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THE VIOLENT MEN by Cornelia Meigs Kirkus Star

THE VIOLENT MEN

By

Pub Date: May 24th, 1949
Publisher: Macmillan

The dramatic story of the men and the work of the Continental Congress- from the closing of the port of Boston in May, 1774, and the opening of the Congress' first session in September to the final approval of the Declaration of Independence in July, 1776 after two long years of argument and heated debate, struggle and hardship, bitterness and anger, and ultimate compromise and unanimity on the question of whether to proclaim independence or to effect a conciliation with England. Here are portraits of the moderate men who wished to maintain ties with Britain; their fiery opponents, the so-called ""violent men"", led by John Adams; the divided groups. The issues that pulled the Congress apart and the common bonds that drew it together are clearly shown. The period is important for it was there and then that the destiny of the country was shaped, and it is this phase of the Revolution that is probably least familiar to most readers. Interesting reading, and historically sound, this should take a permanent place among students and followers of history and biography more substantial than most.