The Rebel by John Jakes

Philip Kent who came to America penniless and alone easily involved himself with other countrymen like Paul Revere. Boston was ripe with distrust of the former colonial power, England. He met many of the early immigrants who came to New England and were involved in the revolt. The bastard son of France and England was amongst his own. He fit right in with the patriots like Ben Franklin, Sam Adams and Paul Revere. He could speak both languages and understood their concerns.He came to Boston specifically searching for an apprentice position with the printing trade. He had previously learned some of the craft while living in London and wanted to continue that profession. Once he found a suitable job, he learned that his publisher employer was printing flyers for the cause. When he delivered them, he met all of the activists. Of course, they were doing something illegal in the eyes of the crown so they needed to be careful and not be caught because the penalty was severe.Philip a
nd his new trusted friends are part of the cause for freedom from unfair taxation leveled by the King and administered to the colonists. He becomes caught up in the turmoil of the coming American Revolution. Through his eyes, we get to see a clearer picture of how conditions were and what certain famous participants in the uprising were up to.The reader will better understand how he shares in the struggles and displays his courage and fighting character. He is a survivor having been brought into the world with a tough beginning. He has a certain admiration for the American spirit. He becomes heroic in the cause and has a budding romance with the daughter of one of the patriost. He is a lawyer by trade so he was risking a great deal. Philip met Anne at her father's business and their attraction built slowly but stronger in the end. She also believed in the reason for the dissatisfaction of the people and was motherless like Philip. They later marry.The book is intense on the
war and what led up to it. Philip took part in the Boston Tea Party that started things off. When he returned home, he had loose tea in his boots. Since he was a collector, the tea was put in a jar for safe keeping. It would be on display with a sword given to him earlier by a boyhood friend back in France.During the revolution, Philip was there. At Breeds Hill, he joined the continental army, which was a poorly dressed group of rebels and then faced a professional army fresh off the ships in the harbor. It didn't seem like an even fight by any means. Surprisingly, the colonists put up a good fight.The revolution involved other areas as well as it spread through the colonies. The conditions of Valley Forge were hard for the troops. The winter was cold and Gen. George Washington's men suffered greatly. There were hardships and battles where many men died. Thomas Paine declared, "These are the times that try a man's soul." Philip is sent to the front while Anne stays at home w
ith their new born son. Philip crosses paths with Lafayette, his boyhood friend from France and they have a good reunion.Philip also attracts the attention of Washington and is given a special mission. He is asked to be part of a dangerous mission to recover some big guns from a fort and bring them east. They accomplish the operation losing one armament and one man to accidental death. Phillip turns out to be a great patriot for America.

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