by David Hackett Fischer

ISBN 0195088476
Oxford University Press
1994

 Reviewed by Richard “Sandy” Stromberg, past President-General    

                Based upon the title of the book, the reader could reasonably expect that the book would deal with the “midnight ride of Paul Revere.”  However, this is fortunately not another rewrite of this famous race from Boston to Concord.  The author begins with an attempt to show parallels between the lives of Paul Revere and General Gage, the British North American commander.  This doesn’t work because Gage’s time in North America doesn’t coincide with Revere’s maximum influence during the colonial era.

                The author’s description of “the ride” adds nothing new to the body of literature already in circulation about this subject nor in it’s interpretation of events.  Where the author illuminates and helps to define events is in the battles of Concord, Lexington, and the retreat of the British to Charleston, Massachusetts.  He argues that the British were overwhelmed, outmaneuvered, and outfought.  Contrary to popular belief, the rebels were quite adept at the European, as well as the Indian form of warfare.  In fact, rather than the dreamy eyed rebels commonly portrayed, many of them were hard bitten veteran of the French and Indian Wars.  The British were indeed outfought. 

                In his appendix he offers how “the ride” has evolved over the decades.  Each generation reinvented the ride to fit it’s own societal perceptions of history.  There are better accounts of Paul Revere’s ride.  However, I recommend this book, based on it’s account of the battles and history’s differing perceptions of Paul Revere’s attempt to alert the countryside.