THE RIDE by Kostya Kennedy is subtitled "Paul Revere and the Night That Saved America," but this book encompasses so much more. Kennedy, an award-winning author, writes about the others (William Dawes, Samuel Prescott, possibly Sybil Ludington) who rode that night and about the other rides which Revere undertook on behalf of the Sons of Liberty. This text is full of fascinating facts and additional insight into Revere's character and motivation. For example, he describes Revere's life as an adolescent and the friendships formed then (one of Revere's sons is named for fellow Patriot Joseph Warren). Another interesting tangent is the discussion of the portrait by John Singleton Copley, saying "You step away from the portrait and you come back to it, and you recognize something of the irreverent. You get the strong feeling that Paul Revere is up to something.". THE RIDE (which includes an extensive bibliography) received a starred review from Booklist and praise from other reviews like Library Journal ("An important book for readers seeking a deeper understanding of a crucial moment in American history. It will captivate history scholars, students, and enthusiasts from start to finish"). Definitely worth a read and reflection on America’s founding values. 4.5 stars

Compared to other books I've read in the last few years pertaining to the American Revolution, the Ride was one of the most digestible. Kostya Kennedy builds Paul Revere's world, contextualizing his personal connections and how he came to be one of the two main riders to alert the countryside of the advancing Regulars (yes, there's also a chapter on Dawes). I might have liked to see a chapter about the battles of Lexington and Concord themselves, and maybe some more information about Revere's life after the Revolution, but I also appreciate the succinctness of the book. All in all, well done!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance review copy!

In his book, Paul Revere and the Night that Saved America, Kostya Kennedy gives a well-researched, well-written account, not only of Paul Revere’s most famous ride, but of his background, his work and his family. He provides information about the lead up to the revolution and tells about other riders including the possibly untrue ride of a young girl. Kennedy’s writing style avoids the too often dry pedantic style of many historians making this a very interesting, accessible, and, dare I say, entertaining account of probably the most famous ride in all history. I read an eARC of the book while listening to the audiobook narrated by Johnny Heller who does an excellent job.

Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for this book in exchange for an honest review

As schoolchildren, we are told an abbreviated and abridged tale of the role Paul Revere played. The Ride, by Kostya Kennedy, expands on that tale and fills in many of the gaps by detailing the role Revere's contemporaries played, It also details the previous trips Revere took prior to the American Revolution and his relationship to the burgeoning rebellion.
The book is crisply written and easily read as it lays out the timeline in a narrative fashion. The style allowed for suspenseful storytelling even in a tale we know the ending of.
I enjoyed this quite a bit.

Paul Revere's famous ride is discussed in detail along with alternate accounts and the famous poem in this riveting and exciting read.

My plan was to post this review on the date of Paul Revere's ride, but I didn't manage to get it done. The book, I thought, was supposed to center on Paul Revere's ride, but to be honest, it was all over the place. I found the book choppy and in need of a good editor. The flow was horrible and didn't appear to make any logical sense as we jumped back and forth here and there without any sense of purpose. My main complaint was the the style of writing, for whatever reason, it seemed like the book needed to be cut by a third by the use of a good editor. Too much minutia was shared. Others my have found it fascinating, but at times I felt like I was reading a book intended for a teenage audience. It wasn't my cup of tea. I was thankful when I finished, and didn't feel like I learned much new about "the ride."
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

It's been a long time since I learned about Paul Revere's ride in my American History class. Reading Kennedy's book I find that there is much more to the story. We are nearing the 250th anniversary of that ride (April 18) and this would be a good time to read more about Revere. Kennedy gives a very readable account of Revere's childhood, family, and career. I had no idea he had been a bell wringer when younger. I did not know he was a self taught dentist. I did not know of the many rides he had made previously to this famous one and the fees he charged. Kennedy includes the involvement of others as he takes us through the actions leading up to the Revolutionary War. This is a good book for anyone who wants to know more about the time in American history and those involved. It is very informative, bringing the events to life. It is well written and very readable.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

There are couple of things this book is not: It is not historical fiction and it is not pulled together on a whim.. This is a detailed and well researched account of one of the most noted events in American history. There are no frills or artistic license here, other than a.few occasions where the author provided some insights, also well researched, to why someone supported or did not support a cause. I found myself intrigued by the material and sharing insights with others as I progressed through the book. If you enjoy history, you will enjoy and be much better informed by reading this book.

