Samuel Adams: Son of Liberty, Father of Revolution (Oxford Portraits)

The story of one of the most important -- and most elusive -- figures of the American Revolution, Samuel Adams traces the life of the ''Man of the Revolution,'' as he was called by Thomas Jefferson, from his childhood as a fifth-generation New Englander to his pivotal role in the Boston Tea Party and war that followed to a life spent in public service. Benjamin Irvin explores the fascinating contradictions of Samuel Adams's life: he was born into a family of high rank, but lived a humble, almost impoverished life; he could barely manage his personal household, but brilliantly managed the Massachusetts House of Representatives; he pushed for the Revolution, but resisted the Constitution; he spearheaded resistance to the English government but staunchly opposed resistance to the U.S. government. A perceptive look at the life of a complex man, Samuel Adams is an evocative portrait of one of our nation's most interesting Founding Fathers. The story of one of the most important -- and most elusive -- figures of the American Revolution, Samuel Adams traces the life of the'Man of the Revolution,'as he was called by Thomas Jefferson, from his childhood as a fifth-generation New Englander to his pivotal role in the Boston Tea Party and war that followed to a life spent in public service. Benjamin Irvin explores the fascinating contradictions of Samuel Adams's life: he was born into a family of high rank, but lived a humble, almost impoverished life; he could barely manage his personal household, but brilliantly managed the Massachusetts House of Representatives; he pushed for the Revolution, but resisted the Constitution; he spearheaded resistance to the English government but staunchly opposed resistance to the U.S. government. A perceptive look at the life of a complex man, Samuel Adams is an evocative portrait of one of our nation's most interesting Founding Fathers. Oxford Portraits are informative and insightful biographies of people whose lives shaped their times and continue to influence ours. Based on the most recent scholarship, they draw heavily on primary sources, including writings by and about their subjects. Each book is illustrated with a wealth of photographs, documents, memorabilia, framing the personality and achievements of its subject against the backdrop of history. The story of one of the most important -- and most elusive -- figures of the American Revolution, Samuel Adams traces the life of the "Man of the Revolution," as he was called by Thomas Jefferson, from his childhood as a fifth-generation New Englander to his pivotal role in the Boston Tea Party and war that followed to a life spent in public service. Benjamin Irvin explores the fascinating contradictions of Samuel Adams's he was born into a family of high rank, but lived a humble, almost impoverished life; he could barely manage his personal household, but brilliantly managed the Massachusetts House of Representatives; he pushed for the Revolution, but resisted the Constitution; he spearheaded resistance to the English government but staunchly opposed resistance to the U.S. government. A perceptive look at the life of a complex man, Samuel Adams is an evocative portrait of one of our nation's most interesting Founding Fathers. Oxford Portraits are informative and insightful biographies of people whose lives shaped their times and continue to influence ours. Based on the most recent scholarship, they draw heavily on primary sources, including writings by and about their subjects. Each book is illustrated with a wealth of photographs, documents, memorabilia, framing the personality and achievements of its subject against the backdrop of history. CONTENTS......Page 7 PROLOGUE: THE ELUSIVE SAMUEL ADAMS......Page 8 1 SAMUEL ADAMS’S BOSTON......Page 14 2 RAISED FOR REBELLION......Page 26 3 TIS NOT IN MORTALS TO COMMAND SUCCESS......Page 38 4 SAM THE PUBLICAN AND THE STAMP ACT RIOTS......Page 53 5 MOBS AND MASSACRE......Page 68 Citizens and Soldiers......Page 80 In a Gore of Blood......Page 87 6 TO SAVE THE COUNTRY......Page 91 The Rights of the Colonists......Page 100 7 THE COERCIVE ACTS AND THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS......Page 112 8 IS NOT AMERICA ALREADY INDEPENDENT?......Page 128 An Easy, Genteel Figure......Page 134 9 THE STORM IS NOW OVER......Page 141 The Marriage State......Page 149 No Christian Sparta......Page 153 EPILOGUE: SAMUEL ADAMS’S LEGACY......Page 164 CHRONOLOGY......Page 168 FURTHER READING......Page 171 C......Page 173 I......Page 174 P......Page 175 W......Page 176 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS......Page 178 Examines the life of Samuel Adams, a hero of the American Revolution who is credited by some with having fired the first shot at Lexington Green, the "shot heard 'round the world."