I received an ARC (advanced reader copy) of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review on my Goodreads page. Mr. Randall is known for his many wonderful biographies and histories of the Founding Fathers and the Revolutionary period. This book was a sorely needed modern day biography of one of the most little known Founding Fathers, John Hancock. I read a biography on Hancock last year that left a terrible impression of him as a snob, among other things. This biography was much more cheerful and showed just how essential Hancock was to the success of the Revolution and ultimately, the ratification of the Constitution. From his birth to his death, this book succinctly and chronologically covers Hancock's life. Many times historians will get too technical in their biographies, but this book was easy to read and enjoyable. It would be appropriate for reading for both the casual history buff and the more seasoned history reader. I especially enjoyed how the author put modern day dollar amounts when discussing money which in this instance, really supplied a great deal of modern perspective to just how much money Hancock spent on charity and the Revolution out of his own pocket. The book also gave the reader insight into the historical events surrounding the subject without being overpowering in this regard. Highly recommend this book!

My review can be found at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7432515762

If you are looking for a relatively simple and informative read about one of the main leaders of our nations first pass at government, this is a very solid choice. Randall is an established biographer who knows how craft well and it’s a very enjoyable and well researched look into Hancock’s life.

I did find the book quite repetitive and overly positive at times. Hancock often reads as a well loved man who was popular but there is little critical feedback of how his peers viewed him and how he managed some of the horrific parts of this early country such as slavery and the take over of Native American lands. Very little in here also tested the politics of the age which would have helped many stories in this book. I know the author was trying to provide a different look into Hancock’s life but I think it went too far to celebrate him as a heroic figure vs a real person with nuance. Much of the book about his gout was over done and went on for too long of a time.

Overall, this is a solid biography and I learned a lot about Hancock not previously taught in history classes so worth a quick read given he is one of the main revolutionary figures.