such a way that it almost read as a novel.
This narrator is superb, as well! He has a great tone of voice - nothing droll and monotonous as one might expect from a narrator for this genre.

Excellent!

Another thorough exploration and analysis of the origins in Boston of the revolution in the Americas.