Liberty or Death

September 1, 2003
Gr 3-6-This novel-like biography portrays Henry's life from his childhood as the son of a Virginia plantation owner through his years as a spokesman for the cause of the American Revolution to his retirement and early death. The writing style is engaging and the circumstances surrounding his important speeches are explained in easily understood terms. Though this is an adequate choice for pleasure reading, it is not an ideal biography for reports. McPherson includes considerable fictionalization of Henry's thoughts and undocumented dialogue. The book lacks maps, time lines, and other common study aids. Debon's black-and-white illustrations add little to the book's appeal. Jon and Amy Kukla's Patrick Henry: The Voice of the Revolution (Rosen, 2002) is a better choice for reports.-Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT

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