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!

they were so young…

Some of us think of them as, then, old men. They wet so young, many died so young. After listening to Band of Giants, there is absolutely no doubt they did it for freedom; they did it for you and me. Imperfect men for an imperfect cause. Years after the War ended, Lafayette traveled meeting with men he’d fought along side with against the British. In New Orleans he met with 1000’s of Black Men, i assume Freemen. He was confounded that the true principles of Freedom for all men had not happened for all men he’d fought along side with. His comments prove the country’s actual founding principles meant FOR ALL MEN…. It’s incomprehensible what the Southern States did. Every Northern State, entering the Union, had in their State Constitution The outlawing of slavery in that State. The United States Country wasn’t a “slave holding country”; the Southern states were. God have mercy on each and every black slave abused by white (and a few black) slave owners… some of which those very black men fought to give freedom to from Britain. I am as taken by the sad irony as Lafayette was. This was not anywhere near a major point of this great book; but, had been referenced towards the end attributed to Lafayette. The role of the citizen militia has never been given due credit. So often the militias role have been down played. Amazing what this great book shows was the role of militias over and over and over in all the battles! I think Washington’s disparaging remarks about the militias may have been a little self serving; like his telling men to ‘come shake my hand’ instead of him going to them to shake their hand… oh well . Band of Giants is one of the great books, researched about the American War for Independence.

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.

"The Politics and Personalities of the American Revolution"

This is an outstanding book. It is a refreshing reassertion of the diverse basis for the American revolution. The comprehensive description of the Revolutionary war and the participants is as good as I have ever read.
I strongly recommend it as an antidote to the current political chaos in the United States. We have been through worse before and we will overcome the present dysfunction.

Thrilling story & narration

A war novel which epitomizes actual war and the horrors of war. Intrepid men & officers come to life in is narration. The characters seem to be actual flesh & blood, not just historic figures. The band of amateurs that beat the leading military power is a testament to the people of this historic period.

Excellent Book

Well-written and interesting from start to finish. Lots of information about less well-known aspects of the Revolutionary War.

a good over work

It got a bit deeper into some important but less well known figures such as Lord Stirling but no big revelations. I still enjoyed it.