I really enjoyed this book. I listened to the audiobook which was brilliant and had a full cast. This really brought the book to life. Living in the UK I have always had an interest in world history. I enjoy books like this because you really get a sense of how different and how similar life was in these countries. I especially loved the link in this book between America and the UK and how different both countries dealt with slavery and how a decision in one could affect the other. This book focuses on slavery and the impact of freeing just on slave or allowing them more privileges could affect this. You can tell this book was very well researched and was brought to us very well thought out and very well balanced using case studies. I haven't really read much around Franklin and I found this book very enlightening. Although I may not of taken in all the information as it is a new subject to me. I learnt so much and really enjoyed listening to it and would definitely recommend this book. 
Thanks to the author and publishing team for bringing us this very interesting and informative history book to life.
Already left the above review on goodreads, waterstones, Google books, kobo, Barnes&noble, amazon UK and my blog either under my real name or ladyreading365.
My blog review https://ladyreading365.wixsite.com/website/post/somersett-by-phillip-goodrich-ibpa-4-stars

A deep dive into the decades Benjamin Franklin spent laying groundwork to support and win his beloved Pennsylvania's independence (and the other 12 colonies) from Great Britain. His plan? Unite the colonies...but how? Goodrich contends that Franklin thought nothing less a threat to the practice of slavery in the colonies would bring the southern colonies around. Here the case is laid out that the manumission (release from slavery) of James Somersett by the British court system was the catalyst Franklin was waiting for.

Extensively detailed and thorough explanations of key players, secret meetings, and the necessary subterfuge that Benjamin Franklin wove behind the scenes of the American Revolution.

This is a well done historical book describing Benjamin Franklin and his impact on the American Revolution. The author takes a step back, describing Benjamin Franklin and his colleagues, how they were raised, the build up of tension pre-revolution, the stages of the revolution, and the resolution. I truly had no idea the role Franklin played with the revolution and beyond!

At times, the narration seems a bit tangential and "flight of ideas" (all over the place), but the author clearly has a purpose. The tangents help set the stage for the progression of the story, and helps paint the story and improve comprehension. If you experience these thoughts, keep reading, it makes sense eventually!

The narrator on the audio version adds quite a personality to the read, and the voice interchanges portraying significant conversations, etc, were well done and added to the originality, enjoyment and comprehension of the story.

Thank you NetGalley and Phillip Goodrich for my free copy. I thoroughly enjoyed this and highly recommend.

I've been wanting to read about the Founding Fathers for some time and Somersett is my introduction to this historical period.

I found Somersett to be a well researched treasure teaching me the exploits of Benjamin Franklin and his contributions to the independence of the colonies.  This book is rich in knowledge of the intricate dealings and political dancing that took place and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I listened to the audio book which at times I found to be dry.  Overall an excellent choice for learning about the American Revolution and how the freeing of a slave in England led the way to the abolition of slavery in the States.

I found this title absolutely fascinating. My thanks to the publisher for a review copy of the Audio version. There are various narrators throughout and they are perfect and add to the overall experience of this book.

I knew very little about Franklin and had never heard of Somerset, so I came to the subject matter as something of a novice. I am interested in American history and slavery and this title proved to be a real roller coaster. It’s a captivating story and one which brings to light so much duplicity and double dealing by the British. I had no idea that Franklin had any interest or role in the War if Independence, so I found his involvement detailed here lively and compelling. There’s a huge amount of information contained in the narrative and although I occasionally had to backtrack slightly to pick up the inferences and links, overall I’ve found it a real eye opener. With every year that goes by, I’m realising that much of the ‘accepted’ version of history and facts is often deeply flawed and nuanced. The real facts are emerging in relation to our understanding of all history and this title, for me, has added a whole new and unique take on the events depicted. It’s well written and compelling.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me access to this audiobook. I find this revealing as much as it is entertaining. The events are narrated beautifully with the right amount of energy from the narrator. The writing was also superb.

I think that this book is a bit misleading. This certainly makes it seem as though the Somersett case would be central. While it is detailed and interesting, the rest of this was very much another biography of Franklin. It is a good biography no doubt, but I feel that the author intentionally misled the reader. Yes, he addresses this in his introduction, but that is not the way the book is presented here or anywhere else.
I enjoyed the readers and the full cast was a great addition. It think all works of non-fiction could benefit from this kind of performance.

A really cool look at some of the behind the scenes stuff from the American Revolution that doesn't get a lot of attention. The author focuses on elder statesman Benjamin Franklin and his role in securing European support for the colonists. Some really fascinating stuff, and a very well produced audiobook.

There is a lot of interesting information here, and I appreciated the use of dialogue to enliven the audio version of the book. While invented, dialogue appears to be largely true to source material. There are several narrators, and all were excellent.

However....the I found the information poorly organized. It went back and forth in time and went off on many tangents. There were so many tangents that the Somersett case was presented as an "interlude" in the middle of the book. It's one small piece of a much larger narrative. I don't think I would mind so much had the information been better presented, and I didn't feel misled by the title and cover art as to what this book was actually about.

