My favorite recent book on Samuel Adams, this volume fleshes out the man who sparked the American Revolution through his writings and his direct action. I wish the author had included lengthier quotes from Adams and used more through sourcing, but the book is a strong piece of work that I assign in one of my political warfare courses at the Institute of World Politics.

Thomas B. Allen tells how wise and wily a leader the American founders had in General George Washington. Pitted against the world's mightiest army, Washington used espionage and propaganda in ways long forgotten until Allen wrote this very readable and enjoyable book.