Kostya Kennedy has quickly become one of my favorite nonfiction authors. Despite it being his first non-sports book, his portrayal of Paul Revere's history, from his childhood to that fateful night in 1775, is masterful. The book reads like a novel, though it is entirely based on fact, and offers unique, new-to-me information about the mid to late 1700s colonies before the Revolution and the personalities and relationships involved. I found the subject matter to be laser-focused, engaging, and far from dry. I've been in a nonfiction slump, and The Ride has pulled me out of it. Thank you to Kostya Kennedy and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with the digital ARC that has reinvigorated my interest in nonfiction!

Just in time for the historic 250th anniversary of the night the future of the American colonies changed forever, the Ride is published.
I thought the boom was a good beginning point for any novice American history buff who wants to learn more about not only Revere but also the other riders who spread the alarm.
The writing is straight forward and I did like the snippets of Revere’s personal life I wasn’t aware.
Revere earned his place in American history long before Longfellow’s poem firmly entrenched him in the American psyche. I doubt if school kids are even exposed to the poem anymore.

This is an excellent, in depth view of a man who most know only through one night's event. Right from the first few pages I learned more about Paul Revere that I had ever known. And that discovery continued through the book.

This would be a good book to introduce youth as well as adults to the background to our American Revolution and the people who motivated it.

Paul Revere’s famous 1775 late-night journey to warn American colonists about approaching British forces was far from his first ride. Revere’s activist years before the Revolution. Was a laborer of the Revolution, Paul Revere was not born into money. He received no high-shelf education. He worked.” Revere came into contact with the Revolution’s early architects—John and Samuel Adams and John Hancock—through Boston high society, first as a prominent member of the Masons (perhaps because he simply showed up to more meetings than anyone else.). In his capacity as a silversmith but not a good one, leaving him ever in debt. The cash-strapped Revere was thus well positioned to help the Revolution with such arduous physical tasks as couriering messages.

The author has written a dramatic narrative, “The Ride” retells an essential American story for a new generation of readers. The author reveals Revere’s ride to be more complex than it is usually portrayed. It was a loosely coordinated series of rides by numerous men, near-disaster, capture by British forces, and finally success. Revere was central to the ride and its plotting. There were other men who helped to set in motion the events that would lead to America’s independence. It’s a fascinating book to read. I learned about parts of this historic ride that was not taught in my high school history class.

4.5 out of 5 stars
I am going to be a bit biased here. Revolutionary America is my favorite period of American history, and I am drawn to books focusing on this topic, so this book gets bonus points for that alone.

Kostya Kennedy delivers at thoroughly researched and well-written history on Paul Revere, covering his historic ride and the qualifications that made him the perfect man for the job. Although Paul Revere is the main subject of the book, Kennedy branches out and discusses other important figures involved in the fateful ride. Kennedy does a good job highlighting the fact that Revere could not have accomplished his mission on his own. He paints a clear picture of the atmosphere in Boston and the surrounding areas in the early to mid-1770s. He shows how the colonists had to work together, and the connections Revere made through his careers and social clubs gave him the resources necessary to stay one step ahead of the British.

Even though Kennedy focuses on many aspects of Paul Revere throughout the book, the part that stood out the most to me was the brief discussion on the other riders during that critical night. In particular, Kennedy discusses William Dawes, who was also instrumental in alerting the colonists about the approaching troops. Although Dawes played an important role, Kennedy argues that this man did not have the same charisma and connections as Paul Revere and the ride would not have been a successful with Dawes alone. This analysis could lead to more insight on lesser-known figures in the fight for American independence.

With this book, Kennedy built upon the existing historiography concerning Paul Revere, but he did not provide any astounding breakthroughs. He goes into great detail about Revere’s life and what characteristics he possessed to make him the perfect person to accomplish a monumental task. Kennedy also discusses other important people and how they connected to Revere. Kennedy did an outstanding job exploring Paul Revere and the significance of the ride. Even though The Ride does not necessarily shed new light on the historic ride, the book is highly enjoyable and should be read by anyone who enjoys Colonial America and the build up to the Revolutionary War.

