Reviews
New York Journal of Books, 3/15/11 "The events that birthed the original Tea Party are given their just airing via Ungers' scholarship...At once fascinating and engrossing, it fills in huge gaps between major events and gives studied, fundamental reasons for the actions that occurred. Incredibly well written and as readable as a solid novel, the author has done a prodigious service to consequential events in our early history." Boston Globe , 3/17/11 "Never has a meticulous, well-written history of the Boston Tea Party...seemed more relevant. Colonial historian Harlow Giles Unger delivers a stirring chronicle, making it clear that the similarities between then and now are thought-provoking...Unger has brought it brilliantly to life." Publishers Weekly , Starred Review, 3/21/11 "Unger brings to vivid life familiar historical characters with lively text and fine reproductions of period maps, paintings, and engravings...Unger's exciting historical account raises questions that are as relevant today as they were in 1773.", Kirkus,2/1/11 'A solidly researched account of the 1773 Boston Tea Party&[A] well-delineated, contrarian history.' Booklist, 3/1/11 'Considering the incident's resonance for the current Tea Party movement, Unger's history allows timely comparison of the original and its contemporary namesake.' Internet Review of Books, 2/16/11 'A fine example of historical research that educates and entertains at the same time&[An] eyes-wide-open look at what triggered the Revolutionary War and our split from the motherland.', "A fascinating look at the intricacies of the 1773 Boston Tea Party...What is a delight is Unger's ability to bring to life the characters of the period with all the human elements of resentment, jealousy, thirst for power, and loss." InfoDad.com, 3/31/11 "[Unger] does a good job of putting the December 16, 1773 protest in the context of the protest movement as a whole at the time...Those with an interest in American history and the roots of today's Tea Party movement (roots of which many modern members are likely unaware) will find American Tempest fascinating reading." American History , June 2011 "Well-researched, wide-ranging and emphasizing the revolutionary fog shrouding both sides, which caused lost opportunities as well as triumphs." WomanAroundTown.com, 3/29/11 "Far from a whitewash of [the] event, this is the tale of the real, and sometimes mad, agitators whom George Washington condemned as vandals.", Newcity , 3/8/11 "With solid research and elegant, even passionate writing, Harlow Giles Unger has achieved the first rank of historians rescuing our powdered-wig set from the dust of history or, even worse, modern partisan mythology...Bloody good historical writing." Hudson Valley News , 3/24/11 "Absolutely riveting...[A] delightful escapade into history." Deseret News , 3/27/11 "Set any preconceived notions of the Founding Fathers to the side. After reading author and historian Harlow Giles Unger's latest offering...opinions of America's first idols may change...American Tempest not only offers a somewhat different view on American history, but it also delivers as an entertaining and informative read." Tucson Citizen, 3/28/11 "A fascinating book about this chapter in our national history...Unger has written an exciting, accessible account of the tea party and has set it in its proper context." The Waterline , 3/31/11, Kirkus, 2/1/11 “A solidly researched account of the 1773 Boston Tea Party&[A] well-delineated, contrarian history.”, Reference and Research Books News , April 2011 "This dramatic retelling of the history of the Boston Tea Party eschews the traditional patriotic narrative and presents the events that led up to the American revolution in a more critical light, describing the leaders of the protest as tax evaders and failed businessmen, who, never the less, managed to inspire a nation to revolution." American Spirit , May/June 2011 "Highly enjoyable for history buffs and casual readers alike...Unger brings to life the turbulent times and feelings that preceded the Revolutionary War." Asbury Park Press , 4/24/11 "The book does far more than tell that of-old tale... Tempest also is a mini-biography of John Hancock." Charleston Post and Courier , 5/1/11 "How did a protest against taxation turn into an all-out revolution against the most powerful government in the world, resulting in the birth of a nation? Harlow Giles Unger reminds us, and with revealing detail...Unger examines some of the real motivations behind the customary histories and paints a vivid portrait of Colonial Boston... American Tempest is exciting and masterfully told.", Kirkus, 2/1/11 âA solidly researched account of the 1773 Boston Tea Party&[A] well-delineated, contrarian history.â Booklist , 3/1/11 âConsidering the incidentâs resonance for the current Tea Party movement, Ungerâs history allows timely comparison of the original and its contemporary namesake.â Internet Review of Books, 2/16/11 âA fine example of historical research that educates and entertains at the same time&[An] eyes-wide-open look at what triggered the Revolutionary War and our split from the motherland.â What Would the Founders Think, 3/8/11 âFascinating&A book of consequence. It is informative and thought provoking, packed with historical footnotes and research.â
