Lion of Liberty: Patrick Henry and the Call to a New Nation

There are many facets to Patrick Henry, Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Patriot, Anti-Federalist, Friend to George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Richard Henry Lee among many others. A lawyer by passing the “test” without training, his gift of the oratory was second to none for his time. The author correctly penned that if “…George Washington was the spear of the American Revolution, and Thomas Jefferson it’s pen – then Patrick Henry was the trumpet that sounded the alert…” He was noted as being as quick with his gun as he was with his tongue. The author of this book encapsulates the whole of the man, the Patriot, the champion of civil liberties, a man that wanted slavery abolished but had to work at it from the point of time toward ceasing the importation of human beings – he was neither a saint nor a villain. Lord Byron would call him the “forest born Demosthenes” and John Adams who did hear Henry speak called him America’s “Demosthenes of the age.” He sought to unite American States in a working confederation similar to Switzerland whose confederation, he said, had “stood upwards for four hundred years” – having states govern themselves through an alliance was his aim and having a large government remaining out of the lives of its citizens. In this, the seeds of the American Civil War were sown for battle to be fought some 90+/- years later. He was the anti-federalist that very likely would have been the nation’s second President had his health been better. In his post-Revolutionary War life, his best case was the landmark British Debts Case of 1791. Ironically, his good friend John Marshall would be the first Supreme Court Justice – a position that he (Patrick Henry) himself declined among many others such as the nation’s first Secretary of State. As an elected Governor of Virginia in 1785 he threatened secession over the Mississippi River navigation rights; yet he rejected a stronger confederation and supported farmer tax revolts and despised the manner to which President Washington sent troops to quell Shay’s Rebellion. His friendship with the nation’s first President was stronger than any political opinion he held, largely self-taught and lifelong student of French Philosopher Montesquieu he also believed the “governors should live among the governed” rather than the big government created by the Constitution where the “public good is sacrificed to a thousand views.”Some other interesting personal points of Patrick Henry – he fathered no less than 18 children with two wives (his first wife died in 1775) his second wife was a cousin to Martha Washington in which he had 11 children with her. He loved children, enjoyed his grand-children and in this his family was the most important part of his existence and the reasons he worked as hard as he did, traveled as far as he would, and all the while attempting to protect civil liberties in the best manner as he believed was true to the cause of the natural laws of God. His ancestral voices were heard in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords in Parliament – his uncle was the Reverend Patrick Henry and was known for his sermons that would draw people from miles around to hear him preach.The book itself – the maps provided within were relevant and detailed, the photo of the bust of Patrick Henry created in 1788 is said (then) to have been his “exact” likeness. In Colonial Williamsburg of Virginia, the reenactor that portrays him is very similar in look to the bust and the British Colonial Capitol today goes to great length to ensure that any reenactor they hire (current one is I believe is on long term contract) is as similar in look to the bust as possible. The sketch of the British Debts Case of Patrick Henry in 1791 is included in this book and almost is surreal in how it brings that case to life. Regardless of what some Anti-Federalists today may think – John Adams and Patrick Henry were friends and held this friendship from the time of the First Continental Congress; this friendship was not as close as that of Thomas Jefferson and Adams and even that friendship had its fraction with the election of 1800. Still, it existed and cannot be denied. It was after all the pamphlet by John Adams on “Thoughts On Government” that would become the basis of the Virginia constitution. Virginia’s contribution in manpower, supplies, and Patrick Henry’s discovery of why the Revolutionary Forces in Valley Forge and he notified General Washington of an attempt to ouster him during this same time. The author Harlow Giles Unger researched well and wrote critically of the life of Patrick Henry – any person interested in this period of America’s War for Independence should read this book. This book deserves more than five stars.

Currently reading a third of Harlow Giles Unger's numerous works, I continue to be amazed and thrilled. "Lion of Liberty..." is the second of his books that I have read. Never having heard of Unger, I was uncertain as to whether I was embarking on a story by a "one-book-wonder" and if I would find his writing great, good or so-so. It didn't take me long to discover that at least the first book, "American Tempest..." was going to be good. Therefore, I checked out the reviews and found it well received by most readers. After reading it, I was sufficiently impressed to see what else he had written. Since I had read nothing focused specifically on Patrick Henry, I ordered "Lion of Liberty..." and was not disappointed with it either.One of the most impressive features of this work is the dynamic presentation of Henry's "Give me liberty or give me death" speech, located on pages 97-99. Reading it as though I was listening to it, I finished with the feeling that I had actually heard a sample of his style and dramatic talent. I felt that I had been present at the very historical moment. I found myself awed at Henry's oratorical talents. As a retired Baptist pastor, I found myself wishing that I had been able to move a congregation with the same power that Henry moved his audience. On finishing the book, I found myself wishing I could go back in time and be the proverbial "fly on the wall" when he addressed his audiences, both political and legal.Harlow Giles Unger has left me with a strong understanding of who Patrick Henry was, how he accomplished what he wanted to accomplish, and how and why he failed on the few instances when he did not succeed.I am indebted to Mr. Unger for his excellent presentation of this great American to whom we owe such a debt of gratitude. His excellent writing has led me to buy two more of his works, one on John Hancock and the other entitled "Improbable Patriot" which I am reading now.Five very satisfied stars.

Enjoyed it tremendously. Learned much about one of our founding fathers.

This is one historical novel you will want to read. Patrick Henry along with Sam Adams were the first colonists to call for liberty from suppressive government both in the 13 colonies as well as Parliament and the King. His rhetoric was first experienced as he fought for his version of the Virginia Resolves around 1763 If the residents couldn't live as freemen with the same blessings of liberty that English citizens enjoyed, then it was time to take up arms and fight for man's inalienable rights. At the same time, other colonies were writing their version of these resolves, but the Virginia Colony through the House of Burgess was one of the leaders in expressing and passing these God given rights that all men should enjoy.Henry described the type of Government that should be present in the colonies. And remember that initially he wasn't pushing for separation from the crown. He simply wanted the right to govern the colony through a representative form of government that Britain would recognize and accept. And there was no room for any type of taxation upon the colonies whether it was through import duties or outright taxation. The cry of no taxation without representation was heard often. And the colonist in time declared independence and made the sacrifice for what became better known as "the cause."Navigation Act, Sugar Act, and Stamp Acts all fed the fire of independence. And when Patrick Henry said "Liberty or Death", he was speaking for most people in all thirteen colonies. The American Revolution was borne!d