The American Revolution provided a period of time in early American history rich with triumph and tragedy, but it is often only taught in detail from the American side, and is rarely told from first-person perspectives. Rise to Rebellion by Jeff Shaara tells the story of the moments that ignited the American Revolution, from the Boston Massacre to the ultimate cry for liberty through the birth of the Declaration of Independence, and everything in between. The story is told through individual perspectives, such as those of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington. Yet Shaara goes beyond the boundaries that American education has confined us to, and brings out perspectives from the other side, including the perspectives of British figures such as Thomas Gage, a British general and Commander-in-Chief. Shaara aims to put us firmly in the shoes of the major figures of the revolution. The book provides the detailed thoughts and emotions from these figures, allowing us to understand the visions that led to action being taken on both sides, and ultimately brought upon the most significant events that ignited the Revolution.
While Rise to Rebellion takes several perspectives when telling the stories of the early 1770s and beyond, there are two major figures from the time of the Revolution that provide major insight into the views of the Sons of Liberty. John Adams, a lawyer and eventual Founding Father, is one of those prominent characters featured within the story. Early in the book, Adams is introduced as having several focuses; one of which is his significant role as a family man. The beginning chapters capture many instances of him talking to his family, where he also discusses his views of the colonies with his wife, Abigail. These conversations emphasize the struggle that Adams faces in balancing his family life and his political life. Being the father of young children, he wants to spend time with them and care for them, yet at the same time, he sees trouble with the British and feels that it is his obligation to do something about it to protect what he believes in. Another major focus, and actually a struggle it seems, that Adams initially experiences is his conflicted state regarding if he should do his job, delivering justice as a lawyer would, or protect the colonists. This comes about after the opening of the story, in which the brutal Boston Massacre takes place. Adams cannot believe that colonists have died after an altercation on the streets of Boston, as he states to a British soldier at the scene of the killing: “Not my concern? You have shot citizens. This will concern us all” (Shaara 14). This statement shows Adams cares for his fellow colonists of Boston, and that he is concerned that the British decided to act in this violent manner. However, days later when British captain Thomas Preston is accused of giving orders to have the soldiers shoot at the colonists, it becomes Adams job to defend him. Adams is conflicted because he knows that captain Preston was likely the mind behind the massacre and therefore has broken law established within the colonies, but he still feels he must adhere to his duty and protect the man. After achieving innocence for Preston, he is commended by the British for his efforts. Yet rather than the colonies returning to peace, the British tighten their grip on the colonists, causing more conflict between the two sides. This drives Adam’s suspicion further, and now he begins to see that Britain is trying to overpower and seize complete control of the colonies. As the story progresses, he begins to take action in order to stand by his people in the colonies.
The second major figure whose story is told is Benjamin Franklin. Born in Massachusetts and established in Philadelphia, Franklin is a man with vast knowledge and many skills, and is well known and respected because of it. At the same time, his personality is quite odd, emphasized by the first glimpse of him in the story, as he unknowingly approaches Mrs. Stevenson naked. His odd nature is emphasized by a quote from Mrs. Stevenson, who states: “Even the neighbors are aware that you have no modesty. It is . . . embarrassing” (Shaara 35). Franklin spends a lot of time overseas, specifically in London. To this point, he practically serves as an international diplomat. As a result, Franklin is appointed the representative of Massachusetts in Britain, but Lord Hillsborough, a British politician serving as secretary of state for the colonies, denies the appointment. Much like they did for Adams, the prejudicial actions of the British raise question marks for Franklin and others, and begins to move them towards joining a resistance against the British injustice.
From the beginning of the novel, both Adams and Franklin have similar views for the future of the colonies. They both desire a civilized, functioning society, with a reasonable amount of freedom being achievable by everyone. However, they are concerned by the pressure the British rule has put on the colonies. As events like the Boston Massacre and the colonists burning of the British ship Gaspee in Rhode Island take place, it is clear that there is a tremendous amount of friction between the two sides. As the colonists begin to express their displeasure for the British actions, the British in return expand their restrictions on the colonists and strengthen their control over the people. Both sides are escalating in displeasure, and that’s why the violent events occur. Adams future view for the colonies becomes a rebellious one, as he speaks strongly towards the colonists standing up against the crown. In his speech at the hall, Adams states:
“I recall the night . . . the awful night I stood in front of the Custom House and saw the blood of our citizens spilled on the snow. I believed the horror of that would give us resolve that it would never happen again. If we do not unite, if we do not send a message to the king, to Parliament, to the royal governors of every colony, that we will not allow our rights and our laws to be trampled, then God help us, there will be more blood. There could be a great deal more blood” (Shaara 108).
Later on, he expresses his view on the unavoidable approach of the revolution to his wife Abigail. He states:
“Unless there is some radical change, unless some miracle brings these politicians to their senses, there will be a revolution. Sam has been talking about that for years. I thought that he was a little insane. But he was only premature. And he was right. It’s inevitable. There is no negotiation, no compromise, no reasoning. There are no rules. A lawyer looks for order, for rational, legal explanations, solutions to every problem based on law and logic and wisdom. But none of that is working now” (Shaara 127).
At this early point of the story, Adams displeasure with the British’s actions allows the reader to see the first glimpses of him becoming a Son of Liberty.
As Benjamin Franklin is observing the colonies from afar, he is still exposed to the British abuse as he hears of the Massacre and the burning of the Gaspee. Franklin is disturbed by the British’s unfair rule over the colonies, and senses that war it is bound to happen. In addition to hearing about the events back home, Franklin discovers letters from Thomas Hutchison, the governor of Massachusetts at the time, which detail his support