While I agree it is largely overlooked, I don't think the author did a good job supporting his thesis about the importance of the Somersett case in bringing about the American Revolution. To me, if Somersett was so central, it really could have actually been a book in itself. Here it is buried under loads of other information, most of which can be found in less frustrating reads. Unless you know very little about the American Revolution, honestly, just read the interlude.

Fascinating story that stayed with me for a long time! Educational and heartbreaking at the same time! Highly recommended

This was a phenomenal read. Chock full of historical facts and events. But also with personal backstories of the characters. I highly recommend Somersett for history lovers and also those who are interested in the origins of racial inequality.

This is a fascinating a thoroughly researched account of Benjamin Franklin’s part in the lead-up on the American Revolution. I particularly enjoyed the courtroom drama, which was new information to me, even as an American History buff. Like other lengthy historical non-fiction books, the key demographic for this is book would seem to be those interested in more academic history. That said, the full-cast narration greatly increases the accessibility of the work and it’s potential audience.

I would recommend this to anyone interested Early American or Revolutionary War history.

Audiobook received for free through NetGalley

I’m glad I came across this book through Netgalley as it was a good listen. I’m normally a fiction reader but the different narrators and subject matter kept me company and interested whilst going about my chores.

The text itself was written well and told a history of the beginning of America that was interesting. I listened to the audiobook and wonder, with the book, if there would be a list of references at the end helping to support the text itself. That said I’m glad I listened and the foreword itself was especially pivotal.

Thanks #netgallery. I loved this book. I was afraid this would be a dry, historical novel that was hard to keep my attention. I listened to the audiobook and both the narrator and author's style of writing were excellent. Excellent.

This is a beast of an audiobook - 14 hours of dense facts, made easier to digest with some well acted dramatisation. The book follows the schemes of Benjamin Franklin, how he manipulated the North and the South, the British, the French, and the Dutch, all because of his dislike of the Penn family and his desire to give the colonies independence and a slave-free society.

The book is very focused on the political, how the schemes were planned and enacted, the military aspects of the war were mostly passed over. If you're interested in Machiavellian scheming, this will be right up your street!

A very impressive book, well deserving 5 stars.

I couldn't get this to play I am sorry for this it was archived before I could clear the matter up and so I will not be able to give you feedback at this time sorry.


The world is a good thing to do in a way that is not just as important to you as your children do to you or to the children and their parents are

This is an excellent book for anyone studying, or looking to find a better understanding of early American history. It also gives you many signals as to why and how things are the way they are today. I went in to this, thinking it would be more about the early African American experience and their connections to the actions of the founding fathers. This book really lays out the historical groundwork for what would come. Much of the efforts here, focus on Benjamin Franklin's impact on the history of America. Placing him with, and in his relationships with, the other founding fathers- a much clearer picture develops.

We were taught from an early age- bare-bones 'facts' and attributions to America's forefathers. The simplistic, watered-down history lessons we were taught in school, presented a glossed over truth. The events were complicated. The moral beliefs were complicated. The resulting actions? Complicated.

Today, we whine and cry about 'how political' everything is, but it was the same in the days before we were even a country. Phillip Goodrich does a wonderful job of spelling that out in this book. I thought this read as neutral and non-biased. This is a fascinating journey that goes deeper in to the details than so many other books- In a good way. Study the past and uncover the truth, in order to fix today, and protect the future.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I did enjoy this non-fiction, deep dive on Somersett and American Independence history; however, its downfall may be in its length. I feel the true audience for Goodrich's piece are the real history enthusiast, specialising in this period. I count myself as a casual learner and general history-nut but found myself drifting off during this - not due to lack of context or interest but sometimes too much. The narrator made this text accessible, I found them to be engaging and never dull, despite some of the text. Reading this in physical form would be particularly hard going, I fear. I would not be quick to recommend this, unless I was aware of a person's special interest but that does not reflect the quality of research.

i received an audiobook copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.

This book intrigued me to learn more about the American Revolution, slavery and the Boston Tea Party and how Benjamin Franklin's behind the scene role in shaping the events that led to the revolution and the end of slavery.

I found the book fascinating, well researched , very in depth and a little dry at times. Therefore, a slow listen for me. The tone of the narrator at times lost me and had me re-listen to some chapters.

I would recommend this book for those enthusiastic history buffs, or those fascinated by the true history of United States of America.

This book deserves to be on anyone's bookshelf.

Very in-depth review of the lead up to the war of independence. It's a fascinating, well researched and well written narrative which can be a little dry at times.

I recommend this book for history buff interested in little known details. For those fascinated by the true history of the U.S. not just the noble surface level fight for freedom. This books take you through the fight of rich land owning Britts who felt like they were losing control, being over taxed and banded together. While not as compelling as the more mainstream narrative for freedom it is perhaps more honest.

While for me (not always a history buff) it was a slow read - it was a compelling one. It's worth a listen and I recommend audio book for those more like me interested but not yet compelled to know every detail.