Henry Mayer (1) (1941–2000)

2019 A Son of Thunder: Patrick Henry and the American Republic, by Henry Mayer (read 17 Sep 1986) This is a good biography. Henry was born in 1736 and died 6 June 1799. His was an interesting life, in heroic times.

1st line: People set out early, harnessing steaming horses in the post-dawn chill or walking across stubbled fields still drifted in mist."

Last line: "Red Hill remains a secluded corner, far from the durge of modern life, and visitors come only by the handful and the hundred in search of the man who once spoke the language of thousands"

In between: Patrick Henry, beyond his oft quoted rhetorical blast of "Give me liberty or give me death", is largely a forgotten patriot. Beyond the seven show more words of fame lies a self-made man, one who lived the American dream of steel-spoon background, and endlessly toiled for liberty. show less