The Indispensables

By Patrick K O'Donnell,

Book cover of The Indispensables: The Diverse Soldier-Mariners Who Shaped the Country, Formed the Navy, and Rowed Washington Across the Delaware

Book description

From the bestselling author of Washington’s Immortals and The Unknowns, an important new chronicle of the American Revolution heralding the heroism of the men from Marblehead, Massachusetts

On the stormy night of August 29, 1776, the Continental Army faced capture or annihilation after losing the Battle of Brooklyn. The British…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The Indispensables as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Marblehead, Massachusetts, played a remarkably disproportionate role in the fight for independence, and O’Donnell explains why.

The seaport produced a cadre of extraordinary patriots who figured prominently in the struggles before and during the Revolution. O’Donnell’s deeply researched book provides another perspective on the rugged, self-reliant, daring men and women who laid the groundwork for independence, and then played a critical role in winning the war.

This motley, very diverse cast joined to provide the origin of the American navy, smuggle in vital goods for the rebel cause, roam the sea as privateers, and ultimately become both Washington’s elite personal…

If you love The Indispensables...

Ad

Book cover of Secret St. Augustine: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure

Secret St. Augustine By Elizabeth Randall, William Randall,

Tourists and local residents of St. Augustine will enjoy reading about the secret wonders of their ancient city that are right under their noses. Of course, that includes a few stray corpses and ghosts!

Want books like The Indispensables?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Indispensables.

Browse books like The Indispensables

Book cover of The Boston Massacre: A Family History
Book cover of Cradle of Violence: How Boston's Waterfront Mobs Ignited the American Revolution
Book cover of As If an Enemy's Country: The British Occupation of Boston and the Origins of Revolution

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,596

readers submitted
so far, will you?

Ad

📚 If you like The Indispensables, you might also like...

Book cover of Who Is a Worthy Mother?: An Intimate History of Adoption

Who Is a Worthy Mother? By Rebecca Wellington,

I grew up thinking that being adopted didn’t matter. I was wrong. This book is my journey uncovering the significance and true history of adoption practices in America. Now, in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, the renewed debate over women’s reproductive rights places…

Book cover of Grand Old Unraveling: The Republican Party, Donald Trump, and the Rise of Authoritarianism

Grand Old Unraveling By John Kenneth White,

It didn’t begin with Donald Trump. When the Republican Party lost five straight presidential elections during the 1930s and 1940s, three things happened: (1) Republicans came to believe that presidential elections are rigged; (2) Conspiracy theories arose and were believed; and (3) The presidency was elevated to cult-like status.

Long…

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in the American Revolution, Massachusetts, and the Continental Army?

Massachusetts 150 books