The Glorious Cause

Take one of the most remarkable events in world history, humanize the main players with realistic dialogue, and add a solid narrator. The result is a better-than-average depiction of the American Revolution and iconic figures such as Washington, Franklin, Cornwallis, and Arnold. Narrator Grover Gardner sets the tone from the beginning, reading in a straightforward, level voice that allows the writing to move the story. His characterizations are not showy, but rather capture the essence of the people in the book: humble Lafayette, decisive Washington, arrogant Cornwallis. Gardner has an interesting voice that serves him well during the lengthy narrative passages. His greatest gift, though, is that he amplifies the author's words while bringing drama and humanity to this enjoyable look at history. R.I.G. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine

Starred review from September 30, 2002
Shaara's hefty fifth novel, the second in a two-volume series about the American Revolution, is an epic saga of what Shaara calls our first civil war and the first truly world war, told with emotion, energy and historical precision. Using the formula of character-driven fiction employed by his father, Michael Shaara (The Killer Angels), Jeff Shaara presents the dramatic history of the revolution as seen through the eyes of the major players. In describing the battles, skirmishes, victories, defeats, blunders, intrigues, treason and bickering, Shaara illuminates the circumstances whereby a rebel collection of motley amateurs dared to confront a mighty empire and its vaunted army. The narrative establishes immediacy in its colorful profiles of the participants. Shaara depicts George Washington as a general whose force of will and strong character earn the loyalty of soldiers who are defeated by the British again and again. Washington's relationships with other principals are profound and surprising. Having regarded Gen. Charles Lee as a friend, he is stunned by the behavior of his second-in-command on the battlefield and behind his back. He thinks highly of Gen. Nathaniel Greene and the Marquis de Lafayette, and neither will disappoint him. Having enjoyed the "pleasantly sociable" company of Benedict Arnold, Washington discovers too late that there are two traitors at West Point. He also learns firsthand how "Mad Anthony" Wayne earned his nickname. Shaara takes equal pains to characterize the British, men like dawdling Gen. William Howe, arrogant Henry Clinton and the capable but hapless Charles Cornwallis. This is vivid and compelling historical fiction, but also a primer on leadership and the arts of war and diplomacy. Shaara reaches new heights here, with a narrative that's impossible to put down. (Nov.)Forecast:The timing of this novel, recalling our country's turbulent birth, is sure to have resonance in this period of national crisis. The simultaneous release of the Warner Bros. movie of
Gods and Generals should boost reader recognition and make the book a standout for Christmas gift giving. Eight-city author tour.

Shaara, who is known for his novels of the Civil War, this time tells the story of the American Revolution. As a prelude, events before Washington's appointment as General-in-Chief are described. The action begins with the failed campaign of New York City in the fall of 1776. We then follow the course of the war through New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Carolinas to the British surrender at Yorktown in October 1781. The story concludes with the dismissal of Washington's staff at Fraunces's Tavern in New York City in 1783. Barry Bostwick's performance of this abridgment is superb. He is spirited in his delivery, yet never overbearing. French, German, and other accents are skillfully rendered. M.T.F. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine