Description

He was a rich powerful aristocrat a merchant king who loved English culture and fashion and above all he was a loyal British subject with ambitions of a lordship and a grand retirement estate in England There simply was no doubt about it John Hancock was the least likely man in Boston to start a rebellion How then did this Tory patrician become one of the staunchest supporters of the American Revolution

John Hancocks overnight transformation from British loyalist to fiery rebel and first governor of the independent state of Massachusetts is one of the least known stories of the American Revolution Acclaimed author Harlow Giles Unger introduces us to the Founding Father whose name is as recognizable as George Washingtons but whose thrilling life story is all but untold Applying his historical expertise and storytelling gift Unger details the fascinating life of one of our most extraordinary business and political leadersthe first signer of the Declaration of Independence

As Unger reveals in this unflinching portrait Hancock was one of the most paradoxical figures of his time A brilliant orator he combines his wealth and political skills to unite Bostons merchant and working classes into an armed might that forced Britains vaunted professional army to evacuate Boston assuring the success of the Revolution