BOOK REVIEW

BUNKER  HILL

NATHANIEL PHILBRICK

I received this book as a gift from one of my sons, I have always been interested in history from ancient to 20th century. I have always believed that you can gain an understanding of human nature and the future by studying the past.

 

This book is not just an account of a battle, but gives the reader some insight into the character, mood, and thinking of both the colonists and the British in this period of American History.

 

Many things about the times leading up to the revolution are revealed, by personal letters and journals written by those there at the time.

 

Talks about the life of Dr. Joseph Warren, a patriot, and reasonable  diplomat  who tried to be a moderate voice in extreme times. He died at the battle of Bunker Hill.

 

It explains how the original settlers where really on their own when first arriving in the colonies. They formed their own governments and by 1750 had one of the highest standard of living in the world.  They fought side by side with British  in the French and Indian wars. They owed the British to some extent for their protection.  After a 100 years of mostly self government, they had a resentment to British rule, by a king and Parliament across the ocean in distance and out of touch with the aspirations of the colonists. They were considered by the Crown as of no account, and should obey. 

 

The King and his appointees tried to control all imports and required taxes to be paid.  It is interesting to note the story about the tea of the Boston tea party. This tea belonged to the East India Co.  They had an oversupply and sent it to the colonies at a discounted price, but because it had small tax on it, the colonists for the most part refused to buy the tea.  They rather bought inferior tea at a greater price smuggled from the Caribbean. It just showed some of the mentality of the time. 

 

While the colonists were forced to flee the battle of bunker hill due to a lack of Gun Powder. The horrendous casualties suffered by the British was an ominous indication of the War to come.

 

I found this book to be well written, researched and valuable reading for anyone.