The signers: The fifty-six stories behind the Declaration of Independence

This is a good book for a history class because it gives a lot of information on every person who signed the Declaration of Independence. Everyone knows that John Hancock signing the Declaration but what about the others? This book clues you in on everyone and their lives. I gave it four stars because it was good and it had a lot of information.

John Adams thought July 2nd would be the day Americans would celebrate, not the 4th. That is just one detail Fradin and McCurdy bring out. History is so easily made bland, but their work breaks many assumptions apart in an easy to digest way. An important book for students and a good book for adults, with enough information between the lines to keep some of the rebelion alive. History is made not by dates, but by people decidedly taking steps toward multiple goals. I recommend this book.

Very readable and enlightening story of all the signers of the Declaration. Fradin is a master of choosing just the right details about the lives of these men to bring them alive and interest his readers. It will also strike young people how precarious the lives of women and children were.

As Dennis Brindell Fradin tells us in his illuminating introduction: "...The signers of the Declaration, rather than those who voted for independence, have long been honored as the nation's founders. That is because, by placing their names on the Declaration, they announced to the world their willingness to risk everything for the cause of independence. The British targeted the fifty-six signers for special punishment. The homes of twelve signers were burned, and nearly twenty of them lost much of what they owned. According to some estimates, nine signers died as a result of hardships they suffered during the Revolution. Yet not one signer changed his stance on independence. All of them kept the promise they had made in the Declaration of Independence-that they would stake their "Lives...Fortunes, and...Sacred Honor" on their country's cause." Meet America's first fifty-six heroes whose belief in independence was so strong, each was willing to risk everything for freedom. Mr Fradin cleverly divides this book into thirteen sections, one for each colony, and begins each chapter by first discussing the background and history of the colony, before detailing the life of each signer. Each fascinating biographical sketch includes details about their lives, both before and after they signed the Declaration, and the contributions each made to America's independence. Mr Fradin's easy to read and intriguing text, engages, and is enhanced by illustrator, Michael McCurdy's evocative artwork. Together, word and art inspires, and brings the stories of these brave men to life on the page. Perfect for youngsters 10 and older, The Signers celebrates the triumph of the human spirit, and includes a readable copy of the Declaration of Independence, an Afterword, Bibliography, and Index to augment lessons and further enlighten. This is non-fiction at its very best, and definitely a living history lesson that shouldn't be missed. "Independence forever!"