Oh wow! I grew up listening to my dad recite Longfellow's poem, Paul Revere's Ride, so I HAD to read The Ride by Kostya Kennedy. On this semiquincentennial of Paul Revere's ride, this is the perfect time to read this book. I got a great feel for what life was like in the 18th century Boston area and learned more about Paul Revere and his compatriots. Very interesting and readable. I will suggest this for my book discussion group! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Exceptional writing about a piece of American history that we all learn about at a young age, but rarely, if ever, dig much deeper into the event. Any fan of history, especially American history will appreciate this book.

This is a masterfully researched and compelling account of one of the most iconic moments in American history. Having received an advance copy from NetGalley, I was eager to dive in—and I was not disappointed.

Kennedy brings Revere’s legendary midnight ride to life with vivid detail and a narrative style that makes history feel immediate and alive. The book strikes the perfect balance between depth and readability, offering rich historical context while keeping the story engaging.

Thoroughly researched yet never dry, *The Ride* is a must-read for history enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys well-crafted narrative nonfiction. Whether you're well-versed in Revolutionary history or just looking for a fascinating read, this book delivers. Highly recommended!

This is a short biography and history about a famous transformative night, the ride that changed everything. Paul Revere was not alone on April 18, 1775 riding out to warn that an attack was imminent by the British soldiers, but his story is the one that best known. Revere’s ride was also the most effective, where William Dawes was a bit slower, or maybe not as personable as Revere.

The book provides a small amount of biography of Paul Revere. Revere was a bell ringer in 1750, a teenager then and pledged himself along with several other boys to always ring the bells at Old North Church at least one evening a week for a year.

Revere was given to joining societies and at twenty-five joined the Masons, the St. Andrew’s Lodge which was formed in dissent to the elite St. John’s Lodge whose members were mostly loyal to the Crown. This group of men grew close friendships through the years and tended toward rebellion and independence through the 1760s. It was through this group that Paul Revere became the man who rode the horse on that fateful night.

It felt momentous to read this as we approach the 250 year anniversary. The book is somewhat narrow, but not exclusively focused on the ride. I enjoyed learning a tidbit about his many generations later descendants who have been named Paul Revere and are carrying it through the years, with the youngest now being the 4th, although the Patriot Paul Revere is his six-times great-grandfather.

April 18th marks the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere's famous ride. I learned most of what I know about Revere and his ride in school and from Longfellow's poem - my mother's favorite.

There is so much more to the man. This book delves into not just the night of the ride, but also Revere's and his contemporaries’ involvement in the patriot movement. It opened my eyes to their deeply held conviction that the colonies should be independent of England.

While the book is detailed and well-researched, it is also compelling and easy to read. You don't need an extensive knowledge of American History to be able to follow the narrative.

Anyone who is interested in history and politics would enjoy this entertaining book.

I'd like to thank Kostya Kennedy, St. Martin's Press, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

Though I think the book was probably excellent for history lovers, I was hoping for a bit more narrative non-fiction. This is very scholarly - which I honestly wished I could get into. I could learn something! :-)

"Listen my children, and you should hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-Five:
Hardly a man is now alive
Who remembers that famous day and year"
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow; The Ride of Paul Revere

This is an excellent book about Paul Revere, the history of the time right before the War of Independence, and his famous ride [along with other people and events that I had never heard of!! It was a bit mind-blowing]. I learned quite a bit [and wished I could remember the whole poem; we had to learn it in school and we all knew the WHOLE thing at one time] and highly recommend this book for any history buff, especially of that time frame. I am so glad I was able to read this.

Johnny Heller is in my top 10 of favorite narrators and so it is easy to recommend him for any book he is narrating, but I can especially here because he truly makes this story come to life and made an already enjoyable read that much better. You will not be sorry if you choose to listen to this outstanding book. Very well done!!

I was invited to read/review this ARC by the publisher [St. Martin's Press] and I thank them, Kostya Kennedy, Johnny Heller - Narrator, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.