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Lion of Liberty
- Patrick Henry and the Call to a New Nation
- Narrated by: William Hughes
- Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins
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Publisher's summary
Known to generations of Americans for his stirring call to arms, “Give me liberty or give me death,” Patrick Henry is all but forgotten today as the first of the Founding Fathers to call for independence, the first to call for revolution, and the first to call for a bill of rights. If Washington was the “Sword of the Revolution” and Jefferson, “the Pen”, Patrick Henry more than earned his epithet as “the Trumpet” of the Revolution for rousing Americans to arms in the Revolutionary War. Henry was one of the towering figures of the nation’s formative years and perhaps the greatest orator in American history.
To this day, many Americans misunderstand what Patrick Henry’s cry for “liberty or death” meant to him and to his tens of thousands of devoted followers in Virginia. A prototype of the 18th- and 19th-century American frontiersman, Henry claimed individual liberties as a “natural right” to live free of “the tyranny of rulers”—American, as well as British. Henry believed that individual rights were more secure in small republics than in large republics, which many of the other Founding Fathers hoped to create after the Revolution.
Henry was one of the most important and colorful of our Founding Fathers—a driving force behind three of the most important events in American history: the War of Independence, the enactment of the Bill of Rights, and, tragically, as America’s first important proponent of states’ rights, the Civil War.
Harlow Giles Unger, a former distinguished visiting fellow in American history at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, is a veteran journalist, broadcaster, educator, and historian. His books include The Last Founding Father and four other biographies of America’s Founding Fathers, plus many more. He lives in New York.
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From the author of the acclaimed history The Island at the Center of the World, an intimate new epic of the American Revolution that reinforces its meaning for today. With America's founding principles being debated today as never before, Russell Shorto looks back to the era in which those principles were forged. Drawing on new sources, he weaves the lives of six people into a seamless narrative that casts fresh light on the range of experience in colonial America on the cusp of revolution.
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An inspiring book
- By Frank on 08-27-18
By: Russell Shorto
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George Washington
- The Wonder of the Age
- By: John Rhodehamel
- Narrated by: Joe Barrett
- Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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As editor of the award-winning Library of America collection of George Washington's writings and a curator of the great man's original papers, John Rhodehamel has established himself as an authority of our nation's preeminent founding father. Rhodehamel examines George Washington as a public figure, arguing that the man - who first achieved fame in his early twenties - is inextricably bound to his mythic status.
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Not what I expected for an unabridged book
- By David Osborne Jr. on 04-13-17
By: John Rhodehamel
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James Madison
- A Life Reconsidered
- By: Lynne Cheney
- Narrated by: Eliza Foss
- Length: 18 hrs and 37 mins
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A major new biography of the fourth US president, from New York Times best-selling author Lynne Cheney. James Madison was a true genius of the early republic, the leader who did more than any other to create the nation we know today. This majestic new biography tells his story. Outwardly reserved, Madison was the intellectual driving force behind the Constitution. His visionary political philosophy was a crucial factor behind the Constitution’s ratification, and his political savvy was of major importance in getting the new government underway.
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Great man, great ideas, muddling book
- By NDFletch on 06-13-15
By: Lynne Cheney
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The Sons of Liberty: The Lives and Legacies of John Adams, Samuel Adams, Paul Revere and John Hancock
- By: Charles River Editors
- Narrated by: Chris Brinkley
- Length: 4 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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For over 200 years, Americans have been fascinated by the Revolutionary period and the patriots who led the growing resistance movement against British authority. In particular, the clandestine activities of Boston's Sons of Liberty in the decade before the war continue to be a source of both intrigue and mystery. The Sons of Liberty chronicles the amazing lives and careers of the four most famous members of the Sons of Liberty, examines their relationships before and during the Revolution, and analyzes their lasting legacies. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Samuel Adams, John Adams, Paul Revere and John Hancock like you never have before.
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it should be required reading in our high schools.
- By Amazon Customer on 04-05-17
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Lone Star Nation
- How a Ragged Army of Courageous Volunteers Won the Battle for Texas Independence
- By: H.W. Brands
- Narrated by: Don Leslie
- Length: 17 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
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Lone Star Nation is the gripping story of Texas' precarious journey to statehood, from its early colonization in the 1820s to the shocking massacres of Texas loyalists at the Alamo and Goliad by the Mexican army, from its rough-and-tumble years as a land overrun by the Comanches to its day of liberation as an upstart republic.
