American Rebels

How the Hancock, Adams, and Quincy Families Fanned the Flames of Revolution

By: Nina Sankovitch

Narrated by: Suzie Althens

Nina Sankovitch’s American Rebels explores, for the first time, the intertwined lives of the Hancock, Quincy, and Adams families, and the role each person played in sparking the American Revolution.

Before they were central figures in American history, John Hancock, John Adams, Josiah Quincy Junior, Abigail Smith Adams, and Dorothy Quincy Hancock had forged intimate connections during their childhood in Braintree, Massachusetts. Raised as loyal British subjects who quickly saw the need to rebel, their collaborations against the Crown and Parliament were formed years before the revolution and became stronger during the period of rising taxes and increasing British troop presence in Boston. Together, the families witnessed the horrors of the Boston Massacre, the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and Bunker Hill; the trials and tribulations of the Siege of Boston; meetings of the Continental Congress; transatlantic missions for peace and their abysmal failures; and the final steps that led to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

American Rebels explores how the desire for independence cut across class lines, binding people together as well as dividing them - rebels versus loyalists - as they pursued commonly held goals of opportunity, liberty, and stability. Nina Sankovitch's new audiobook is a fresh history of our revolution that makes listeners look more closely at Massachusetts and the small town of Braintree when they think about the story of America’s early years.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press

©2020 Nina Sankovitch (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

I appreciated this bird's eye view.

The narrator did a great job. My favorite parts were all of Josiah Quincy, jr.'s quotes. I may need to find a hard copy of the book in order to write them down. I also really appreciated the information on the men's wives. Abigail Adams especially was impressive. The information on Adams' and Jefferson's attempt to census slavery in the Declaration of Independence was a welcome addition to the end. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a personal background to the beginnings of the United States of America. To think that so many of the Founders came from the same town is a testament to the importance of instilling good values into not just our own families but our communities.

Great listen on American history

I need to listen again. Lots of information. I want to plan a trip to Boston!

I loved this book!

Being a lifelong Bostonian I started this book with expectations of a rehash of events I was already familiar with. I was so wrong. It showed me that there were so many crucial events and personalities that are normally omitted or glossed over when learning of the period leading up to the revolution. John Hancock and Josiah Quincy Junior are now my favorite founding fathers!

This was well researched, written, and expertly narrated. Should be a requirement in our schools!

Bravo! Bravo! Remarkable story telling rooted in research.

Absolutely love this book. Without a doubt one of my all time favorites. Sankovitch weaves compelling history of the Founders (both men and women) into a richly researched novel that is impossible to put down until the final page. Must read for anyone in search of lessons on character and honor.

DAR Book Club Book

Not as good as some DAR book club picks, but not as bad as some others. I read a lot on this time time period, but I did learn much about John Hancock and family. For that I’m grateful. The narrator irritated me with her breathy, whispery voice that emphasized each and every sentence of the book as if it alone were the most important sentence.