The American Revolution was not inevitable, nor was it a unanimous cause. It pitted neighbors against one another, as loyalists and colonial rebels faced off for their lives and futures. Through the remarkable lives of the first Americans, this book reveals the contentious arguments that turned friends into foes and the land into a war zone. From the riots over a child's murder that led to the Boston Massacre, to the Continental Army's first victory under George Washington's leadership, to the little-known Southern guerrilla campaign of "Swamp Fox" Francis Marion, to Benedict Arnold's audacious betrayal, David Fisher explores the amazing combination of resourcefulness, perseverance, strategy, and luck that resulted in the creation of a country that would go on to become the most powerful in the world. Despite the victory of the Revolution, the fight for democracy wasn't over. From the combat zone to Congress, it was a political battle as much as a physical one. With the patriots grappling to create a government, one for and by the people, the origin story of the United States of America was only starting to be written.--Adapted from dust jacket.

Companion book to Bill O'Reilly's television docudrama Legends and lies: the patriots.

Samuel Adams and Paul Revere : the rebellion begins -- John Adams : ready for war -- Benjamin Franklin : inventing America -- General George Washington : commanding revolution -- Thomas Jefferson : independence declared -- Benedict Arnold : American traitor -- Francis Marion : American guerrilla fighter -- Forgotten heroes -- President George Washington : forged in conflict -- Alexander Hamilton & Aaron Burr : deadly division.