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Texas: From Spanish colony to statehood
- By Brian Shivers on 04-06-05
By: H.W. Brands
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The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution: 1763-1789
- By: Robert Middlekauff
- Narrated by: Robert Fass
- Length: 26 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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The first book to appear in the illustrious Oxford History of the United States, this critically-acclaimed volume - a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize - offers an unsurpassed history of the Revolutionary War and the birth of the American republic.
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Strong History Rich With Behind The Scenes Details
- By John on 10-06-11
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Ethan Allen
- His Life and Times
- By: Willard Sterne Randall
- Narrated by: Mark Whitten
- Length: 18 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
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The long-awaited biography of the frontier Founding Father whose heroic actions and neglected writings inspired an entire generation, from Paine to Madison. On May 10, 1775, in the storm-tossed hours after midnight, Ethan Allen, the Revolutionary firebrand, was poised for attack. With only two boatloads of his scraggly band of Vermont volunteers having made it across the wind-whipped waters of Lake Champlain, he was waiting for the rest of his Green Mountain boys to arrive....
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There were parts that were really good.
- By Michael on 11-11-13
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A Disease in the Public Mind
- A New Understanding of Why We Fought the Civil War
- By: Thomas Fleming
- Narrated by: William Hughes
- Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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By the time his body hung from the gallows for his crimes at Harper’s Ferry, abolitionists had made John Brown a "holy martyr" in the fight against Southern slave owners. But Northern hatred for Southerners had been long in the making. Northern rage was born of the conviction that New England, whose spokesmen and militia had begun the American Revolution, should have been the leader of the new nation. Instead, they had been displaced by Southern "slavocrats" like Thomas Jefferson. And Northern envy only exacerbated the South’s greatest fear: race war.
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Listen skeptically, but still listen
- By David on 04-01-21
By: Thomas Fleming
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Jefferson and Hamilton
- The Rivalry That Forged a Nation
- By: John Ferling
- Narrated by: Bo Foxworth
- Length: 18 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
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The decade of the 1790s has been called the "age of passion". Fervor ran high as rival factions battled over the course of the new republic - each side convinced that the other's goals would betray the legacy of the Revolution so recently fought and so dearly won. All understood as well that what was at stake was not a moment's political advantage, but the future course of the American experiment in democracy. In this epochal debate, no two figures loomed larger than Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton.
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Brilliant
- By Laird Williams on 05-10-23
By: John Ferling
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Born in 1736, Patrick Henry was an attorney and a planter and an outstanding orator in the movement for independence. A contemporary of Washington, Henry stood with John and Samuel Adams among the leaders of the colonial resistance to Great Britain that ultimately created the United States. The first governor of Virginia after independence, he was reelected several times. After declining to attend the Constitutional Convention of 1787, Henry opposed the Constitution, arguing that it granted too much power to the central government.
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Long awaited biography of Patrick Henry
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It's not Unger's fault
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Ellis is a known liar
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WE GET IT! HE'S A "KNIGHT"
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The first vice president to become president on the death of the incumbent, John Tyler (1790-1862) was derided by critics as "His Accidency." In this biography of the 10th president, Edward P. Crapol challenges depictions of Tyler as a die-hard advocate of states' rights, limited government, and a strict interpretation of the Constitution. Instead, he argues, Tyler manipulated the Constitution to increase the executive power of the presidency. Crapol also highlights Tyler's faith in America's national destiny and his belief in boundless territorial expansion.
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Terrible book :( Incredibly TEDIOUS.
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Narrator Too Robotic
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1777
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In the autumn of 1777, near Saratoga, New York, an inexperienced and improvised American army led by General Horatio Gates faced off against the highly trained British and German forces led by General John Burgoyne. The British strategy in confronting the Americans in upstate New York was to separate rebellious New England from the other colonies.
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Very Interesting & Factual
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Madison's Gift
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Short, plain, balding, neither soldier nor orator, low on charisma and high on intelligence, Madison cared more about achieving results than taking the credit. To reach his lifelong goal of a self-governing constitutional republic, he blended his talents with those of key partners. It was Madison who led the drive for the Constitutional Convention and pressed for an effective new government as his patron George Washington lent the effort legitimacy.
