Liberty or Death: The American Revolution: 1763-1783 (American Story) - Hardcover

Maestro, Betsy

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0688088023 ISBN 13: 9780688088026

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2005

Synopsis

It began in Boston, with angry colonists objecting to the tyranny of a king who ruled from an ocean away.

It was voiced by patriots such as Sam Adams and Patrick Henry and echoed by citizens from New England all the way to the Carolinas.

It was fought by many -- colonists and patriots, Loyalists and slaves, Frontiersmen and Indians, British and French soldiers.

Over more than ten years, sides were taken, guns drawn, lives lost. But through it all, one man -- a general from Virginia named George Washington -- held the young colonies together and led them to victory, beating almost impossible odds.

History lovers Betsy and Giulio Maestro tell this true story of extraordinary times, incredible drama, and the birth of a new nation.

About this title

About the Author

Betsy Maestro is the author of the "American Story" series, illustrated by her husband, Giulio. She has also written several other non-fiction picture books, including the Let's-Read-And-Find-Out science books How Do Apples Grow? and Why Do Leaves Change Color? The Maestros live in Old Lyme, Connecticut.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-6–Picking up after the end of the French and Indian Wars, where Struggle for a Continent (HarperCollins, 2000) left off, the Maestros continue with the 20 years leading up to, and fighting, the American Revolution. A simple narrative, largely from the Colonists' perspective, touches on the major events, players, and ideas of the times, beginning with the Stamp Act and ending with Yorktown and the subsequent peace treaty. Much of the text is taken up with military encounters and strategies; campaigns, generals, and soldiers are kept relatively straight, often with the help of numerous clear maps (though there's no initial delineation of the 13 colonies). Full-color ink, colored-pencil, and watercolor illustrations–from small portrait ovals to full-spread scenarios–are also helpful; they grace the page in a pleasing, uncluttered way. Packing that much history into 64 pages means, of course, that some complexity, detail, and depth are lost. While some misconceptions are cleared up–Paul Revere's non-solo ride, Bunker/Breed's Hill–more explanation could sometimes relieve a bit of confusion. No sources are cited. Nonetheless, this book serves as a good introductory overview. The visual appeal, straightforward narrative, and large format make it accessible to audiences not ready for Joy Hakim's From Colonies to Country (Oxford, 2002) or Benson Bobrick's Fight for Freedom (S & S, 2004). Rosalyn Schanzer's George vs. George (National Geographic, 2004) is a more engaging and explanatory social and political history of the time, but lacks the more complete military coverage found here.–Nancy Palmer, The Little School, Bellevue, WA
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Edition details

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0688088023
• ISBN 13: 9780688088026
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 64
• Illustrator: Maestro Giulio