This book was a very good book. I love history especially American Revolution. I would suggest this book to any history buff

Israel Putnam often does not get mentioned in a biography of his own. Thankfully Michael Shay has done this and placed Putnam into the center of the American Revolution particularly Bunker Hill. Readers are in for a treat as Israel Putnam’s life is chronicled. Absolutely a great read.

A truly inspirational novel on a true hero of the revolutionary war. The courage and hardships endured were heartbreaking and further illustrated what some sacrificed for our country. A must read!

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I never feel good about giving a bad review, but honesty is a requirement. The Whites of Their Eyes by Michael Shay is an example of when a good idea and impeccable research cannot overcome a lack of real insight. The good of this work is easy to see. Shay has done extensive research to fill in many blanks in Revolutionary War General Israel Putnam's life. I learned quite a few tidbits I had no idea about including Putnam's sojourn to Cuba.

The fatal flaw is that Putnam was not as prolific as other Revolutionary characters who left extensive correspondence or performed such heroic feats that others spoke about them endlessly. Also, by the time of the Revolution, Putnam was older and not nearly as dynamic as the other immortal Patriots. This leaves Shay with the unenviable task of cobbling together a story without much insight into what drove Putnam and what he thought about all the events of his life. Shay does his best but the final product ends up feeling stilted at times while at other times Putnam disappears from the narrative altogether.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Globe Pequot.)