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Excellent history of our nation's founding
- By JJay on 02-23-15
By: David Stewart
What listeners say about Lion of Liberty
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- David I. Williams
- 05-13-13
A Decent Book on an Amazing Character
Patrick Henry is one of those characters in history that many people know his name, but know little about him. Many are familiar with the line from his famous speech where he declared "Give me liberty or give me death." Few know much more about him. Harlow Giles Unger has set out to change that. In the past Unger has written about James Monroe and John Quincy Adams. In this book he turns his attention to Patrick Henry. Henry was not like a lot of his Virginia colleagues. He was not born to a wealthy planter. After failing at a few business ventures he finally took up the study of law. Before long he had established himself as a well respected attorney. Henry's strong appeal was his common sense and his love of liberty. He was a radical long before it was popular.
He was married twice. He had six children with his first wife and twelve more with his second. Many in his own time joked that he was the true father of his country. Henry was a man who believed in personal liberty. The belief was so strong that he opposed the ratification of the Constitution. Like many in his age he feared the dangers that a strong national government posed. He particularly feared the lack of a Bill of Rights in the Constitution. He was not happy that the Constitution was ratified, but he refused to oppose the new government.
Unger is an entertaining writer. If he has one major flaw it is to take the side of his subject a little too freely. In his biography of Monroe he felt the need to downplay the importance of John Quincy Adams. In his biography of Adams he builds him up as being incredibly important. One glaring example stuck out in this book. When Edmund Randolph and Thomas Jefferson gave their approval of the Constitution, despite serious reservations, Unger implies not only that Henry thought that there was a conspiracy between these men and Washington, but also that such a theory might have credence. It is absurd to imply that George Washington bribed Randolph and Jefferson with cabinet positions. No evidence is given, just a random thought thrown out. The occasional lapse aside Unger is a good writer, if a bit on the enthusiastic. There are so few books on this important founder that it is well worth checking this book out.
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9 people found this helpful
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- BDHumbert
- 06-19-17
Understanding
The early history of our nation has been something I have enjoyed doing via audible. Franklin, Washington, Jefferson, Monroe and Madison have all provided a lot I did not already know. But my new hero is Patrick Henry. I wish he had been able to convince others to follow his views on liberty and less government
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6 people found this helpful
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- Jean
- 01-23-15
Engaging easy readable biography
In reading this book I have learn a great deal of information about the life and work of Patrick Henry. Henry was mentioned in every biography I have read of the time frame, from George Washington to James Madison, Henry was discussed in the book but only in passing. Historians have paid the most attention to the founding fathers that attained the presidency. At the bottom of the bag, nowadays are those founders who were important for a brief period on the national level but whose working career was at the local level. Henry was the first governor of Virginia. People like Samuel Adams and Patrick Henry did not get much attention.
Harlow Giles Unger, an historian and former visiting fellow at Mount Vernon, has written a delightful biography that tries to rectify the prior lack of attention paid to Patrick Henry. The author provides an insightful glimpse into the life and work of one of the most important men who helped bring about the creation of the American republic.
Unger provides an overview of the life of Henry. The book is not a comprehensive biography. The author delves into the key events in Henry’s life explaining how the episodes discussed helped to shape Henry’s work and approach to politics. The book covers Henry’s earliest days as a backwoods lawyer. Unger covers Henry’s friendships and family life (he fathered 18 children) as well as his relationship with George Washington.
What I found most interesting was the discussion of some of Henry’s cases as a lawyer. For example, Henry argues in defense of a group of famer’s who had refused to pay the Church tax to support the established Anglican Church of Virginia colony. Henry’s opposition to what he saw as both a violation of religious liberty and the freedom of the people to be secure against oppressive taxation by distant imperial and colonial governments.
Unger’s book is a fascinating study of one of the most colorful and important public men of the founding era. If you are interested in the formation of this country this is a book to read. William Hughes narrated the book.
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- Timothy
- 03-28-13
A good overview
I had very little knowledge of Patrick Henry entering into this listen. As influential as he was initially in the American Revolution, he is often overlooked today. What I liked about this book: the book did a great job of laying out the facts of Henry's life and place in eighteenth century American in an orderly fashion.
What I did not like: I did not find the book to be a particularly critical overview. It presented Henry in a glowing light but did little to go deeper in regards to analyzing his place in history.
