Band of Giants

The Amateur Soldiers Who Won America's Independence

By: Jack Kelly

Narrated by: James C. Lewis

Jefferson, Adams, and Franklin are known to all; men like Morgan, Greene, and Wayne are less familiar. Yet the dreams of the politicians and theorists became real only because fighting men were willing to take on the grim, risky, brutal work of war. The soldiers of the American Revolution were a diverse lot: merchants and mechanics, farmers and fishermen, paragons and drunkards. Most were ardent amateurs. Even George Washington, assigned to take over the army around Boston in 1775, consulted books on military tactics.

Here, Jack Kelly vividly captures the fraught condition of the war - the bitterly divided populace, the lack of supplies, the repeated setbacks on the battlefield, and the appalling physical hardships. That these inexperienced warriors could take on and defeat the superpower of the day was one of the remarkable feats in world history.

©2014 Jack Kelly (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"[T]he writing is lively, and [Jack] offers a serious reminder of the brutality of the American Revolution." ( Publishers Weekly)

engagingly human

Beautifully written. informative. history that draws you in. I now have new revolutionary war heros.

in-depth, revealing of occurrences seldom taught

interesting information about battles, infighting, natives and the British. very compelling. very graphic. USA! USA! USA!

Dear freedom

What a remarkable book. It taught me the principles of freedom in the lives that were given to the freedom that I enjoy. We live in a time where I think a lot of that freedom is taken for granted. May I never forget it. May never forget.

Very powerful

We too often forget the men who helped shape this country. Jack Kelly does a great job capturing the realities of a soldiers life during the revolutionary war.

Great

I’ve listened 3 times. Never gets old. Always interesting and a learning experience. Thank you. The militias fought much more than talked about.