Divided Loyalties : How The American Revolution Came To New York

Taken from the hardcover review

In this masterful, richly detailed book, Divided Loyalties: How the American Revolution Came to New York, historian Richard M. Ketchum examines the economic, political, religious, and family pressures on New York colonists that forced them to choose sides in the Revolution. Ketchum tells his story through the experiences of two prominent families, one eventually returning to Great Britain, the other joining the revolutionaries. This is history at its best, a thoroughly researched, gracefully written book that transports the reader to another time. By the author of the acclaimed Saratoga: Turning Point of Americas Revolutionary War.

Years of neglect in the mother country had allowed America's fledgling democracy to gain power, but by 1760 America had become the biggest and fastest-growing part of the British economy, and Britain required tribute. When the revolution came to New York City, it tore apart a community that was already riven by deep-seated familial, political, religious, and economic antagonisms. Focusing on a number of individuals, Divided Loyalties describes their response to increasingly drastic actions taken in London by a succession of the king's ministers, which finally forced people to take sides and decide whether they would continue their loyalty to Great Britain or cast their lot with the American insurgents.

Using fascinating detail to draw us into history's narrative, Richard M. Ketchum explains why men with similar life experiences-even members of the same family-chose different sides when the war erupted.

Richard M. Ketchum is the author of the Revolutionary War classics Decisive Day, Winter Soldiers, and Saratoga. He was the co-founder and editor of Blair & Ketchum's Country Journal. He and his wife live on a sheep farm in Vermont.

"An exemplary work of popular history." -The Washington Post Book World

"Ketchum is a vivid storyteller. He weaves a complex but forceful narrative web from many diaries and memoirs . . . a dynamic story." -The New York Times Book Review

"Magnificent . . . Ketchum's lively narrative offers readers insights into the tension, fear, patriotism and loyalty that marked the beginnings of the American Revolution." -Publishers Weekly, starred review

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Distributor: MPS
Publication Date: 11-01-2003
Pages: 464
Measurements: 9.260in X 6.120in X 1.240in X 1.140lb