Such a thrilling and exciting read. To go through the history of the ride of Paul Revere was so much fun, I couldn’t put the book down, kept wanting more

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy of this history about the time before the start of the American Revolution and who one man, along with others squelched the plans to end this rebellion in a ride that has become more mythology, than reality.

I will be the first to say that my history education all throughout high school was not that good. And in watching where America is now, I guess that was something that many can agree with. Our history was more of print the legend, kind. A repetition of facts, without going in the whys, or the hows, or who else were involved, who else paid the cost. Now history is used by some to try and figure out how we became what we are. Some use history to justify their beliefs, and their hatreds. I like history because sometimes one still finds, not heroes, but people who did things for others, maybe in benefit of themselves, but still for others. They didn't expect a big payoff from a foreign country, or become a cult leader. They did it for the reason that is was right. Maybe they would face prison, their family made penury, their reputation ruined. Paul Revere was one of those men, a man whose many tasks in the battle for freedom have been passed over, all in favor of the one ride that made his name the subject of poets. The Ride: Paul Revere and the Night That Saved America by Kostya Kennedy is a look at the man, the era, and the people on both sides of the burgeoning conflict, and how their actions gave us what we have today, if we can keep it.

The book offers an overview of the era, for the problems starting with the colony of America and its master England, both financial, and territorial. Kennedy looks at the people involved from Samuel Adams, the Sons of Liberty, General Gage and his wife, and of course that silversmith, who could also fix your teeth, Paul Revere. Revere was born the third of twelve children, but times being what they were, soon became the eldest. Revere left school young to become an apprentice silversmith with his father. Revere was even as a child his own man, parting in many ways from his father both in religion, and in thoughts of freedom for the colony, coming to blows with his father about this at one point. Revere was also a go getter, making contacts with wealthy customers in his trade, joining the Masons, and even more, making friends of those who spoke of the cause of freedom. Revere was also a very good horseman, something that would soon become important. The economic war that Britain was fighting with the colonies effected Revere silversmith trade, and so he became a dentist, and even more committed to freedom. Making friends with the Sons of Liberty, a group firebrands willing to put up and not shut up, Revere took part in the Boston Tea Party, and took to the roads sharing this information working as a courier from Boston to New York, and even onto Philadelphia. However it would be for another ride that Revere would be better, known, one that has gone down in history.

A very good look at the time and people involved in the crisis that would spark to form a revolution. This is not a biography of Revere, nor does it really get into his thinking. This looks at actions not inner voice, and does that very well. As the 250th anniversary is approaching, its important to remember what really happened, how impactful this ride, and the ride of others was to the colonists. The writing is good, a nice sense of narrative with lots of history told, but not told in a way to bog down the reading. Kennedy captures both the feeling, and something rare, the role of women in the history. From a general's wife who might be a spy, to women making bullets for minuteman, to the love Revere had for his second wife one that lasted almost forty years.

A perfect view of interest people who want to know more about American history, and get a real sense of what happened, not the myth the poetic legend, but the real history, which I think is really much more exciting. I enjoyed this quite a bit, and made me want to learn more about the era and Paul Revere.

I really enjoyed this nonfiction book! Timed perfectly to coincide with the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride, this was a very enjoyable look at not only the famous ride, but Revere himself.

The book was very easy to read and flowed nicely. The ride is focused on more towards the end of the book, but I think the author did a good job of sorting through lots of other information to include what was necessary in the beginning of the book.

I am someone that has enjoyed nonfiction, and particularly historical nonfiction, for a very long time and I enjoyed this book. However, I would also highly recommend it for folks that are interested in reading history books, but find the prospect of a 600+ page book daunting. I think this book would be a perfect introduction to the genre to them, as it is half that length and very easily read.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for a review!

We are a few months away from the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride. A momentous and consequential event that is deserving of recognition and renewed appreciation. Luckily this book provides just that. The author presents a fantastic account of the events of, and leading up to, April 18, 1775, when Revere and William Dawes set out to alert the masses that the British were indeed coming. An easy and pleasant read, this book moves at the same pace of an express rider, and I found myself enjoying every page. In many ways the book feels more like a guided tour than just your typical narrative account, which I very much appreciated. I found it to be well written, very thoughtful, and quite interesting from beginning to end. I would highly recommend this book! A special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read this book, and I will definitely be picking up a copy for my own!

An outstanding read. Never excessively erudite or cerebral for most readers, this book is very approachable, and an excellent companion for anyone who is considering a visit to Concord, Lexington, Boston and the surrounding areas.