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- shu
- 04-21-15
Good book annoyingly narrated
What did you love best about Lion of Liberty?
Love? Can we go with "What did you like best ..."? Presented a dimension of Founding Father politics not revealed in typical school history classes. Explains the genuine concerns many reasonable people had about ratification of the Constitution.
What other book might you compare Lion of Liberty to and why?
"James Madison and the Struggle for the Bill of Rights" covers much the same subject. "Lion of Liberty" is by no means a comprehensive biography of Patrick Henry, but does a better job with the Ratification issue. "Struggle for the Bill of Rights" tends to flog the subject with too much detail.
How could the performance have been better?
Book was read much too fast. Had to slow it to 85% to reach a comfortable listening pace. The NARrator's TENdency to STAMP on certain SYLlables is a deTESTable and IRriating habit that RUined the performance. Learn to speak in an even tone, William, or give it up! And slow down. Listen to Simon Vance or Stephen Hoye.
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- John
- 11-20-21
A Solid Biography by a Good Historian
Harlow Giles Unger is not a great historian; he doesn’t write magisterial tomes that offer penetrating insights. Rather, he’s a very good historian who knows how to tell a good story. In the mold of Thomas Fleming and David McCullough, he writes popular, straight-ahead narratives, with a focus on key figures in American history, many of them largely neglected today.
Patrick Henry is surely one of those figures. As Unger says, few of us know more about him than “Give me liberty…”. This book fills in the rather long blanks that stretch to either side of that one memorable phrase. True, Unger is better at recounting the course of events than interpreting them. The shots on Lexington Green didn’t start a revolution that sent “the world’s greatest empire into an irreversible decline” – an assessment that would have raised more than a few Victorian eyebrows. Washington and Henry were far from being the only “two beloved patriots who fathered the revolution”. Nevertheless, it’s a great story, and the emphasis on narrative over interpretation makes it eminently suited for audio.
Though not a critical biography, I can’t string along with the reviewer who accuses Unger of hero-worship. In an age of fashionable iconoclasm, I found his overall tone refreshing. And at times surprising. For example, Henry’s growing awareness of the damage slavery inflicted—on slaves, masters, and Virginia’s agrarian economy, was by no means unique. Throughout the first three-quarters of the 18th Century, petitions for abolition were repeatedly submitted to Queen Anne and all three Georges, and repeatedly rejected. Here Unger joins such luminaries as Gordon Wood and James McPherson in puncturing the key assertion of the 1619 Project; our revolution was not a play to rescue slavery from impending royal abolition.
William Hughes gives a very listenable, workmanlike performance, in keeping with Unger’s straight-ahead approach.
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- Kindle Customer
- 02-07-21
The Anti-Founding Father
Patrick Henry occupies a unique space in the founding generation. Intensely talented and largely self-taught he was firmly on the side of revolution and independence against the British but also the prominent Anti-Federalist and opponent of the new Constitution.
As a result, the trajectory of his influence on American history looks like a sharp peak with a rapid rise and rapid decline. Despite all his best efforts, the Constitution was ratified without a Bill of Rights and the vast majority of Henry's proposed amendments were rejected.
That's where Henry largely disappears from the national historical stage. Unger's brief biography fortunately focuses most of its energy on Henry's life prior to this and its enjoyable reading descriptions of his intense oratorio skills. Despite being a lawyer, he acted more than he argued, complete with glancing upward to the heavens. It makes for enjoyable reading. The inclusion of the surviving transcripts of Henry's "Give me liberty or give me death" at the end is a welcome addition.
Overall, an enjoyable bio that offers decent insights into the anti-federalist opposition.
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- Amazon Customer
- 09-26-20
Incredible Biography of the best of the Founder's
I learned a great deal about Patrick Henry and his amazing contributions to liberty in America. If not for him, America could have very well become another monarchy and modern day Americans would not have the libertys we have today.
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- jonathan
- 12-17-23
all the accomplishment
it worth a listen. I recommend for anyone that is interested the the American revolution
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- Anonymous User
- 12-10-23
Excellent Historical Depth
I was born and raised in Virginia. I recognized all of the names in the book but I had no idea about the context and inner personal relationships. Mr. Unger has done an excellent job of research. I was home when reading this book.
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