Synopses & Reviews
Thisand#160;thrilling bookand#160;tells the full story of the an iconic episode in American history, the Boston Tea Partyandmdash;exploding myths, exploring the unique city life of eighteenth-century Boston, and setting this audacious prelude to the American Revolution in a global context for the first time. Bringing vividly to life the diverse array of people and places that the Tea Party brought togetherandmdash;from Chinese tea-pickers to English businessmen, Native American tribes, sugar plantation slaves, and Bostonandrsquo;s ladies of leisureandmdash;Benjamin L. Carp illuminates how a determined group of New Englanders shook the foundations of the British Empire, and what this has meant for Americans since. As he reveals many little-known historical facts and considers the Tea Partyandrsquo;s uncertain legacy, he presents a compelling and expansive history of an iconic event in Americaandrsquo;s tempestuous past.
Review
"Was tea a social elixir or a deadly drug? How do you heft a 400-pound barrel overboard? Myriad questions are raised in this thoughtful look at global economics meeting Beantowns unique society."—
American History --Maya Jasanoff - Guardian
Review
"A sterling account."--Michael Kenney,
The Boston GlobeReview
"Assiduously researched."--Caleb Crain,
The New Yorker --Michael Kenney - The Boston Globe
Review
"A thoughtful, balanced corrective to partisan treatments of the Boston Tea Party."--Maya Jasanoff,
Guardian --Caleb Crain - The New Yorker
Synopsis
An evocative and enthralling account of a defining event in American history
This thrilling book tells the full story of the an iconic episode in American history, the Boston Tea Party--exploding myths, exploring the unique city life of eighteenth-century Boston, and setting this audacious prelude to the American Revolution in a global context for the first time. Bringing vividly to life the diverse array of people and places that the Tea Party brought together--from Chinese tea-pickers to English businessmen, Native American tribes, sugar plantation slaves, and Boston's ladies of leisure--Benjamin L. Carp illuminates how a determined group of New Englanders shook the foundations of the British Empire, and what this has meant for Americans since. As he reveals many little-known historical facts and considers the Tea Party's uncertain legacy, he presents a compelling and expansive history of an iconic event in America's tempestuous past.
About the Author
Benjamin L. Carp is Associate Professor of History at Tufts University, where he teaches the history of early America. His first book is Rebels Rising: Cities and the American Revolution. He lives in Somerville, MA.