My wife and I made a New England trip in September of 2024 and the author's research and presentation shows a great knowledge of the history and the area. I was fascinated with the real step into history presented by Kennedy. Perhaps the book will motivate readers to visit the area and experience places such as the famous green where the "shot heard around the world" was fired.

I'd strongly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the Revolutionary War or the birth of our nation and important names and places that are indelibly linked.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this important book.

I learned so much! Paul Revere was the email of the 18th century. It wasn't the ONE ride - there were many. I loved the one quote from the book:
"Revere was not born into land or money. He received no high-shelf education. He spent less time pondering. He worked. He could make a cup or a fork or a plate. He could fix your tooth. He could ride a horse." That's in a nutshell about this American hero.
I knew there were more riders than just Revere but he was the one in the poem and thus we remember him. That's actually bologna. He made numerous rides and was so successful because he was a good horseman. No other came close to his dedication to the patriot cause by spreading the word.
Revere is so much more than that Longfellow poem. So much more.

Having lived in New Hampshire for a time, I'm very familiar with The American Revolution and Paul Revere's ride. Yet, this book has taught me things I never knew about both the war and the man. I love history, but when you are transported back to that time through the written word, it's an amazing experience. That's what happened when I read "The Ride"! If you love to learn, are a history enthusiast, or just like to read a good story, then you need to give this book a go.

More of an updated general history that doesn't break any new ground, instead of a book highlighting new research or findings.

First I’d like to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy that allows me to provide an honest review.

With that said, Wow! What an amazing book. I have long loved all things about the American Revolution and Colonial times. I have read many books on these topics. I had yet to read anything about Paul Revere or his famous ride. There was so much that I didn’t know. I couldn’t put this book down. It was a very easy read and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. If you are interested at all in this amazing part of history, I highly recommend this. Such a good book.

Thank you, St. Martin’s Press, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I just finished The Ride: Paul Revere And The Night That Saved America, by Kostya Kennedy.

This book will be released on March 25, 2025.

This book purports to be about Paul Revere’s ride. But, only a small percentage of the book covers that. The rest is background information on Revere and a discussion of subsequent attention it has gotten. Unfortunately, most of it just wasn’t that interesting.

I give this book a C.

Goodreads and NetGalley require grades on a 1-5 star system. In my personal conversion system, a C equates to 2 stars. (A or A+: 5 stars, B+: 4 stars, B: 3 stars, C: 2 stars, D or F: 1 star).

This review has been posted at NetGalley, Goodreads and Mr. Book’s Book Reviews

i finished reading this on January 10, 2025.

The Ride: Paul Revere and the Night That Saved America
by Kostya Kennedy is an enjoyable nonfiction that highlights the infamous Revere.

I know I should know more about our nation’s history, and it is sad I know more about English and Scottish history…but oh well…I am trying..aka reading this book. Even though I do know more about the Revolutionary War era than others ( due to the British involvement), this was an excellent refresher and an addictive read all the while learning so much more…

The presentation was easy to follow, engaging, and not overwhelming or intimidating. Something that is clearly right up my alley. I really enjoyed it.

4.5/5 stars

Thank you NG and St Martin’s Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 3/25/25.

This was a perfectly straightforward narrative which adds color and commentary to Paul Revere's ride. However this is not the story I wanted to read. There is already a very good book about this by David Hackett Fisher which would work perfectly well as a 250th anniversary read. What I was hoping to get out of this book was a more in depth look at Paul Revere's very specific worldview and his unique and fascinating reasons for supporting the Patriot cause. This has been the subject of scholarship in the 30 years since Fisher's book. But this book doesn't offer any of those new findings. If anything it is more simplistic and less intriguing than Fisher's book, which was itself a product of the Consensus School. I'm disappointed that I won't be able to recommend this to friends or buy gift copies despite the very timely topic.

Could not put this book down! What a ride through American history.

We are all familiar with Paul Revere, and "The British Are Coming." Kostya Kennedy does a deep dive leading up to the ride that Paul Revere and others undertook to warn citizens of the impending British march. While the British had kept this very hush-hush, the Patriots were able to get wind of it, and begin preparing. They were not about to let the British get the jump on them.

I honestly could not put this book down and read through it in one sitting. As a teacher of American history, the Revolutionary War has long been a favorite. The detail and thought that went into this book, and the historical facts were really great to read. It is nice to see historical works that are sticking to the actuals, and bringing some new thought into who might have given the Patriots the information, and why.

Take a look at the daring ride taken that night, and the events leading up to and after.