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Nathan Hale – a biography

Anyone that has grownup in Connecticut, particularly near Coventry, the Nathan Hale homestead has heard the story of Hale’s patriotism and oft quoted final words. I count myself among one of these Connecticut Yankees. But as I started this book I realized I was ignorant of the details of Hale’s life and service in the Revolutionary war. M. William Phelps fills this void in a straight forward biography of Nathan Hale from his early family life in Coventry to his death as a young man at the hands of the British army. Phelps does an excellent job bringing the many first and second hand sources together to paint a clear portrait of this larger than life figure. Where sources disagree or explanations are not plausible, Phelp’s succinctly explains his rationale for the most likely correct fact or interpretation.

Phelps describes a young man brought up in a strict religious family in Coventry, CT; graduating Yale at age 18 and becoming a somewhat restless school teacher in Moodus and New London. Hale’s strong faith led him to believe that much of your life is ( and should be) guided by God’s will.

Two of the common misconceptions about Hale’s spy mission that Phelps clarifies are Hale’s last words and the circumstances of his detection as a spy. In the first case it widely reported that Nathan Hale’s last words were “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Why a succinctly romantic statement, Phelps clarifies that these words were an invention in the Revolutionary War play Cato. His actual last words, though similar, were “I am satisfied with the cause in which I have engaged that my only regret is that I have not more lives than one to offer n its service.”

In second case it was widely rumored and reported in the Essex Journal (without sources) that Hale’s cousin, Sam betrayed him as a rebel spy. Phelps considers this very unlikely given that Hale’s father, Richard wrote family members that he did not believe Sam was involved. Further, Sam Hale denied betraying his cousin. The more likely scenario, as described in detail by Phelps, is that Hale was betrayed by his own naivety as a spy when confronted by Robert Rogers. Robert Rogers, commander of Rogers Rangers, had been tasked by Gen Howe to scour Long Island and Connecticut for traitors (aka rebel spies etc) and became suspicious of a young asking many questions related to British army intentions. Hale’s naivety is demonstrated by his traveling under his own name and carrying his Yale diploma as proof he was a school teacher looking for work!

Following his unceremonious hanging as a spy, Phelps ends his narrative with Enoch Hale’s search for news of his brother and unsuccessful return of his remains for proper burial.

Nathan Hale is a well researched book with extensive reference notes and bibliography.

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Oliver Wiswell – novel with a Loyalist perspective

It isn’t often that I go back more than 70+ years to find a book to read but awhile back I was give a used copy of Kenneth Roberts’ book, Oliver Wiswell. The premise of Roberts’ historical novel is that the American revolutionary war was as much the first civil war as a war of independence from England. The entire book is written from the perspective of an American Loyalist. Lest you think this approach is only a fictional construct, Thomas B. Allen just wrote a NONFICTION history of the Loyalists called Tories and documents many similar experiences of Oliver Wiswell.

The book narrates the events in the life 0f the books namesake, Oliver Wiswell; Yale undergraduate, Massachusetts native and ardent Loyalist. The book opens with Oliver rescuing his soon-to-be adventure companion, Tom Buell from a tar and feathering at the hands of a rebel mob. Oliver and Tom then flee the wrath of rebel neighbors and begin a serious of adventures that form the backdrop for the entire book. Roberts doesn’t overlook a love interest for the young Oliver and ties him back to his roots in Massachusetts through his love of Sally Leighton, a neighbor. The love affair between Oliver and Sally is a Shakespearean Montague-Capulet plot as Oliver is Loyalist and Sally is of a rebel family.
 
Roberts does an excellent job of weaving the events of the entire revolutionary war from the occupation of Boston by the British, through numerous battles from Bunker Hill to Yorktown ending with the exodus of ten of thousands of Loyalists to Nova Scotia. He has Oliver and Tom traveling through most of the American colonies, Halifax, England and France. Roberts accomplishes this narrative in a realistic and lively manner in 836 pages.

Today, Kenneth Roberts isn’t a well known popular author.  Roberts was born in Kennebuk, Maine in 1885 and died in 1957. He was a graduate of Cornell University and served as a lieutenant in World War I station as an intelligence officer in Siberia. His journalistic career started with the Boston Post and later the Saturday Evening Post. As a historical novelist Roberts was a prolific writer from 1929 to 1955. The focus of all his novels are the events from the American Revolution through the War of 1812. His novels were mainstays as top 10 best sellers including Northwest Passage, Oliver Wiswell and Lydia Bailey.

Oliver Wiswell is recommended reading for a different perspective on the Revolutionary War. Though a work of fiction, Oliver Wiswell is well grounded in fact and does not embellish events for dramatic effect.

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iGrill – Remote thermometer and a cell phone

The iGrill remote grilling thermometer. This isn’t available for Android phones yet but I would expect it to be coming. Uses bluetooth to communicate with your phone up to 200 ft. Looks neat for grilling in winter i.e. set it up and then stay in the warmth as grill cooks. Or, of course it is just a neat techie gadget!

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