Our First Civil War

Patriots and Loyalists in the American Revolution

By: H. W. Brands

Narrated by: Steve Hendrickson

Length: 16 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

"A fast-paced, often riveting account of the military and political events leading up to the Declaration of Independence and those that followed during the war ... Brands does his readers a service by reminding them that division, as much as unity, is central to the founding of our nation."—The Washington Post

From best-selling historian and Pulitzer Prize finalist H. W. Brands comes a gripping narrative of the American Revolution that shows it to be more than a fight against the British: It was also a violent battle among neighbors forced to choose sides, Loyalist or Patriot.

What causes people to forsake their country and take arms against it? What prompts their neighbors, hardly distinguishable in station or success, to defend that country against the rebels?  That is the question H. W. Brands answers in his powerful new history of the American Revolution.

George Washington and Benjamin Franklin were the unlikeliest of rebels. Washington in the 1770s stood at the apex of Virginia society. Franklin was more successful still, having risen from humble origins to world fame. John Adams might have seemed a more obvious candidate for rebellion, being of cantankerous temperament. Even so, he revered the law. Yet all three men became rebels against the British Empire that fostered their success.

Others in the same circle of family and friends chose differently. William Franklin might have been expected to join his father, Benjamin, in rebellion but remained loyal to the British. So did Thomas Hutchinson, a royal governor and friend of the Franklins, and Joseph Galloway, an early challenger to the Crown. They soon heard themselves denounced as traitors—for not having betrayed the country where they grew up. Native Americans and the enslaved were also forced to choose sides as civil war broke out around them.

After the Revolution, the Patriots were cast as heroes and founding fathers while the Loyalists were relegated to bit parts best forgotten. Our First Civil War reminds us that before America could win its revolution against Britain, the Patriots had to win a bitter civil war against family, neighbors, and friends.

©2021 H. W. Brands (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

A History Book Club Main Selection

“Americans tend to forget that we have always been at war with one another—even in the beginning. In this splendid new book, H. W. Brands tells the story of the American Revolution as it really unfolded—as a civil war between colonial patriots and those loyal to the British Crown and Parliament. Division, Brands reminds us, is as American as unity.”—Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of His Truth Is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope

“H.W. Brands’ Our First Civil War is a sleek, riveting one-volume account of the American Revolution that speaks compellingly to our current age of division and discord. A bravura performance by one of our great historical storytellers.”—Nathaniel Philbrick, author of Travels with George: In Search of Washington and His Legacy and In the Heart of the Sea, winner of the National Book Award

“Was the Revolution truly a ‘civil war’ at heart? And what was the role of the many tens of thousands of everyday Loyalists whose presence made it potentially so? . . . Brands provides a brisk, engaging narrative history of the Revolution itself [and] ensure[s] that an oft-overlooked part of the American Revolution receives its due.”—The Wall Street Journal

An American history where the people and places come alive.

Although I’ve read and listened to many historical accounts of the American revolution, Brands writing style captivates the imagination and brings the characters to life. He brings the saga to new heights by including the heroic founding fathers, and the British but more importantly the Native Americans and the Slaves. I highly recommended this book who wants a more balanced understanding of our first civil war.

wonderful

loved it our struggle for freedom. Expertly Delineated. well done. good job. 👍 👍

A must read for anyone interested in American history!

This was by far the most thorough, comprehensive, and authentic account of events leading up to, during, and after the American revolution. I would say that this book is a must for anyone interested in American history in general and history of the American Revolution in particular. Bravo to the author!

Good Overview from French/Indian War thru Revolutionary

I found this book well done and kept my interest throughout.

I was expecting it to be a bit more of an assessment of loyalist v patriot culture of the period, but instead it was only telling the common narratives & stories of the era in chronological order focusing largely on Washington & Franklin’s contributions. Having previously read Washington & Franklin biographies much of this was a more shallow overview.

That being said, I would still recommend as I enjoyed the authors style and he did a great job of entertaining the reader through the historical account

Not as specific as the title implies

As someone who can’t get enough American revolutionary history, this book was very enjoyable, It turns out that trying to focus on the divide between patriots and loyalists becomes not too much more than a general history of the political and military events of ~1770 to 1787. There is some special attention paid to the plight of loyalists like William Franklin and the infamous turncoat Benedict Arnold, which is what justifies the title. Other than that, a good general overview drawing on many letters of personal correspondence between the important people of the day, complimenting well other more narrowly focused books on the era.

Highly Recommend

This was an aspect of the Revolutionary War I was not familiar with. Very much enjoyed listening to this book.

Fascinating, not routine

Our First Civil War

H.W. Brands

This was a very interesting accounting of the Revolutionary War and the events leading up to it.

Brands does not disappoint, providing his usual flare to make the story we are familiar with fascinating. Far from a simple recitation of dates, timelines and battles, he delves deeply into personal accounts. You will learn about Philadelphia from the abandoned wife of a loyalist who fled the city. This and many others provide details we have not heard before.

Definitely worth your time.

Great

I am a member of the NATIONAL SOCIETY OF THE SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. This book was excellent.

Not what title suggests

This was supposed to be about the war between patriots and loyalists, but it is only about that 10% of the time. The rest is a good narrative of the overall war and diplomacy.

New Informative History

Assuming the veracity of the facts, the author provides new interpretation of the Revolution. Which adds more depth to the founders" perspectives and personalities. An enjoyable listen.