King George: What Was His Problem?: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About the American Revolution

I wasn't looking forward to yet another book about the American Revolution, but this one was really fun. Little tidbits---like what John Hancock ordered for lunch and what he actually had---make the people of that time more vivid. The historic park around Concord and Lexington was one of my favorite places to visit and walk with my kids, and this book made me miss eastern Massachusetts just a little bit (that and the state's good contact tracing).

An engrossing little read. It consists of a chronological series of vignettes about famous and not famous people. I found it so fascinating that I read it in less than 24 hours.

I picked up this book thinking that it would be like the Horrible Histories series, but for American history instead. It's not. It's worse. It's disjointed. I felt that the writing style was really choppy. There is a foreword where the author says that he was a former textbook author and there were all these stories that he had to leave out. Well, I felt like he took those stories, put them in chronological order, and BAM! We have this book. I stopped reading shortly after Sheinkin starts discussing the American Revolution, because there was a section where he said something along the lines of, "Our country's history isn't a fairy tale, every body makes mistakes, not every gets a happy ending, but hey, at least it's interesting, right?" show more This comes after he discusses Abigail Adams' attempt to get her husband to "remember the ladies" and the British commenting that "those who yelp loudest for liberty" and equality of man own slaves themselves. To me, he seemed to implying that, hey our country has this awful background, but at least it makes it interesting! Or is he implying that perhaps our country would have a boring history if we didn't have racist and sexist undertones? Maybe I am overreacting, but it definitely was the last straw for a book I was already frustrated with. show less

Effectively entertains and enlightens. And, with index, bibliography, and notes, should count as a real source for fifth-grade & up research papers. And is good for adult readers who still feel inadequately educated. I kinda knew most of the stuff here, but the anecdotes are organized into a coherent narrative and I feel that I have a much better understanding of the topic.

Recommended. And I will def. seek more by the author.

Although the book's title is somewhat misleading, this is an intriguing look at the American Revolution. While there is very little information about King George, and few of the quirky anecdotes one is led to expect from the publisher's upbeat flap copy, the story of the American war for independence is told in a fresh, entertaining style.

Sheinkin covers the war from beginning to end, then finishes the story with a list of what happened to various key characters. The story is divided up into short chapters and sections, great for holding short attention spans or just browsing through. The language is simple, but not dumbed-down. The story is peppered with first-hand accounts and short quotations, and is heavy on the battles and light on show more the politics. An excellent overview for reluctant readers or those looking for a more interesting American Revolution history than they find in their textbooks.

Verdict: I buy very little history for the nonfiction section, but this is a must have for kids studying the American Revolution, homeschoolers, or kids interested in history (I've met TWO so there are probably a couple more out there, right?) Recommended.

ISBN: 978-1596435186; Published May 2008 by Flashpoint; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library show less

Steve Sheinkin, Newbery honor winner for his book The Bomb, has written quite a few history books. In King George: What Was His Problem, Sheinkin tackles the American Revolution and he doesn't disappoint. Sheinkin uses humor and interesting anecdotes to bring history to life in a way that textbooks don't. The book is well researched and written in a casual style that is accessible to readers.

This book is all about everything that your American history books DIDN'T tell you. From John Hancock and his fine salmon, to the bet made by John Burgoyne that he would finish the war before Christmas and be back to France in time for New Year's. Sorry John, this war is lasting seven years, you won't be seeing France any time soon. This book starts when the colonists in Boston get the idea that King George is being really unfair. Taxing them for things like tea and playing cards, is really heating up their attitudes. The colonists start by rebelling taxes and lo-and-behold just mere months later they are dumping tea in the bay. Why are they going to such extremes over taxes? Because they didn't have a say! The colonists were sick of show more being taxed for things that were just apart of their everyday lives. NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION! The colonists screamed that from morning until night. And then, one night, after a British officer was accused of not paying his wigmaker for his wig and a fight broke out, the war prematurely began, although no one knew it. From riding across the Boston Neck to lighting lanterns, the Americans were all in kahoots when it came to taking down the British. King George was outraged, especially when he read their 'Declaration of Independence'. Many generals of the British went in and out, living in luxury through all the wars while the Americans suffered on the other side of things. This book brings out all the facts, even the ones that Scholastic didn't know or didn't deem right to know. This book is the go-to guide to the American Revolution.

King George: What Was His Problem? Is a book of great pleasure and despite it being non-fiction it is a great book to read for entertainment and great for all ages. It contains true statements made by people who fought in the revolution, which must have been hard to get being as though they are all deceased(dead). It also shows all the hidden secrets of the revolution, such as that Paul Revere never screamed the British are coming, he said "the regulars are out." and that he made that spectacular journey with two other people there to accompany him. This book also contains biographies of all the famous characters mentioned, not only giving you the facts, but also the backstory! It is a great read and a great way to spend your time. show less