The American Revolution Series by Jeff Sharra

“Mr.Dickinson, if you believe that all that has fallen upon us is merely talk, I have no response. There is no hope of avoiding a war, sir, because the war has already begun. Your king and his army have seen to that. Please, excuse me, sir.” Adams began to walk away, and Franklin could see Dickinson look back at the growing crowd behind him, saw a strange desperation in the man’s expression, and Dickinson shouted toward Adams, “There is no sin in hope!” 

          Jeff Sharra is an author you can depend on.  You can pick up any one of his books and immediately become immersed in the time of history that he is depicting. To anyone who has at least a mild interest in America's history, this is an author you should get to know. I've taken history courses just like everyone else, but the history that I know and remember comes largely from these books.  Sharra writes these pieces with a complete dialogue throughout.  His books follow historical events and figures closely and accurately  and then through research on their journals and correspondence Sharra creates conversations between historical characters that he believes to be as close to reality as possible.  This is the type of history that I love because its more than just dates written next to an event, its real people whose choices directly changed the creation of our countries history, and to some extent the manner in which I live my life today. These two novels which complete Sharra's American Revolution Series are, in particular, captivating.  It follows closely the stories of Adams, Cornwallis, Franklin, Gage and  Washington, arguably the most important figures on both sides of the Revolution.  To see inside of the heads of these characters, even if it involves assumption and fiction is enlightening. I wrote on these books in particular rather than his others on the Civil War, Mexican War, WWI and WWII  that I have read for good reason. When you read and learn about the American Revolution you learn why America is unique among all other countries, it was made because of man's rational mind and action.  I don't think a person can ever understand our country's founding principles well enough, and to be ignorant of them completely is dangerous. 4/5